What does my rack need now?

[ParameterMan]

I recently bought me a Boogie Quad preamp. I've been playing around with it and it's really got my juices flowing, so I'm looking to complete a rack rig around it. Right now, I've got 3 spaces left in my 6 space rack, and it'd be cool to not get any taller than that. (I'd need Godzilla to navigate some of the skyscraper size rigs I've seen)
I know I'll need a power amp, and I've thought about an ADA microcab, just for the heck of it, but haven't thought any farther.

Soooo..... what is your favorite piece of rack gear that I just can't live without?

P.S.- GET NOS TESLA 12AX7's!!!!! I don't care if your gear doesn't even take tubes- you need some!!!

[milkbone]

Re: What does my rack need now?

A BBE will help things out. I have a MicroCab II and love it. I use it when I play live and have used it to record. With the II you can run it after the power amp or the preamp where as with the I you can only run it after the preamp. Check out the Carvin TS100 amp.

[Mincer]

Re: What does my rack need now?

all you will need is a power amp and effects, like a G Major- and then a good midi pedalboard to control it all. Don't just add stuff 'cause you have the space for it, though.

[milkbone]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Here's what you really need!

http://www.adjaudio.com/product.asp?ProductIDNumber=521&cat=dB-Display

[ParameterMan]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Oh, yeah- I have a BBE 882(I think) that I've been trying with it. I'm not sure if it's me yet or not. I do swear by those things for live sound though, especially in the monitors. Keeps things clean and easy to decipher. I see I will have to look into the Microcab II...

Don't worry- space is at a premium, and I intend to keep it that way!

[ParameterMan]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Here's what you really need!
http://www.adjaudio.com/product.asp?...cat=dB-Display

What can I say?

[RevolutionMan]

Re: What does my rack need now?

I'd go with either a boogie or marshall 20/20 power amp, plenty of power for most occasions. What's nice about having a well equipped small rack setup like that, is that you can run some cool pedals in the loop and have a real versatile rig.

[Robert S.]

Re: What does my rack need now?

To be honest, you need another 4 space rack and a power amp to put in it.

Three rack spaces just isn't enough for a power amp and all the other things you might like. A power conditioner is always nice, a rack tuner is also very useful. A G Major is a good thing to have as well.

Besides, the Quad is big and heavy enough already. Unless you are going to run SS power amps, mixing the Quad and a tube power amp (especially stereo, extra transformers) is going to be heavier than you will want to move.

I'd look at a used Mesa 50/50 power amp. You'll want the 6L6s for Boogie tones and the headroom is better than on the 20/20. I wouldn't trade my 2:90 for the world but thats more torque, weight and expense than most people really need. If you had a Triaxis I'd say 2:90 because of the voice modes but with the Quad, the 50/50 will be perfect.

[tone4days]

Re: What does my rack need now?

+1 to what robert said on a separate rack for the powe amp ... you'll want a power conditioner so that the first powe r spike doesnt kill your investment ... and a time based effects unit, hell even a used rocktron intellifex, will get you your reverbs and delays, etc ...

[lastwinj]

Re: What does my rack need now?

mono power amp. how watts do you need? we can build you up a whip daddy one.

germ

[Duke of Metal]

Re: What does my rack need now?

hey ParameterMan..
maybe a multieffects unit might be a nice thing to have..

Also (shameless spam ), if you need a tube poweramp.. i've got 2 for sale..
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/show...105#post664105


Cheers

[drew_half_empty]

Re: What does my rack need now?

a bra

[Burkwieser]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Conditioner + Tuner + Effects Unit + Noise Suppressor

That's about it.

Other than the Mesa 50/50, I would look at a VHT 2502 also.

[ParameterMan]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Well... I do like the sound of the EL84 powered amps including Boogies that I've played. As for power, loud is never really an option, and I like power tube saturation, so less is definately more. I may be cheap, but I haven't been able to get my head around paying $600 for a used 20/20. It's probably worth it, but after new tubes and possibly getting someone to convert it to bias pots...

Does anyone have a power conditioner to recommend? I normally glaze over when looking at all the options because it's not a shiny toy.

[lastwinj]

Re: What does my rack need now?

Well... I do like the sound of the EL84 powered amps including Boogies that I've played. As for power, loud is never really an option, and I like power tube saturation, so less is definately more. I may be cheap, but I haven't been able to get my head around paying $600 for a used 20/20. It's probably worth it, but after new tubes and possibly getting someone to convert it to bias pots...

Does anyone have a power conditioner to recommend? I normally glaze over when looking at all the options because it's not a shiny toy.

for lowest noise get one with transformer isolated outlets. voltage display is also good to have. adjustable would be even better....

germ