"Back in the day", pre-pedalboards, we had "Convenience Outlets" on our SilverTone amps. We often daisy chained our whole 5-piece band, counting drummer (though no power need), off one wall outlet.
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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
"Back in the day", pre-pedalboards, we had "Convenience Outlets" on our SilverTone amps. We often daisy chained our whole 5-piece band, counting drummer (though no power need), off one wall outlet.
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WBB, I learned that you have it both ways if ya like. Separates are terrific if you like to mix and match, carry pieces...in pieces, or you like a particular brand but maybe not their combos (Orange, for me). A combo though can be that quick grab 'n go unit when you're tired of breaking down and setting up the head/cab, or it hides away more easily (I call that wife-proofing the place). My guess is if you're like the rest of us you'll never settle for just one amp, and the combo can be that extra bit of fun that you'll enjoy for years to come.
Wow, another one to add to the collection! Can't wait to hear about it and, oh, I have to get a bigger monitor to view his next group photo.
You missed your calling when given the chance to open up for Mel Torme at The Sands back in the 70s.
Spoiler Alert: you won't need a much larger monitor due to this msytery combo's specs.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- 220,793
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
We already offer this on the WD-800 and TT-800 (obviously not combos though), the USB power port will support USB to 12V boost converter adapters.
Here are some example, it needs to be 2.1mm center diameter and center positive or negative depending on the particular pedal. There is a wide choice of output voltages, the USB is capable of 500mA continuous, that would translate to ~200mA at 12V, ~150mA at 15V and ~150mA @18V
MyVolts
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Thanks for keeping me up to date, Andy!
And when you finally design and build a combo version of those popular heads, not only will every member of the Combo Club buy one (don't worry, I'll make them), but we can finally induct you into our little old club. I'm sure you'd one as well! Get crackin', agedhorse!
Yup. My old Bassman head(s)had them. Ungrounded, of course, as were the heads. Thus the polarity switch-which usually got flipped right after my mic 'bit' me. I'd swear I saw a spark!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,996
- 5
- 220,793
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
These days, adding an accessory AC receptacle to an amp triggers a whole slew of regulations and costs if the amp is going to be certified to national and international safety standards. I looked into this again when I started the Subway amp project and it was simply not practical.
As 'handy' as a "convenience socket" might be for at home use, power strips are just fine by me.
Yep, extension cords are cheaper
and you can mow your grass if you have an electric mower!Surely there must be a way around those laws? Such as providing a bay in the (combo) amp and selling/providing the inverter/adapter separately.
From the anecdote it sounds like this is a good regulation!
lawnmowers and extension cords always end up in 2 extension cords and a useless lawnmowerYep, extension cords are cheaper
lawnmowers and extension cords always end up in 2 extension cords and a useless lawnmower
In my case, it would involve two useless extension cords after running over them with the lawnmower...
lawnmowers and extension cords always end up in 2 extension cords and a useless lawnmower
When I was a youth, I use to cut my grandparents yard. They had a steep bank in their front yard and had an electric lawnmower that I would tie a rope to so I can lower down the bank.
I can confirm that the blades on an electric mower can and will cut through an extension cord.
When I was a youth, I use to cut my grandparents yard. They had a steep bank in their front yard and had an electric lawnmower that I would tie a rope to so I can lower down the bank.
I can confirm that the blades on an electric mower can and will cut through an extension cord.
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,996
- 5
- 220,793
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
No, not really because the adapter would still need to be agency listed (that means complying with the regulations) in one way or another. It could then be listed as an extension cord or power strip, but these carry a different listing than an amp that contains either would.
Back then, we hadda make our own with wall outlets, metal boxes, and power cords.
lawnmowers and extension cords always end up in 2 extension cords and a useless lawnmower
Dad bought an electric mower when I was pretty young. When I was old enough to mow the lawn, he'd always warn me to watch out for the cord. Guess who cut the cord twice, once in wet grass? Hint: it wasn't me.
- Oct 22, 2015
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- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Good late evening/early morning members. Seriously, this was the only posting for the entire Wednesday? No offense, M, and thanks for contributing, but not even one crazy combo entry...sheesh. Oh I know, I was AWOL too. But I had a good reason. I was doing...stuff. Offhand, I don't remember any of it, but I think there was some school junk mixed in with some musical junk, etc. Oh well, I'm here now and cranking out the first of what I hope will be dozens of great posts by the rank and file for this Thursday.
So Morrighan, are you heading to or departing from? I'm assuming you spent St. Patty's Day on the Emerald Island, correct? Or is this photo someone's fancy desktop wallpaper and you're really sitting in Schenectady, New York, waiting for the second coming of Charles Mingus? Proof you went or are there or we're calling it fishy.
As for me, a couple of days ago I hinted there was something combo-like coming to the abode and absolutely no one retorted with any interest or enthusiasm. Have you all become so jaded by my musical purchases that there's zero interest at all? Wow, what happened to me? I turned into a dud, that's what happened.
Regardless, the brown truck did pull up late in the afternoon on Wednesday and dropped off a box (see pic 1). To my surprise, it was a bass combo amp. One, three months ago, I would've never considered buying. But after one of our newer members, TheMickster, poignantly replied to an opinion I had about a certain brand, I realized he was right. The power is in the fingers and it shouldn't matter as much what you play through, though I still believe the right amp makes the player's skills shine through even more. So I thought to myself a week ago, maybe the third time is a charm (see pics 2-4).
I picked up a Markbass CMD 101, which is the smallest combo in the Marcus Miller lineup. It's one ten-inch speaker with 45 watts at 8 ohms. if paired up with another 8-ohm cabinet, then the power bumps up to a whopping 60 watts for both speakers. You also have the option of bypassing the internal speaker if you want. With XLR and headphone outs, an Aux-in, three-band EQ (big difference from my previous Micromark, which had only a VPF knob for tone), separate gain and volume controls, and a tweeter (which the 801 doesn't have either) (see pics 5-7).
How does it sound? Well, I admit I haven't had much time to really put it through its paces, but so far I love it. I know, honeymoon period and it may be, but there's way more bottom end to play with this time, the cab is larger but is still easy to schlep, the tone controls make an immediate impact upon turning left or right, and it sounds great with either the violin bass or the Precision, particularly all by their lonesome...no pedals involved. It's been so long since I plugged straight into an amp and liked what I heard. My short time with it was really fun. right now as you can see, it's sitting on top of the Rumbler 115 but I haven't tried the two together yet.
Finally, what do I plan on doing with it? Besides the PBJ, it's the only modern-sounding amp in the stable. I realized just how many combos I have that provide an old-school tone and I sought to balance the playing field a bit. I was also curious about this particular one because it's reviewed pretty decently and the MM line itself seems to be doing well. Also, GC used the power of the four-leaf clover and knocked a crisp Franklin off of the price. That didn't hurt any. I'll put some time in over the next few weeks and see how we get along, but at the outset, I'm thinking, for me, it's the best-sounding MB I've played yet and that's saying something.
Feel free to question or comment if you're around. I'll be checking in periodically over the weekend. M, hope you have safe travels wherever you're en-route to. Keep us posted if you find yourself in the middle of a gig!
