Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

[loudriver23]

I currently have a Mesa Mark IV combo. But due to back issues, and my desire to have another amp like a Celtic, or Orange, or an old Bassman etc... I was thinking of buying an empty Head Shell and turn my combo into a Head, and buy either a nice Mesa or Avatar 2X12 cabinet.
Lifting the 90lbs combo is getting less fun each time I do it.
So, should I convert it into a head, or just hit the gym a bit more and deal with it?

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Anyone???
Well I'm not proud..
BUMP

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

I think it's less of an issue with combo v. head and more of an issue of a really heavy amp.

Converting the Mesa to a head will take some of the weight off. However, the question is how much will it really be and will it be so much that it's worth it for you to have done so.

The other end of the question is that you will now also have to own and bring a cabinet with you to gigs as well as the head.

I'm a pretty die-hard combo guy but I acknowledge that there are merits to both sides of it. A 90 pound combo is heavy. If jettisoning it for a head shell is going to save 20 pounds and make a difference for you then go ahead and do it up.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Mesa's are notoriously heavy. How about a lighter combo? I would bet that Scott could build something that is 30 lbs. lighter, that would sound killer.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Yeah I've been thinking of a Celtic, something with less output than the Mark IV as I rarely get to crank it loud enough to get the tubes glowing properly.
The franklin looks cool, as does the Edana.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

OT I know, but BB....

where in the .... did you find a Cub Coda quote!?!

Saw them one time at the Tower Theater outsided Philly, opening for Triumph IIRC. That was a looooong time ago.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

after a few gigs in a downstairs bar i gave up lugging my 5150 stack... the head was 90 pounds alone, then the cab.... plus i used another head and bag full of cords and pedals... my 1965 Deluxe amp is the right weight!!!! i could carry that in one hand on the bus if i had to!!!! I understand the weight issue...

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

after a few gigs in a downstairs bar i gave up lugging my 5150 stack... the head was 90 pounds alone, then the cab.... plus i used another head and bag full of cords and pedals... my 1965 Deluxe amp is the right weight!!!! i could carry that in one hand on the bus if i had to!!!! I understand the weight issue...

wow, your 5150 head weighs more than my 4x12......

actually most heads weigh about 50 lbs, which brings me to my next point:

-->hit the gym and keep carrying your mark iv combo around, then 90 lbs will seem like 50 instead of the opposite.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

OT I know, but BB....

where in the .... did you find a Cub Coda quote!?!

Saw them one time at the Tower Theater outsided Philly, opening for Triumph IIRC. That was a looooong time ago.

Cub Koda quote was in The Book of Rock Lists by Dave Marsh IIRC.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Sounds like you have the wrong amp. I'd get something different. Have Scott_F make you something sweet and much more portable.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Sounds like you have the wrong amp. I'd get something different. Have Scott_F make you something sweet and much more portable.

I hate to admit it, but while I do like my amp, i'm not in love with it. I am a keep it simple kind of guy, and the Mark IV is anything but.
I still need to spend more time to coax some loving out of it.
But them Celtic's look damned sweet.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

:6: 90 pounds isn't a guitar amp. It's an anchor for an ocean going vessel with twin screws.:blackeye:

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Okay what if having sparkling warm clear cleans is the most important thing to me, what amp platform should I start with? I was thinking of some kind of Bassman, or Twin, probably the Bassman as the Twin won't be any help in the weight department.
I am a big fan of combos usually, I know they're not as configurable as a head/cabinet setup, but I still like the "Everything in one Box" amp solution.
I think Scott's Blackface amp that's under production might just be my huckleberry.
Is there anything in mass production I should look into?

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Okay what if having sparkling warm clear cleans is the most important thing to me, what amp platform should I start with? I was thinking of some kind of Bassman, or Twin, probably the Bassman as the Twin won't be any help in the weight department.
I am a big fan of combos usually, I know they're not as configurable as a head/cabinet setup, but I still like the "Everything in one Box" amp solution.
I think Scott's Blackface amp that's under production might just be my huckleberry.
Is there anything in mass production I should look into?

Believe it, or not, my Crate v-32 Palomino has beautiful cleans and the weight isn't prohibitive........neither is the price.
I've said it once and I'll say it again, a v-32 with JJ's and a 12H30 is a poor man's Matchless. :27:

If I had the dough, I would get a Celtic. :dance:

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Combo or UnCombo... What should I do?

Hmmm I'll have to check out those new Crates.