The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

As I usually do, I’ve continued my research on the TC Elec BG250-208 combo while awaiting its arrival.

This thing is like a Swiss Army knife.

• 26 lbs plywood construction
• 250 watts
• 2 level input a/p
• Programmable onboard effect/spectra-comp/overdrive
• Speakon amp output cable hardwired (drive ext cabs)
• Parallel speakon ext in/out on speaker cab (apparently it’s the sole model in its line with ext spkr capability)
• intelligent eq (will be interesting to check out. Supposed to pick different frequencies on boost vs cut to optimize the few controls)
• “High accuracy” tuner

I own an RH450 head and am fairly happy with it, but other more interesting amps get used more, lol.

I’ve wanted to experiment with a 2x8 cab for a long time and was shopping the Fender model at one point (I have an EUB I’d use it with as well as my bass guitars). They were $400 and rated around 250 watts. Here’s a used one. With shipping, it’s right about what I paid:

Fender Rumble 2x8 2x8" Bass Cabinet | LG


To me this amp is essentially a 2x8 cab with a whole bunch of toys and gadgets thrown in for less than what Fender was asking for a 2x8 cab just a few months ago.

If it works well as a 2x8 cab-win
If it sounds good as a stand alone combo amp-win
If the effects sound good-win and so on...

It appeared I couldn’t lose.
I’ve seen where one reviewer swapped his drivers for a highly rated Eminence and upped the performance nicely.

So it’s due Wednesday.

Ghost, we definitely need a review after you've had time to digest the amp and its capabilities. I remember looking at it because I have this strange quirk about two 8s putting down some snappy bottom end. Maybe I read it wrong, but do you own theFender cab or were just mentioning it? Since you can add an ext speaker, do you have any ideas what you might want to use? Personally, I'd look to adding another tandem of eights; maybe the Trace-Elliot Elf 2 x 8 cab, if the numbers matched up. Don't keep us in suspense too long, okay?

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Let me guess, Doc. Would it be a Blackstar Fly 3 mini amp to create the illusion that your Vox Pathfinder 10 is the SVT of the house? Maybe not, but ya have to admit it's an intriguing idea. So what's up? Spill the beans.

In the end I talked myself out of the purchase. I've been fighting a mighty battle over the amp GAS! The GAS part of me really want to go full Vox for my rig set up, while the rational side keeps winning thankfully). My screw up with the Eden cab has really made me reluctant to buy anything more. I'm curious about the Vox discussions of late in our club, though.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Semi-random pic of 3/4 our group at Saturday night's American Legion gig. No lighting in band 'area', 1 guitarist out of view to right/stage left. Rumble 200c over 112 cab on 'Ampwedge'.View attachment 3180798

Great pic, GP, and am loving the new avatar! You and the elder statesmen like you, my bass brotha, are what is keeping me looking to the future (retirement) and the wonderful things it can bring, like playing mo bass!

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'll welcome your review of the VX50BA too. I've been contemplating getting one for awhile, and just pulled out of purchasing a Vox Escort 50 watt. I don't really need another amp, so the Escort was too much of an indulgence. The VX50BA might not be. . .

I also mentioned, at one time, interest in this combo (like the millions of others I've shown interest in), but asked myself whether I needed yet another tiny 50-watt 8" amp. The answer at the time was no, but I must admit that I'm rather intriqued by the NuTube idea. Does it really offer you tube-like enhancement or it is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo? I read where it tries to sound like an SVT, but I'd rather they stuck to the lineage of Vox and come with a sixties tone, aka Beatles vibe. Too much to ask for?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Heading off to the wild blue yonder. I've been absent recently, but not without pain and suffering. These 4th graders are a tough bunch to teach how to write! Thanks to all for keeping the home fires burning, though. Some great discussion the past week or so. We've got a couple of amp reviews coming, the always-entertaining travels of M'ghan and her neon strings, GonePlaid going psychedelic (at least with his shirt), and my upcoming after-school jam with a seventh-grade young lady who picked up the bass this past summer. We rocked it out in a school group two years ago; she also plays guitar and keyboards and does not know the phrase, " you can't do that!" One of my fave students of the past and a fellow lover of the Beatles. I'm looking forward to it.

Talk to ya soon,

iagtrply

 

[iagtrplyr]

I spoke with David on the phone about their 2x8" several months ago & at the time I had designs on using it as a guitar AND bass cabinet. Unfortunately I couldn't find the right head to put on such a small cabinet.
Now that I'm playing active basses, I don't really need a wide-range EQ on the amp, so I could probably get by with the MV50AC or one of its counterparts. I think they have 3 versions of MV50.

However, if the VX50BA sounds as good as the demos, I'll be grinnin' like I'm sinnin' when I finally get my hands on it.

KbD, you've peaked everyone's curiosity over the Vox combo. Please keep us informed as you might sway a couple of club members to audition one of those amps for themselves. Speaking of membership (like that segue?), you absolutely need to join our little band od combo lovers. Post a pic of one in your stable and I'll be more than happy to drop ya a number. We're respectful, hilarious, and even have a girl in our club. Take that GK Group! There's always room for one more at the table, but you might have to sit by Gone Plaid and his incredibly loud wardrobe. It's okay, he's a great guy! Think about it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

My anticipation is piqued, was reading the owner's manual earlier today & wondering if it's possible to roll tubes with a NuTube amp, LOL!

No number for me, I stand alone:

 

[GonePlaid]

Great pic, GP, and am loving the new avatar! You and the elder statesmen like you, my bass brotha, are what is keeping me looking to the future (retirement) and the wonderful things it can bring, like playing mo bass!

Well, OK-as long as 'Mo' isn't using it. Seriously, as my sig says, "Playing 'til I can't"

 

[G-Dog]

My anticipation is piqued, was reading the owner's manual earlier today & wondering if it's possible to roll tubes with a NuTube amp, LOL!

No number for me, I stand alone:

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I 'talked' to Vox about using a MV50 head(I mentioned the CL)into my R112. They said it should work well. It's a thought for somewhere down the road.

Yeah, I'm eying one of the MV50CLs too. A fella is selling one in Canada, where I live, for a good price with a 8 inch speaker cabinet that can run parallel with another cabinet for the full 50 watts. I thought it might work with the Eden 110 cabinet I have to be a neat little unit on its own, and also work with my bigger set up via the line out from Peavey. Any thoughts on using the MV50CL with the two cabs I mentioned? All advice welcome!

 

[ghostinthemach]

Maybe I read it wrong, but do you own theFender cab or were just mentioning it?

Just mentioning it because it was where my research for a 2x8 cab started. I just couldn’t justify Fender’s price at that time.

The BG250-208 is used, but I’m already shopping a second to vertical stack (and finding open box for same as used price), if I like it enough. The cab section has a parallel speakon and the ability to disconnect from the head so I’d have the choice of running two amp sections or saving one as a backup and run two cabs with one head.

Any 8 ohm cab is a suitable augment and 250 watts goes a long way with enough speaker efficiency, but I’m very interested in what I could do with two units.

 

[ghostinthemach]

Semi-random pic of 3/4 our group at Saturday night's American Legion gig. No lighting in band 'area', 1 guitarist out of view to right/stage left. Rumble 200c over 112 cab on 'Ampwedge'.View attachment 3180798

I just noticed your glowing guitar strap. I’m usually viewing on my cell phone but I can see so much more on my tablet..lol.

 

[GonePlaid]

I just noticed your glowing guitar strap. I’m usually viewing on my cell phone but I can see so much more on my tablet..lol.

Yeah, just reflecting the flash-or my glowing personality.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Certain those aren't glowing runes on that strap for Samhain?

And Solstice Eve is back with new Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350 tuning machines. The village luthier says they are about half the weight of the stock tuners. They were not a direct drop-in as I wished to believe they would be. A clean install nonetheless. The flash doesn't really do justice from the front. (I only ever see the back from the driver's seat.)

The stock tuning machines, for the record, work perfectly well. Solstice Eve holds tune in heat and humidity. The new tuning machines feel smoother and surer, for what it's worth. And the difference in weight is immediately palatable.

The OCD part of me wants to put fresh strings on because the silks look a little ratty and you get it, you're real bass players ....



No chance of playing out Tuesday night. Monday and Tuesday found me totally out of commission. So much so it was necessary to wait a day to pick up Solstice Eve from the village luthier.

 

[ghostinthemach]

It’s here:

First impressions are very good. Much fuller in lower frequencies than I expected in my admittedly low-volume initial assessment.

Current firmware onboard and TonePrint is working after updating my Iphone.

Nice ‘n light. Quiet at high volume setting. No tweeter and don’t think it needs one.

The EQ section seems well planned in frequencies selected.

More to come...

 

[iagtrplyr]

It’s here:
View attachment 3184432
First impressions are very good. Much fuller in lower frequencies than I expected in my admittedly low-volume initial assessment.

Current firmware onboard and TonePrint is working after updating my Iphone.

Nice ‘n light. Quiet at high volume setting. No tweeter and don’t think it needs one.

The EQ section seems well planned in frequencies selected.

More to come...

Congrats to our club's only true spirit! It looks good, and if you say it sounds good that's all that matters. I'm wondering, depending on the venue size, whether you may need the second cab. For larger places for sure, but for smaller places, it might be enough. Who'd a thunk a pair of eights could do that?

 

[amoodymule]

I played a gig about 4 yrs ago where we opened for the house band, and I used the bands bass amp, a TC 210c. I was thinking this is not gonna cut it, plugged in, and was amazed at how loud it was, and the thump was so good. I left the settings as they were, but I did reached over and turned it down a bit

I'd like to own one, but I don't like all the fancy technology built in, too much stuff to worry about the reliability of it.

It did sound REAL good though

 

[GonePlaid]

Did a rehearsal for a New Years gig last night. 17 piece big band with very strong horn men, dynamic drummer, piano, guitar and me. Used my R40(!), kinda pushing it but it hung in there. I'll use the R200c for the gig.

 

[ghostinthemach]

I'm wondering, depending on the venue size, whether you may need the second cab

The specific need for this amp is my acoustic trio. Acoustic guitar, violin and fretless bass. We all sing and use 3 part harmonies a lot.

I wanted 1pc, small, light, accessories & tuner onboard so I could 1-hand it in, drop it, plug in and play.

Of course I could use mains support (I have even gone direct/pedalboard w/this act), I just like having control over my musical situation at a gig.

Super deep lows are not needed as there’s no drummer involved (we are looking for a cajon/hand percussionist) and I do like to use occasional modulation and/or compression so the BG250-208 has it all, so far.

This same group hosts a weekly open mic night at a local winery. This amp will be perfect for that acoustic instruments environment.

I might still liquidate some of my head & cab components* soon and replace those higher powered rigs with a Rumble Stage 800. That’s the next horizon.

*2 Hartke HX112 cabs
TC Electronic RH 450
Crown XLS 2500 (left from p.a. system days)

I also have 2 Phil Jones 4x5” C400 cabs. I’ll test those with the BG250 to see if they work well together. They have a very similar footprint and 1 might stack well under the BG250

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Over next door at the Looking for a cheap, light amp thread there's a lot of talk about the Vox VX50 bass amp. Fifty watts, nine pounds. And an eight inch driver ....

Gallien Krueger MB108. Best bang for the buck. Sorry I sent mine back, looking for another one on Amazon...