The Combo Club

[Black Out Jazz]

how cool is that

Way cool.

 

[SoulReflection]

Just read the two pages of comments here thanks for pointing me in that direction @Morrighan

Take what I think with a grain of salt. I don’t play out in bands as a bass player and that may never come to be we’ll see. My bass playing has been strictly confined to playing one since 1975 occasionally as a hobby and in my home studios since 1985 when recording tracks. I played drums in bands all those years. I’ve owned a bass since 1975 and played them the whole time but it wasn’t my focus or the instrument I played in bands.

This past 3 years I’ve focused solely on playing bass and that’s where I will die. Should have been here my whole life and I’m kicking myself for not making this decision long ago. I love it here on bass. It’s where I belonged all along.

I have been fortunate to be in a position to buy a lot of bass gear through the years. In the past 3 years I have tried 6 or 7 combos at home and kept 4 for long periods of time purchasing my 5th about ten days ago. Prior to that I owned at least 4-5 other bass amp either combos or amp/enclosure setups. I’m not a pro. I’m not even that good. So all that said my thoughts on the HPF I just bought and returned?

It’s not for me. I read through the new forum @Morrighan you just pointed to and have read other forums on the topic and considered all of your opinions here. Your opinions here are why I pulled the trigger and got one. I just got back from the post office and it’s on its way back not. It will cost me $35 total shipping both ways just to check it out.

It clearly changed the character of my combo. I like what I’m hearing out of my combo. I will be doing a full review on that in the next several days. I want to have it for a few weeks before I do. The HPF is not needed nor desirable in my situation. I just hated having to plug in 2 patch cables and a power supply. I like the simplicity of plugging in the amp and plugging in the bass and away I go.

I however must be wrong. There are so many other bassist out there including many of you and some who are pros who swear by the HPF. The theory makes total sense. In a big room with challenging acoustics perhaps it could be helpful. I don’t know. All I know is what my ears are telling me. And from my point of view in my narrow situation the HPF not only didn’t improve my combo it took away from it some of the qualities I like about it. I did not hear a power boost. It shrank the frequency spectrum robbing the round full bottom end I was hearing.

But many of you guys have been playing since the 60s! On bass for 20,30,40,50 years! So maybe I’m just missing something and it’s just my old ears. But it’s not for me. Again. Who am I.

No one really needs an HPF if you are just playing on your own, at home at low volume.

The HPF is useful for gigging in a band situation in different venues with different accoustics. It is also useful in a recording studio for taming (fine tuning) a booming bass.

Too bad that many discussions on this subject to not explain this.

 

[Michael Favata]

No one really needs an HPF if you are just playing on your own, at home at low volume.

The HPF is useful for gigging in a band situation in different venues with different accoustics. It is also useful in a recording studio for taming (fine tuning) a booming bass.

Too bad that many discussions on this subject to not explain this.

yea I appreciate that sentiment @SoulReflection . I’m sure you are correct. As I said in my original post it logically would seem to make sense in the situations you speak of and as I said I’m sure it is useful to tame some room and especially hall acoustics. Especially guys out there gigging all kinds of rooms.
However. No bassist I've ever played with in any room through the years has used one and it’s been fine. And I liked my my sound with my last band.
But again I do not have that experience you do. I do not play in rooms large and small. I have not done that for the years you have. So I defer to you. I do not mean to question your knowledge or opinion. I respect it. And as I said in my post. There’s too many pros like you who believe in an HPF. So I must be wrong. I just don’t see myself ever using it. If only for the fact I want to keep the setup as simple as possible. Less is more for me. I appreciate your comment.

 

[SoulReflection]

yea I appreciate that sentiment @SoulReflection . I’m sure you are correct. As I said in my original post it logically would seem to make sense in the situations you speak of and as I said I’m sure it is useful to tame some room and especially hall acoustics. Especially guys out there gigging all kinds of rooms.
However. No bassist I've ever played with in any room through the years has used one and it’s been fine. And I liked my my sound with my last band.
But again I do not have that experience you do. I do not play in rooms large and small. I have not done that for the years you have. So I defer to you. I do not mean to question your knowledge or opinion. I respect it. And as I said in my post. There’s too many pros like you who believe in an HPF. So I must be wrong. I just don’t see myself ever using it. If only for the fact I want to keep the setup as simple as possible. Less is more for me. I appreciate your comment.

All is good @Michael Favata...truth be told, I bought my HPF thinking I would be playing out but, with the on-set of COPD and then this COVID crap, that hasn't happened and probably won't. So, I am like you, playing at home !

 

[Michael Favata]

All is good @Michael Favata...truth be told, I bought my HPF thinking I would be playing out but, with the on-set of COPD and then this COVID crap, that hasn't happened and probably won't. So, I am like you, playing at home !

better days ahead @SoulReflection !
Keep the faith!

 

[GwenOnBass]

All is good @Michael Favata...truth be told, I bought my HPF thinking I would be playing out but, with the on-set of COPD and then this COVID crap, that hasn't happened and probably won't. So, I am like you, playing at home !

Lockdown has me playing to the dog, and to the Webcam for the cohort There is no way on this green earth I can predict what kind of playback devices are downstream. There's an entirely reasonable expectation of smrtphns in use. No point in recording what isn't even reproduced. HPF has a place "at home", too.

... it actually tightens up the BA108v2+ combo practice amp, and I would not buy a HPF for that.

 

[SoulReflection]

better days ahead @SoulReflection !
Keep the faith!

Actually, these are better days. I play what I want, when I want and don't have to deal with the "personalities", late nights, poor pay and drunken crowds that I experienced when I was gigging. So I have faith that I will find some afternoon jam sessions sometime in the future !

 

[GonePlaid]

Just got in from my gig tonight. Weather was cooler than usual and a nice breeze across the semi outside stage kept the skeeters at bay. Decided to use the 67 NR TBird>EHX Micro POG>R200c. For some reason I couldn't get the sound I wanted outta the POG, so I packed it on the second break. Direct to the Rumble covered things nicely. Now if the joint would pay worth a damn. We had a group of about 16 who had a b'day celebration for one of their bunch come to the place because we were playing. The restaurant made a bundle offa them-drinks, food, cake. Did management 'take care' of us? Waddaya think? We play what the ppl wanna hear and they come back. There were some folks there who'd been there on other nights that said we're the best band they've heard. I know it's because we 'play to our crowd'.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am chartering a new club to any and all. This if for the TBer who is not afraid to admit they rock a combo as their Main rig. I realize that there are separate threads for Fender and Walkabout out there.

Let us unite in the face of massive prejudice. let them respect our numbers if they cannot understand that our gear works for us.!!

The only requirement for this club is pride in combo ownership. No bashing brands.....if it works for you welcome to the club!! PICS OF COURSE.

I do now

 

[iagtrplyr]

I am very curious about that pedal. Looking forward to your impressions! Please share when possible.

You got it, Doc! I plan on tearing down my Ampeg rig this weekend and putting my board away for a bit so
I can try the Stomplab 1B. It's not going to turn my world upside down but should offer me a different flavor to mix with my gear. Last time I owned it I was too much in a hurry to get the results I wanted and moved on shortly thereafter. This time, being a little wiser (I hope) and more patient, I'll give it a fairer opportunity to impress. I'm thinking of pairing it with my Terror Bass head and Rumbler 115. Haven't had those tubes heated up in a while.

What's unique about the pedal is Vox doesn't chase after the "Ampeg, Fender, GK" mimicking as most of the others do. They classify their models into musical categories, rock, jazz, acoustic, Scandanavian folk, etc. 100 presets to play with and another 20 for yourself. Yes, there are some ridiculous tones that no one in their right mind would ever use, but I also seem to remember snagging a few useable tones as well. Again, Amazon had it for $54 and it was here in two days. Can't beat that with a stick. Plus, it's in a really nice metal box with that Voxy vibe to it. I'll post a few pics this weekend.

Thanks for the request, Doc. Say, how's school? We are official thru two full weeks, my kids are absolutely brilliant so far (a super group to wrap on if they stay this way), already had some covid cases in the building, but I'm enjoying being back in my classroom very much. Teachers, report in and let us know how things are going!

 

[iagtrplyr]

The salve?

For my lefthandedness...

 

[iagtrplyr]

Only the MOST committed of bassist have a framed pic of an SVT Stack on their wall! I hope you ears survived that monster!

The truth is it's one of my wife's crafting projects. I couldn't find anything official so she offered to create a fridge and Blueline head for a shadow box. The little bass we found somewhere. I've had that thing ever since I've been playing bass. Good eye, Michael!

 

[iagtrplyr]

All the other parts?
View attachment 4392997

Thanks, swink. I can't remember the last time we had a lamp diagram in color. They're usually in black 'n white and this was refreshing. Keep up the good work...I think.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Of these parts names of the anatomy of a lamp which would be the best for a band name?

Oh, excuse me, I thought the name of the band was "Anatomy of a Lamp." This is what happens when I'm not on much. Actually, "Switch" might be good, but I'd probably vote for "Tube Knot." It's got kind of a spicy vibe to it. But what do I know? I thought "Table Lamp" was their new album title.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Tube Knot!
.

Great minds think alike, 007. And no, I did not see his response before committing to mine.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I do now
View attachment 4394042

Jeezy, this was a slam dunk! This gentleman, members, is one of our pillars at the Ampeg Rocket Bass thread. He posts great videos of his equipment and recently bought an RB-210 to complement his 112. Welcome my 'Peg brotha, as of tonight you will now be known 'round these parts as #256...congratulations, wear it with pride!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Jeezy, this was a slam dunk! This gentleman, members, is one of our pillars at the Ampeg Rocket Bass thread. He posts great videos of his equipment and recently bought an RB-210 to complement his 112. Welcome my 'Peg brotha, as of tonight you will now be known 'round these parts as #256...congratulations, wear it with pride!

I do enjoy even numbers

 

[iagtrplyr]

Wow, I'm glad I paid my respects to the club before shoving off to nighty-night. Summarizing, we kicked around the Vox FX pedal, gave appreciation to the swinkster for his dazzling lamp wizardry, added a new member who brought the goods with him, and offered a reply to GP who's uncharacteristically concerned over my hemp salve. You guys can go play with that one for a while...

See ya over the three-day weekend,

FL

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

You got it, Doc! I plan on tearing down my Ampeg rig this weekend and putting my board away for a bit so
I can try the Stomplab 1B. It's not going to turn my world upside down but should offer me a different flavor to mix with my gear. Last time I owned it I was too much in a hurry to get the results I wanted and moved on shortly thereafter. This time, being a little wiser (I hope) and more patient, I'll give it a fairer opportunity to impress. I'm thinking of pairing it with my Terror Bass head and Rumbler 115. Haven't had those tubes heated up in a while.

What's unique about the pedal is Vox doesn't chase after the "Ampeg, Fender, GK" mimicking as most of the others do. They classify their models into musical categories, rock, jazz, acoustic, Scandanavian folk, etc. 100 presets to play with and another 20 for yourself. Yes, there are some ridiculous tones that no one in their right mind would ever use, but I also seem to remember snagging a few useable tones as well. Again, Amazon had it for $54 and it was here in two days. Can't beat that with a stick. Plus, it's in a really nice metal box with that Voxy vibe to it. I'll post a few pics this weekend.

Thanks for the request, Doc. Say, how's school? We are official thru two full weeks, my kids are absolutely brilliant so far (a super group to wrap on if they stay this way), already had some covid cases in the building, but I'm enjoying being back in my classroom very much. Teachers, report in and let us know how things are going!

A little slow getting back into it, but the week was good. Unfortunately our numbers are climbing, so I'll be lecturing with a face mask for a bit.

 

[iagtrplyr]

A little slow getting back into it, but the week was good. Unfortunately our numbers are climbing, so I'll be lecturing with a face mask for a bit.

Hello there, my Beatle bass buddy. I hear ya. I teach both fourth and fifth grades and my partner across the hall had one sent home this week until the 11th and we had another in Kindergarten. Iowa’s numbers are going up steadily as well.

I’ve has more fun this year so far because everyone, including the kids, are glad to be back in the rooms, eating together, living somewhat normally, but I fear that could all change in a second, especially as we head into fall.

Doc, here’s my first pedal pic as I just finished switching out rigs in my music room. Purists will scream blasphemy hooking up a digital effects box to the Orange, but I say go big or go home...except for the fact I am home. Oh well. I’ll try to drop a quick review over the weekend. Have a good one, Sir!