The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

My current Livingston display. I call it 'Combos, Cabinets and Hofner's.

View attachment 3718443

The family pic! Very nice, Intrepid. Hoping you're enjoying the rewards of all your effort. I know I've asked, but have you messed around with the VOX combo only to get its vibe? M is right, the VOX and Hofner brands are like links you combine for musical happiness. Below is one I'd like to see in the music room someday

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

The family pic! Very nice, Intrepid. Hoping you're enjoying the rewards of all your effort. I know I've asked, but have you messed around with the VOX combo only to get its vibe? M is right, the VOX and Hofner brands are like links you combine for musical happiness. Below is one I'd like to see in the music room someday

View attachment 3718699

That is a 64 reissue. Love them! Thin necks for sure

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

The family pic! Very nice, Intrepid. Hoping you're enjoying the rewards of all your effort. I know I've asked, but have you messed around with the VOX combo only to get its vibe? M is right, the VOX and Hofner brands are like links you combine for musical happiness. Below is one I'd like to see in the music room someday

View attachment 3718699

I don't think they manufacture the 64 reissues anymore. I think they may rely on the 62s as their standard model now. The necks on the 62s are a bit wider so they are closer to a Jazz bass. I don't know for sure myself. Thomann has a left handed 64 reissue right now at a good price for a German model. Not likely what you would want to invest in unless you knew for sure you wanted it. Thomann also has many of the lower price point Hofners for good prices too. They don't have the binding on the neck, though.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Didn't know how much I would like a neck binding until I had a bass with one.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Didn't know how much I would like a neck binding until I had a bass with one.

Especially with small-scale basses like the one above. It adds a touch of class and gives it a look of completion. My Jazz doesn’t need it, but the Rogue looks classier!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Good morning all! I'm headed off to Dreamland, but I want to tell you that I'm officially protesting Mother Nature. We were supposed to get this monster snowstorm that was gonna put a dent into what's becoming almost drought-like conditions in this part of the country, and it turned into a big flop. What I thought was a day to do a little homework, shovel snow, and play bass (did I mention a PM nap too?) has turned into a regular day full of disappointed children after their science teacher told them they were getting the day off. Yeah, I know, but that's how much of a sure thing this storm was supposed to be!

So I played tonight using the VOX Mini Beetle rig. Super sweet. Next up, the PJB is back with a vengeance. I kinda miss the clarity and what I hear as sustain even with my Rogue. It's kind of cool. I know I need to continue breaking in those speakers and will do that as I have time. I'm also gonna try using it vertically with the theory that a vertical array is more effective in delivering the sonic goods. I'll find out. Below is a shot of the combo.

Have a great Tuesday, especially if you're off playing music because a snowstorm canceled your work!

 

[RodRy]

Good morning all! I'm headed off to Dreamland, but I want to tell you that I'm officially protesting Mother Nature. We were supposed to get this monster snowstorm that was gonna put a dent into what's becoming almost drought-like conditions in this part of the country, and it turned into a big flop. What I thought was a day to do a little homework, shovel snow, and play bass (did I mention a PM nap too?) has turned into a regular day full of disappointed children after their science teacher told them they were getting the day off. Yeah, I know, but that's how much of a sure thing this storm was supposed to be!

So I played tonight using the VOX Mini Beetle rig. Super sweet. Next up, the PJB is back with a vengeance. I kinda miss the clarity and what I hear as sustain even with my Rogue. It's kind of cool. I know I need to continue breaking in those speakers and will do that as I have time. I'm also gonna try using it vertically with the theory that a vertical array is more effective in delivering the sonic goods. I'll find out. Below is a shot of the combo.

Have a great Tuesday, especially if you're off playing music because a snowstorm canceled your work!

That PBJ looks like strawberry jam to me! I hope to try out one of those in a few months. Just made my most shocking bass purchase yet, so I have only $8 to play with in my fun money account.

 

[GwenOnBass]

That PBJ looks like strawberry jam to me! I hope to try out one of those in a few months. Just made my most shocking bass purchase yet, so I have only $8 to play with in my fun money account.

I know, a bit of extra coin, a bargain on a trolley brake or a hot dog stand umbrella and there goes the bank account ....

 

[iagtrplyr]

That PBJ looks like strawberry jam to me! I hope to try out one of those in a few months. Just made my most shocking bass purchase yet, so I have only $8 to play with in my fun money account.

Sounds to me as if your money definitely had some fun, RR!

Or think of it as eight bucks towards your PBJ. I’m back to thinking about a Players P bass. That or the Hofner. Gotta admit though, if I could find a good used T’Bird in lefty mode I’d give it serious thought.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Soul Reflection, hello my friend from out west! Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten ya; at least not not anymore than other people I know and communicate with. Report cards this week and conferences next week, but if I get anything recorded I’ll let you know. BTW, I fixed my super-low volume problem and it sounds much better.

 

[gigetto]

Is PJB the definitive best sounding little combo?

 

[GMC]

Is PJB the definitive best sounding little combo?

As a general brand yes...they focus on an array of custom designed small diameter drivers in carefully designed custom cabs. In terms of their character, each model of PJB cabs and combo's tends to have their own personality due to the custom nature and bending physics to make each one work. What you are essentially paying for is bespoke engineering for each cab. Where as other brands often utilize off the shelf drivers and stuff them in a box according to marketing decisions and then porting the cab to try and make the two elements work.

If you want super small, light and compact, the PJB Cub 100/110 is definitive. It's surprisingly loud, deep sounding with nice highs. But it is a tiny 100w combo so don't expect miracles on stage, but it has a DI out...it can handle a low B all day long. The BG-400 is quite a different beast, less boomy. Less coloured and a LOT more headroom. Maybe not as light as other small 12" combos....but a lot less boxy sounding. These things compete with well matched cabs and heads, although maybe not at the same max spl...but pretty close. This could easily cover 99% of most bassists needs and add another C4 cab and you are good to go for most live gigs. The C8 and active cabs are really for more heavier duty SPL's, sick puppies who need to melt drummer ear drums and say hello to Mars.
But at the end of the day, every brand has a tonal imprint that's in the nature of the gear. Markbass always has that Markbass sound and PJB has this generality too. Personally, I like it and I love their kit.

 

[Flamingo21]

Didn't know how much I would like a neck binding until I had a bass with one.

With my first bass, I experienced a drawback of neck binding. The nut needed to be replaced, as the slot for the E string is slightly too deep, so the string rattles on the first fret. But the nut is enclosed by the binding, so you can't simply knock the nut out sideways to replace it. Special machinery is needed to get that nut out, which my tech doesn't have, and I ended up just living with the slight rattle.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Well seen.

Now I'm going to have to look at the nut on my Chowny CHB-1. When the stork brought her, the nut arrived perfectly cut. So perfect, in fact, I found the .105 string rides a touch high for the .100 slot. And with tears in our eyes we drove off to put La Bella LTFs on her. Been singing since.

/Agree the PJB Suitcase Compact + C4 should see most players through most gigs. There are definitely people who want their loud Loud and there we're talking two C8s and upward. Intoxicating is the word from those who play two C8s at volume.

One PJB route that looks intoxicating to me is the modular approach of a BG100/110 and any combination of powered cabs.

That I have (use, and enjoy) an Elf with a PJB Cab 27 is a spot of chance, owing to curious turns of life. Another Cab 27 <scrim smack>

 

[SoulReflection]

Soul Reflection, hello my friend from out west! Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten ya; at least not not anymore than other people I know and communicate with. Report cards this week and conferences next week, but if I get anything recorded I’ll let you know. BTW, I fixed my super-low volume problem and it sounds much better.

No problem, Mike. Sorry you have to work...us retired GOF's have lots of patience! I look forward to hearing your volume solution.

 

[gigetto]

As a general brand yes...they focus on an array of custom designed small diameter drivers in carefully designed custom cabs. In terms of their character, each model of PJB cabs and combo's tends to have their own personality due to the custom nature and bending physics to make each one work. What you are essentially paying for is bespoke engineering for each cab. Where as other brands often utilize off the shelf drivers and stuff them in a box according to marketing decisions and then porting the cab to try and make the two elements work.

If you want super small, light and compact, the PJB Cub 100/110 is definitive. It's surprisingly loud, deep sounding with nice highs. But it is a tiny 100w combo so don't expect miracles on stage, but it has a DI out...it can handle a low B all day long. The BG-400 is quite a different beast, less boomy. Less coloured and a LOT more headroom. Maybe not as light as other small 12" combos....but a lot less boxy sounding. These things compete with well matched cabs and heads, although maybe not at the same max spl...but pretty close. This could easily cover 99% of most bassists needs and add another C4 cab and you are good to go for most live gigs. The C8 and active cabs are really for more heavier duty SPL's, sick puppies who need to melt drummer ear drums and say hello to Mars.
But at the end of the day, every brand has a tonal imprint that's in the nature of the gear. Markbass always has that Markbass sound and PJB has this generality too. Personally, I like it and I love their kit.

I've had a Peavey MAx 110 it was a good stand alone combo for the price. I've used it frequently live and it was not too heavy not too big not too expensive but was also not too good in others...
Than i've decided to substitue it with a Italian product made in otherwere like all electronics light but not too light for the dimension, better sounding and deep than the louder bigger Peavey, It is a MarkbBass 50w Micromark huge sound astonishing for a 8"-Here noone or no big reseller sell Phil Jones that in comparison seems me better than others.

 

[roccobass]

At my jazz gig! My Upshot being used as an extension speaker with my AI Coda R. Such a great sound.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Sweet!

 

[iagtrplyr]

At my jazz gig! My Upshot being used as an extension speaker with my AI Coda R. Such a great sound.View attachment 3725736

And it also doubles as a crockpot for the fondue party after the gig! Sorry rocco, I just couldn't help myself. It's been a while since I've walked these hallowed halls and I lost myself for a minute...

In all seriousness, you have yourself quite the gigging rig there. Some top-notch kit there.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I've had a Peavey MAx 110 it was a good stand alone combo for the price. I've used it frequently live and it was not too heavy not too big not too expensive but was also not too good in others...
Than i've decided to substitue it with a Italian product made in otherwere like all electronics light but not too light for the dimension, better sounding and deep than the louder bigger Peavey, It is a MarkbBass 50w Micromark huge sound astonishing for a 8"-Here noone or no big reseller sell Phil Jones that in comparison seems me better than others.

gigetto, I owned that same Markbass combo you speak of a year or two ago and found it to be quite healthy when it came to solid mid-bass, and it could get down in the lower register as well. What I liked about that amp was its versatility, as you could use it by itself for small rehearsals, run an extension cab through it and either use both speakers or just the cab, use it with headphones, plug your phone into the Aux In, and even use its XLR out for bigger jobs. Am I missing anything? It does lack preamp controls, but then again maybe it's a blessing. Less to mess with. If it wasn't for those gosh darn VOX amps with their NuTube warmth I'd still probably own it too.