What's up with the Combo negativity?

[onosson]

Hm. Here are five. ... Nobody said exactly what I said in my example quote, and I think I get the (valid) points they were all making. But. I think that to some extent all of those posts, and others here, confuse (1) combo vs. head/cab with (2) size. ...

I think that the unfounded misconceptions about all combos globally can be seen in the fact that some people don't like them because they are small and measly, and others don't like them because they are heavy and bulky. I'm sure that some are each but doubt that many are both. Also, I'm guessing that one or the other complaint could be made about a great many cabs, but no one is dismissing the head/cab setup, in toto, on those grounds.

I think your post is generally on the money - I just felt that your earlier exaggeration pushed a bit too far in the other direction.

In all honesty, I think the bulk of combos are smaller rigs. There are lots of 1x12, 2x10, 1x15 combos out there. 4x10 combos are relatively rarer, and are there any common combos out there that are bigger than a 4x10? So those who point out that combos are limited in power are right generally speaking, even though there are certainly loud combos and/or combos with lots of speakers. But if you want more power or more speakers than ANY existing combo you need to go to head + cab, and with components you can mix and match to get any combination that you like. Whether that combination is better is a determination made by the user, ultimately, and no one else.

An earlier post I made pointed out that head+cab systems allow modularity and flexibility. I still feel that way. I like a good combo a lot - my old GK was great, I like the Mesa Walkabout I tried in the store, and the MarkBass combos seem like something I would like and use (I have a LittleMark head). But, if I change my mind down the road about the particular head I need, or speakers that I want, I can easily do so with components - not with combos. For instance, I picked up a LittleMark III last year and loved it. But, I run keys AND bass as part of my live rig, and I was having trouble getting them both in balance with that head. I needed 2 inputs with gain controls. I ended up selling the LMIII for a LittleMark Tube 800 which has two gains on the front! Problem solved... but if I'd had a MarkBass combo, I'd have been out of luck, however much I like the unit otherwise. I end up getting to keep and use the cabs I already have and like, and get a very similar head with some different features that are better for me. In the end, that's why I don't think I'll get a combo again in the near future - I can get what I need far more easily with separate pieces (of course, everyone else will have their own particular needs and may end up making a different choice).

 

[nortonrider]

But if you want more power or more speakers than ANY existing combo you need to go to head + cab,

......... makes sense to me.

 

[jnewmark]

Interesting discussion. I think of combos as a certain type of gig situation. As I posted earlier, a small Blues band in a small restaurant, tiny stage area. Roll one piece of gear in, with my bass stapped to my shoulder. Roland DB700, 300 watts, excellent tone. A little heavy, but on wheels. When I've got more room, different band , louder venue, then I take my head/cab rig . Best of both worlds, imo, and I don't see why it has to be one or the other, or why it has to be a pissing contest over what rig can kick ass over somebody else's rig. Who cares ?

 

[GBassNorth]

I think the "combo negativity" comes from the unfortunate marketing practices of some companies. Let's face it, there are some darn nice combos out there that are specifically made for the gigging artist and they do kick butt. Likewise there are a number of combos out there specifically made for budget buyers, entry level players and practice situations that just can't cut it on stage. It's the latter that gives the former a bad name and creates a negative generalization of the entire form factor. Over the last few years I've noticed a trend by a number of combo manufactures to start offering more and more realistic, quality, gigging combos and that's a good trend. Heck, Squier is even doing it with their guitars, now is a great time to be a bassist, lots of quality choices at reasonable prices.
I'm old enough to remember (1960's and 1970's) that Japanese cars were absolute junk, if it didn't rust out or fall appart in 50,000 miles it was a fluke. The manufactures realized the importance of quality and trended in the right direction. I don't think anyone would make the claim that Japanese cars are junk today.
So, for those that felt burned by combos in the past, now may be a good time to start opening your eyes and ears and looking at some of the neat, high quality, high power, light weight, ultra portable, reasonably priced professional gigging combos on the market, the landscape has changed.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Combo here at TB seems to be a 4 letter word.

If you say combo here, and I've done this a few times, everyone starts talking about "modularity." My idea--what is the problem with having a big rig and a combo? It's not like they're that expensive nowadays. I'm looking at a GK or Ibanez combo for under 500USD and will be happy.

 

[onosson]

Combo here at TB seems to be a 4 letter word.

If you say combo here, and I've done this a few times, everyone starts talking about "modularity." My idea--what is the problem with having a big rig and a combo?

That isn't a problem. What's your problem with modularity?

 

[Jim Carr]

When I returned to bass after a number of years of university theory teaching, I bought an SWR Workingman's 12. I was playing mostly Jazz and some blues. It was not enough for most blues gigs, so I traded up to a Workingman's 15. My gigs were soon mostly with a 9 piece horn band.

Still not enough, and just didn't sound good. I added a cab—still not enough. So I had to get another amp, and as that combo was about it power-wise for combos at the time, I needed a separate head.

Thus the dilemma: I had to sell a heavy combo (lucky to fetch $300), get a more powerful head AND another cab to do the job. If all I had needed to do was replace/add one cab, OR upgrade the amp, it would have been easier and cheaper. I had to save longer, make a craigslist deal to raise money, and wait for a good amp deal to come along. My heavy (70+ lbs) combo was rated at 200 watts with an 8 ohm extension cab, but just did not cut it for volume. It felt like an anchor, keeping me stuck in one place.

Once I had a 350 watt 2 ohm capable head, I could add any cabs I needed. I eventually had a 210, 115, and a 410. I was free to replace any one of these to upgrade my rig, and I did. Combos are great if they work for you. For me, no.

 

[miltslackford]

In every "what amp should I buy" thread, there are always the guys commenting to not buy a Combo but a separate head and cab (mix and match, interchangeability, etc...) and pretty much hating on the combos.

I happen to think that if they were really not that user friendly, manufacturers wouldn't still be making / selling them.
Somebody is buying them and it can't be just "noobs" who don't know any better.

I also believe that these comments dismissing Combos are just a bunch of people regurgitating stuff they have heard others say.

Personally, I like combos.
My main amp is an old Genz Benz combo, it has a DI and the ability to add an extension cab should I care to.

My Peavey tube amp / SWR rig is packed away in the closet.

Anybody else dig their Combos?

I used an ashdown mag 300 1x15 which is very cheap combo and transistor, in combination with a HUGE 18 inch traynor cab and a sansamp RBI preamp going in, and I was told on quite a few occasions that I had the best bass sound that that person had ever heard - esp. from soundmen. But I think without the huge cab it sounded a bit weak. So I like my combo, but I also like the huge cab. Combos are cool though - they're portable.

I like transistor over tubes also - which most people wouldn't agree with. Personally I think for bass transistor is better. Horses for courses isn't it.

 

[miltslackford]

In all honesty, I think the bulk of combos are smaller rigs. There are lots of 1x12, 2x10, 1x15 combos out there. 4x10 combos are relatively rarer, and are there any common combos out there that are bigger than a 4x10?
.

I used Graham Gouldman's rig from 10cc once and he had two Ashdown 4x10 combos right next to eachother. So I guess that's an option - just get two!

 

[nortonrider]

I used Graham Gouldman's rig from 10cc once and he had two Ashdown 4x10 combos right next to eachother. So I guess that's an option - just get two!

Like Adam Bomb is doing:
(post # 11 in this thread)

700 watts into four 10s, with the capacity for 1000 watts total and two more 8-ohm extension cabs. Tone for days and can hang with any drummer. And teh chix think I'm strong like bull when they see me carrying them both to the car at the end of the night.

There's some Combo, Some Expandability, Some serious horsepower and Some Redundancy in that pic.
He's got all the bases covered!

 

[miltslackford]

Like Adam Bomb is doing:
(post # 11 in this thread)

700 watts into four 10s, with the capacity for 1000 watts total and two more 8-ohm extension cabs. Tone for days and can hang with any drummer. And teh chix think I'm strong like bull when they see me carrying them both to the car at the end of the night.

There's some Combo, Some Expandability, Some serious horsepower and Some Redundancy in that pic.
He's got all the bases covered!

Sweet!!

 

[smogg]

My combo is modular and here's the proof.