I dont understand full stacks

[sosomething]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

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

But it'd sound like a *crappy amp through a crappy 4x12 through a sound system. I'd rather deal with stage volume.

*That is unless the newest batch of modeling products (Pod HD, Eleven Rack, AxeFX) are really as good as their manufacturer's claim. In my experience, I have yet to hear any modeling set-up make sounds that would work for me in a live setting.

Now, if your ideal tone is mega-high-gain preamp saturation compressed and gated into a brick wall (and I'm not saying that's bad, just not my taste), then the modeler + PA setup might be an efficient and functional choice. I just need - yes need - that interaction with a tube amp running hot to do what I do.

In my case (and I suspect many others' as well) the amp is as viable a part of the instrument as the guitar is.

And that, there, is exactly why people still use stacks and/or 100-watt amps in this day and age.

 

[Stef]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

working, gigging ROCK musicians are not afraid of stage volume...they need and appreciate the extra headroom, clarity and punch from 100 and 50 watt amps and fullness that comes from a good 4x 12 cab (i'm not talking about insane volume levels and sound of the band is always a priority..)
on the other hand, for basement, living room, bedroom and similar warriors (and especially their families and neighbors) using that sort of equipment becomes a loud nightmare... that's why I don't even keep my cabinet at home...

 

[some_dude]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I don't know about you guys, but when I see that I think it looks pretty cool.

When you go out to see a band, you see them with your eyes at the same time that you listen with your ears. I think this aspect is lost on a lot of people. I think it's cool when I see a bunch of combos laid across the back... it, combined with their choice of clothes and maybe some other stage dress creates a certain image and a certain expectation of the band I'm about to see. Same goes with seeing a bunch of halfstacks or fullstacks.... it creates a certain image and a certain expectation. Whether it be a bar band that looks like they're still wearing their work clothes, or some slicked up indie band that actually look like they brush their teeth regularly.

To me, I find it hard to understand why people will put so much effort into their music but totally neglect to develop their live presentation of it. If dragging in an extra cab or two will sell the experience to the audience, then the effort required to drag it in was more than worthwhile.

I'm not saying to start dragging fullstacks to the nearest coffee shop in an effort to rock the house, or telling you to pull out all the stops if you're playing dive bars, but if you're contracted to play a rock venue, then rock the venue.

 

[formula73]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I don't know about you guys, but when I see that I think it looks pretty cool.

When you go out to see a band, you see them with your eyes at the same time that you listen with your ears. I think this aspect is lost on a lot of people. I think it's cool when I see a bunch of combos laid across the back... it, combined with their choice of clothes and maybe some other stage dress creates a certain image and a certain expectation of the band I'm about to see. Same goes with seeing a bunch of halfstacks or fullstacks.... it creates a certain image and a certain expectation. Whether it be a bar band that looks like they're still wearing their work clothes, or some slicked up indie band that actually look like they brush their teeth regularly.

To me, I find it hard to understand why people will put so much effort into their music but totally neglect to develop their live presentation of it. If dragging in an extra cab or two will sell the experience to the audience, then the effort required to drag it in was more than worthwhile.

I'm not saying to start dragging fullstacks to the nearest coffee shop in an effort to rock the house, or telling you to pull out all the stops if you're playing dive bars, but if you're contracted to play a rock venue, then rock the venue.

Hit the nail on the head.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Full stacks still exist because , and this is a big one lost on a si!t ton of players, they can always be turned down.

What? Power tube OD?

Whatever.

In this day and age of killer pedals and big amps that sound great at really low volumes, the need to push the power tubes for all your OD needs shrinks more each day. You only need to run them hot enough to open up a bit, not supply all the OD.

Small amps run to the rails don't sound like a great pedal or well thought-out preamp through a purring 100 watt amp with four or more speakers. As long as the volume is kept in check,and you can get some righteous tone, then the arguments against stacks lose power.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Another Boris fan . . .

. . . so i NEED to add a pic.

LOVE their "Amplifier Worship" album !

Live, Wata will not sound the same with a 1X12, or 2X12 - Fact !

 

[Grenade]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I have a Dime head and 4x12 cab and it is a very loud amp if you want it to be. I also use a bassman 70 and a marshall 4x10 for a clean channel. Only problem I have is when playing out I need a 1965b to go with my 1965a to move more air. I love it and I can get it all and both guitars in my Escort, can't fit a passenger but still descent mpg.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

Lol I've never understood why some people bump up old threads while contributing absolutely nothing to the discussion

 

[Ayrton]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

 

[PVFan]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

if I need one for an arena gig, I'll rent 3 of anything I want, you name it, but meanwhile, I'm constantly cleaning the PVGoo off my small amps

it's not that we're little girls for saying the '70s are over, buy a Corvette to compensate for your member instead. We aren't pussies. Sound guys are.

Sound guys in Seattle should be wearing little dresses. Won't let you turn your half-stack past 2. When George Lynch has 11 jewel lights on stage and I can't hear a note? When I'm 7 feet (.6 hectagrams in Euro) from a rock star's Marshall cab at the "loudest" place for metal shows, eye level with one of the guy's speaker cones pointed right at me, and I'm having to squint my ears like a snowblind Clint Eastwood, goldang, raise a fader or let the son of a b!tch turn his amp up to the sweet spot.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

my JBL 1x12 car speaker cab rapes fullstacks

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I used to carry my full stack, two half stacks, and a combo amp in my Volkswagon bug.

Who said anything about excess?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

 

[JOLLY]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

my JBL 1x12 car speaker cab rapes fullstacks

I've never understood why some people bump up old threads while contributing absolutely nothing to the discussion

.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

I used to be able to fit a double stack into a Mazda 323.[Hatchback]

WOW! That's impressive. Back seats down, right? That's a small sub-compact hatchback at that. Did you manage to fit anything besides the stack and yourself into the 323?

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: I dont understand full stacks

WOW! That's impressive. Back seats down, right? That's a small sub-compact hatchback at that. Did you manage to fit anything besides the stack and yourself into the 323?

Head and guitars in the front passenger seat area. No room for passengers, just me , the stack and amp and my guitar. That's many years ago now.