Help me with my rig!

[NickCormier]

Ok guys, Ive been searching frantically over the past 2 weeks, for a new rig setup, ever since a show afew weeks ago where I couldnt bring my whole rig (due to transportation issues) and had to mix and match with other amps, and It was just horrrrible. I ended up playing half the show thru a Roland Cube 30, just to get some decent distortion, it was that bad.

Ok, so my rig right now (altho I currently have most of it for sale) is my Pod X3, going into a Mosvalve MV962, into two 2x12s. All I am planning on keeping atm, is my Pod X3.

So the Pod X3 I want to be the basis of my rig, just Im trying to get a smaller decent setup, so if I cant bring my Pod / poweramp / cabs, I will still have enough to play a smaller show.

I am planning on getting either a Carvin TS100, or a Carvin DCM600, for the main poweramp. I heard that its good to have a SS poweramp, if you are using a tube preamp, that way the poweramp isnt bending, and is more reliable, yet still keeps the tube warmth of the preamp. I was thinking of getting one of those 3 or 4 space Rack's in a carrying bag like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gator-4-Spa...ryZ23789QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So in this Rack case, I could include the poweramp (Two spaces, usually), and maybe a tube preamp.. Then, when im just doing a small show/cant bring alot due to transportation, I could just bring the Rack case (tube pre/ss pow) and could plug into the house, or into any old cab that is around, and still get a solid sound.. but when I wanna use my Pod X3 and my cabs, I could bring everything and set it up so my Pod X3 goes into the Tube preamp, into the SS poweramp, into the cabinets, Or the Pod straight into the SS poweramp, for an uncolored tone.

So does this sound like it would work??

And what should I look at for a good preamp?? Can someone also clarify for me, that you can also get tube pedals that act as tube preamps? Like so I could plug the tube pedal into the Carvin DCM600, and it would get a decent tube-like sound?

Thanks

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Help me with my rig!

You should be able to run your pod into a PA setup as is, if you really want to travel light.

Is the mosvalve you have too big to cart around? I take it that it's a 2space rack power amp, right?

-if it is portable and you like it, then just taking along the mosvalve and the pod would give you the ability to run a cab at a venue.

...so at this point, my advice is: just leave your cabs at home. Pretty simple.

As for the concept of what power amp works best for getting a real tube sound, I'm of the opinion that a tube power amp is the way to go. even though modelers like the pod are intended to able to be used with solid state or direct, loads of players run them into tube power amps to help make the feel more authentic and warm up the tone.

There is one major disadvantage to tube power amps: if you want to get a small one, then the wattage available will not be huge. This isn't such a big deal in terms of getting loud, as even a 30w tube power amp is loud enough for most stage applications, but you may find that the power amp starts overdriving, which will colour your pod's tones and limit clean headroom. Of course, you may love the sound of the power section overdriving, but you may not if really loud, crystal clean tones or super tight high gain crunch is your thing.

Perhaps something like the Mesa 2 fifty power amp would be an ideal choice: plenty of wattage (50 tube watts=several hundred solid state watts) and enough clean headroom, all in two rack spaces. Very well built and roadworthy.

Finally, if you like your pod, I don't know how much good a tube preamp will do in between it and a solid state power amp. In my experience, tube preamps (in rack or pedal form) tend to sound better than solid state, but won't give an adequate 'real tube amp' sound and feel when put into a solid state power stage. That's simply because a huge part of the feel, warmth and tone of a tube amp happens in the power stage and transformer.

 

[BFahz]

Re: Help me with my rig!

Finally, if you like your pod, I don't know how much good a tube preamp will do in between it and a solid state power amp. In my experience, tube preamps (in rack or pedal form) tend to sound better than solid state, but won't give an adequate 'real tube amp' sound and feel when put into a solid state power stage. That's simply because a huge part of the feel, warmth and tone of a tube amp happens in the power stage and transformer.

Agreed. Id dump the pod and lift weights

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Help me with my rig!

Agreed. Id dump the pod and lift weights

I live on a 4th floor in a building with no elevator, and every sunday I drag my Marshall 4X12 and my Laney head up down. If you are good enough, your drummer will drive you around and carry the heavier part of you rig its that simple.

 

[BFahz]

Re: Help me with my rig!

I live on a 4th floor in a building with no elevator, and every sunday I drag my Marshall 4X12 and my Laney head up down. If you are good enough, your drummer will drive you around and carry the heavier part of you rig its that simple.

Now thats dedication. So I assume your in agreement that the POd is in no way a substitute for tube pre/post amplication.

I had a Pod for years and it doesnt compare to me.

 

[NoOnesFang13]

Re: Help me with my rig!

i would go with the ts100 if i were u, that is a pretty good price for a 100w tube power amp. personally i use a 2 amp setup and it it very compact IMO.
I have a head 2x12 cab and a small tube combo, i own a '93 ford escort and was able to move mine and my bassists gear comfortably, it's all about playing tetris with your gear. sounds to me you just need a head and keep one of the cabnets, run the pod in the effects loop, and direct out to the PA if it is not loud enough, though i believe it will be depending on how loud your amp is.

 

[NoOnesFang13]

Re: Help me with my rig!

on another note if you had a tube head you could always get a Pod x3 live, and use the 4 cable method to shut off the preamp of the head and just use the power section. Guitar ---> x3 Live input ---> x3 effects send ---> Amp input ---> amp effects send ---> x3 effects return ---> x3 ouput ---> Amp effects return. this puts the amps preamp in the effects loop of the x3 enabling you to toggle it on and off. This is how many people with boss GT8s get their rigs to sound better, just a thought.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Help me with my rig!

Now thats dedication. So I assume your in agreement that the POd is in no way a substitute for tube pre/post amplication.

I had a Pod for years and it doesnt compare to me.

Well I've admited many times, that LineS is a good product when it comes to home recording, I've just seen guys play those Veta head or what ever they are, you know the LineS half stacks, and its just not it .... I will try find a thread that I started on cheap, rack, all tube set up, you take that with a avatar 2X12 V30 cab and I think you just cant go wrong.

Here found the link:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=110536