The Combo Club

[GonePlaid]

The upside is most timelines don't include you at all: linky

And it's with no mean irony that even in retirement, I find myself on conference calls. Will be on one in two hours, and Saturday on a two hour conference call followed by a two hour video conference.

Elsewhere here on the Isle of Everywhere the new bass sees a lot of play because that's what else there is to do as I'm on the mend.

Here in this town I'm in the city in the country and pretty unknown to the local musicians. Now that I can actually play standing up again — gotta love that — pretty eager to make myself known here. This is how I came to investigate the open mike.

And foreknowledge of How Things Work, there is the Gator gig bag for my semi-hollow because public transit is the easist way for me to get there and back. And in a related note that has nothing to do with the tale as it opens, the pockets and handles on the Gator are really well thought out, and it comes with its own rain cover. Cute.

Arrive at said open mike. The host and I know each other slightly for we take coffee at the same watering hole. He's a luthier with a shop four doors down from the coffee oasis, and worked on my Ray some years ago before that excursion that lead me to a seaside town where after repeated appearances at the open mike The Guy says:

"You want to play bass for my new blues band?"

and I'm like Yeah, and next thing you know I'm here and quick to see this open mike is the luthier's showpiece as he backs others with his guitar. Good PA going in a hipster restaurant with expensive craft beers and all. No drums, no bass amp, this is a different deal. Didn't expect to play, and I don't, cause there's no bass amp.

We agree I can bring my VT Bass Deluxe and go right into the PA and use the wedge to hear myyself. Which brings me to the exciting topic of

COMBO AMPS

Because what it seems to me I need here is something small and light enough for public transport to use as a stage monitor. My little Ampeg BA108v2 might fit the bill with its tiltback construction but doesn't fit the bill for weight. And my BG400 is a lot of weight to haul for maybe 15 minutes of absolute fame playing for the snake people eating their gourmet pizza with forks and knives.

A Fender Rumble of some description might fit the bill. My (alleged) tone is my fingers on these tapes on the semi-hollow Ampeg-y thunk courtesy of the VT Bass Deluxe. The Rumble 100 has an effects loop so I can dial in some real nastiness.

The PJB Bass Cub is lighter and smaller than the Rumble, and is twice the cost of a Rumble. Prolly not even as loud. But with the luthier's PA — and it's a good one! — I don't need my amp to fill the room.

Which brings me to that whole question of how many watts do you need? because the common TB wisdom is "as many as you can haul".

And thinking too the Bass Cub has two inputs so I can use it to teach. For being such a bass noob that I am, I can actually read music and knows my theory and play from a Real Book and stuff, cause I was brought up playing in the band in school. And for some reason actually learned stuff at BIT (MI) before I took my master's and went to work and stuff. Hey.

Of course I could get a micro head like an ELF and use it to push my Phil Jones C4 and that would rock too.

Well shoot, lots of things going on here in Morrighanland and sometimes it sometimes feels like juggling priceless eggs in variable gravity but we haz coffee.

At least these days you have choices. When I started playing bass(67). it was big, heavy stuff. I have an 18 y/o Bassman 25 that weighs 33#.My rumble 40 weighs 18#. The R15 weighs 16#, the R25 weighs 21#-both have 8"spkrs. On another note, pizza w/ fork and knife? Wrong!

 

[GwenOnBass]

What seems to me the engaging question is: how much of a rig is really necessary for a gig with a good PA? Not that I'm gigging again (that will come), but I reckon I'm pretty well covered for bigger places with the BG400 + C4 rig. I believe I was careful to select a combo rig with enough oomph to carry any indoor gig.

What I didn't reckon on is a rig to cover the smallest conceivable situation. And that things have changed since I was playing through 15s and big iron tube heads. I got by with 100 watts just fine back in the day and it was loud.

 

[GonePlaid]

What seems to me the engaging question is: how much of a rig is really necessary for a gig with a good PA? Not that I'm gigging again (that will come), but I reckon I'm pretty well covered for bigger places with the BG400 + C4 rig. I believe I was careful to select a combo rig with enough oomph to carry any indoor gig.

What I didn't reckon on is a rig to cover the smallest conceivable situation. And that things have changed since I was playing through 15s and big iron tube heads. I got by with 100 watts just fine back in the day and it was loud.

Yeah, I used to play some fairly large spaces w/ a 50 (tube) watt piggyback 63 Bassman and an EB3. Now I use a Rumble 200C, line out if I need it(haven't yet).

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'm taking it easy myself and hanging with the family. The little quartet I'm playing is off for a week cause the guitarists are busy. The drummer and I have found a singer and song writer, with two CDs, to jam with, but that hasn't materialized.

I'm enjoying my last week of vacation before school starts for me on the 27th August (classes a week after that). I've got some course preparation done this summer, and some jamming (not enough), but the publication I'm working on is behind schedule. My confidence is struggling!

All in all, though, feeling good. Got to spend the day with my two year old, which is a bit stressful while also spectacular. Life is good!

Doc, from one educator to the other, best of luck and skill to both you and your students! Totally agree, the work/jamming ratio was whack this summer, but still enjoyable. I need to get some lessons created for this Thu/Fri, but otherwise am sitting pretty well. Keep that self-confidence up because that can sometimes be your best ally.

 

[GonePlaid]

I’m also a great fan of gig bags, but there are huge differences both in quality and design, and even some of the good ones have flaws. Most protect the bass well enough, but some have not been designed with practicality in mind, the lack of intelligent storage being one of the things that’s most overlooked.

Speaking of which - how about gig bags for our beloved combos? I’ve hardly ever seen such a beast. It looks like the most portable type of amp is never meant to leave the living room, as the best most manufacturers seem capable of is a flimsy slip cover. Sure, padded covers are available from third-party manufacturers, but a gig bag would be even better, don’t you think? You can get them for PA systems, so why not bass combo amps?

MGB does custom amp covers. They could possibly make a combo amp gig bag but it's not in their catalog.

 

[JakobT]

MGB does custom amp covers. They could possibly make a combo amp gig bag but it's not in their catalog.

I’m sure they could - you can get most anything custom made, if you throw enough money at it. But I think the manufacturers should get involved - however, flimsy covers look like the best they can do at present.

 

[iagtrplyr]

...The more I think about it, the more the Rumble Studio is on my shortlist, too. Yeah, I keep drooling over the Rumble Stage, as well, but my Rumble 500c and Bassman 500 w/115 neo don't leave any room for it. But I'm sure I could squeeze the Studio into my music room. Especially now that Mrs. Dog is taking over the big back den for her sewing room by moving sewing stuff from every other room in the house!

'Dog we're both flying in formation right now. The Stage combo-idea sounds wonderful, but how many 800-watt amps does one need around his house? (I'm leaving that one open to interpretation) Of course, how many lower-powered combos does one need as well? (I'm leaving that one open to interpretation too) I believe JJ said his 40 does decently by itself, and the thought of having an easier time to record with the built-in USB does give the Studio a definite advantage. Plus, if you look at it price-wise, it is pretty reasonable for what you get. As long as the Ampeg rig is kicking booty I don't see the need for the Stage, but I've said things like that in the past...

Let's keep our combo plans on the frontburner, G-Dog. I'm doing something in December most likely. Daddy needs some winter vacation fun besides science and social studies curriculum.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I musta missed sumpin' somewhere. What is this Acoustic tilt-back dilemna of which you speak?

Oh, I've just been thinking out loud about springing for one of the new Acoustic combos; partially because I'd like a wedge-shaped monitor to replace the BA-108 v2 my son "borrowed" from me earlier this year, and for the fact I recently passed a family law that i must purchase amps every 90 days and that time since my Rumble 100 purchase is about up!

 

[GonePlaid]

I’m sure they could - you can get most anything custom made, if you throw enough money at it. But I think the manufacturers should get involved - however, flimsy covers look like the best they can do at present.

Yeah, the ones I have on my R200 and R40 are basically dust covers. I like them but they aren't real protective.

 

[JakobT]

Yeah, the ones I have on my R200 and R40 are basically dust covers. I like them but they aren't real protective.

I’m thinking something in the nature of those wheelie bags which some manufacturers, like Yamaha, make for their PA systems.

 

[GonePlaid]

Oh, I've just been thinking out loud about springing for one of the new Acoustic combos; partially because I'd like a wedge-shaped monitor to replace the BA-108 v2 my son "borrowed" from me earlier this year, and for the fact I recently passed a family law that i must purchase amps every 90 days and that time since my Rumble 100 purchase is about up!

Don't the Mrs. see this, but being the "head" of household has its perks.(I live alone-LOL)

 

[GwenOnBass]

From what I see here now, I could use my BA108v2 as my stage monitor with FOH. Just a matter of hauling the 30 pounds of Ampeg on public transit. Which sounds a lot like a gig bag and portable hand truck

 

[GonePlaid]

I’m thinking something in the nature of those wheelie bags which some manufacturers, like Yamaha, make for their PA systems.

That would be nice. Your transportation situation is much different,IIRC, from over here, making that idea desirable.

 

[JakobT]

That would be nice. Your transportation situation is much different,IIRC, from over here, making that idea desirable.

That’s right. I don’t drive, so I use public transport or go on foot most of the time. I have a small cart, which works well, but a padded wheelie bag would be even better.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yeah, I used to play some fairly large spaces w/ a 50 (tube) watt piggyback 63 Bassman and an EB3. Now I use a Rumble 200C, line out if I need it(haven't yet).

Very interesting discussion, Morrighan and GP. Lady M, you're in what sounds like an incredible opportunity for a musician. I'd love to have exactly those same problems! The Island of Nowhere, little restaurant, pizza-eaters, and what combo should I buy? Keep us posted on what you do because many of us will be living through your it with you. Though I haven't played through one, I'd probably opt for the PJB Cub and use it as a monitor. It'll be a great home amp as well. The Rumble 40 or 100 would work as well too, but the size and convenience of the Cub could be its selling points. Of course, an Elf and your existing cab could be a workable solution too. The world is your oyster and all you have to do is find the right pearl for you.

 

[GonePlaid]

That’s right. I don’t drive, so I use public transport or go on foot most of the time. I have a small cart, which works well, but a padded wheelie bag would be even better.

Depending on size of amp, perhaps a wheeled suitcase w/ foam inserts could work?

 

[JakobT]

Depending on size of amp, perhaps a wheeled suitcase w/ foam inserts could work?

It would have to be one hell of a suitcase to hold my Rumble 500c!

EDIT: Of course, it would be entirely possible, if expensive, to have a wheelie flightcase made...

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yeah, the ones I have on my R200 and R40 are basically dust covers. I like them but they aren't real protective.

Yeah, and I'm STILL waiting for mine from MF. I ordered one while they were backordered, but figured there'd be a new batch over the summer. We're now looking at at September, but being the fool I am, I am not going to drop the order so some dude from Intercourse, PA grabs my cover! Yeah, I remember things like that...

 

[GonePlaid]

Yeah, and I'm STILL waiting for mine from MF. I ordered one while they were backordered, but figured there'd be a new batch over the summer. We're now looking at at September, but being the fool I am, I am not going to drop the order so some dude from Intercourse, PA grabs my cover! Yeah, I remember things like that...

Yeah, you'd really be scre.....never mind.

 

[GonePlaid]

Very interesting discussion, Morrighan and GP. Lady M, you're in what sounds like an incredible opportunity for a musician. I'd love to have exactly those same problems! The Island of Nowhere, little restaurant, pizza-eaters, and what combo should I buy? Keep us posted on what you do because many of us will be living through your it with you. Though I haven't played through one, I'd probably opt for the PJB Cub and use it as a monitor. It'll be a great home amp as well. The Rumble 40 or 100 would work as well too, but the size and convenience of the Cub could be its selling points. Of course, an Elf and your existing cab could be a workable solution too. The world is your oyster and all you have to do is find the right pearl for you.

Just for grins, I looked up the Acoustic tilt back and the Ampeg B108 . Neither has line out to FOH so you'd have to mic them. (OK, the Acoustic 100w has line out but that seems kinda big for a stage monitor)<EDIT>For that matter, neither the R15 or R25 has line out. The R40 does.