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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
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Thanks, seems none is interested in this subject
Hey Biggie, are you around? C7, you know something about the Legacy models, don't you?
I promised you I'd take a shot at it and here goes. This is without looking at their website too. BTW, have you checked it out yet? Bob Gallien has been around since Woodstock and is not only an innovator but a pretty nice guy too. He helped me many moons with speaker screws that were missing on my brand new MB-210 Gen I combo. He got them to me pronto.
What I believe is the Legacy is a special line dedicated to the GK brand. I think there may be an anniversary in there somewhere. Regardless, it's to pay homage to his 400 or 800-series (I think) amps where he spared no expense in parts, labor, etc. From what I've read, it's a top-notch product and mirrors the asking price. That price, admittedly, is rather steep for cold-lunch guys like me, but my guess is it'll be the last combo you ever buy. Do I think it's worth it? Haven't heard them myself so I can't say for sure, but you could almost buy two MB-212 II combos and be able to throw around a 412 rig with 1,000 watts!
Though I'd stand by the brand, their tone wasn't for me and I moved on, but we've got, as I mentioned, a couple of guys who would rather give you their autos than part with their GKs. It's a more modern tone compared to Ampeg, but can growl with the best of 'em. Duff, of GNR, is/was a devout member of the GK Club. Again, it's a different sound, and my guess is the Legacy sings it in spades, but if it's what you're after there aren't many brands better.
Stop back again sometime and see if our members end up dropping by. If you end up buying a combo, take a pic of it and post it here for a membership number. Then the next time someone asks about Gallien-Krueger you can be the one to be our expert!
Thanks, Obrad,
FL
Sorry about the delayed response!
Just straight up a combination of busy, working hard and burned out tired!
You're already in there. You're well poised for when things start picking up. I wanted to go see that guy from the Rumble Club that was playing at Earl's Hideaway.
I guess I don't totally count them because we either just played a few gigs or in one case didn't even make it to gigging at all. I know that what I need to take my playing to the next level is regular and sustained practice and gigging. That's why I'm really ready to move forward with this new band situation.
Let me know what you think about the Gen X special!
...so that got me thinking:
In what instance would one ever need something like an Ampeg 810 fridge and head?
Would anyone ever really need more than one stack?
I thought I saw a picture of Tim Commerford's rig from Rage Against the Machine and it looked like he had two 810 cabs and two heads.
I saw a guy on CL selling his rig and he looked like he had one 810, a 115, a 210 and two heads. I was just wondering where he's using that kind of firepower?
I know these aren't combo questions, but the combo path has lead me to ask them.
Just straight up a combination of busy, working hard and burned out tired!
Still, GP.Control? LOL! I wish. Considering that we lost ~65 gigs that were booked in Feb. and cancelled along the way. We just got a NYE gig 4 days ago that pays 1/4 what our previously booked NYE gig(woulda)paid. Better than a poke in the eye w/ a sharp stick but could still get 86'ed depending on what the State and/or Palm Beach County says about 'gatherings'.
You're already in there. You're well poised for when things start picking up. I wanted to go see that guy from the Rumble Club that was playing at Earl's Hideaway.
M, you may be operating on a much higher level than me here...Trying to make sense of my description of the diatonic scale permutations reminds me of how much easier it is to understand in musical notation. Notes on a staff. Otherwise it cost a lot of energy and contributes to confusion if I say when I repeat the sequence on the second scale degree the second note is minor, not major
Thanks, RodRy!Have to look a bit askance at an amp called a Cube that is so obviously non-cubic.But that's just my pedantic side coming out. My battery is still waiting for me at the store called Amazon. With no upcoming chances to play out with it, no reason to bother getting the battery.
If you've already played with at least 2 trios, I don't think you qualify as a rookie in my books. Wear those stripes proudly! I'll check out that special.
Seems to me that one of the hallmarks of friendship is encouraging one another to pursue their dreams.But not off a cliff though.
I guess I don't totally count them because we either just played a few gigs or in one case didn't even make it to gigging at all. I know that what I need to take my playing to the next level is regular and sustained practice and gigging. That's why I'm really ready to move forward with this new band situation.
Let me know what you think about the Gen X special!
but of course, sir!
@swink Whatcha got?
It seems like answers just lead to more questions. I'm excited to get out there and put these combos to use and to see when I can fit the double combo stack in.
...so that got me thinking:
In what instance would one ever need something like an Ampeg 810 fridge and head?
Would anyone ever really need more than one stack?
I thought I saw a picture of Tim Commerford's rig from Rage Against the Machine and it looked like he had two 810 cabs and two heads.
I saw a guy on CL selling his rig and he looked like he had one 810, a 115, a 210 and two heads. I was just wondering where he's using that kind of firepower?
I know these aren't combo questions, but the combo path has lead me to ask them.
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This (Sunday)morning's jazz gig was, IDK, weird. There were 5 of us(tpt, sax, guitar, drums, bass)playing for breakfast/brunch, 9-noon. Most of the patrons didn't seem to care. Just wanted to eat, chat, and be on their way. Plus I normally don't get up 'til around 9 so I was kinda out of it-more than usual. Dunno if it'll happen again. Film at 11.
While I concur with GP that a lot of it is (or can be) all show, if you're an up-n-coming band playing at a larger venue than usual and the house PA is crapola, you may not be able to run through the system and have to count on your amp/cab rig to not only let you hear yourself but also for your audience to hear ya. There are probably other instances, but most of the time what you have should be enough as long as you're DI'd out. Then your Ampegs are for monitoring purposes only; hence the 60-degree wedge shape.
Just remember, we need to see some pics of your first gig to verify it's fer real.
I'll bring the popcorn...
I'm around but I don't have enough experience with GK gear to make an informed contribution. All I know is I LOVE my MB212-ii rig and wish I'd had it years ago.
I personally LOVE the variety of tones my combo is capable of but realize everyone is different and has different tastes. Personally, I can't see what others obviously do in MarkBass stuff. My band has the 2X10 MarkBass combo at practice and I just can't seem to get the sound I want out of it. To each his own...
Thanks FL,
I am already a member of Combo club #184
.Playing a GK brand for more then 15 years now. I moved from heads to combos because of my bad back, and particularly to MB series since it was presented like the lightest on the market.
I am pretty satisfied with MB212-II with 500W, but just wondering what would I get with the latest Legacy or Fusion series. Before MB212-II a played MB210-I for 7 years, and it was great, but next to a loud drummer, I ended up with 500W 212-II. Now I realised that I like 10'' speakers more than 12'', and that could be one more reason to go for Legacy or Fusion with 2x10''.
Thanks again, and stay safe
Obrad
I love that pic!!!
Does anyone know who the band is?
They must have been relatively popular to get a gig like that!
Thanks, FL!
Part of it was wondering if this is something I need to fiscally prepare my teacher/non-profit employee salary household for
and part of it was really wondering if it’s an experience I should have as a bass player....and whatdya mean “PICS” from my first gig?!
I’m expecting you all to be there!!!
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Forum hog alert/band update:
@RodRy
@bhendrix
@Miles_ONeal
Today's another big day so I'm pacing myself.
Here's what's on tap:
The lead guitar/BL, drummer and I are auditioning a guy to play rhythm guitar, sing lead on 1/4 of our songs and back up our female lead vocalist on the rest.
If the guy does well, we have a full band practice on January 1 or 2 with a goal of us all knowing 20 songs.
The song list for today is:
1. Plush-Stone Temple Pilots
2. American Band-Grand Funk Railroad
3. Born to be Wild-Steppenwolf
4. Gel-Collective Soul.
Setup is at 5:30.
Start time is 6:00.
It's only like 20 minutes of material so it shouldn't be too long.
My Mission:
Learn the songs well enough so we're not all distracted by listening to my mistakes and can pay attention to the vocalist/guitarist.
@RodRy
@bhendrix
@Miles_ONeal
Today's another big day so I'm pacing myself.
Here's what's on tap:
The lead guitar/BL, drummer and I are auditioning a guy to play rhythm guitar, sing lead on 1/4 of our songs and back up our female lead vocalist on the rest.
If the guy does well, we have a full band practice on January 1 or 2 with a goal of us all knowing 20 songs.
The song list for today is:
1. Plush-Stone Temple Pilots
2. American Band-Grand Funk Railroad
3. Born to be Wild-Steppenwolf
4. Gel-Collective Soul.
Setup is at 5:30.
Start time is 6:00.
It's only like 20 minutes of material so it shouldn't be too long.
My Mission:
Learn the songs well enough so we're not all distracted by listening to my mistakes and can pay attention to the vocalist/guitarist.
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I've played through one Markbass(dunno what model). It was someone else's and, out of consideration for him, I didn't f---* with his settings. I was unimpressed. If one was provided in a backline or rehearsal situation, I'd get there early, set everything "flat"/detent, and play with the dials to see if I could get a tone I liked.(I somehow doubt it). It's too 'modern' a sound for me, but I s'pose adjustments could be made to save me the trouble of schlepping my own.
If it was flat then it would definitely have a modern tone. But they all come with 2 very versatile knobs. One specifically for vintage tones and the other a slap scoop. Still may not find your tone, but if given the opportunity I would spend a couple hours with it. Mine still surprises me at times and does things I don't expect it to. My favorite part, unlike every other amp I've had, is the full range of every knob is usable.
When I first found-and stored-that pic, it mentioned the name of the band. I do not remember.I love that pic!!!
Does anyone know who the band is?
They must have been relatively popular to get a gig like that!
Thanks, FL!
Part of it was wondering if this is something I need to fiscally prepare my teacher/non-profit employee salary household for
...and whatdya mean “PICS” from my first gig?!
I’m expecting you all to be there!!!
On most MBs, if the tone's too "modern" (hi-fi, flat), the VLE and VPF controls are your friend. VLE controls the corner frequency of a low-pass filter, simulating a horn-less vintage cab. VPF adds a mid scoop in between "Low Mid" and "High Mid" to tame the more modern jazzy honk. Some heads simplify these controls to "voicings" using toggle switches instead of fully variable knobs, but it's the same idea. You can get that darker, warmer vintage sound out of a MB easily enough.
EDIT: it just occurred to me I have a little battery powered amp sim(pic below)that I could use with pretty much any amp to improve the sound to my liking. Approximately full size.
hey fellas, speaking of GK combos, does anyone have experience with the new fusion models? they seem to be an example of the new standard for combos but theres little to no info on them. thanks
@biguglyman I was impressed when I bought the cmd102 combo, but was not sure if i was getting what I paid for. I ended up returning it due to a weird noise possibly a messed up tweeter. That same day they had the Marcus Miller 103 combo on special so I grabbed it. I got an extra 10, more watts rms, and about 300 bucks back. The amp is kinda the same but it's flavored to Marcus Millers liking. NOW I feel like I got my monies worth and then some. I wanna say at 899 it's amazing. But the 1200 I paid for the 102... I had some serious buyers remorse.
Glad I found mine used at the price I did. One of the Italian-made CMD102s from 2012, for $675. At that price, it was a steal, but I'd have some qualms shelling out twelve Bennies.
I had hyped myself up to shelling out some big bucks. I play a lot of metal and rock but Iove funk, jazz, drum n bass. I had heard the markbass stuff is pretty unforgiving and would expose bad technique with bad sounds. I'm glad things worked out the way they did. I think 750ish would be a fair new price for the now non Italian made 102p. But yes, for 1200 I know I could have gotten way more for my buck.
