Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I've been thinking over the last few months about simplifying my rig and ditching alot of my pedals etc and going for a multi channel amp. I have a twin channel JCM800 but it's just too loud for most places I tend to play so have been looking for something of lower wattage too.

I've been looking at a few options and the main 1 that seems to fit what I want it to do (that I can afford atleast) is a MESA Nomad 55 1x12 combo that I can get for (what seems like a good price to me?) £600.

My main problem is that I've never really used combos before and aside from the fact that it'd save me a trip to and from the car (fetching a head and cab etc) I don't really know what the pros/cons of combos are.

Thanks for any info etc.

Craig

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

If your JCM 800 head is too loud, getting a Mesa combo won't solve that problem. The Mesa combos are LOUD.

Also, most combos are of an open-back design, so you don't get that same "thump" that you get with a closed-back 4x12 or 2x12.

Just be ready for that...

Honestly, for what you're looking to do, the Vox VT50 or VT100 combos might just work for you. The VT series is a closed-back combo, so it has some of the characteristics that you're used to. It also has a built-in attenuator so that you can get a sort of flat-out sound at lower volumes. Then again, it is a modeler, and some people might not like that...

But it would likely make your gigging situation easier.

ps... the JCM 800 model on the Vox modelers is one of my favorites. It also takes a boost pedal real well, just like the real thing.

 

[Brow]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

If your JCM 800 head is too loud, getting a Mesa combo won't solve that problem. The Mesa combos are LOUD.

Also, most combos are of an open-back design, so you don't get that same "thump" that you get with a closed-back 4x12 or 2x12.

Just be ready for that...

I use my heads with an open backed 1x12 cab 95% of the time, so the loss of the 'thump' isn't really much of an issue for me.

I guess I'm thinking of it more from a versatility and portability point of view as the 3 channel MESA would allow me to pretty much ditch everything apart from a Wah, Tuner and a low drive OD instead of either of the pedalboard I use currently.

As for modellers; I've tried in the past and I just can't make them work for me to be honest. I've always used valve amps pretty much since I started playing and I guess my ears are just used to the sound they tend to give. I practice at home with a modeller but haven't been able to make them work for me in a live situation.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

I use my heads with an open backed 1x12 cab 95% of the time, so the loss of the 'thump' isn't really much of an issue for me.

I guess I'm thinking of it more from a versatility and portability point of view as the 3 channel MESA would allow me to pretty much ditch everything apart from a Wah, Tuner and a low drive OD instead of either of the pedalboard I use currently.

As for modellers; I've tried in the past and I just can't make them work for me to be honest. I've always used valve amps pretty much since I started playing and I guess my ears are just used to the sound they tend to give. I practice at home with a modeller but haven't been able to make them work for me in a live situation.

Okay, then in that case, it sounds like the Mesa will work. Just be aware that they are loud. However, you can get most of your saturation from the preamp so, even at lower volumes, you should still be able to get the sound you're after.

You might also look into a Mesa DC-5 (now discontinued - but available used). It's a two-channel amp, but the rhythm channel has a built-in boost that realistically makes the amp sound like it has a 3rd channel. The only issue is that the boost is not foot switchable. However, the DC series have a sound all their own... some of the refinement of the Mark series with the fury of the rectos. If you get a chance, you simply MUST try one!!!!

 

[Brow]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Okay, then in that case, it sounds like the Mesa will work. Just be aware that they are loud. However, you can get most of your saturation from the preamp so, even at lower volumes, you should still be able to get the sound you're after.

You might also look into a Mesa DC-5 (now discontinued - but available used). It's a two-channel amp, but the rhythm channel has a built-in boost that realistically makes the amp sound like it has a 3rd channel. The only issue is that the boost is not foot switchable. However, the DC series have a sound all their own... some of the refinement of the Mark series with the fury of the rectos. If you get a chance, you simply MUST try one!!!!

Thanks for the heads up on the DC amps

I've never really seen many MESAs over here so the only 2 I've ever had chance to try out were this Nomad, which I didn't click with at 1st but think I could after some tweaking, or a friends Dual Rectifier.

Amp wise I was either looking for something with 3 channels or 2 channels plus boost and if possible switchable master volumes or 'solo' I believe it is on MESAs?

The Nomad came up at a better price than I was originally offered it at so now I'm just weighing up the pros and cons of combos over head/cab.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

The nomad has a pretty low rep tonally among most MESA afficianados (and I'm not talking about the rectumfrier kidz)- however if you've tried it and like it, go for it.

There are alot of really good lower wattage combos out there today, but many are probably not as readily available in the UK? IDK.

I was really enamored of my Rivera Chubster- great marshall type tones, as well as quasi tweed/blackface tones, and the ninjaboost function kind of took it into JTM45 territory. Built extremely well, and very chunky for an combo. also didn't need to be completly blasted to sound good.

May also look into a MESA F30 (replaced the DC3, and IMO a better sounding amp).

If you are already doing the Marshall thing, have you looked into the HAZE 15 ministack? Or do you really need the three channels?

 

[phil_104]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

May also look into a MESA F30 (replaced the DC3, and IMO a better sounding amp).

The F30 is a great amp. If you can though, try and find a 1x12 Mesa Express 5:25. 2 channels with 2 modes each, and a footswitch activated ''contour'', which is essentially a frequency boost. It also goes from 30 to 5 watts with the flick of a switch, and has footswitchable reverb, that sounds really good. I use to have the 1x10 combo, and it performed well, and the 1x12 combo has an ever fuller sound.

Anyways, best of luck with your search!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

If volume is an issue look for something in the 30W range with a Master volume. You should be able to dial in a good tone & not blow the windows out at the same time.

I used a Marshall 900 50W 2 12" combo for years as my main gigging amp. It was loud enough for large venues and because it has a MV I was able to use it in a lot of small venues as well. When I really needed to keep the volume down I used a Deluxe Reverb.... a very different amp but still a very good choice when you need to control volume. A chnnel switching amp with MV should be able to get you what you want.

 

[Brow]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Thanks for the opinions guys.

I'll take all the suggestions on board but alot of the time they're just too expensive over here in the UK.

The only reason I can afford the Nomad is because the guy selling it has moved onto an Orange and needs some of the money back so he's pretty desperate to move it on.

I'm not sure I 'need' the 3 channels so to speak, I'm juts using it as a reason to ditch alot of my pedals and simplify things a bit

 

[jccarmichael]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Some good suggestions already posted here. I would also suggest you look into the low wattage heads that have flooded the market recently. Egnater, Jet City Amps, Vox, and Orange, are just a few examples of manufacturers. These range from 1.5w up to 30w. Most are relatively affordable. You could even just keep using your current speaker cab and save even more money. I'd personally recommend Egnater based on what I've played and own. Great tone and great features.

As for combo amps, there are a few downsides:
Weight - you're lifting the amp and the cab together as one. It can get to be a nuisance.
Relative reliability - I don't know how much truth there is to this, but I've heard/read claims that the amps don't last as long in a combo as the same amp would in a head. It's something to think about.

I'm not sure what kind of music you're playing, but the Peavey Classic series are excellent combo amps to check out, and can cover a decent range of musical genres.

If overall volume is still a problem you can add an attenuator to any rig (any tube/valve rig).

 

[FAC]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

I'm not sure which I would consider more complex...a one (or two) channel amp with various pedals or a three channel amp without pedals. My limited experience with three channel amps is that one channel usually shines and the other two are compromises (YMMV).

Do you not like your pedals? Why the urge to ditch them? If they are wired to a pedalboard, then setup at gigs should be pretty simple.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Don't do it; you'll hate it.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Thanks for the opinions guys.

I'll take all the suggestions on board but alot of the time they're just too expensive over here in the UK.

The only reason I can afford the Nomad is because the guy selling it has moved onto an Orange and needs some of the money back so he's pretty desperate to move it on.

I'm not sure I 'need' the 3 channels so to speak, I'm juts using it as a reason to ditch alot of my pedals and simplify things a bit

lul! u want a marshall, I want an orange!

u should get a rocker 30 head with a 112 cab, that would be controlable volume with that closed back thump!

fender blues jr is the ole standby, its super light weight!

 

[butnut]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

I went from my Bogner head & 412 to an Orange Rocker 30 combo. Just the combo alone did not sound that great, the V30 alone is not one of my fave tones and combos sound small to me...especially after using 4 12s. Added a closed back cab with a G12H to add a tight bottom end...BAM! BIG sound, perfect for med sized gigs. We have to move our gear a ways, so all of us use folding carts, I can stack my amp, cab, pedal board, cable/gear suitcase and my guitar on the cart...one trip. We do mic our amps, E609s. My 4 12 cab just collects dust now.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Thanks for the heads up on the DC amps

I've never really seen many MESAs over here so the only 2 I've ever had chance to try out were this Nomad, which I didn't click with at 1st but think I could after some tweaking, or a friends Dual Rectifier.

Amp wise I was either looking for something with 3 channels or 2 channels plus boost and if possible switchable master volumes or 'solo' I believe it is on MESAs?

The Nomad came up at a better price than I was originally offered it at so now I'm just weighing up the pros and cons of combos over head/cab.

If you lived closer, I'd have you come over and try mine. it's a combo, but it sits on a Marshall 4x12 and when I put it through the 4x12, it turns into a monster!

In the meantime, check out the Boogie classifieds:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewforum.php?f=9

 

[everdrone]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

^thats a killer orange stack I have to say

 

[Brow]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Thanks for the new posts guys.

I have an attenuater I could use with my JCM800 head, but I don't really like the affect it has on the sound of the amp. I also have an Orange AD30 Single channel amp that I really liked and used alot a few years ago when I was in an Indie Rock band but find it doesn't really fit with what I'm doing now (70s/80s Rock).

As for ditching my pedals; I spent alot of time choosing the right pedals for the sounds I wanted and needed to cover when I was in my originals band and continued to use it in most of my bands since. Thing is, it's a huge pedalboard and is getting a chore to carry around. My plan is to get a multi channel amp, hopefully with switchable volume levels, so that I can take my favourite OD pedal from the larger board and use it on my smaller backup board.

Here's an old pic of my main board just so you can see why I'm considering down sizing

 

[Dru Edwards]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Traynor is another option. They're Canadian made so I'm not sure if they're sold on the other side of the pond.

The YCV-50 (the blue colored amp) is 50 watts, two channels with boost button, although I don't like the boost. I use an MXR Microamp in the FX loop for my boost. It's a great amp with 12ax7's and EL34's and not considered boutique so it's not very expensive (over here in Canada). The speaker is a Celestion Vintage 30.

You can also get the YCV-40WR (i believe that's what it is called). It's a 40 watter with 6l6's.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

thats sick dude! nice setups. that is a chore tho. Id use the jcm800 with a 212 cab; still pretty loud but would be more manageable than the 412. for that sound your goin for I like the rocker 30 and jcm800 4010.

I have a little 4 watt epiphone valve junior I got for $120 on MF. its pretty sweet! good for practices and jamming with friends. very portable. Ill make clips of it soon. I might get another if I had to gig with it for backup and for more volume. Its amazing how a fender blues junior is only 15 watts but can be way too loud, so I went cheaper so I could crank on the more inefficient 10inch with less wattage. pretty fun! Its a good little backup amp too,

gotta bring a backup amp to the gig fo sho.

 

[Brow]

Re: Gigging with a combo? Advice needed please!

Traynor is another option. They're Canadian made so I'm not sure if they're sold on the other side of the pond.

The YCV-50 (the blue colored amp) is 50 watts, two channels with boost button, although I don't like the boost. I use an MXR Microamp in the FX loop for my boost. It's a great amp with 12ax7's and EL34's and not considered boutique so it's not very expensive (over here in Canada). The speaker is a Celestion Vintage 30.

You can also get the YCV-40WR (i believe that's what it is called). It's a 40 watter with 6l6's.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've had a quick look into them and hardly anywhere seems to stock them over here and I can't seem to find any used either. I'll deffo keep it inmind though!

thats sick dude! nice setups. that is a chore tho. Id use the jcm800 with a 212 cab; still pretty loud but would be more manageable than the 412. for that sound your goin for I like the rocker 30 and jcm800 4010.

I have a little 4 watt epiphone valve junior I got for $120 on MF. its pretty sweet! good for practices and jamming with friends. very portable. Ill make clips of it soon. I might get another if I had to gig with it for backup and for more volume. Its amazing how a fender blues junior is only 15 watts but can be way too loud, so I went cheaper so I could crank on the more inefficient 10inch with less wattage. pretty fun! Its a good little backup amp too,

gotta bring a backup amp to the gig fo sho.

Thanks!

The JCM800 and a 2x12 was my main rig for years but I just got sick of carrying it around, hence the original move to a 1x12 cab and now the considered move to a 1x12 combo.