The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

I gots 3 days to think about whether I wanna f---* with that. May kinda depend on how hot/humid it is Friday. Figure minimum high 80s on both. Outdoor venue(sorta). Big chickee. Bar, tables, dance area, and stage all under one thatched roof.
Stage: View attachment 4258144 Dining area: View attachment 4258145
Front entrance: View attachment 4258146

*ool

Didn’t we see this set on Gilligan’s Island? Mary Anne made a coconut cream pie and they listened to thr radio? Maybe not.

That’s a really nice looking place, GP. What a fun environment to play in and I’ll bet you’re looking forward to it. Yeah, the heat/humidity would be a drag, but hey, you live in Florida! Enjoy the show.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Honestly, I love it. With the active pre-amp on the Yammy, I can basically leave the controls at noon and pull any tone at the bass. I’ve gone from bright, shimmery jazz tones to mud pie levels of thump. The Yamaha has Volume, Bridge, Bass, and Treble knobs, plus five presets on a switch, so there are maaaaaany options for tone.

If Vox made this exact amp with a 10-12” driver, at say 150 watts or so, they’d probably have a Rumble-killer on hand.

Hey, Recon, nice to see ya back. You aren’t the only one to sing the praises of these Vox amps. This series only lacks actual gigging models that bring the high watts and larger drivers.

I sit and look at my Superbeetle rig and wonder why it’s not a 212 cab with a 500-watt head ready to roll out to a stage near you. Probably because it’d cost over a grand to do it and Vox doesn’t seem interested in that part of the bass market. I wish they’d get interested.

Glad to hear you’re loving your combo!

 

[iagtrplyr]

So, I'm late to this party, but I'm bringing answers with me. Been using an HD 508 for about 3 months now and I can say it's a tiny beast. I've been a fan of 8's since I used a Henry the 8x8 many years ago, so when I saw the HD 508, I had to give it a try. Really glad I did too. Those 8's are articulate, get low enough for a fiver, and that combo gets LOUD! The EQ frequencies are very usable and it takes effects like a champ. Played an impromptu charity event a couple of weeks ago and decided to gamble using the 508 for the gig. ~150 people at a decent sized community center with minimal FOH support and it was slamming. Was plenty loud for the stage and then some without even having to turn it up past 10 o'clock. I ran an LA-1A comp into a Broughton Fliptop and had juicy tone for days. Heavy duty handles and wheels made it easy to load out after, so all in all, I was a happy camper. Hartke nailed it with that one.

LDB, great to meet you and thanks for a great review of the Hartke HD 508 combo. Gee, after reading your comments, I should go buy one of those!

You’re invited to become a member of our ‘lil club and all you have to do is post a pic of your combo. We’d love to have you in our ranks. And you’re always welcome to chime in with whatever we’re kicking around. Hope to hear from ya.

 

[68Tele-Bass]

So, I'm late to this party, but I'm bringing answers with me. Been using an HD 508 for about 3 months now and I can say it's a tiny beast. I've been a fan of 8's since I used a Henry the 8x8 many years ago, so when I saw the HD 508, I had to give it a try. Really glad I did too. Those 8's are articulate, get low enough for a fiver, and that combo gets LOUD! The EQ frequencies are very usable and it takes effects like a champ. Played an impromptu charity event a couple of weeks ago and decided to gamble using the 508 for the gig. ~150 people at a decent sized community center with minimal FOH support and it was slamming. Was plenty loud for the stage and then some without even having to turn it up past 10 o'clock. I ran an LA-1A comp into a Broughton Fliptop and had juicy tone for days. Heavy duty handles and wheels made it easy to load out after, so all in all, I was a happy camper. Hartke nailed it with that one.

Jump in! The Combo water is warm and refreshing!!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Ah, Lady M! If I remember correctly, you like your tone very clean, right?

The Vox does okay with clean, but it’s no PJB. I love it for the opposite reason. I can dial up the gain and turn on the drive to get all those lovely, crunchy, ZZ Top-esque tones.

Still, 50 watts, fits in a shoebox, ten pounds, tube amp? Yeah, totally worth it.

Ah, pretty clean, but I do sweeten up the line with some VT Bass. With it, I can coax a driven SVT out of the PJB at low volumes. It's a riot! The circuit that emulates a mic'd fridge sounds great in a recording.

Friday I record for the first time with the Acinonyx ... loads of work to do

 

[shoot-r]

So, I'm late to this party, but I'm bringing answers with me. Been using an HD 508 for about 3 months now and I can say it's a tiny beast. I've been a fan of 8's since I used a Henry the 8x8 many years ago, so when I saw the HD 508, I had to give it a try. Really glad I did too. Those 8's are articulate, get low enough for a fiver, and that combo gets LOUD! The EQ frequencies are very usable and it takes effects like a champ. Played an impromptu charity event a couple of weeks ago and decided to gamble using the 508 for the gig. ~150 people at a decent sized community center with minimal FOH support and it was slamming. Was plenty loud for the stage and then some without even having to turn it up past 10 o'clock. I ran an LA-1A comp into a Broughton Fliptop and had juicy tone for days. Heavy duty handles and wheels made it easy to load out after, so all in all, I was a happy camper. Hartke nailed it with that one.

Thanks for the write-up and review.

I've been on a local (2-1/2 hour drive from the house, that's about as local as it gets now) music store's list of waiting for the HD508 to come in so I can audition it.

It's been several months now, either they've forgotten, can't get it, or their selling them as soon as they come into the store!

 

[GonePlaid]

Didn’t we see this set on Gilligan’s Island? Mary Anne made a coconut cream pie and they listened to thr radio? Maybe not.

That’s a really nice looking place, GP. What a fun environment to play in and I’ll bet you’re looking forward to it. Yeah, the heat/humidity would be a drag, but hey, you live in Florida! Enjoy the show.

Our group useta play there about every 3 weeks. The crowds loved us and we kept butts in the seats. New managers decided to cut the entertainment budget(b4 COVID)to the point it wasn't worth it to do all the set up(they have a PA system, but it sux, and they charge you $50. to use it. Nope). It barely pays enuff for a trio. We're a quartet. The environment's fun, management are ______s.

 

[Recon1342]

Experiments in Sound!!!!

In concert with my new Vox amp, I am branching out into other ways of changing sound. The Yamaha is strung from the factory with D’Addario EXL-170s. They are a very bright (to me) roundwound string, and the Vox is sensitive enough to pick up string noise on slides. So, today I ordered a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Flats. Same gauge, still bright (but not as bright as the D’Addarios), and flat wound.

Now, I must wait...

 

[iagtrplyr]

Experiments in Sound!!!!

In concert with my new Vox amp, I am branching out into other ways of changing sound. The Yamaha is strung from the factory with D’Addario EXL-170s. They are a very bright (to me) roundwound string, and the Vox is sensitive enough to pick up string noise on slides. So, today I ordered a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Flats. Same gauge, still bright (but not as bright as the D’Addarios), and flat wound.

Now, I must wait...

Recon, you keep up with these bass experiments and I may have to turn my trusty lab coat over to you!

I’ve been curious about ytthe EB flats, particularly the Cobalts. Please let us know whether you like them or not.

What you’re doing, our combo-lovin’ bass brotha, is enjoying yourself as you’re find your tone. Carry on, Recon, and report back with your findings.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Another experiment in sound!

At my request, Nordstrand's master luthier installed GHS Balanced Nickels on my new Acinonyx. This marks the first time in a few years on roundwounds again. Once bright rounds were my bag. A couple years of tapes and flats ... and it's the truth: the Low Tension Flats aren't coming off my Chowny CHB-1.

In part my interest in the Balanced Nickels is a roundwound that's warmer than nickel plated steel. These check that column. And variously maintained here on TB these are the bees' knees for short scales because of (practically) equal tension from string to string. The fourth string is not floppy! And freely admitting I dig the green silks



Friday is my first recording day with this beast (that happens to have a neck so good I'm surprised it's legal) I would so record with a Vox if the DI was Post-EQ.

Sure I like clean in my amps, but I like some dirt too. Would love to work with this NuTube tech stuff from Vox ... There's the Orange that I need like a hole in the head but yeah.

 

[Recon1342]

Recon, you keep up with these bass experiments and I may have to turn my trusty lab coat over to you!

I’ve been curious about ytthe EB flats, particularly the Cobalts. Please let us know whether you like them or not.

What you’re doing, our combo-lovin’ bass brotha, is enjoying yourself as you’re find your tone. Carry on, Recon, and report back with your findings.

Hey, FL! I ordered them through the local music store (My bro-in-law owns it), so I don’t know when they will arrive, but I’ll be sure to let you know how they sound. The Slinkys I ordered are a cobalt flat, and they’re supposed to sound really good on the TRBX-series basses. We shall see.

 

[Nuage420]

Hey, FL! I ordered them through the local music store (My bro-in-law owns it), so I don’t know when they will arrive, but I’ll be sure to let you know how they sound. The Slinkys I ordered are a cobalt flat, and they’re supposed to sound really good on the TRBX-series basses. We shall see.

I run them on one of my basses. They're bright and zingy like a cobalt round, but they're flat to touch. I like them a lot.

 

[iagtrplyr]

View attachment 4260318 Iwould so record with a Vox if the DI was Post-EQ.

Like finding out the girl you are sweet on likes the GB Packers, my heart sank as soon as we all realized the Foxy One was neutered all the way to the recording input! As I lamented, what’s the point if you’re gonna bypass the NuTube circuit? Things were never the same with me after that. Damn Packers!

Sure I like clean in my amps, but I like some dirt too. Would love to work with this NuTube tech stuff from Vox ... There's the Orange that I need like a hole in the head but yeah.

If you spent one day with the Bass of Terror you throw away all your grindy pedals because they’d become obsolete. 250 Orangey watts running through your cabs with the gain run up and you’d become a devotee that moment and find excuses to buy orange swag!

 

[tubatodd]

First rehearsal since March 2020. Brought my Peavey Max 208 for a test drive with my 17 piece big band. It did very well. I look forward to become more familiar with the amp. But the first impression was great. Our keyboard player came up to me after rehearsal and had to check out the amp. He very much liked the sound.

 

[iagtrplyr]

First rehearsal since March 2020. Brought my Peavey Max 208 for a test drive with my 17 piece big band. It did very well. I look forward to become more familiar with the amp. But the first impression was great. Our keyboard player came up to me after rehearsal and had to check out the amp. He very much liked the sound.

tt, how are ya? I was hoping you'd drop by sometime with an update on your 208. I've often thought just how much good Trace-Elliot stuff from the Elf-series they stuck inside that cabinet? I know for a fact that their DIs are similar and are supposed to be some of the quietest on the market.

Been down that same road as you with a decent-sized band to try to keep up with. It's a great test for your combo if all your horns are blasting! That's where my first Rumble rig fell apart (or maybe it was me). I couldn't dial in a tone or volume where I could stake my sonic claim. I'll be interested in seeing how those dual 8s fare out. Keep us posted!

 

[iagtrplyr]

I run them on one of my basses. They're bright and zingy like a cobalt round, but they're flat to touch. I like them a lot.

Hey 4-2-0, how ya been? Of I was gonna try a set of zingers it might be on the Jazz bass just to see what they sound like. As far as the Precision goes, it says in the Bible that if you break a Commandment such as sticking anything bright on that neck you'll feel the wrath. At least I thought I read that. Anyway, I'm too chicken to try anything other than my Deep Talkers.

 

[Nuage420]

Hey 4-2-0, how ya been? Of I was gonna try a set of zingers it might be on the Jazz bass just to see what they sound like. As far as the Precision goes, it says in the Bible that if you break a Commandment such as sticking anything bright on that neck you'll feel the wrath. At least I thought I read that. Anyway, I'm too chicken to try anything other than my Deep Talkers.

Well the precision I just put together definitely has cobalt rounds on it and TONS of zing and growl. But holy cow when in roll that tone back she hits so hard.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Well the precision I just put together definitely has cobalt rounds on it and TONS of zing and growl. But holy cow when in roll that tone back she hits so hard.

Now you got me re-thinking this whole thing...

 

[GonePlaid]

Now you got me re-thinking this whole thing...

Well...I thought I had mentioned here in CC my love for Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats(henceforth referred to as EBCFs). I started with a set of them on my 67 NR TBird. Loved the fact I could go from mellow to articulate to klank by adjusting the tone knob to 5, 7, and 10 respectively. Tried a set on my EpiBird 5er. They almost made that bass playable-for me. Other impractical changes woulda had to've been made, so it got moved. Then I put a set on my Gibson LPB2/5(that's Les Paul Bass 2/5string). Once again, better tonal possibilities on an already great bass. Then I recently replaced the original 45-100 EBCFs on the 67 'Bird with a new set of 50-105s(originals had been on ~3 1/2 years)and tried to salvage them for the Epi EB-0. Unfortunately they were too far gone. I had a set of DTFs I'd bought for the semi-hollow Ibanez AGB200. Those strings and that bass didn't play well together, so I dug out the D'Addario tapes and reinstalled them on the Ibby with the DTFs going on the EB-0. When they die, It'll be getting some more 45-100 EBCFs.
So. To sum up, I only play flats* and EBCFs are my #1 choice.
Aren't you glad you sorta asked?

* I useta play rounds for awhile in the 70s. Didn't like what they did to my fingers or frets.

 

[GonePlaid]

I gots 3 days to think about whether I wanna f---* with that. May kinda depend on how hot/humid it is Friday. Figure minimum high 80s on both. Outdoor venue(sorta). Big chickee. Bar, tables, dance area, and stage all under one thatched roof.
Stage: View attachment 4258144 Dining area: View attachment 4258145
Front entrance: View attachment 4258146

*ool

After careful consideration, I've decided to not do both amps. Steep crappy stairs for access to the stage + 2(maximum allowed)questionable knees say "no extra trips".