The Combo Club

[GwenOnBass]

Enjoying the journal, M, until you get to the shoulder problems. I sympathize with you, mostly because I'm feeling your pain (literally) myself. I'm also wondering if the amount of keyboarding I do (maybe you too) where my right arm sits up in the air. Then I put the bass on that shoulder for 3-4 hours at a time and wonder why my shoulder is killing me. I also tried the wider, more comfortable strap. It's made it nice, but hasn't fixed the shoulder. Please keep us posted on that, as well as the blues gig in hoping you're getting to.

BTW, everyone, this is the first time all week I've had a moment to get on and read club news. The school year is underway and fourth graders are tiny in August! Carry on please.

Thankee sai

A fleece girth cover is one possible solution for an ouchy shoulder. Slides right over the strap. The Tiddy Bear safety belt accessory (intended for other purposes) would make for really thick shoulder padding. I see a use for a Tiddy Bear in Death Metal. Let's do it.

Yes for me the Ampeg BA108v2 is a great combo amp for what it is — a practice amp. I love the tone. To me, it's a a very musical amp. But it's an awful lot of mass for a small stage monitor. Sometimes methinks an Elf in the gig bag and the TE 1x10 would see me through a lot more.

In the understanding the blues scene here on the Isle of Everywhere is lively. I think I should have a blue cable.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thankee sai

A fleece girth cover is one possible solution for an ouchy shoulder. Slides right over the strap. The Tiddy Bear safety belt accessory (intended for other purposes) would make for really thick shoulder padding. I see a use for a Tiddy Bear in Death Metal. Let's do it.

Yes for me the Ampeg BA108v2 is a great combo amp for what it is — a practice amp. I love the tone. To me it's a a very musical amp. But it's an awful lot of mass for a small stage monitor. Sometimes methinks an Elf in the gig bag and the TE 1x10 would see me through a lot more.

In the understanding the blues scene here on the Isle of Everywhere is lively. I think I should have a blue cable.

D'Addario "Gel Strap Shoulder Pad". I got mine from Bass Strings Online.

 

[GwenOnBass]

D'Addario "Gel Strap Shoulder Pad". I got mine from Bass Strings Online.

Might just work!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Heading to bed, but had to stop by to see why there hasn't been a posting for the past three days. Yeah, I know, where have i been? We're into our third day of school and each day has been 11-12 hours long, as it is each August. It's gone well so far though, but with two grades it's pretty hectic. Hope you're all doing well.

Played last night before Zzzz just to say I did since there was no jams over the weekend. Had a blast conjuring up my inner Geezer Butler with some tasty Sab tunes. I can only play the worship side for so long before the little devil in me pops up on the other shoulder and whispers "Snowblind" or "Dirty Women." Now I'm back to "Shine Jesus Shine" and I feel balanced.

Any combo purchases or at least a palpitation or two this past weekend? I didn't read much myself, but before jumping on here I skimmed a couple of threads with Rumble Studio and Stage amps in the spotlight. My Christmas gift monetary limitations came up this weekend and it looks like the Studio is a definite player, or with a little more added, the Ampeg PF-20T tuber that I've also been jonesing about for the past few months. To record direct to the computer or enjoy the goodness of tubes in a Portaflex package? The good news is I have plenty of time to decide, and no time to overthink it.

Okay, we're back on Page 1. Help me keep the CC right up there. Be back no later than the weekend...all three days of it!

 

[GwenOnBass]

:: shiny :: PF-20 :: shiny ::

Wonder if Geezer likes to say the phrase "... keep the faith!"
... betting no.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks, Morrighan, for the only response on the entire planet. As soon as I read your reply it made me think of George Michaels' "Gotta Have Faith." Geezer wouldn't have probably uttered that phrase either, but ya never know.

Hey, celebrate with me. It's NCD (New Cover Day) for my Rumble 100. I know, you wouldn't think it'd be a big deal, but I ordered this in early June, I believe. You'd have thought these little buggers would have caused as much stir as they have? It's maybe not as nice as the Ampeg covers I had for my micro-rig, but for 20 shekels, U.S. currency, it's not too bad. At least I finally got a package today that had my name on it and not my better half's. Thanks Fender...finally!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Oh yeah, it also matches the bedspread. WIN!

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanks, Morrighan, for the only response on the entire planet. As soon as I read your reply it made me think of George Michaels' "Gotta Have Faith." Geezer wouldn't have probably uttered that phrase either, but ya never know.

Hey, celebrate with me. It's NCD (New Cover Day) for my Rumble 100. I know, you wouldn't think it'd be a big deal, but I ordered this in early June, I believe. You'd have thought these little buggers would have caused as much stir as they have? It's maybe not as nice as the Ampeg covers I had for my micro-rig, but for 20 shekels, U.S. currency, it's not too bad. At least I finally got a package today that had my name on it and not my better half's. Thanks Fender...finally!View attachment 3132232

See, that's where you messed up. If you'd had it sent to your better half, you'da gotten it by 7/1!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Thanks, Morrighan, for the only response on the entire planet. As soon as I read your reply it made me think of George Michaels' "Gotta Have Faith." Geezer wouldn't have probably uttered that phrase either, but ya never know.

Hey, celebrate with me. It's NCD (New Cover Day) for my Rumble 100. I know, you wouldn't think it'd be a big deal, but I ordered this in early June, I believe. You'd have thought these little buggers would have caused as much stir as they have? It's maybe not as nice as the Ampeg covers I had for my micro-rig, but for 20 shekels, U.S. currency, it's not too bad. At least I finally got a package today that had my name on it and not my better half's. Thanks Fender...finally!View attachment 3132232

That's sharp looking and I really like the amp stand. My PJB combo + cab needs to be on the floor, preferably against a wall, for proper low end response. Sure would be nice to work my rig closer to ear height.

 

[GonePlaid]

That's sharp looking and I really like the amp stand. My PJB combo + cab needs to be on the floor, preferably against a wall, for proper low end response. Sure would be nice to work my rig closer to ear height.

Try the Ampwedge(that's its name). Angles it up toward your ears, still contacts the floor/wall.

 

[FirewalZ]

In my experience thats one of the draw back of small/low profile cab's and combos, especially on a small tight stage when its pointed at the back of your legs....you just cant hear it well. I uses an amp stand i really like that tilts it back at an angle.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Hello all

I've been too busy to post for awhile and really had nothing to say. I'm back at school this week, and classes start next week for me. I have some new course material which will keep me quite busy but I'm excited about the upcoming school year!

The band I'm playing has found a practice space. The college is providing some space for us for free three of the band members work at the college. We may have a singer too and may have settles on a name: The Why Knots.

Anyway, I've recently stopped using my amp stand. I think it may sound better just rumbling on the ground. Plus, for some reason, I'm just finding it more aesthetically pleasing lately. That could change!

 

[GwenOnBass]

And

and the new bass is now vetted.

And before I go on, a word about "new bass". Started saying New Bass to be clear I am not speaking of the Old Bass. But the old bass is only old in the sense it has been in my field now for 39 years. Never did give the bass a name because it was unnecessary. Simply said: "My Bass" or "My Ray", and just that easy. Now the New Bass isn't all that New anymore and it seemed a good idea to find a proper name for it.

As a sapphire blue burst,



all manner of names were suggested. Most name suggestions were about water or watery beings. And none seemed right. Then I recalled the New Bass was completed on June 20. Now the New Bass is named Solstice Eve, and the Old Bass retains the name My StingRay or My Ray. And being a Gemini, I see, Solstice Eve happens twice a year.

Solstice Eve is vetted!

It's a carefully planned day that starts with a visit to the salon because there is an important meeting in the afternoon and I want to look my best. It's a pink full length dress I choose for the day, and swap out to a white strap because the blue strap is too busy against the dress. (Now I GAS for a new strap that's neutral, maybe in brown...) Outside it's in the 30s with 70 percent humidity. My stylist fixes my hair so it's up and out of my face in this heat.



Home after my meeting, I fix some leftover curry I made and head back downtown with Solstice Eve in the not-new-now gig bag, and my VT Bass Deluxe to run my signal to the board. Ampless tonight, and this is the first time I've run without a stage monitor. Let's see how this goes ....

It's an outdoor deal tonight and Sean has everything up and running by 19:00:



This is my first time playing with others in a year, but that's good because it means my body is well enough again to stand and play. But it's a long step up to the stage. I make it up to the stage with the speaker stand as an aid.

We test my signal through the PA. I select the default "Fat Tube" setting on the SansAmp. The EQ feels good to me for this style: a bit of overdrive and a minor bump to the mids with the Character knob. Otherwise it's flat, and I select both pickups.

It's shooting from the hip time as Sean and I have never played together before now. I know a number of songs he doesn't know the words to. We figure out we still hold a common language and we play about six or seven songs together including Crosscut Saw, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Every Day I Have the Blues.

Hear myself quite well thorough the wedge monitor, to my pleasure.

And now I find I have a fan: you two were really tight, he says, offers to buy me a beer.

And Sean asks me to come back next week .... right now it's time to wipe down all the DNA from Solstice Eve, cause it sure was hot outside. And I've a client this afternoon and one never ever knows what's gong to happen, hey?

- M

 

[mikeyjm2]

I go back and forth on the amp stand thing. I have one, but whether or not I bring it to a gig is generally determined by how much else I have to bring. The stand folds, but it still occupies a fair amount of space even folded. On the other hand, it really does help me to hear myself better. I need to decide to quit being indecisive I guess.

 

[GwenOnBass]

On my radar is the PBJ Ear Box. Sits on top of a mike stand. Point it in your direction at ear level and there's your personal monitor. Ridiculously low impedance means it can be daisy chained to just about everything.

But then I'm carrying a mike stand and the Ear Box on top if everything else. The Ampwedge(that's its name) sounds like a best bet.

Digging the stage wedge as my monitor, surprising how well that works for me.

 

[GonePlaid]

I go back and forth on the amp stand thing. I have one, but whether or not I bring it to a gig is generally determined by how much else I have to bring. The stand folds, but it still occupies a fair amount of space even folded. On the other hand, it really does help me to hear myself better. I need to decide to quit being indecisive I guess.

Or not.

 

[jmhaslip]

This is my main rig. Fender Rumble 500C and a 2X10 extension cabinet. Although I rarely need the external Cab. This amp is LOUD!

 

[FirewalZ]

I go back and forth on the amp stand thing. I have one, but whether or not I bring it to a gig is generally determined by how much else I have to bring. The stand folds, but it still occupies a fair amount of space even folded. On the other hand, it really does help me to hear myself better. I need to decide to quit being indecisive I guess.

Ive been using this one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035LCFRW/
It works very well, folds up slightly larger than a standard guitar stand and holds up to 100lbs. It works great on my larger GK MB212 and Rumble 210 boxes.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Ive been using this one

I like the looks of that. On the one I have the supports for the amp are welded onto the arms at an angle, such that they don't really fold in with the rest of the unit. It's this one:

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Maybe I could slide the entire arm pieces out of the folding base? Might help a little. Gonna have to have another look at it once I get home.

Edit: yup, they do come out so that will help a little. Don't know why I never looked at doing that before.

 

[GonePlaid]

I like the looks of that. On the one I have the supports for the amp are welded onto the arms at an angle, such that they don't really fold in with the rest of the unit. It's this one:

Invalid Link Removed

Maybe I could slide the entire arm pieces out of the folding base? Might help a little. Gonna have to have another look at it once I get home.

This is one of the two I use. Sits on rubber feet on the floor w/ the amp tilted; folds flat and fits in its box: