Combo or Halfstack?

[Biu]

I'm a combo man myself:
Peavey 5150 Combo
Carvin X-60A (also a tube amp! )

 

[That90'sGuy]

While combos are cool, I only like them for light practicing.

For me, there's nothing like a half stack because I enjoy the versatility of it all. If one cabinet doesn't sound good, I'll take out another. You can change speakers in a combo, but you can't change the materials the combo is made of very easily.

 

[Gearjoneser]

I like closed back 4-12's for any kind of gain.

2-12's if I want a head/cab combo for a small gig.

open back combos only for clean amps like Fender or Matchless.

 

[pureoldsound]

This is kind of a tough one. I have always like combos, my latest one is a Rivera Suprema 55. It is a great combo and is a closed back cab, so I get every little drip of sound coming from the speaker. I guess if I want more volume or different sound could try some different speaker comb with an ext cab.

For the half stack, well let just say (IMHO) that most of the greatest amps are made on the form of head amps. In my case I had to convert to head amp and cab since my favorite amp is a 1968 plexi. And I also like Fender’s blackface and bassman head amps.

Can’t relate the practical factor with weight factor (which is a very common comparison) since my amp weighs 80lbs, so yeah it’s heavy. On the other hand I wouldn’t have to carry two separate pieces of equipment for a gig…………….Anything for tone I guess…….

 

[Maggie]

While combos are cool, I only like them for light practicing.

For me, there's nothing like a half stack because I enjoy the versatility of it all. If one cabinet doesn't sound good, I'll take out another. You can change speakers in a combo, but you can't change the materials the combo is made of very easily.

You can use the speaker out of a combo into a separate cab, as well, though.

For me, personally, it depends on the situation/application. Sometimes (often) I want an open-back sound, sometimes closed-back and, usually, both (I'm a glutton that way).

 

[orbiter]

home or studio = combo

Live or studio = 1/2 stack

 

[Steve_R]

Open back for Fender style clean tones

4x12 closed back for punchy crunch :6:

 

[Pandemonium]

Gotta have that thump, closed back's best for the majority of what I play. I love my old Bandmaster 3X10 combo too, but it's too valuable to haul around anyway.

 

[xerxes]

i have allways had combo's, and dont have to much experience with stacks, so i go with combo's.

 

[Guitarist]

I love both of them for different situations. Of course, live, I'm going with the speaker dispertion.

 

[casblah]

It seems as I get older, I like to lighten what I have to carry. The half-stack allows me to divide the weight up a little, but as mentioned, makes for another trip to the vehicle, etc.

 

[59paul]

Awww, Man.........I like em BOTH !!!! Marshall 1/2 stacks, and Fender combo's.

 

[JALIN]

Mesa Solo 50 head with matching cab:headbang:

 

[Gary S.]

Carvin SX200 1/2 stack here. You just cant beat the chest thumping tone of 4 12's, but the 2X12 combos are very nice too.

 

[Zerberus]

Combo for Home, Half Stack for everything else 8)

 

[Zerberus]

Combo for Home, Half Stack for everything else 8)

 

[NecroPolo]

Multiple half stacks with closed back cabs. Slaughter

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Half stack??!! What about FULL STACKS?!

I use a Rivera Knucklehead, or Engl Preamp + Marshall EL34 100/100, or JCM 800 (50W from 1985) into a Rivera 4x12 top and a Hiwatt 4x12 bottom cab.

 

[jeremy]

i use open back combos with closed back extension cabs so i get the best of both worlds. good tight bottom and projection from the closed back and a fuller sound from the combo since the sound spreads more evenly

 

[Mincer]

Combos for me. Or preamp to PA. I hate carrying stuff. Half-Stacks are way overkill for most rooms.