The Combo Club

[SoulReflection]

Here ya go, Soul Man! Beautiful, no? Ciao!

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Now that's a normal looking bass! If I do mine, I will avoid words as they show up backwards .

 

[GwenOnBass]

Still love the process you go through, but am shocked the Presonus is still sitting in neutral. Get that baby in the system and start taking advantage of the ability to make a CD-quality recording of yourself. That’ll really ramp up your desire to perfect your skills or if you’re like me, you’ll ignore what you hear and get a kick out of hearing yourself jamming with The Beatles!

A properly recorded video via the ProSonus as an input from the VT Bass may well be on the docket this week. Maybe. It requires futzing with the computer to re-point its input. Honestly, I don't consider futzing with computers all that much fun. I've had enough for a few lifetimes.

Pretty much I'm recording technical exercises. Triads and their first and second inversions up and down and all around.

 

[Liko]

Hi guys,

First, @Recon1342, glad to hear you're getting better. People think COVID is just a cold, because news outlets have been saying "most people only get mild symptoms" for months. What news outlets haven't mentioned is that they're using a doctor's definition of "mild", calibrated based on seeing the very worst that can happen to a person on a daily basis. On that kind of scale, "mild" is anything you don't need hospitalization for. Meanwhile, the average person hears "mild" and thinks "nothing that would keep me home from work or my kid home from school". There is a vast gulf between these two connotations of "mild", where an illness can kick you in the balls for two weeks before you even start to feel like yourself again.

Which leads to what I came here for; yesterday, my lead guitarist's wife woke up with a fever and unable to taste anything. Due to a number of scheduling SNAFUs related more generally to COVID, we haven't practiced in weeks, so I was never exposed, but it's better than 50-50 his whole family will get it, and the guitarist himself is a smoker, so that doesn't bode well.

A secondary concern is that it puts the final nail in the coffin of the band's "summer tour"; we were going to try a few things in August like a Facebook Live concert, but even if he himself doesn't get sick, the rehearsal space is his house, so the band's on total hiatus at least until his family recovers and can disinfect their whole house, which in even the most optimistic scenarios backs us up until school starts again. Oh well. I'm still much more concerned about my friend and fellow musician.

 

[Recon1342]

Hi guys,

First, @Recon1342, glad to hear you're getting better. People think COVID is just a cold, because news outlets have been saying "most people only get mild symptoms" for months. What news outlets haven't mentioned is that they're using a doctor's definition of "mild", calibrated based on seeing the very worst that can happen to a person on a daily basis. On that kind of scale, "mild" is anything you don't need hospitalization for. Meanwhile, the average person hears "mild" and thinks "nothing that would keep me home from work or my kid home from school". There is a vast gulf between these two connotations of "mild", where an illness can kick you in the balls for two weeks before you even start to feel like yourself again.

Which leads to what I came here for; yesterday, my lead guitarist's wife woke up with a fever and unable to taste anything. Due to a number of scheduling SNAFUs related more generally to COVID, we haven't practiced in weeks, so I was never exposed, but it's better than 50-50 his whole family will get it, and the guitarist himself is a smoker, so that doesn't bode well.

A secondary concern is that it puts the final nail in the coffin of the band's "summer tour"; we were going to try a few things in August like a Facebook Live concert, but even if he himself doesn't get sick, the rehearsal space is his house, so the band's on total hiatus at least until his family recovers and can disinfect their whole house, which in even the most optimistic scenarios backs us up until school starts again. Oh well. I'm still much more concerned about my friend and fellow musician.

Thanks! Yeah, my symptoms have been mild, aside from the uncontrolled high grade fever that put me in the ER. I was a paramedic for a few years so I use the medical definition of mild. Wouldn’t wish my mild symptoms on anybody. I am actually much more awake and alert today, which is nice. I despise being forced into impersonating a lump on the couch...

 

[RodRy]

Possibly of interest to the combo club:

NAD and a Shootout: Acoustic B100C (vs. Rumble 100)

Still club numbers for this one? If so, I'll take one...

Wow, I'll invite him in just for that review! What a nice comparison! I don't have either amp, so I'm neutral on the outcome. Sticking with my 26 pound 150W GK for the foreseeable future.

 

[RodRy]

The Rumble 25 and Ampeg BA-108v2 were the last two standing before I clicked through to payment and shipping. Neither were auditioned in a brick and mortar. In fact there was a fleeting moment of regret having picked the "wrong" practice amp when I completed the order.

What I see now is the 'Peg is the better choice for my needs because of both the kickback design and a volume control for Aux IN.

There's more than a few furlongs between my present recording arrangement and a reasonably good arrangement with the ProSonus USB box thing that just sits here with a Trace Elliot sticker waiting to be slapped on the top. What I'm thinking is record my video "recitals" via the VT Bass line out and the monitor's webcam. I'd monitor with headphones. The question mark I have now is how to get a metronome running so I can hear it and not record it.

My recording process now is with my cell phone. The metronome goes through the BA-108vs Plus headphone out to an earbud. It's as inelegant as possible. What it does is give me a record of my work. It's really instructional for me to prepare something and record it cleanly, then <shudder> have to look at it

It's that last part that keeps me from recording myself.

 

[RodRy]

Very possible. I’m also looking at a white pearloid as well. The current one is so...blah.

If I may make a bold suggestion for a replacement pickguard: figured maple. Serious.

 

[SunByrne]

Wow, I'll invite him in just for that review! What a nice comparison!

Thanks!

I don't have either amp, so I'm neutral on the outcome. Sticking with my 26 pound 150W GK for the foreseeable future.

Good call. I haven't played through a GK yet but people sure seem to like them. I don't think they still make that model, though.

The MB110 is 100W and the next one up is the MB112 which is 200W. And even the MB110 is 1.5x the price of the two I looked at...

 

[RodRy]

Good call. I haven't played through a GK yet but people sure seem to like them. I don't think they still make that model, though.

The MB110 is 100W and the next one up is the MB112 which is 200W. And even the MB110 is 1.5x the price of the two I looked at...

Correct, my amp is the microbass combo, MB150E-112. Sadly has not been made in a few years, and they just discontinued the S model. I find it clear and articulate, sometimes to an embarrassing level. Coupled with a Hartke 410 Transporter, it has held it's own with an aggressive rock drummer.

 

[RodRy]

If I may make a bold suggestion for a replacement pickguard: figured maple. Serious.

Following up: gilroyguitars.com | Awesome Maple Pickguards He makes really nice custom ones. In nearly any color you'd want. Check out his black quilted ones.

I'm thinking get one with just a clear finish over maple to tie it into that board. One that looks more like this, but lefty: Maple Pickguard for Fender Jazz Bass | eBay

OORRRR, something even more out there: Eagles Desperado Gold LP Fender Jazz Bass Guitar Pickguard | eBay

This one (above) would be a good color match to your bass paint and fretboard.

AND they have one with the green Apple records label from a band we both know and love.

For those who think a black one would be good:

I've already asked the seller if he can make them left-handed.
Yeah, I got your back.

 

[SoulReflection]

Possibly of interest to the combo club:

NAD and a Shootout: Acoustic B100C (vs. Rumble 100)

Still club numbers for this one? If so, I'll take one...

I love reviews, especially neutral ones.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Or any design in leather (examples) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[iagtrplyr]

Possibly of interest to the combo club:

NAD and a Shootout: Acoustic B100C (vs. Rumble 100)

Still club numbers for this one? If so, I'll take one...

SunByrne, I apologize for being so late with getting you a number. But without further adieu, your exclusive membership number and no one else’s is #208.

May you and your combo wear it in good health. Don’t forget to add it to your signature in order to make all of your friends envious.

Congratulations and welcome aboard!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Following up: gilroyguitars.com | Awesome Maple Pickguards He makes really nice custom ones. In nearly any color you'd want. Check out his black quilted ones.

I'm thinking get one with just a clear finish over maple to tie it into that board. One that looks more like this, but lefty: Maple Pickguard for Fender Jazz Bass | eBay
View attachment 3921521

OORRRR, something even more out there: Eagles Desperado Gold LP Fender Jazz Bass Guitar Pickguard | eBay
View attachment 3921516
This one (above) would be a good color match to your bass paint and fretboard.

AND they have one with the green Apple records label from a band we both know and love.
View attachment 3921517
For those who think a black one would be good:
View attachment 3921518

I've already asked the seller if he can make them left-handed.
Yeah, I got your back.

Thanks for thinking about me, RR! Honestly the maple ‘guard isn’t ringing a bell for my bass, but it made me hungry because I expected to see summer sausage or cheese and a small knife on it. Yes, to me it looks like a cutting board.

The record examples are may be a touch beyond my thoughts too, but I must admit I really liked them. I was trying to envision what the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine would look like on the tidepool. I may have to check it out further. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Now pass the Limburger...

 

[GwenOnBass]

A Limburger and onion sandwich is a fine thing, and too rarely seen on menus. Probably good to figure out the ProSonus recording deal. Everything is in place, except I'm using a sound driver on my computer that needs to be disabled to enable the ProSonus input. My inclination to futz with the computer is low, but I know I can get a much better quality video. My bass overmodulates the smrtphne.

 

[iagtrplyr]

A Limburger and onion sandwich is a fine thing, and too rarely seen on menus. Probably good to figure out the ProSonus recording deal. Everything is in place, except I'm using a sound driver on my computer that needs to be disabled to enable the ProSonus input. My inclination to futz with the computer is low, but I know I can get a much better quality video. My bass overmodulates the smrtphne.

Lady M, if you have Windows, go to your sound settings (lower right corner) and manually switch to the Audiobox 96 speaker setting and you’ll be good to go if you have monitors.

I use headphones through the Presonus and when the app loads to its home page you make sure it’s configured to Audiobox as well. Then you’ll have the pure sound of the interface.

I hope this helps because I’ve leaned on enough people to get to where I’m currently at. Trust me on this one, after you this into your brain you’ll never turn back. Recording bass will get in your blood!!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Lady M, if you have Windows, go to your sound settings (lower right corner) and manually switch to the Audiobox 96 speaker setting and you’ll be good to go if you have monitors.

I use headphones through the Presonus and when the app loads to its home page you make sure it’s configured to Audiobox as well. Then you’ll have the pure sound of the interface.

I hope this helps because I’ve leaned on enough people to get to where I’m currently at. Trust me on this one, after you this into your brain you’ll never turn back. Recording bass will get in your blood!!

On my Windows machine I use an EQ program that gloms the machine with its own driver. I have to disable that driver to the Audiobox driver, then reverse the process when I'm done. What I'm thinking is create another Win account with the different driver set in place.

 

[iagtrplyr]

On my Windows machine I use an EQ program that gloms the machine with its own driver. I have to disable that driver to the Audiobox driver, then reverse the process when I'm done. What I'm thinking is create another Win account with the different driver set in place.

That’s an interesting idea. Might save ya some time. I’ve read where Windows 10 and the app don’t always play well together. I’m still trying to figure the DAW out, so I don’t always know what works and what doesn’t until I try doing something specific..

Our buddy, SR, has begun working on recording as well (SPOILER ALERT) with his Scarlett, and we plan on comparing notes. I was hoping this week to play along with some of their pre-loaded instruments, drums, guitar, keys and record that.

That Chowny deserves to be turned into tiny digital bits...get to it!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Oh the Chowny and I are uploaded to the Tubeplace but it's just technical material I'm presenting. For our bass cohort is on Unit 14 of 20 with Ari Cap. The videos are an agreement for all. We work the material, make a written commit, and record. At the moment I'm getting fairly comfortable with this unit's material. Well, some of it. It's a sure bet I'm taking the course again.

 

[SunByrne]

SunByrne, I apologize for being so late with getting you a number. But without further adieu, your exclusive membership number and no one else’s is #208.

Awesome, thanks.