AH, that is one wicked-looking bass rig ya got there. No tort, all black and white.
So what’s your hookup strategy? Are you planning on setting up each amp identically or does each get its own voice?
Have fun with your new setup!
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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
AH, that is one wicked-looking bass rig ya got there. No tort, all black and white.
So what’s your hookup strategy? Are you planning on setting up each amp identically or does each get its own voice?
Have fun with your new setup!
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,154
- 256,523
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
It looks very cool. Congratulations!
I too am interested in your hookup angle. The other question is where can I get the cool dino accessories which adorn the top big boy?
When I saw the dinos, I thought, "curse your sudden, but inevitable, betrayal!"
Thank you!
Yeah. I just know what I like: black and maple Fender Precisions.
Set up to follow...
I guess I’m just a formal guy!!
Ahhh, the dinos!
My source of power (and the main part of my sound- pickups and amplification!) a gift from my wife. Their names are Roarin’ and Stompin’ but we don’t know which is which. There’s also a green brontosaurus that hangs with the acoustic rig.
What is that quote from?
Okay, I’m going to have to process this rig so I’ll come back with impressions, but I finally got to play it and WOW!
(I’ll tell you why later.)
In the meantime, here’s a plugged in turned on pic and setup details:
both basses>red Fender A/B box>top “head”
combo>bottom “cabinet”/“extension” combo.Im going from the send on the top combo (gratuitous Dino):
To the return on the bottom combo:
okay, off for more research!
I’ll be back! Thanks for getting excited about this with me, everybody!
Thank you!
Yeah. I just know what I like: black and maple Fender Precisions.
Set up to follow...
I guess I’m just a formal guy!!
Ahhh, the dinos!
My source of power (and the main part of my sound- pickups and amplification!) a gift from my wife. Their names are Roarin’ and Stompin’ but we don’t know which is which. There’s also a green brontosaurus that hangs with the acoustic rig.
What is that quote from?
Okay, I’m going to have to process this rig so I’ll come back with impressions, but I finally got to play it and WOW!
(I’ll tell you why later.)
In the meantime, here’s a plugged in turned on pic and setup details:
View attachment 4054457
both basses>red Fender A/B box>top “head”
Im going from the send on the top combo (gratuitous Dino):
View attachment 4054470
To the return on the bottom combo:
View attachment 4054471
okay, off for more research!
I’ll be back! Thanks for getting excited about this with me, everybody!
Thanks for the update, AH, enjoy your afternoon. Yep, the send-to-return app that many of Rumble owners use when hooking up two combos. Thanks very much. Now, do you have to set any controls for the bottom combo, or is it a turn on and set-to-forget-it?
We are expecting a fully-detailed report as I don’t believe we’ve had a twin Ampeg combo rig before. I’m curious about sound quality and any setup challenges. Thanks again, Aaron!
The quote is from my all-time favorite TV show. The best space western evah: Firefly!
Here's the scene in question:
Ah, good times. Good times.
The quote is from my all-time favorite TV show. The best space western evah: Firefly!
Here's the scene in question:
Ah, good times. Good times.
Okay!
I was on the fence about getting into Firefly. You've tipped the scales, RR!
I'll make sure to check it out.
I really like Alan Tudyk as well. He's starting to be like Kevin Bacon and Samuel L. Jackson where he is in EVERYTHING. Have you seen the Tick?
Thanks, @iagtrplyr !
Okay:
-Everything is controlled by the "head" combo. Once you plug the cord from the send of the "head" combo into the return of the "extension" combo and turn the extension combo on, you're done with that one. All controls are negated on that amp and the controls on the head combo run everything. It works like one massive double combo so there's no worrying about matching volume or anything.
-The rig is noticeably louder. I knew from reading other posts on TB that doubling the wattage would not double the volume. In order to double the volume, I'd need 10x the wattage if I understand correctly. However, going from 150 watts to 300 watts was noticeable. Of course I also doubled my speaker surface going from one 15" to two which I understand would have more of an effect on the volume. Plus, now I have a combo that is two feet off of the ground. The two together make a 4 foot tall vertical stack which is much better aimed at my ears. These two differences in positioning make a huge difference. Add all of that up and the rig is louder.
The presence of the second combo alone adds volume for sure though-it's easy to check: I can just turn off the power on the bottom cab and the volume drops. I turn it back on and the volume goes back up.
I've read in other posts about people that really like their BA115, but say that they wouldn't go any lower as far as wattage or speaker power. (That's me.) This would be a great option for those people to give them that little extra.
If someone were in a situation where the BA115 was getting blown away, adding a second one would probably NOT work. At that point, I'd say get a high wattage head and four to eight 10"s.
-It sounds noticeably BETTER. I had partially forgotten about what a difference the coupling effect makes and was also trying not to get my hopes up in case in only worked in a head + two identical cabs situation and not in two daisy chained combos, but 1. the coupling effect works in two daisy chained combos and 2. it makes a HUGE difference. As soon as the bottom amp turned on I instantly recognized the coupling effect that I was able to achieve in my previous stack which consisted of a head and two identical cabs. I followed more TB wisdom and got an amp that I really liked the sound of by itself and then bought another. (As opposed to trying to mix drivers to get the sound I wanted.) The double stack is everything that I like about the BA115 increased exponentially. It's not just louder, adding the second cab adds the bass and depth that I like about the BA115 sound, but is still very clean. The best thing I can say is that it feels like a "bigger" rig and just has a "bigger" sound.
I had read a few posts from people that had tried the double combo strategy before and been unimpressed with the results. Truthfully, I was a little nervous that it wouldn't make much difference and would be a waste. As soon as the second amp kicked in, I knew it was all worth it.
Nicely written, if I do say so myself. The fact that you're really excited and pleased is all that matters. You now have the option of bringing one combo to a jam or rehearsal or add the second one to where a little more bass authority is needed.
You are correct indeed that you'd need ten times the power to double the volume. Think of it like you had been practicing through a 15-watt combo and one day brought it your BA-115, only to turn it on, play a note, and wet your pants. Now imagine you're enjoying the same 150-watt combo but get an itch to double its volume. That's right, you'd have to pony up to 1,500 watts to do it! Super wet pants, of yeah, but also incredibly expensive and unnecessary. With the addition of your second combo, you added +3 db in SPL, but more importantly, increase your surface area. That's why the perceived sound increase...you're moving a lot more air now.
So I played this afternoon, using my Vox SuperBeetle as I have the past couple of weeks and your great-looking rig influenced me into setting up my monster rig (for me), which will have little chance to be opened up, but I like the looks. It's one of a series of amp and Precision combinations that I've been taking pics of since June. I'm almost done, people! A number of those out there do not like the asymmetrical look, but I kinda dig it. check out my avatar. What's funny is the SuperBeetle is in the background looking kinda puny. I like it too though.
Is it time for a hardware post of our combos? I'd say, yes, it is! Post away, members, and have yourselves a great week. I'm down to seven days before I can just talk bass, amps, and what's on your Christmas wish list...
See ya,
FL
Stacks of combos? Kind of defeats the intended purpose of a portable amplification solution doesn't it? Of course, with the MB212 combo i have, I'll never need to stack anything to get the volume i need to "wet my pants". 
Another wonderful night at work. Three weeks now since my last day off. Bad weather caused a power outage here earlier today and the 25 year old computers that run our machines didn't like that one bit. Still dealing with issues including no network connection to the outside. Posting this with my phone. Gonna be a looooooong night.
Another wonderful night at work. Three weeks now since my last day off. Bad weather caused a power outage here earlier today and the 25 year old computers that run our machines didn't like that one bit. Still dealing with issues including no network connection to the outside. Posting this with my phone. Gonna be a looooooong night.
Sorry in advance for the long post, everyone.
TB has saved me so much effort, time and money by giving me such good information. I always try to post any insights from my limited perspective to help others that may be researching gear to buy. If you ever search "Roland Cube" or "battery powered amp," you're going to get to know me and @Wasnex really well.
The truth of the matter is that I'll never need the 1500 watts. I play for fun. I'm not going on tour next week.
So your rig is the Fender Rumble 800 and extension?
...and what are the details on that Fender P?
I played bass for a few years, got rid of all my gear and rebooted about 3 years ago. The first time around, I bought the gear first and did a good job of guessing what I needed. This time around, I'm buying gear based on gigs that I actually ended up having.
I know it seems weird, but here's why I went from this 350 watt head + two 115 cabs:
to these two 150 watt 115 combos:
*****Don't get distracted by the Fender Rumble/Ampeg BA debate. Just look at the head/cab stack vs double combo stack. In fact forget brands at all. Pretend it's [insert your favorite combo by your favorite brand here].*****
I bought my first rig before I needed it and guessed pretty well what I would need. The head with two cabs served me really well. It sounded great and was super loud, but the truth was that I almost never needed the second cab. I thought about getting a second head and stand so I could set up a second rig at the practice space and keep one at home, but I decided to sell one of the cabs and just use the head and a single 115...which is what brought me to the 150 watt 115 combo.
This was great...except one time. I was playing outside at a party and we were having PA problems. For the most part, me and the two guitar players made up the difference with our amps. One had a 4 x 12 stack so no worries there, he put his amp behind the drummer so the drummer and everyone else could hear. The second guitar player had a small but powerful combo and had picked out a very appropriate stand so it was head height-and also happened to be aimed at the drummer. I rocked my BA115 into wedge position, aimed it at my face like I always do and blasted away all night!
The problem was that the drummer couldn't hear me. I didn't find out until later and had no idea because I could hear myself fine.
If I had it to do over again, I would take this double stack and put it behind the drummer like the guitar player with the 4 x 12. Having played that gig and having played my double BA115 rig, I am very confident that setup would have worked like a charm...and given me as close to the experience of an Ampeg stack as I'll ever realistically need.
At one point I also played an outdoor festival.
HUGE PA. BIG field.
maybe twenty people...all our friends...huddled as far away from the PA speakers as they could be without being rude or unsupportive.
There was an 8 x 10" backline provided and it was GLORIOUS. However, if I had been required to provide my own amplification, I'm confident that this double BA115 stack would have worked.
So the moral of the story is that, in the gigs that I actually played (as opposed to the ones in my head) I really only could have used a stack two times. However, it would have been consistently convenient for me to have a second rig to leave at the drummer's house so I only had to tote a bass to practice.
However, I am a very low level hobbiest bass player.
YMMV as they say.
Thanks, FL!
TB has saved me so much effort, time and money by giving me such good information. I always try to post any insights from my limited perspective to help others that may be researching gear to buy. If you ever search "Roland Cube" or "battery powered amp," you're going to get to know me and @Wasnex really well.
The truth of the matter is that I'll never need the 1500 watts. I play for fun. I'm not going on tour next week.
So your rig is the Fender Rumble 800 and extension?
...and what are the details on that Fender P?
Good thought!Stacks of combos? Kind of defeats the intended purpose of a portable amplification solution doesn't it? Of course, with the MB212 combo i have, I'll never need to stack anything to get the volume i need to "wet my pants".
Another wonderful night at work. Three weeks now since my last day off. Bad weather caused a power outage here earlier today and the 25 year old computers that run our machines didn't like that one bit. Still dealing with issues including no network connection to the outside. Posting this with my phone. Gonna be a looooooong night.
I played bass for a few years, got rid of all my gear and rebooted about 3 years ago. The first time around, I bought the gear first and did a good job of guessing what I needed. This time around, I'm buying gear based on gigs that I actually ended up having.
I know it seems weird, but here's why I went from this 350 watt head + two 115 cabs:
to these two 150 watt 115 combos:
*****Don't get distracted by the Fender Rumble/Ampeg BA debate. Just look at the head/cab stack vs double combo stack. In fact forget brands at all. Pretend it's [insert your favorite combo by your favorite brand here].*****
I bought my first rig before I needed it and guessed pretty well what I would need. The head with two cabs served me really well. It sounded great and was super loud, but the truth was that I almost never needed the second cab. I thought about getting a second head and stand so I could set up a second rig at the practice space and keep one at home, but I decided to sell one of the cabs and just use the head and a single 115...which is what brought me to the 150 watt 115 combo.
This was great...except one time. I was playing outside at a party and we were having PA problems. For the most part, me and the two guitar players made up the difference with our amps. One had a 4 x 12 stack so no worries there, he put his amp behind the drummer so the drummer and everyone else could hear. The second guitar player had a small but powerful combo and had picked out a very appropriate stand so it was head height-and also happened to be aimed at the drummer. I rocked my BA115 into wedge position, aimed it at my face like I always do and blasted away all night!
The problem was that the drummer couldn't hear me. I didn't find out until later and had no idea because I could hear myself fine.
If I had it to do over again, I would take this double stack and put it behind the drummer like the guitar player with the 4 x 12. Having played that gig and having played my double BA115 rig, I am very confident that setup would have worked like a charm...and given me as close to the experience of an Ampeg stack as I'll ever realistically need.
At one point I also played an outdoor festival.
HUGE PA. BIG field.
maybe twenty people...all our friends...huddled as far away from the PA speakers as they could be without being rude or unsupportive.
There was an 8 x 10" backline provided and it was GLORIOUS. However, if I had been required to provide my own amplification, I'm confident that this double BA115 stack would have worked.
So the moral of the story is that, in the gigs that I actually played (as opposed to the ones in my head) I really only could have used a stack two times. However, it would have been consistently convenient for me to have a second rig to leave at the drummer's house so I only had to tote a bass to practice.
However, I am a very low level hobbiest bass player.
YMMV as they say.
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,154
- 256,523
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Just that ye may see just how a Phil Jones BG-400 combo stacks up against a real human being, there is this previously unpublished photo from my shoot.
That's a full 350 watts driving four 5 inch Piranha speakers. Whatever that means. All the math guys in the world are hard pressed to explain why it works so bloody well. I don't know why it works so well. It's deep and it's loud. Deceptive that way, too, because the gain and volume pots are useful through their entire range.
I'm "back at it" in retirement. Took a normal music education as a child with piano and saxophone. Finished university and took a year at music school. And saw to a life, and a career, and here now fresh out of Ari Cap's Music Theory for the Bass Player 2020 cohort. Returning for the 21 cohort and anticipate my time spent during the Thing That's Going Around will have its fair returns.
That's a full 350 watts driving four 5 inch Piranha speakers. Whatever that means. All the math guys in the world are hard pressed to explain why it works so bloody well. I don't know why it works so well. It's deep and it's loud. Deceptive that way, too, because the gain and volume pots are useful through their entire range.
I'm "back at it" in retirement. Took a normal music education as a child with piano and saxophone. Finished university and took a year at music school. And saw to a life, and a career, and here now fresh out of Ari Cap's Music Theory for the Bass Player 2020 cohort. Returning for the 21 cohort and anticipate my time spent during the Thing That's Going Around will have its fair returns.
Great picture! I'm not very photogenic and tend to shy away from being the focal point of pictures being taken in my general direction. From what I've seen, your photo shoot was a big success!
Very cool you played saxophone in your youth - I did as well. I've been amazed over the years how many other bassists I've met that also list the sax as a beginning/early instrument they learned.
I've been a bit scarce lately - had hernia surgery in early October and unfortunately had a setback with that and had to go under the knife again for some corrections. Finally getting back to normal (somewhat) in that I can finally pick up a bass and noodle around without pain! Another ailment that appears to be getting worse is an occasional and uncontrollable shaky right hand. Dr has ruled out parkinsons and ms - thank god - and basically calling it an essential tremor. Only happens occasionally and has yet to affect bass playing - so I feel lucky there. Just another thing to deal with in this most odd of years! Halloween gig was obviously cancelled due to covid and fact I wasn't physically able to participate.
Just gonna stay positive - play the hell out of my basses - and look forward to better times ahead!
Just checking in as another piano(Thompson books), clarinetist/saxist on the way to being a bassist. Of sorts.
I'll put my combo into any situation without hesitation.
I used to give out boxed sets of the DVD (remember those days?) of Firefly to friends and family. So far, I've had a number of "I wish I would have known about this when it was on TV!" and one, "meh, not as good as Star Wars."
To each their own.
As far as The Tick, I've seen two versions of the show. One cartoon, one live action. I understand a second live action version came out. I'm guessing that may be the one you mean?
SPOOOOOONNNN!
Wow, not even knee-high!
I suppose I should post one with my D4 next to me. I'll look like Godzilla!
Welcome back, and glad you are feeling better!
