The Combo Club

[Doctor Intrepid]

The mini stack. The combo has been benched and is hopefully heading to Ohio as soon as life returns to normal. Too many combos ahead of it and I like the rig better. Gimme a buzz with EQ Qs when Jingle Bells ring.

I


I bought a second MV amp head this summer to combine with a Vox Pathfinder to have a back up and more options. It is a AC version, though, and not a CL version, so it doesn't sound as good. It would be fine, but I bought the mini-superBeetle so it has to go. I don't really need all that amp gear. It would sit in the basement and do nothing with everything else I have. If you think it might be of interest to you let me you know. PM me and I'll give you a good deal.

in regard to the Jazz I'd say hold onto it for one more year and see how much play it gets. It is a classic and left handed basses are so hard to get. At that point if it dont get much attention move it along. I moved a bunch of gear last Fall and I'm building some more stock for that.

If you like the violin bass you have to get a Hofner! For something different try their low end Cavern Ignition. Even if they don't have a lefty I'm sure that are easy to covert. Check out Thomann for Hofner. They are n Germany, but the Germans are like Americans; they don't mess around. It took me less time to get some Hofner gear from Germany than stuff from Canada or the US.

Speaking of selling things, I’m updating the music room so I can turn it into more of a recording studio and need to move some things. I’m seriously kicking around selling the Jazz bass. She’s not getting used anymore and is collecting dust. Between the P and Beatle bass I’m covered. What are you looking to get rid of, Doc?

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I bought a second MV amp head this summer to combine with a Vox Pathfinder to have a back up and more options. It is a AC version, though, and not a CL version, so it doesn't sound as good. It would be fine, but I bought the mini-superBeetle so it has to go. I don't really need all that amp gear. It would sit in the basement and do nothing with everything else I have. If you think it might be of interest to you let me you know. PM me and I'll give you a good deal.

in regard to the Jazz I'd say hold onto it for one more year and see how much play it gets. It is a classic and left handed basses are so hard to get. At that point if it dont get much attention move it along. I moved a bunch of gear last Fall and I'm building some more stock for that.

If you like the violin bass you have to get a Hofner! For something different try their low end Cavern Ignition. Even if they don't have a lefty I'm sure that are easy to covert. Check out Thomann for Hofner. They are n Germany, but the Germans are like Americans; they don't mess around. It took me less time to get some Hofner gear from Germany than stuff from Canada or the US.

Speaking of selling things, I’m updating the music room so I can turn it into more of a recording studio and need to move some things. I’m seriously kicking around selling the Jazz bass. She’s not getting used anymore and is collecting dust. Between the P and Beatle bass I’m covered. What are you looking to get rid of, Doc?[

 

[bhendrix]

I’m seriously kicking around selling the Jazz bass.

I'm with Doc - me feels you may regret that down the road. With a P AND a J, you got Fender tone scattered, smothered and covered! As much as I love my P, I love my J just as much - and the J gets the bulk of the work with the band.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'm with Doc - me feels you may regret that down the road. With a P AND a J, you got Fender tone scattered, smothered and covered! As much as I love my P, I love my J just as much - and the J gets the bulk of the work with the band.

Thanks gentlemen for the wise advice. Every time I think about doing the deed I remember my solemn promise to that bass I’d never let it go, but to my ears it sounds terrible right now and has been regulated to space in a spare bedroom.

The P’s maple neck is so much nicer with its satin finish, plus I’m known for a really dark tone and the Jazz seems to make it worse.

I’ll hang onto it for the present because I don’t have time to do anything other than sneak time in to putting fingers to strings.

It’s nice to know there are good people out there trying to prevent seller’s remorse. Thanks!

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanks gentlemen for the wise advice. Every time I think about doing the deed I remember my solemn promise to that bass I’d never let it go, but to my ears it sounds terrible right now and has been regulated to space in a spare bedroom.

The P’s maple neck is so much nicer with its satin finish, plus I’m known for a really dark tone and the Jazz seems to make it worse.

I’ll hang onto it for the present because I don’t have time to do anything other than sneak time in to putting fingers to strings.

It’s nice to know there are good people out there trying to prevent seller’s remorse. Thanks!

Fairly quick fix for your J-put in a Mudbucker pup between the neck and the front J pup.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Fairly quick fix for your J-put in a Mudbucker pup between the neck and the front J pup.

And then add a Gibson or Epi logo on the headstock too?

I tried a ruse to bring you out last night (I haven’t hardly heard from ya) by suggesting you buy the Vox SuperBeetle rig to pair up with your Kasino. Talk about a cool look!

 

[GonePlaid]

And then add a Gibson or Epi logo on the headstock too?

I tried a ruse to bring you out last night (I haven’t hardly heard from ya) by suggesting you buy the Vox SuperBeetle rig to pair up with your Kasino. Talk about a cool look!

Yeah, I saw that this AM. Been trying to picture the 'Mutt and Jeff' aspect of that pairing. The Super Beetle would prolly fit in the Kasino.
AFA hearing(or not)from me; not working, not much to talk about. I rarely practice, occasionally 'noodle' for a few minutes, not recording, not buying any more combos-or any other amps[OK, if I could afford a '63 piggyback Bassman...],etc. The group does have a gig sometime later this month, but I'm currently 140 miles from my calendar so I can't remember exactly when. I might do the Monday night open mic tomorrow(conveniently Monday...night)if they 'need' me, but I'm not gonna go up there for, like, 2 songs. Druther sit home and watch baseball, esp. if the Rays are playing.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yeah, I saw that this AM. Been trying to picture the 'Mutt and Jeff' aspect of that pairing. The Super Beetle would prolly fit in the Kasino.
AFA hearing(or not)from me; not working, not much to talk about. I rarely practice, occasionally 'noodle' for a few minutes, not recording, not buying any more combos-or any other amps[OK, if I could afford a '63 piggyback Bassman...],etc. The group does have a gig sometime later this month, but I'm currently 140 miles from my calendar so I can't remember exactly when. I might do the Monday night open mic tomorrow(conveniently Monday...night)if they 'need' me, but I'm not gonna go up there for, like, 2 songs. Druther sit home and watch baseball, esp. if the Rays are playing.

Yeah, the Rays are looking like real contenders. They didn’t have to sweat taking out the Cubbies this past week.

I’m sorry to read you’re feeling bummed. You and every other musician who lives by gigging or even playing music for schoolchildren in a classroom!

Yesterday, I pondered how our elderly musicians (I’m thinking of 60s-70s players) who must feel like they got the rug pulled our from under them, especially the touring pros. We may never see The Stones live ever again (I know, some say that might be a good thing), and that’s a lousy way to finish our a career or hobby.

Hang in the Goner and everyone else feeling the same way right now. 2021 could have different results than this turd of a year.

One thing we all could do is to take M’s approach and enter your very own boot camp to sharpen skills or learn new ones. It’ll make us all better musicians and that much more ready when this scourge finally moves on.

I step off this soapbox I keep finding myself on. GP, pick up your ‘Bird today, if only for ten minutes. That neck will feel good to your left hand, I’ll bet on it.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yeah, the Rays are looking like real contenders. They didn’t have to sweat taking out the Cubbies this past week.

I’m sorry to read you’re feeling bummed. You and every other musician who lives by gigging or even playing music for schoolchildren in a classroom!

Yesterday, I pondered how our elderly musicians (I’m thinking of 60s-70s players) who must feel like they got the rug pulled our from under them, especially the touring pros. We may never see The Stones live ever again (I know, some say that might be a good thing), and that’s a lousy way to finish our a career or hobby.

Hang in the Goner and everyone else feeling the same way right now. 2021 could have different results than this turd of a year.

One thing we all could do is to take M’s approach and enter your very own boot camp to sharpen skills or learn new ones. It’ll make us all better musicians and that much more ready when this scourge finally moves on.

I step off this soapbox I keep finding myself on. GP, pick up your ‘Bird today, if only for ten minutes. That neck will feel good to your left hand, I’ll bet on it.

'Preciate the thought, but since I won't be home 'til tomorrow, won't be picking up my 'Bird. Not really feeling bummed, more like bored. BTW, 3/4 of our band played Thursday night. It was at a(outdoor)place we used to play that has cut the money-but not their prices-to where they've ticked me off to the point of refusing to play there(long enuff story to not bother y'all with details).Also don't really wanna feed the 'skeeters'. Yes, I'm a documented GOF.

 

[iagtrplyr]

'Preciate the thought, but since I won't be home 'til tomorrow, won't be picking up my 'Bird. Not really feeling bummed, more like bored. BTW, 3/4 of our band played Thursday night. It was at a(outdoor)place we used to play that has cut the money-but not their prices-to where they've ticked me off to the point of refusing to play there(long enuff story to not bother y'all with details).Also don't really wanna feed the 'skeeters'. Yes, I'm a documented GOF.

Ya know, the reason I don’t frequent the GOF is because I honestly haven’t felt like I fit in yet, but as I get older I can see where it is the perfect platform.

That’s crappy about that venue’s policies towards a wage for work rendered. What, did the notes coming off your price depreciate because of Covid? Yeah, he’s trying to stay afloat, but good music will help that more than charging someone to get in the door only to find out there’s no music that evening. How would the patrons like that?

Fight the fight, GOF!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Fairly quick fix for your J-put in a Mudbucker pup between the neck and the front J pup.

^ wise words

I find a J to be just about opposite of all my mind's ear hears when she hears "bass". Some (all?) of it may be my relationship with [AlanSherman] Japanese transistor radios [/AlanSherman] and 60s music, earning me that coveted distinction as a lady GOF. It's the @GonePlaid "Animals" tone ... except I hear it as an Epiphone Rivioli.

This can't be right, is the feeling I get when I first hear the J I'm sampling. And fiddle, and fiddle .... whatever it is, it is not both pickups wide open

I do think "StingRay" when I read "the Rays are looking like real contenders". Seeing my own Ray repaired has become a higher priority for me. But in every honesty, loving the short(ish) scale (31 inches) on the Chowny CHB-1, and loving its neck pickup soloed or blended. It's my daily player!

Speaking of which

 

[iagtrplyr]

^ wise words

I find a J to be just about opposite of all my mind's ear hears when she hears "bass". Some (all?) of it may be my relationship with [AlanSherman] Japanese transistor radios [/AlanSherman] and 60s music, earning me that coveted distinction as a lady GOF. It's the @GonePlaid "Animals" tone ... except I hear it as an Epiphone Rivioli.

This can't be right, is the feeling I get when I first hear the J I'm sampling. And fiddle, and fiddle .... whatever it is, it is not both pickups wide open

I do think "StingRay" when I read "the Rays are looking like real contenders". Seeing my own Ray repaired has become a higher priority for me. But in every honesty, loving the short(ish) scale (31 inches) on the Chowny CHB-1, and loving its neck pickup soloed or blended. It's my daily player!

Speaking of which

I always said if I coulda bought an affordable lefty P-bass years ago I would’ve and bypassed the Jazzer altogether. It’s the midrange, baby. And yes, I agree that diming the J’s V and T to create the scooped tone doesn’t do it for me at all, and I’m lazy too. If it sounded good I’d leave it like I do on the Precision.

 

[swink]

I do think "StingRay" when I read "the Rays are looking like real contenders".

+1

 

[GwenOnBass]

Even with the active two band on my StingRay, once I have my tone set I'm done with knob twiddling for the night. I've never been able to stop twiddling a J in search of something I eventually concluded just isn't there to find.

If I'm going to gripe about a trivial thing with a Precision (I am, but you got fair warning), the pickup is the most uncomfortable place to anchor my thumb I have ever found. The MM pickup has that place right there, right where I can really dig in when I'm in for digging in

One of those things about digging in [in days gone by] is keeping up with the band. We're all sane and everything (relatively), but that doesn't mean we can't get carried away by the music .... Back there by the bridge it's easy to pound out lines at volume ... the Peavey combo may not sound pretty but by golly it's as loud as it is heavy

Eulogy to a silversides Peavey

Never Failed.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Even with the active two band on my StingRay, once I have my tone set I'm done with knob twiddling for the night. I've never been able to stop twiddling a J in search of something I eventually concluded just isn't there to find.

If I'm going to gripe about a trivial thing with a Precision (I am, but you got fair warning), the pickup is the most uncomfortable place to anchor my thumb I have ever found. The MM pickup has that place right there, right where I can really dig in when I'm in for digging in

One of those things about digging in [in days gone by] is keeping up with the band. We're all sane and everything (relatively), but that doesn't mean we can't get carried away by the music .... Back there by the bridge it's easy to pound out lines at volume ... the Peavey combo may not sound pretty but by golly it's as loud as it is heavy

Eulogy to a silversides Peavey

Never Failed.

My sweet spot for plucking is at the neck. You can get great tone when you are close to the bridge, but I like my strings to feel a bit loser.

 

[GwenOnBass]

My sweet spot for plucking is at the neck. You can get great tone when you are close to the bridge, but I like my strings to feel a bit loser.

I see this in my own return to bass as I looked for that tone I heard. Could be I'm not the 20-something with a new StingRay. Could be I've grown as a musician. Could be I'm making this up out of whole cloth. The camera doesn't lie. I'm play (mostly) at the neck with a floating thumb.



^ two week old image. Latest images include crutches in view

 

[bhendrix]

Wow - plenty of J bashing here, but that's ok because we all have different ideas of what "my" tone should be and how to achieve it. For me, Jazz bass is king of growl - and I know getting a good growl actually has more to do with technique than equipment. But I get good growl (which sounds great with much of the music I play) easier with my Jazz more so than with the Precision. Also, I NEVER dime the controls on my J or P - I find the happy medium between the EQ on my bass and the amp it's playing through and leave well alone. After EQs are set - and max volume on amp is determined - all I need to do is slight adjust to volume on the bass for what I'm playing. I find the P perfect for the blues and classic rock stuff I play and I find the J perfect for the more progressive and metal stuff I play. YMMV and probably does!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Wow - plenty of J bashing here, but that's ok because we all have different ideas of what "my" tone should be and how to achieve it. For me, Jazz bass is king of growl - and I know getting a good growl actually has more to do with technique than equipment. But I get good growl (which sounds great with much of the music I play) easier with my Jazz more so than with the Precision. Also, I NEVER dime the controls on my J or P - I find the happy medium between the EQ on my bass and the amp it's playing through and leave well alone. After EQs are set - and max volume on amp is determined - all I need to do is slight adjust to volume on the bass for what I'm playing. I find the P perfect for the blues and classic rock stuff I play and I find the J perfect for the more progressive and metal stuff I play. YMMV and probably does!

And right there is something I haven't achieved — good growl! To me, Peter Albin (Big Brother and the Holding Company) nails exactly that ground. I've seen him on the Tube with his EB-3. In person, I saw him with his J and it took me a full set to pick my jaw up off the floor.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I think I get good growl with my 500/1s and Vox amps. One of my favorite things to do these days, and I'm sure I've said this often, is run two Voxs at the same time. Parallel tones! i especially like have a clean tone through one amp and the drive on for the VX50BA. Great for a close to Geddy tone!

 

[GwenOnBass]

I see Orange sells a "Bass Butler" biamping pedal. Be kind of interesting to experiment with some Vox