bedroom overkill?

iekobrid

iekobrid

New member
So, I convinced myself that a I need a new multi-channel combo for bedroom practicing and maybe some light recording, preferably low wattage and/or SS so I don't need to make with the neighbor alienating volume to get decent tone in the middle of the night. I'd also like if it had a stereo effect loop for running my PODxt through when the mood strikes.

Started out looking for a used Marshall stereo combo like the VS265, 8240 or 8280, but could only find units with one (or fewer) functional speakers. Yikes. In multiple trips to 7 different music stores, the only amps under $500 that didn't make me laugh and/or cringe were the Randall RG100G2-SC and RG75G2. The 100 SC has just a mono loop, though, and I can only get them online or from a local retailer with a zero-tolerance return policy (aka "Buy It and Shut Up"), so I kept on looking around.

In my wanderings, I came across a used Genz Benz 212 G-Flex cabinet for $199, so now I'm thinking of matching it up with a Peavey XXL (still just a mono loop, but I dig the wattage switching option), B-52 AT100 (I've heard good things), or 100 SC equivalent Randall head. Am I seriously asking trouble GASing for a rig like that to fill a mere bedroom application?
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

try the newer Crate line of SS. GTX. i think they are really good and do Marshall better than Marshall.
Also Valveatronics VOX are great too. alot of people here like em tons as a great practice amp. great sounds at low volumes. ask Gearjoneser.
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

Crate Powerblock? Maybe you can deal with one channel and an overdrive pedal since you could still afford one even if you bought the G-Flex and the head. That's what I'd do...
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

Get a powerbrake. Goes between the speakers and the amp, notches the volume WAYYYY down, yet you get the amp on 10 tone. HAndy if you want, or already have a cool amp/speaker setup. Personally, I'm getting a Roland cube 30: Includes my choice of Marshall, 5150, and Dual Recto...

As for overkill - that only goes on in the bed, with me & my wife, and doesn't involve an amp. Perhaps the occasional battery powered device:saeek:
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

Aceman said:
Get a powerbrake. Goes between the speakers and the amp, notches the volume WAYYYY down, yet you get the amp on 10 tone. HAndy if you want, or already have a cool amp/speaker setup. Personally, I'm getting a Roland cube 30: Includes my choice of Marshall, 5150, and Dual Recto...

As for overkill - that only goes on in the bed, with me & my wife, and doesn't involve an amp. Perhaps the occasional battery powered device:saeek:
Click to expand...

LOL, TMI dude, TMI, LOLOL! :bigeyes2:
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

doesn't matter about the bedroom, its the sound you want.
I've got a Fender Super twin reverb + Marshall JCM900 and 800 in my room to blast. just get ready your ear plugs, thats it
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

Powerblock, Powerbrake... both ideas worthy of consideration. I think I'm mainly curious about the reviews (Harmony Central?) of the G-flex cabinet that suggest it doesn't sound quite right unless it's a foot off the floor and you're standing 12 feet in front of it. Now don't get me wrong -- for good tone I'm as willing to stand out in the hallway while playing as the next guy. But the rest of the family might think it a tad odd. :banana:
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

If you are into high gain crunchy tones, the Randall ss amps are nice. You need to try any amp in person before you buy on-line.

I play mine 2 feet away from the chair sometimes. The only mod I put on it were Ernie Ball amp casters.
 
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Re: bedroom overkill?

Sludgenutz said:
If you are into high gain crunchy tones, the Randall ss amps are nice.
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Have you tried running outboard preamps or pedals direct into your Randall's power amp? If so, were there any sound quality issues (harsh, sterile, noisy, etc.)?
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

Sheesh, I think I'm the only one with a bedroom amp that is truly a bedroom amp. :laugh2: A Crate GX-15, rated at 12-15 watts. It works for me. I'd love a Cube 30. Those things are great. Their models are excellent. The Micro Cube is cool. It's 15 watts but sounds HUGE. Runs on batteries or wallwart.

The Crate Powerblock is 150 watts (that equals a 50 watt tube amp). Still overkill. Using a Powerbrake at bedroom levels sounds like @ss IMO. They're meant to take a non-MV amp from arena levels to club levels.
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

ErikH said:
The Crate Powerblock is 150 watts (that equals a 50 watt tube amp). Still overkill.
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My current bedroom amp is already a 60 or 70w all-tube, so that might not be so bad.


ErikH said:
Using a Powerbrake at bedroom levels sounds like @ss IMO. They're meant to take a non-MV amp from arena levels to club levels.
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Really, even just running into th-- oh, you said powerBRAKE. I was all ready to express disappointment over the bad news about the powerBLOCK.:laugh2:
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

iekobrid said:
Have you tried running outboard preamps or pedals direct into your Randall's power amp? If so, were there any sound quality issues (harsh, sterile, noisy, etc.)?
Click to expand...

The only thing I have tried was a Boss EQ-20 run through the effects loop. I did not find it all that appealing, but that is not really your question.

With this amp, i am down to 4 components: pick/guitar/cord/amp. I love this amp just as it is. I had not heard of the G3 series, but it does sound promising. However, the 100watt stereo Randall thundered upon an all-tube 50 watter Randall 1x12 that I tried, sonically. The ss Randall just thunders, without cranking the volume up. With this amp, I wanted to update my tone, not re-create what I already had with my old 150 watt Sunn.

Per previous post...I was not aware that they were putting Celestions in 200 watter. That is nice!

Link to the Celestion line of speakers:
http://professional.celestion.com/guitar/products/general/index.asp
 
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Re: bedroom overkill?

Remember - volume/watts does not equal tone. See J. Page, Led Zepplin IV. And I still say go for the modeler du jour at 30 watts. If your pushing that much air you probably can't tell the difference between a JCM 800 and a well eq'ed SS Peavey Blazer anyway...
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

ErikH said:
Sheesh, I think I'm the only one with a bedroom amp that is truly a bedroom amp. :laugh2: A Crate GX-15, rated at 12-15 watts. It works for me. I'd love a Cube 30. Those things are great. Their models are excellent. The Micro Cube is cool. It's 15 watts but sounds HUGE. Runs on batteries or wallwart.
Click to expand...
You're not alone.

I'll also add that getting the speakers breathing is a big part of what most folks consider "good" tone. That's why I don't believe that there's such a thing as good tone at "bedroom volume" with a traditional amp/speaker setup. Even a small amp is going to get annoy-the-neighbors loud before it gives up the goods.
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

For good tone at true bedroom volumes takes a modeling amp, IMO. There are a bunch of decent modeling combo's you can get in your price range. A POD, V-amp or even a Boss GT6 (which I own) are great alternatives. I love my GT6 thru headphones. Great tones and I can crank the headphones as loud as I want, while the wife watches TV in the same room. It also sounds really good thru my small ss amp, turned way down.

Take a listen to my soundclips. All of my complete songs, Plush, Heavens Door, ect were recorded with the GT-6. That's just what it sounds like thru the headphones.
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

You CAN get good tones at low levels if you have a tube amp with a great master volume.

I used to play a 100 watt DSL in my bedroom. I just stuck an ernie ball volume pedal in the effects loop, and kept the amp at my usual settings. Doesn't sound as great as when it is fully cranked, but it sounded pretty damn good.

Now I am playing a bogner ecstasy and in addition to a great master volume, it also allows me to cut down the power considerably. I am able to get some really good tones even at lower volumes with it.
 
Re: bedroom overkill?

I'd 2nd the G-Flex/Vox Valvetronics set-up.....should sound great at low or cranked volumed or thru headphones!
 
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