Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

[jjguitar]

Hi, my name is Juan and I am from Venezuela..I´ve always use combo amps like fender blues junior and traynor ycv40wr but never experienced with a head+cabinet amp...I am willing to buy a 5W amp for bedroom practice, and I have this dilemma: to buy a 5w combo or to buy a 5w head plus a 10'' or 12'' speaker cabinet...I will swap the stock speaker with a weber or celestion, as well as the tubes with some jj kit...

What are the main differences between the two options??

Thanks

Juan

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

Ease of transport, and the tubes wont get rattled as much in a head/cab setup are the main differences I see.

I've become fond of taking my guitar in one hand and the amp in another and being done with hauling...but I still like to crank a 4x12 cab and rock. it's just ease that made me want a combo.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

I am in the same boat --- I think I like combos better.

Also, for the record, I just got a 5 watt / 3 watt (switchable) amp and it is way too loud for bedroom practice, like, by a factor of 10.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

I could not live without a combo. The ease and the convenience that comes with it are no match for a cab+head. With that said, nothing prevents you from having the best of both worlds. Why not get a small combo that can be plugged into a cab, and then pick the cab you want to drive with it? This is what I have as a setup, and it's the perfect balance between convenience and power. It's going to cost you more money, so it's your call. If I had to just pick one though, I would go combo.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

I like the flexability of using a head with whatever cab is required for the situation. In most cases a combo is still too bulky and heavy for true portability. A small 1x12 combo is usually the practical limit for one arm with the guitar case on the other.

A very small open back combo makes compromises in the sound, particularly bass response, in exchange for compactness and portability. You can use a larger combo cabinet but that is defeating the whole purpose of small combo to begin with, and once you get so big your getting big enough for a two speaker combo cabinet anyway

The typical 2x12 combo is massive and very heavy, and I find it easier to to divide the weights up among head and 2x12 speaker cab.

What if you want/need a closed back speaker response? With a head and multiple cabs you can use open back or closed back cabs, and different sizes of 1x, 2x and 4x speaker cabs to meet the situation.

 

[ricc]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

it's swings and roundabouts. I do think a head and cab are easier to take around. they are more flexible......my 5150 combo is closed back and sounds great but is a NIGHTMARE to transport. On the other hand, my Marshall JCM combo is smaller and lighter (A little - still 70+ lbs) but is open backed so I lose some bass response.
If I could have my choice, it would be a Marshall head with a 1 X 12 for home and a 4 X 12 for gigs/rehearsal.

 

[lex666]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

If you're a gigging musician, a combo is alot easier to transport.

If the amp is gonna stay at home, I'd probably get a head and separate cab. Get a cab that you really like. That way if you want experiment with new heads later on, you can go right into your cab.

 

[karpathion]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

I am in the same boat --- I think I like combos better.

Also, for the record, I just got a 5 watt / 3 watt (switchable) amp and it is way too loud for bedroom practice, like, by a factor of 10.

is that a little giant by chance? i love my handsome devil.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Combo Amp vs Head + Cabinet ???

I votefor separate head and cab only because i find a glaring flaw in MOST combos: the tubes are suspended beneath the guts of the amp, therefore heating up the chassis too much and possibly causing failure.