Right tool for the job is what it comes down to.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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Right tool for the job is what it comes down to.
Are you referring to heads or combos? I think it would depend in great part on your needs (practice, jamming, recording and/or gigging) and what cabs you are powering (if you are looking at heads).
I have the TC E BG250 in a combo. It can power an extension cab. The toneprint feature is a fun toy, if you like using effects and/or experimenting with them. It is great for practice (love headphone jack), practice and jamming. But it might not be enough if you are gigging in certain size venues and you have a couple of guitarists in your band. The power of Rumble will help you be heard. I don't have a Rumble but I think we have a couple of owners on the list.
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Having spent 20 years doing this stuff -- and I'm really nothing more than a plumber -- the last thing I want to do at home is work on bloody computers. The more like an appliance it is the better.
Outside of work I hardly ever touch a 'proper' computer these days except for a little website maintenance here and there and to run backups. Him indoors effectively nicked the MacBook Air and I use a tablet or phone for web/email/twitter/'office'.
Exactly.
One of my friends chastised me for not knowing much about how the computer actually works or how to build or modify one, which she considered a "basic life skill." To which I asked if she could repair her car's engine herself, or her fridge if it broke, or the dishwasher, or TV, or air conditioner, or any of the other bajillion modern conveniences we have.
I have an android phone, but Mac everything else. Because I don't want to have to modify or work on a computer to get it to do what I want. I want it to come ready to do that like my Mac Mini did.
I was thinking about combos because I´m looking for a lighter replacement for my Ampeg B3158. I use it for practicing and to play small gigs mostly with electronic drum set.
I have the combo with 2 8" and have run a 1 x 12" Hartke Hydrive with it, to jam. I could be heard jamming with 1 guitarist on a 15w amp and a very "punishing" drummer on acoustic set. This is the only TC combo with a line out. I like that it weighs less than 30 lbs as does the Hartke cab (nice if you have to carry to rehearsal space). I think we have a list member, who has the 2 x 10" combo, which has more effects options compared to mine.
I think that there might be a thread on TB about the Rumble line.
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All I ask of people with computers is they know how to use them and the names of basic functionality features. Just basic literacy. I work in Tech Support, and it's really hard to help people when they don't even know the names of things like start menu, or wifi, or where the power switch is. I can't count eh number of times I've asked someone "Do you use wifi or are you hardwired?" to which they say have no response, and we then have to spend 5 minutes determining that yes, they do in fact have a cable that goes from the router into the computer. People don't need to know all the hardware specs or how the underlying code work, they just need to be literate. That said, as someone who is primarily a Mac user, I have to say at least where I work, Mac users seem to be the densest customers to work with. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground between advanced users and people that don't know what program they use to browse (or what a browser is). I think a big part of that is the appeal of the lifestyle branding and the increasingly Fisher Priced UI. I like Apple products well enough, but am increasingly frustrated with what they are putting out. The Touch Bar is idiotic, and I hate that you can't easily swap componentry on newer Macbooks. I have a 2011, which is fantastic because I recently popped in a new 1TB SSD, and I'm contemplating ripping out the disk drive to replace it with another 1TB drive. Sadly, after 2012 you can't replace the harddrives. And the bloody iPhones drive me up the wall. Thank god for the SE, because those new 7s are ridiculously oversized. The form factor of the 5 was just about perfect, with regards to size.
Also, word to the wise, if you have XP still, stop, go get a new computer. Go get like a Chromebook, stop using an OS that is 15 years old.
Also, word to the wise, if you have XP still, stop, go get a new computer. Go get like a Chromebook, stop using an OS that is 15 years old.
Our MacBook Air is old enough that it had the battery replaced - maybe when that battery wears out it will be time to get a new computer. The iPhone 5S fits my hand, the newer ones are ridiculous. As for price, I buy a phone every 10 years (the 5s was my first 'smart' phone) and the price doesn't bother me THAT much. Probably would if I was changing phones every 6 months.
First off, personally I prefer a combo over a head/cab setup. Ergonomically it just works better for my situation and is plenty loud enough for all but the biggest rooms. I run the XLR out to the mixer anyway so getting the bass out front isn't an issue.
Interesting question. I just sold off one of my two BG250's to get the Rumble 500. Sold the 115 because I had less in it and could move it more quickly. Kept the 210 but would have been equally happy with either. Bought the Rumble cause it's mindless to make my Squier P basses sound like a P bass through a Fender amp.
The TC I really like with my T-Bird, just gets"that sound". But I can make either combo sound the way I want them to, with enough tweaking.. The Rumble will take an extension cab, the TC won't. I like the TC sound with my T-Bird and Stingray, the Rumble with my P's and Danelectro Longhorn.
I do think the Rumble has more tonal range since the mid control is divided between low mids and hi mids plus the Contour (mid scooped with low and high boost) and Vintage (basically that ordinary yet classic Fender sound...) presets plus the ability to add a second speaker cab if need be.
Hope that was helpful...
Also the TC has two built-in programmable Tone Print on board effects and a built-in tuner. The Rumble has an effects loop and a Drive circuit if you want to add a little dirt. If you're an effects user the Tone Print is a nice option.
A little while on a thread about someone not being sure which P-bass to buy, I said "whichever one comes in the color you want, because they're basically all the same."
Surprisingly, no one had gotten mad at me.
Surprisingly, no one had gotten mad at me.
Ever use one enough to get fully familiar with them? Really surprisingly versatile and good sounding amps. Properly EQ'ing one takes some familiarization though.
Yes EMG HZ. Pretty sure electronics are stock. Not sure I've ever heard any other pre so no idea what I like. In no hurry right now, to many other thing going on but I will get it done some time.
I'm not, though. I like tube heads.
And even if I was looking for a lightweight head, I'd go with one where the power ratings given by the manufacturer have a relation to reality.
And even if I was looking for a lightweight head, I'd go with one where the power ratings given by the manufacturer have a relation to reality.
