The Combo Club

[Michael Favata]

Anyone who visits here regularly is exempt from my harsh comment, but the newcomer to the hobby is who I'm thinking about here. That's why so many seasoned players recommend buying a good quality used amp or bass that evades the initial sticker price and gets it closer to what the market says it is worth. Now before you ask me if I always follow my own advice, nope, I haven't. Admittedly though, I've spent more pesos than I needed to in the past years and I go to Confessional weekly to make amends for it.

All's fair in love and retail business, I agree, and the buyer is on their own to beware, but as aficionados of said combo bass amps, I think we owe to those who stop by to see what's up when to call foul. That's all I was doing and I apologize if you took it personally.

I did not take it personally! It's all good! I "know" our fearless leader to be a great guy! That said I just was making the point that it is not naïve or ignorant to buy a Rumble. I think it's a great value and a wise choice. You know I've been through 6-7 combos in the past few years seeking the right one. Maybe more I lost count. Many more amps through the 48 years I've been buying this stuff. This Rumble 500 is the one I was looking for. That was my point. It's not naïve nor ignorant even for a newcomer to combo's to purchase a Rumble combo. Prices have gone up but that's across the board in life.
As a comparison I went to GC to see what the Rumbles cost vs the Rocket Bass.

The Rumble/Rocketbass combos:
2x10 = $650/$650.
1x15 = $530/$530.
1x12 = $350/$400.
1x10 = $230/$250.
1x8 = $130/$150.

But again. Read my views on profit and corporate greed on page 977 if you like. Or don't. I tried to delete it but couldn't. I generally agree with you @iagtrplyr and prices do not ALWAYS have to go up. But these Rumbles are still a great value in my learned experienced opinion as are most other combos on the market out there.

Now. All of that said. If you want to talk about market forces and those dynamics then I said what I had to say on page 977 (almost a thousand pages! :>) and it begins to look political and I agree we should stay away from that.

 

[FirewalZ]

All,
Im looking for a small combo that I can leave at Church and need recommendations. Its a smaller country type Church, currently me and an acoustic guitar that gets a DI to the sound board. I am currently carrying a GK MB112-ii back and forth, its a bit over kill and i dont need to DI it. I was thinking a Rumble 40 or 100, or maybe one of the newer Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110? I dont need to be loud, but want something that can fill the room un-DI'd and maybe can be used occasionally for other small gigs.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I did not take it personally! It's all good! I "know" our fearless leader to be a great guy! That said I just was making the point that it is not naïve or ignorant to buy a Rumble. I think it's a great value and a wise choice. You know I've been through 6-7 combos in the past few years seeking the right one. Maybe more I lost count. Many more amps through the 48 years I've been buying this stuff. This Rumble 500 is the one I was looking for. That was my point. It's not naïve nor ignorant even for a newcomer to combo's to purchase a Rumble combo. Prices have gone up but that's across the board in life.
As a comparison I went to GC to see what the Rumbles cost vs the Rocket Bass.

The Rumble/Rocketbass combos:
2x10 = $650/$650.
1x15 = $530/$530.
1x12 = $350/$400.
1x10 = $230/$250.
1x8 = $130/$150.

But again. Read my views on profit and corporate greed on page 977 if you like. Or don't. I tried to delete it but couldn't. I generally agree with you @iagtrplyr and prices do not ALWAYS have to go up. But these Rumbles are still a great value in my learned experienced opinion as are most other combos on the market out there.

Now. All of that said. If you want to talk about market forces and those dynamics then I said what I had to say on page 977 (almost a thousand pages! :>) and it begins to look political and I agree we should stay away from that.

Out of respect and the fact my memory lasts nanoseconds, I went back to review your business thoughts, and I would say we agree with each other more than disagree. Though you defend someone to seek their happiness and fortunes in a country with the greatest opportunities to do so, you don't seem to be too crazy about the greed factor Soul Reflection and I have raised. That being said, you don't feel you overpaid for your 500 as I don't feel I overpaid for my RB-112, so we'll call it a draw. Update: Zzounds is showing Tele's RB-115 as $550, up from your $530.

The one area you did not mention in your reply was my view on purchasing good used equipment. What are your feelings about that? No one likes brand new more than me because I don't want anyone's boogers on my amp, but if the manufacturers are going to play this game of Jack the Price, then the used market makes sense. Of course, with warranties seemingly shrinking, they'll make up for the loss of retail revenue with repair gouging. That's why we've become such a throwaway society. Sad.

Thanks for the positive reply,

FL

 

[G-Dog]

All,
Im looking for a small combo that I can leave at Church and need recommendations. Its a smaller country type Church, currently me and an acoustic guitar that gets a DI to the sound board. I am currently carrying a GK MB112-ii back and forth, its a bit over kill and i dont need to DI it. I was thinking a Rumble 40 or 100, or maybe one of the newer Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110? I dont need to be loud, but want something that can fill the room un-DI'd and maybe can be used occasionally for other small gigs.

You're on the right track, Firey! Everybody's got their own pet they love. But, the main thing is find the sound you like, by trying some out. Then, if you can find a good used one you might even save a few bucks!
.

 

[FirewalZ]

I did not take it personally! It's all good! I "know" our fearless leader to be a great guy! That said I just was making the point that it is not naïve or ignorant to buy a Rumble. I think it's a great value and a wise choice. You know I've been through 6-7 combos in the past few years seeking the right one. Maybe more I lost count. Many more amps through the 48 years I've been buying this stuff. This Rumble 500 is the one I was looking for. That was my point. It's not naïve nor ignorant even for a newcomer to combo's to purchase a Rumble combo. Prices have gone up but that's across the board in life.
As a comparison I went to GC to see what the Rumbles cost vs the Rocket Bass.

The Rumble/Rocketbass combos:
2x10 = $650/$650.
1x15 = $530/$530.
1x12 = $350/$400.
1x10 = $230/$250.
1x8 = $130/$150.

But again. Read my views on profit and corporate greed on page 977 if you like. Or don't. I tried to delete it but couldn't. I generally agree with you @iagtrplyr and prices do not ALWAYS have to go up. But these Rumbles are still a great value in my learned experienced opinion as are most other combos on the market out there.

Now. All of that said. If you want to talk about market forces and those dynamics then I said what I had to say on page 977 (almost a thousand pages! :>) and it begins to look political and I agree we should stay away from that.

For me the gear reflects the use case, if I'm playing at home or with friends vs clubs and high profile and paying gigs twice or more a week. The last several years pre-covid I was gigging nearly every weekend and sometimes during the week. I started with Rumbles, and for the price point its certainly a fine amp and plenty capable of getting really good and solid old school bass tones, and was very reliable i may add. However, i was very pleased when i moved up to GK combo's, IMO they at a different product level and price point, so maybe not a fair comparison. But I've dragged my MB212-ii combo to hundreds of gigs, IMO it has a punchier tone and more clear/articulate(modern vs old school) than the rumble. However its a lot more $....but made in the USA...so a trade off. If your not constrained by budget, GK has a ton of combo options.

 

[Michael Favata]

Out of respect and the fact my memory lasts nanoseconds, I went back to review your business thoughts, and I would say we agree with each other more than disagree. Though you defend someone to seek their happiness and fortunes in a country with the greatest opportunities to do so, you don't seem to be too crazy about the greed factor Soul Reflection and I have raised. That being said, you don't feel you overpaid for your 500 as I don't feel I overpaid for my RB-112, so we'll call it a draw. Update: Zzounds is showing Tele's RB-115 as $550, up from your $530.

The one area you did not mention in your reply was my view on purchasing good used equipment. What are your feelings about that? No one likes brand new more than me because I don't want anyone's boogers on my amp, but if the manufacturers are going to play this game of Jack the Price, then the used market makes sense. Of course, with warranties seemingly shrinking, they'll make up for the loss of retail revenue with repair gouging. That's why we've become such a throwaway society. Sad.

Thanks for the positive reply,

FL

I thought I was clear and agree with you and @SoulReflection . There is most certainly a big corporate greed factor in all corporate consumer goods. (page 977) So I agree with you.....

I do not like to buy things used that heat up. Too risky. When I've tried I got burned lol no pun intended. That said. If I'm buying an amp off a friend or a band member (not necessarily a friend lol) and I "Know where it's been" I'm more likely to buy used even if it does heat up. But if it doesn't heat up hell yea. Some guitars can age so beautifully! Look at @Morrighan and her Ray! That neck is gorgeous! I'd buy that in a minute!

It's a good question. I wonder what others here do.

 

[iagtrplyr]

All,
Im looking for a small combo that I can leave at Church and need recommendations. Its a smaller country type Church, currently me and an acoustic guitar that gets a DI to the sound board. I am currently carrying a GK MB112-ii back and forth, its a bit over kill and i dont need to DI it. I was thinking a Rumble 40 or 100, or maybe one of the newer Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110? I dont need to be loud, but want something that can fill the room un-DI'd and maybe can be used occasionally for other small gigs.

FirewalZ, nice to see you! For those of you who love history, F'walZ is member #4 out of the now 262 onboard. It's kinda like Ben Franklin popping by to see how my bifocals are doing. You came to the right place and i'll begin with a question or two before opening up to the membership.

Do you have a price range you'd like to stay within? I ask only because Morrighan may drop PJB as one to look at and we should know where your ballpark price is. The ones you mentioned run anywhere from $200-400. Is that about right?

Also, after using the GK, do you prefer that more modern tone or are you looking for something more vintage? In my opinion, in a rustic country church setting, you have to go old school and either Fender or Ampeg would be at the top of my list. I believe any of the ones would work, especially if you're not playing alongside drums. Also, I'd still recommend having the DI-capability just in case a time arises when you plug everyone into the board to even out the sound. I myself have done that and was pleased with the results. All of the ones you mentioned have that available.

Lastly, and this piggybacks on the discussion Michael and I were having, would you be interested in buying used as long as you were satisfied with it? You could easily nail any of your amp ideas for probably half to two-thirds the price, though you won't have any warranty, with what you'll be doing with it I doubt you'll care.

Give us any additional info you can and sit back and relax for the opinions to roll in. If it was me, I'd spring for the Rocket Bass 110 which I think would be perfect for your setting. Good hunting!

 

[Michael Favata]

For me the gear reflects the use case, if I'm playing at home or with friends vs clubs and high profile and paying gigs twice or more a week. The last several years pre-covid I was gigging nearly every weekend and sometimes during the week. I started with Rumbles, and for the price point its certainly a fine amp and plenty capable of getting really good and solid old school bass tones, and was very reliable i may add. However, i was very pleased when i moved up to GK combo's, IMO they at a different product level and price point, so maybe not a fair comparison. But I've dragged my MB212-ii combo to hundreds of gigs, IMO it has a punchier tone and more clear/articulate(modern vs old school) than the rumble. However its a lot more $....but made in the USA...so a trade off. If your not constrained by budget, GK has a ton of combo options.

I loved my Rumble 100. Traded it to get a markbass cmd 102P. The markbass amp is gone. Wish I still had the R100 even though I now have the Rumble 500 which is great. But the R100 at 26 lbs and 18x16x14 was just so easy to move around. Has the line out you want. But @G-Dog and @iagtrplyr make great points. Really I think you need to listen to them and decide what tone you like best and all the combos have a different tone/character and are distinctly different tones because no matter how light or what the watts or whatever if you don't like what you are hearing then you won't be happy. I tried a GK MB112 at home and it was not for me. But since you like your GK, they are solidly built, made in the US, maybe the GK 112 would be the right one for you. That's 30lbs 17x15x14 and 200 watts.

 

[FirewalZ]

FirewalZ, nice to see you! For those of you who love history, F'walZ is member #4 out of the now 262 onboard. It's kinda like Ben Franklin popping by to see how my bifocals are doing. You came to the right place and i'll begin with a question or two before opening up to the membership.

Do you have a price range you'd like to stay within? I ask only because Morrighan may drop PJB as one to look at and we should know where your ballpark price is. The ones you mentioned run anywhere from $200-400. Is that about right?

Also, after using the GK, do you prefer that more modern tone or are you looking for something more vintage? In my opinion, in a rustic country church setting, you have to go old school and either Fender or Ampeg would be at the top of my list. I believe any of the ones would work, especially if you're not playing alongside drums. Also, I'd still recommend having the DI-capability just in case a time arises when you plug everyone into the board to even out the sound. I myself have done that and was pleased with the results. All of the ones you mentioned have that available.

Lastly, and this piggybacks on the discussion Michael and I were having, would you be interested in buying used as long as you were satisfied with it? You could easily nail any of your amp ideas for probably half to two-thirds the price, though you won't have any warranty, with what you'll be doing with it I doubt you'll care.

Give us any additional info you can and sit back and relax for the opinions to roll in. If it was me, I'd spring for the Rocket Bass 110 which I think would be perfect for your setting. Good hunting!

Yea...200-400 is about right, its a small room so i don't need much. Also, i agree something more old school will work best for this setting, mostly classic hymns. The combo is not required to have a built in DI, I always have one with me and several unused available. There wont ever be drums at this church, and this is something that I would leave there most of the time, but want the option to be able to use it for other small gig use cases as they pop up. Lastly, used but in good shape is perfectly fine.

 

[FirewalZ]

I loved my Rumble 100. Traded it to get a markbass cmd 102P. The markbass amp is gone. Wish I still had the R100 even though I now have the Rumble 500 which is great. But the R100 at 26 lbs and 18x16x14 was just so easy to move around. Has the line out you want. But @G-Dog and @iagtrplyr make great points. Really I think you need to listen to them and decide what tone you like best and all the combos have a different tone/character and are distinctly different tones because no matter how light or what the watts or whatever if you don't like what you are hearing then you won't be happy. I tried a GK MB112 at home and it was not for me. But since you like your GK, they are solidly built, made in the US, maybe the GK 112 would be the right one for you. That's 30lbs 17x15x14 and 200 watts.

Yea, i have a GK MB112-ii, its overkill volume wise for this room. Its my home practice amp and i no longer want to carry it back and forth every Sunday So im looking for something I can leave there.

 

[BrusselsBass]

Probably depends on what you want to invest; new or 2nd hand.
An Eden Combo - nobody on earth can move that out, and if you remove the rollers, then that is that
Edit - I'm a big fan of the MB CMD121, the FL shares my passion. There's also the smaller "8 version 801 (60W), Behringer combos are affordable; Bugera ? ( I have the head as a backup)

 

[GonePlaid]

How does it sound at low volume though? Not actually playing through one, I’m curious.

I think even the lowest volume would be too much for most people's situation.

 

[Mvf]

All,
Im looking for a small combo that I can leave at Church and need recommendations. Its a smaller country type Church, currently me and an acoustic guitar that gets a DI to the sound board. I am currently carrying a GK MB112-ii back and forth, its a bit over kill and i dont need to DI it. I was thinking a Rumble 40 or 100, or maybe one of the newer Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110? I dont need to be loud, but want something that can fill the room un-DI'd and maybe can be used occasionally for other small gigs.

I’d go with the Rumble 100c.

 

[GonePlaid]

You're missing something for the "extended" practices.

Yeah, but that ain't gonna happen.

 

[swink]

It's a good question. I wonder what others here do.

I like to buy quality goods second hand, and then resell them at market value after a few years of careful and respectful use. Sometimes I make a profit and occasionally a little loss, but usually this ends up in a period of free use.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yea...200-400 is about right, its a small room so i don't need much. Also, i agree something more old school will work best for this setting, mostly classic hymns. The combo is not required to have a built in DI, I always have one with me and several unused available. There wont ever be drums at this church, and this is something that I would leave there most of the time, but want the option to be able to use it for other small gig use cases as they pop up. Lastly, used but in good shape is perfectly fine.

In the Detroit metro area, here's one I found. Maybe you've looked at it too. Ampeg's twelves typically are their best-sounding combo and for the price, you may want to consider it if you live close by. Have fun shopping!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[iagtrplyr]

And I wonder why they call me the thread killer? My apologies to anyone who wanted to post an interesting thought after I wrote yesterday morning. Please don't let me stop you. For goodness sake, someone please write something informative, witty, or at least make fun of swink!

Oh wait, I can. I'm feeling a lot better compared to earlier this week. At this rate, I should be hopefully annoying elementary students by Tuesday. I continue to have a slight cough and still can't taste or smell (a + when eating #2's Spam and Artichoke Surprise), but played bass yesterday and enjoyed it. Thanks again to all who wished me well over the past week, it helped a lot.

Does anyone have a gig or jam session slated for this weekend? If so, what will you be using for bass and amplification? Obviously, I'm not, but got back to recording last night and have scheduled myself another tune before the weekend is over. Running my Rocket Bass 112 into my interface was about all I needed to sound good. Okay, a little compression and what is becoming an always-on button, the RB's SGT. Far superior to the previous version's Scrambler circuit, it's more pleasing to the ear without the digital fakeness. Give it a try if you haven't yet.

Let's hear from the membership this week. I'm still buzzed hearing from FirewalZ on Wednesday.

 

[SoulReflection]

And I wonder why they call me the thread killer?

Well, it's because it doesn't matter whether its cotton or nylon thread ...

 

[GonePlaid]

And I wonder why they call me the thread killer? My apologies to anyone who wanted to post an interesting thought after I wrote yesterday morning. Please don't let me stop you. For goodness sake, someone please write something informative, witty, or at least make fun of swink!

Oh wait, I can. I'm feeling a lot better compared to earlier this week. At this rate, I should be hopefully annoying elementary students by Tuesday. I continue to have a slight cough and still can't taste or smell (a + when eating #2's Spam and Artichoke Surprise), but played bass yesterday and enjoyed it. Thanks again to all who wished me well over the past week, it helped a lot.

Does anyone have a gig or jam session slated for this weekend? If so, what will you be using for bass and amplification? Obviously, I'm not, but got back to recording last night and have scheduled myself another tune before the weekend is over. Running my Rocket Bass 112 into my interface was about all I needed to sound good. Okay, a little compression and what is becoming an always-on button, the RB's SGT. Far superior to the previous version's Scrambler circuit, it's more pleasing to the ear without the digital fakeness. Give it a try if you haven't yet.

Let's hear from the membership this week. I'm still buzzed hearing from FirewalZ on Wednesday.

Charity gig tomorrow-maybe(outside-it's FL-weather changes w/o warning).R200c and ______bass(haven't decided). Leaning toward this:

 

[GwenOnBass]

Recovery from The Thing That's Going Around runs apace. Today marks the first day in two weeks of actual practice (pending completion of this post). It's shocking how hard it hits, even fully vaccinated. Right, the bass, then.

As is well and as it should be, broke out the StingRay a few minutes ago, plugged into the BG-400 combo. After the dog let me, that is. The dog is big enough to nudge my plucking hand, and knows how to lie down between me and the music stand. Dog > bass
there I said it. He made me.

Right, the StingRay. And the combo. Intrepid friends recall the new strings are GHS Brite Flats. That puts the bass in as near- showroom condition as possible. To really duplicate the Brand New Bass feeling I need the Peavey TNT 100 and its 15 inch extension cab. The two of them, heavier than [strong word].

That Pyramid knob on the Peavey is something I never really understood. Just turned it until I heard something I liked. What I liked was usually loud with two six-stringers. So, technically, never loud enough ....

The verdict? These combos four decades down the road are so [strong word] good compared to The Good Old Days that you'd have to be a bit touched to want the old stuff back. IMO.

The Brite Flats are kind of interesting. I like the G and I never like the G on a new set of strings My 'Ray sounds huge
with the "flip top" setting on the VT Bass into a clean combo amp
sounds huge