I dont understand full stacks

[some_dude]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Maybe 412 is the standard in your area, but in the city, I'd be hard pressed to call anything "standard". I see the entire spectrum of rigs in just about every application - from guys who show up asking the sound man where they can plug in their POD, to guys who need two helpers and a trailer to get their rig to and from the gig.

It seems to be somewhat similar around here, in part because there's no standard from venue to venue and each venue isn't tied to a genre (might be folk acoustic one night and a Motorhead cover band a couple days later).

 

[some_dude]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

FWIW, I think the reason you see more older players bringing their 212 cabs instead of their 412 or larger setups is because as you age and gain experience, the gap in your mind between what you need and what you think you need gets smaller. At least, that's what I'm finding as I get older.

For me, it's laziness. I've always known I don't really need a 4x12, but I liked it and was willing to carry it anyway. Plus I figure people pay to see a show, and maybe it's because I did a brief stint in theatre but to me the 'backdrop' is part of the show/atmosphere.

Now that I'm getting older (I'm actually 32, despite what it says under my avatar) and more out of shape general laziness has kicked in and I keep telling myself my 2x12 sounds good enough. We're still in rehearsals however, and I'm planning on manning up by the time we're ready to actually perform.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

For me, it's laziness. I've always known I don't really need a 4x12, but I liked it and was willing to carry it anyway. Plus I figure people pay to see a show, and maybe it's because I did a brief stint in theatre but to me the 'backdrop' is part of the show/atmosphere.

Now that I'm getting older (I'm actually 32, despite what it says under my avatar) and more out of shape general laziness has kicked in and I keep telling myself my 2x12 sounds good enough. We're still in rehearsals however, and I'm planning on manning up by the time we're ready to actually perform.

Heh, I'm 31.

In full band rehearsals, I'm playing out of my Champ. I was using my Super Reverb, but the band started complaining I was too loud. Even with the amp turned way down, the open back 410 cabinet just has too much spread.

I've actually thought about gigging with my Champ. It certainly would be easier than lugging one of my 70 lb combos out.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

They go to 22.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Apart from the big image, full stacks are quite obsolete I think. I'm into power all the way but anytime I played a full-stack the volume was rather uncomfortable. There's no need for monster amp volume anymore, all clubs have proper modern and efficient PA systems everywhere.

Still, in smaller clubs using 2 carefully cranked half-stacks (one left, one right, even with one guitarist) without going to the PA still can give good and raw live sound. But again, a cranked full stack is an overkill even in this case.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Apart from the big image, full stacks are quite obsolete I think. I'm into power all the way but anytime I played a full-stack the volume was rather uncomfortable. There's no need for monster amp volume anymore, all clubs have proper modern and efficient PA systems everywhere.

Still, in smaller clubs using 2 carefully cranked half-stacks (one left, one right, even with one guitarist) without going to the PA still can give good and raw live sound. But again, a cranked full stack is an overkill even in this case.

I am very sorry Sir, but i have to HUGELY disagree with you on that statement !

In my city, of 1.2 mill (population), we have two clubs with just "ok" PA gear.
ALL the other venues need a private guy with a "mobile-rent-PA".

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Full stacks are like HUMMERs.

They are badass and they will absolutely get the job done.

Is there a more compact way to do most things?

Is the guy who drives a HUMMER or rocks a full stack concerned with a more compact solution?

Maybe he likes to look at his gear and say "YES! THAT IS BAD-ASSED!" every time he uses it.

I think they are awesome / hilarious. In a good way. Like, in a fun way.

If you don't get full stacks, then, man, you just don't get full stacks.

 

[Kam]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

What if I like full stacks but hate Hummers?

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

What if I like full stacks but hate Hummers?

I'm not a scientist, but I'd say you get full-stacks but don't get Hummers!

 

[AlexR]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I bet the guy in the Hummer really hates shopping centre carparks

The guy with the fullstack really hates venues with lots of stairs. Used to be a problem for the Daleks too!!

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Only guy I know with a real HUMMER (not a girlie H2 or H3) owns the gun store here in town, and uses it as his daily driver since his deuce-and-a-half is "too big."

I bet if he was a guitar player, he would order a Marshall stack that was so tall he's have to put in a skylight.

 

[silverburst07]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

A pair of testicles?

Muahahahahahah

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I am very sorry Sir, but i have to HUGELY disagree with you on that statement !

In my city, of 1.2 mill (population), we have two clubs with just "ok" PA gear.
ALL the other venues need a private guy with a "mobile-rent-PA".

Man...

Do I always have to put exclamation marks and some smilies here and there to emphasize the real meaning behind my statement that you finally figured out?

:friday:

 

[Stef]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

In my world it's all about the tone of my guitar when playing live with the band.
I get my tone with an old marshall head and 4 x 25watt speakers. I don't have it with 2x12, 1x12, 2x15 etc..
For a bedroom-warrior show (aka practice) I use a small ( 1'') PC speaker..

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Full stacks are like HUMMERs.

They are badass and they will absolutely get the job done.

Is there a more compact way to do most things?

Is the guy who drives a HUMMER or rocks a full stack concerned with a more compact solution?

Maybe he likes to look at his gear and say "YES! THAT IS BAD-ASSED!" every time he uses it.

I think they are awesome / hilarious. In a good way. Like, in a fun way.

If you don't get full stacks, then, man, you just don't get full stacks.

Is the guy who drives a Hummer perhaps "compensating" for some other shortcoming?

 

[some_dude]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Is the guy who drives a Hummer perhaps "compensating" for some other shortcoming?

Road maintenance?

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I have been outside the city. I've played in Dauphin, in fact. Nice to know I have a few neighbors on this board.

Maybe 412 is the standard in your area, but in the city, I'd be hard pressed to call anything "standard". I see the entire spectrum of rigs in just about every application - from guys who show up asking the sound man where they can plug in their POD, to guys who need two helpers and a trailer to get their rig to and from the gig.

And yeah, the right context is key. You tend to see the full stacks show up at clubs like The Zoo (on Osborne) - where there is absolutely zero need for it given the power of that front of house system. If you were playing say, an open air outdoor event to a crowd then yeah, I could see a full stack being the right tool for the job. If you show up to a coffee house with one, then you're just a tool.

FWIW, I think the reason you see more older players bringing their 212 cabs instead of their 412 or larger setups is because as you age and gain experience, the gap in your mind between what you need and what you think you need gets smaller. At least, that's what I'm finding as I get older.

Gotta consider the genre though.
Generally for anything requiring pretty high gain levels, 4x12 cabs really do just sound best.
Because of their nature, 2x12s tend to sound a bit boxy with high gain and the overall mid range character just doesn't sit as nicely in the mix.
As long as you've got a pretty modern tube amp, it doesn't have to be super loud.
5150s, as an example of one am definitely don't anywhere near as much volume as a classic non master volume amp to sound their best.
That being said, the best option for a heavy rock/metal band in a relatively small, (unless they're recording) would be to go straight to FOH with amp modeling hardware units.
The clearest, tightest live sound I've ever heard was that kind of setup, because the stage volume was obviously quite reduced compared to a traditional mic'd up 4x12 setup.

 

[sosomething]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

That being said, the best option for a heavy rock/metal band in a relatively small, (unless they're recording) would be to go straight to FOH with amp modeling hardware units.
The clearest, tightest live sound I've ever heard was that kind of setup, because the stage volume was obviously quite reduced compared to a traditional mic'd up 4x12 setup.

lawl

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

lawl

Yes I know "lawl" but that way you're still getting closer to that mic'd up 4x12 sound through the PA system.
A 2x12 is not gonna sound like a 4x12 though

 

[dr. ad]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

i wonder if that could catch on; a technical metal fusion type band with samples etc could benefit in many ways from minimising their instrument amps and packing their own small PA, instead of a truck full of individual rigs.

does that make combos more, or less Metal?