PaulReedSmith
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
+1 I have that too
halfstacks ftw!!! huge sound.
+1 I have that too
halfstacks ftw!!! huge sound.
Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
- Thread starter some_dude
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EveryMn
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
That is one of the many points of rock 'n' roll music.
Red_Label
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
For me, it't not about the volume. My 1X12 50watt tube combo and 1X12 extension cab are more than enough for any gig I normally do. But it's about the SIZE of the sound. No matter how loud your 1X12 combo is, the sound is not as BIG as the sound of a 4X12 or multiple 4X12's. Guitar speakers are so directional and in-your-face that the more of them you have going the bigger the sound. Yeah, miking an amp and running it through the PA negates most of the effect, but that doesn't help those of us who either don't mike up (because we play small clubs with a small PA) or who use our backlines for stage monitoring. In a rock show, more is better and bigger is better. Having said all of that, I've been debating hauling my 100watt head and 2, 4X12's to the wedding I'm playing tomorrow night, or my combo and extension cab. I'm just going to haul the combo and cab I've decided because it's just a freakin' wedding and not Madison Square Garden.
For me, it't not about the volume. My 1X12 50watt tube combo and 1X12 extension cab are more than enough for any gig I normally do. But it's about the SIZE of the sound. No matter how loud your 1X12 combo is, the sound is not as BIG as the sound of a 4X12 or multiple 4X12's. Guitar speakers are so directional and in-your-face that the more of them you have going the bigger the sound. Yeah, miking an amp and running it through the PA negates most of the effect, but that doesn't help those of us who either don't mike up (because we play small clubs with a small PA) or who use our backlines for stage monitoring. In a rock show, more is better and bigger is better. Having said all of that, I've been debating hauling my 100watt head and 2, 4X12's to the wedding I'm playing tomorrow night, or my combo and extension cab. I'm just going to haul the combo and cab I've decided because it's just a freakin' wedding and not Madison Square Garden.
i love everyone
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
i once used the most ridiculous rig ever in a basement show: 2 guitar heads powering 3 4x12s and a 2x12, plus 2 2x12 combos. it was only for looks, though. i had the volume turned up to about 3 and it was unbearably loud.
i once used the most ridiculous rig ever in a basement show: 2 guitar heads powering 3 4x12s and a 2x12, plus 2 2x12 combos. it was only for looks, though. i had the volume turned up to about 3 and it was unbearably loud.
noisenet
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
The simple answer is that there is no right nor wrong. You should use what's right for you.
I grew up playing through half stacks, then went with 2 4x12's side by side. The fullness of the sound that way is killer, but I'd always have to turn up louder than I should be, in order to hear myself.
Last year I started using a stack, which was cool cause I could have a lower stage volume, yet hear myself better. That band was more of a disco / R&B thing, so I didn't really need a huge "wall of sound" tone. Not my cup of tea, but between it and my other gigs I was playing 325 paying gigs a year, so who could complain? Turns out, I did, so I left that band at the end of the year.
Now I'm playing with a more Classic rock type band, and recently I've gone to using 2 Marshall full stacks. I'm getting the best of both worlds. I'm getting the fullness of 2 4x12's on the bottom, as well as being able to hear myself without being overly loud.
I know that some who read this will think I'm being ridiculous for using all that stuff, and I've gotten some flack from people around here (fellow guitarists) who think I'm being pretentious by using such a big rig. The truth is, I do it because I love how it sounds, and my playing has improved because of it. To be truthful, before going to this rig, gigs where I really dug how I've sounded on stage have been very rare (I've been playing professionally since 1987 - quickly approaching geezer-dom). And I like the way it looks! I do it for me, not to impress anyone else. And besides, I'm the one lugging it around and hefting it all onto stages. But, some people are incapable of understanding "different strokes for different folks". Some people don't wanna load in a lot of gear cause they're of the "get in, get paid and get out" mentality. Not me. I play for me. I want to get off on my sound. If this is what it takes for me to get off on it, so be it.
Of course, the down side of it is having to lug it all around, not to mention needing a vehicle large enough to haul it all around. But the sound I get is worth it. Oh yeah, it's more than worth it.
So be true to you. Use what you want. After all, it's your sound.
The simple answer is that there is no right nor wrong. You should use what's right for you.
I grew up playing through half stacks, then went with 2 4x12's side by side. The fullness of the sound that way is killer, but I'd always have to turn up louder than I should be, in order to hear myself.
Last year I started using a stack, which was cool cause I could have a lower stage volume, yet hear myself better. That band was more of a disco / R&B thing, so I didn't really need a huge "wall of sound" tone. Not my cup of tea, but between it and my other gigs I was playing 325 paying gigs a year, so who could complain? Turns out, I did, so I left that band at the end of the year.
Now I'm playing with a more Classic rock type band, and recently I've gone to using 2 Marshall full stacks. I'm getting the best of both worlds. I'm getting the fullness of 2 4x12's on the bottom, as well as being able to hear myself without being overly loud.
I know that some who read this will think I'm being ridiculous for using all that stuff, and I've gotten some flack from people around here (fellow guitarists) who think I'm being pretentious by using such a big rig. The truth is, I do it because I love how it sounds, and my playing has improved because of it. To be truthful, before going to this rig, gigs where I really dug how I've sounded on stage have been very rare (I've been playing professionally since 1987 - quickly approaching geezer-dom). And I like the way it looks! I do it for me, not to impress anyone else. And besides, I'm the one lugging it around and hefting it all onto stages. But, some people are incapable of understanding "different strokes for different folks". Some people don't wanna load in a lot of gear cause they're of the "get in, get paid and get out" mentality. Not me. I play for me. I want to get off on my sound. If this is what it takes for me to get off on it, so be it.
Of course, the down side of it is having to lug it all around, not to mention needing a vehicle large enough to haul it all around. But the sound I get is worth it. Oh yeah, it's more than worth it.
So be true to you. Use what you want. After all, it's your sound.
Mllerrin
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
That's exactly what I'm planning on doing. I just don't get the same inspiration practicing at home on a crappy solid state amp.
That's exactly what I'm planning on doing. I just don't get the same inspiration practicing at home on a crappy solid state amp.
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
I hate seeing a band that has no stage volume, the PA never seems to do the sound justice. I think a good balance of stage volume and PA fills out the sound the best.
I hate seeing a band that has no stage volume, the PA never seems to do the sound justice. I think a good balance of stage volume and PA fills out the sound the best.
Red_Label
New member
Re: Full stacks, half stacks, combos, ect...
Yup. I play what I play for ME. It makes me feel better to have lots of gear onstage. I'm not there for the paycheck (well... I NEED the paycheck, but that's not what I focus on up there). I'm there to play and sound the best I can. Every night. Every gig. Even if there's just one guy at the bar. I'm there to play to my satisfaction. And it rarely happens. But that's my motivation and what seperates me from the rest of my current band. They are there for fun and just want to have a good time. Don't care what they sound like or play like. I'm my own worst critic and I play as hard as I can so I don't have to think I was a lameass at the end of the night.
Yup. I play what I play for ME. It makes me feel better to have lots of gear onstage. I'm not there for the paycheck (well... I NEED the paycheck, but that's not what I focus on up there). I'm there to play and sound the best I can. Every night. Every gig. Even if there's just one guy at the bar. I'm there to play to my satisfaction. And it rarely happens. But that's my motivation and what seperates me from the rest of my current band. They are there for fun and just want to have a good time. Don't care what they sound like or play like. I'm my own worst critic and I play as hard as I can so I don't have to think I was a lameass at the end of the night.
