The Combo Club

[RodRy]

Dang, that sounds like fun, doesn't it? And you could knock GP over with a feather when we knock on the garage door with the goods. I'm ordering shrimp!

Really? I figured your wife would just say okay. A week it is!

My wife will need very little convincing. Wait...just asked her. She's fine with it.

My boss on the other hand may want me to keep working on my big project which needs to be delivered in 4th quarter this year. Our timetable is very tight, and they are counting on me to take into account the different ways it could fail, plan for ways to make it succeed anyway, and not miss any steps.

Of course, I can take my work laptop and as long as I have wifi, I can still get some progress!

 

[iagtrplyr]

My wife will need very little convincing. Wait...just asked her. She's fine with it.

My boss on the other hand may want me to keep working on my big project which needs to be delivered in 4th quarter this year. Our timetable is very tight, and they are counting on me to take into account the different ways it could fail, plan for ways to make it succeed anyway, and not miss any steps.

Of course, I can take my work laptop and as long as I have wifi, I can still get some progress!

RR, you’re making giggle like a school girl and believe me, it’s really annoying!

Sir, if it was next summer and GP would guarantee he’d accept the shipment, Soul Reflection and I would pick you up in his truck in Kalamazoo, drive to NY, grab those beasts, haul ‘em down to FL to Casa Plaid, set it all up to listen to, AND then attend one of GP’s supper gigs so we can stuff the gig jar after eating fish and shrimp!

How’s that sound for an impromptu vacation that none of us will ever forget?

 

[SoulReflection]

RR, you’re making giggle like a school girl and believe me, it’s really annoying!

Sir, if it was next summer and GP would guarantee he’d accept the shipment, Soul Reflection and I would pick you up in his truck in Kalamazoo, drive to NY, grab those beasts, haul ‘em down to FL to Casa Plaid, set it all up to listen to, AND then attend one of GP’s supper gigs so we can stuff the gig jar after eating fish and shrimp!

How’s that sound for an impromptu vacation that none of us will ever forget?

I'm all for it. Just let me know the dates. Rather than my truck, I will bring the motorhome so we can travel in the style we have become accustomed to.... You guys can share the top bunk. I am having the bedroom to myself.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Hey Doc! I wS watching something on Joni Mitchell Last week and they showed her singing a new song of hers at GL’s kitchen table and sitting next to her was David Crosby or maybe Dylan, I think. His kitchen looked pretty plain, but this was like ‘70 or ‘71. Very cool.

Doc, I gave an ailment that I need your consultation on. Believe it or not, I’ve gotten the green light from #2 ( #1 in my book) to purchase a Hofner 500/1 Artist Bass next June for my retirement gift. I’ms scareds to death! It’s too much for me and I seriously think I’d be happier with the Ignition Pro. Am I right or an idiot? (No one else can answer that!)

You’ve got a 500/1, right? Do you use it all the time or like pull it out at Christmas and Easter? The Rogue would still be my day-to-day, but part of me is saying, “Hell ya!”

Give me your prognosis, please. Thanks!

I'd say get the Artist for sure. I've heard they are excellent. If violin basses are your thing you won't be disappointed. In that time you can also keep your eyes open for a used one on Reverb. You may get a good deal. If you desire a new one, though, the Artist series is the way to go.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'm all for it. Just let me know the dates. Rather than my truck, I will bring the motorhome so we can travel in the style we have become accustomed to.... You guys can share the top bunk. I am having the bedroom to myself.

Fellas, it looks like we got us a convoy!

SR, you’re a class act driving us first class. Rod, just to let you know, my snoring has woken the dead where they filed a class action law suit against me!

Otherwise, I’m good!

 

[WestyBassBob]

That’s my fave musical style, Westy. Some might say it’s less interesting because there may be less complexity, but the bass (especially without drums) hold the whole thing up! It fills in below what all those acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, and whatever else they throw at us can’t do as well. I love it!

It’s also what’s guided my gear purchases over the years too. I’ve found that my violin bass running through a nice Fender or Ampeg setup yields the best results when playing acoustic folk music.

I think I’ve finally found a consistent sound I like performing to an audience or to a recording device. And that’s why I experiment with different brands and models as I do. It helps me better clarify what I’m hearing in my head.

So five what we attached here a listen. If ya liked Jim Croce, you’ll certainly find something with this music too.

Nice. I think the link between rock and folk is obvious. In many ways punk and grunge are the folk music of my generation. IMO indie/folk rock has been the dominant strain of modern rock for the last decade or so and I’ve had no problem with it.

But I am beginning to some new rock that really blends pop and rock in ways that are much more influenced by guitarists like the Edge, Kurt Cobain and Robert Smith. It’s very interesting.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'd say get the Artist for sure. I've heard they are excellent. If violin basses are your thing you won't be disappointed. In that time you can also keep your eyes open for a used one on Reverb. You may get a good deal. If you desire a new one, though, the Artist series is the way to go.

Darn it, Doctor, I knew you were gonna say that! Yeah, I was thinking about scanning Reverb for a good used bass, but for that $$ I’d like to break in a new one being it’s gonna most likely be buried with me!

Thanks for your thoughts. I’ll keep you posted as the school year unwinds. BTW, I’m paying myself a dollar for every tine a kid asks to go the restroom. I’ll have it paid off by December!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Darn it, Doctor, I knew you were gonna say that! Yeah, I was thinking about scanning Reverb for a good used bass, but for that $$ I’d like to break in a new one being it’s gonna most likely be buried with me!

Thanks for your thoughts. I’ll keep you posted as the school year unwinds. BTW, I’m paying myself a dollar for every tine a kid asks to go the restroom. I’ll have it paid off by December!

I'll send you a video later of them making the basses. It is a neat process, and will get you excited. I'd also suggest Thomann or Bass Direct, as they have the best prices.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'll send you a video later of them making the basses. It is a neat process, and will get you excited. I'd also suggest Thomann or Bass Direct, as they have the best prices.

Thanks a bunch, I accept your kind offer. That’s what started the whole thing last night. I happened to be surfing Thomann looking for something above the Ignition but below the three grand violin bass and saw the Artist. I showed it to my wife and she says, “Well it’s your retirement gift, go for it.”

I’m still not convinced I deserve it, but if it keeps me motivated to wrap up the last full year, I’m gonna keep it on my to-do list. Thanks again.

 

[SoulReflection]

Fellas, it looks like we got us a convoy!

SR, you’re a class act driving us first class. Rod, just to let you know, my snoring has woken the dead where they filed a class action law suit against me!

Otherwise, I’m good!

RR, just bring ear plugs. Fortunately for me, removing my hearing aids is all I need for peace and quiet.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Thanks a bunch, I accept your kind offer. That’s what started the whole thing last night. I happened to be surfing Thomann looking for something above the Ignition but below the three grand violin bass and saw the Artist. I showed it to my wife and she says, “Well it’s your retirement gift, go for it.”

I’m still not convinced I deserve it, but if it keeps me motivated to wrap up the last full year, I’m gonna keep it on my to-do list. Thanks again.

I am a bit biased, but I think teaching is one of the most noble things you can you with your life. If there are rewards for such things, then I think you've earned it!

 

[Polish Thunder]

I'm all for it. Just let me know the dates. Rather than my truck, I will bring the motorhome so we can travel in the style we have become accustomed to.... You guys can share the top bunk. I am having the bedroom to myself.

When I read SR's post, I could not help thinking of this great scene...

 

[GwenOnBass]

When I read SR's post, I could not help thinking of this great scene...

oh no
:: laugh ::

In a way and in not a way, and very definitely not the way depicted here, I'm in Chicago in (counts) 17 days. A life appointment. What it seems to me is it's been as difficult for me to complete this trip as it is for those to characters. And by the way that movie is very definitely not funny when you've lived it. I cried laughing the first time I saw it because far, far too much of it is true. This is me talking, the me who's flown more than a million air miles. And it ain't pretty.

Some of those air miles included a bass. The amp, well ... it can be difficult, and expensive, to get an amp from country to country, even pre-lockdown.

Ah well, Chicago. One of the major points, but far from the major point, is a meetup with a very fine gentleman who is caterer to SumGai who books bands in local venues. What we're talking here is the Good Old Grateful Dead, and every Chicago Deadhead who's ever been a Chicago Deadhead. Chalking that all up as good. My expectation (a reasonably held expectation) is I'll return to Chicago, with bass, November-ish for about a month ... The combo amp I'm looking to take is a set of Vox headphones

 

[iagtrplyr]

I am a bit biased, but I think teaching is one of the most noble things you can you with your life. If there are rewards for such things, then I think you've earned it!

Right back at ya, my friend and teaching associate! Yes, though I believe it's taken some hits over the years and made it challenging (low pay for many, tough working conditions) to recruit top-notch young people, it is still a most honorable profession much like medicine, the law, and working at a fast-food joint.

From what I read here, there are quite a few of us who've worked hard all our lives in whatever we've done, tried our best, played by the rules, and deserve now what we were always aiming for: respect, relaxation, and maybe a little time to putz around in our hobbies. Like many of you though, I'm not near done trying to improve this world in whatever small way I can. Retirement is hopefully gonna give me more time to do just that.

Here's to all who've labored a lifetime and are trying to claim a little piece of Nirvana. God's speed to ya!

 

[iagtrplyr]

When I read SR's post, I could not help thinking of this great scene...

PT, it's so nice to see ya! That image alone brought back those hilarious memories the first time we saw P, T, and A. The funniest thing about that scene was how happy and content both guys were prior to waking up!

Now after thinking about it, SR, do I have to share the top bunk with RR? I mean, he's probably a great guy and he does own an Allen Mouse bass with a D4 combo, but I dunno...

 

[iagtrplyr]

oh no
:: laugh ::

In a way and in not a way, and very definitely not the way depicted here, I'm in Chicago in (counts) 17 days. A life appointment. What it seems to me is it's been as difficult for me to complete this trip as it is for those to characters. And by the way that movie is very definitely not funny when you've lived it. I cried laughing the first time I saw it because far, far too much of it is true. This is me talking, the me who's flown more than a million air miles. And it ain't pretty.

Some of those air miles included a bass. The amp, well ... it can be difficult, and expensive, to get an amp from country to country, even pre-lockdown.

Ah well, Chicago. One of the major points, but far from the major point, is a meetup with a very fine gentleman who is caterer to SumGai who books bands in local venues. What we're talking here is the Good Old Grateful Dead, and every Chicago Deadhead who's ever been a Chicago Deadhead. Chalking that all up as good. My expectation (a reasonably held expectation) is I'll return to Chicago, with bass, November-ish for about a month ... The combo amp I'm looking to take is a set of Vox headphones

Sounds exciting, M! You'll have to chronicle your adventures this fall. Dump the Vox 'phones though. How would you like to play through a vintage Kustom Kasino rig that you then can transport to FL to GP's shanty? Talk about one for the bucket list...! Think about it and get back to SR, RR, and me before we do this thing.

 

[WestyBassBob]

Right back at ya, my friend and teaching associate! Yes, though I believe it's taken some hits over the years and made it challenging (low pay for many, tough working conditions) to recruit top-notch young people, it is still a most honorable profession much like medicine, the law, and working at a fast-food joint.

From what I read here, there are quite a few of us who've worked hard all our lives in whatever we've done, tried our best, played by the rules, and deserve now what we were always aiming for: respect, relaxation, and maybe a little time to putz around in our hobbies. Like many of you though, I'm not near done trying to improve this world in whatever small way I can. Retirement is hopefully gonna give me more time to do just that.

Here's to all who've labored a lifetime and are trying to claim a little piece of Nirvana. God's speed to ya!

Labor days in September!
That said going into teaching is one of the best decisions I ever made. Right up there with having kids. It keeps me young. I love having a direct connection with young kids all the time. Remember what I said about rock? It’s totally on the way back. For the first time since I started teaching back in 2004 the kids seem more interested in rock in all its forms than hip hop. I’m really excited to see what kinds of rock these kids are making in the next 10 years or so. Whatever it is I hope it scares parents and makes old people cranky.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Labor days in September!
That said going into teaching is one of the best decisions I ever made. Right up there with having kids. It keeps me young. I love having a direct connection with young kids all the time. Remember what I said about rock? It’s totally on the way back. For the first time since I started teaching back in 2004 the kids seem more interested in rock in all its forms than hip hop. I’m really excited to see what kinds of rock these kids are making in the next 10 years or so. Whatever it is I hope it scares parents and makes old people cranky.

Well put, WBB! You sound like a guy who's ready to turn it loose with some ROCK! I dug out a few old CDs that I'd made 20-30 years ago and one of them was a bunch of British heavy metal favorites; Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Ozzy, UFO. I kinda have moved on playing-wise, but dang it felt good listening to all those again. My wife mentioned that she hasn't heard me sing that much in a long time. I told her I've been busy preparing my voice to sound like the Oz. It did too!

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'm pretty much all in to the combo from Pat Quilter. I had the head before i knew the BassDock cabs were on the market. View attachment 4330642

P4, sorry for getting back to you so late. That combo fascinates me. What a cool idea. I've read a lot of players swear by Quilter's designs and build. Thanks for sharing your combo, and to show our appreciation, I am proudly presenting you with membership #243. You're our third newest member just this weekend. At this rate, 300 members aren't that far off. Please stop by whenever you can and tell us a little about your combo. Thanks!

 

[GwenOnBass]

By all accounts the Quilter achieves a tube-y signal. Never seen nor heard one In Real Life ™