is a full stack really necessary?

Re: is a full stack really necessary?

Neither of my cabs have casters on 'em and I schlep them eveywhere, and use a handtruck or whatever's necessary to get the sound I need live. My Hiwatt didn't come with casters, and the casters on my Rivera burned out years ago, and never got around to replacing them.

The generalization that people that play thru full stacks are either macho men, posers, or rock stars with a death wish is false: I thought this board was all about the Tone!! LOL :laugh2:

(Spelling edit)
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

TwilightOdyssey said:
Neither of my cabs have casters on 'em and I schlep them eveywhere, and use a handtruck or whatever's necessary to get the sound I need live. My Hiwatt didn't come with casters, and the casters on my Rivera burned out years ago, and never got around to replacing them.

The generalization that people that play thru full stacks are either macho men, posers, or rock stars with a death wish is false: I thought this board was all about the Tone!! LOL :laugh2:

(Spelling edit)
Click to expand...

I ended up getting another 4X12 just because of the fill it gave to my tone. Not to make my ears bleed. As for the poser part, well maybe I am. I could give a crap, I like the tone. :)
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

3 cent hero said:
unless you gotta haul 'em up and down stairs :p
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Dude I am 20+ years older than you and I have no problem with it :laugh:

- 2x12s have the same foot print as a full stack
- stacks are easier to hear at lower volumes, that's good for the whole band
- stacks have bigger sound
- only guitar players will consider you as a poser because of your stack.. give them something esle to biach about :D they will like that :D
- 2x12s with casters are hard to push because ya gotta bend way over.. that's the stuff that hurts my back
- etc

I agree with Twilight Odyssey. You have to work for your tone. If a stack works for you then do it! :)
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

I use a half stack all the time and have never run into a need for a full stack.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

nothing really to add on the real question but can someone tell me what is wrong with being a 'poser' with a full stack??? I bet most people here are concerned about what their guitar looks like, so why not have a sexy looking full stack aswell!?

(not that i have a full stack, but id love one)
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

570ex said:
I bet most people here are concerned about what their guitar looks like, so why not have a sexy looking full stack aswell!?
Click to expand...
That's a darn good point 570 :D The idea of mojo is pretty versatile in the world of rock and roll, but maybe it's more fashionable to be a guitar snob than an amp snob? :D :laugh2:
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

i agree with the poser comment...sorry...If you can't hear a 2x12 cab on stage, your band is playing too loud...the band and the audience suffers.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

My volume issue is that a closed back 2x12 points at your feet and it is very directional. A stack points at your feet AND ears. I play in a band with a person who has a boogie 2x12 and he can never hear himself but THE REST OF US SURE CAN!!

I have a real problem with high stage volume. Big does not mean loud unless you turn up the volume. A directional amp, which points at your feet, with a drummer behind you, on a small stage, creates a problem for you and the rest of the band.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

In my experience any gig that required that kind of stage volume has a PA and monitors. I've never even found a 4x12 to be necessary, though they do sound very full. I've played every gig I've had, regardless of venue size, with my Mesa DC-5 and have never had too little volume. That little bugger is super loud.

When I was in High School I thought you HAD to have a stack to get anything done, so I had this big honkin' rig that weighed a million pounds and was loud as hell, though sounded pretty crappy. I hated carrying all the crap around so I ditched it for my little Mesa combo and never looked back. I don't think I'd use a big rig again unless I had roadies! :D

Mike
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

msawitzke said:
In my experience any gig that required that kind of stage volume has a PA and monitors. I've never even found a 4x12 to be necessary, though they do sound very full. I've played every gig I've had, regardless of venue size, with my Mesa DC-5 and have never had too little volume. That little bugger is super loud.

Mike
Click to expand...

Hmmm, Mike, I take it you don't play in a metal band. To achieve a certain tone, you have to use at least one 4x12, and maybe two. As for volume? Sure, my band is loud. As long as it's balanced and you're actually good, who give a fetid ding's kidney?! I wear earplugs on and off the stage, and anyone crazy enuff to go see a METAL band and not bring ear protection is just asking for trouble!!
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

I play with a 1x12 (Celesetion G1275) and a 1x15 (Eminence Delta Series) in two seperate closed back cabs and have never had a problem with sound dispersal, volume, chunk, or tone. For my needs (small clubs, medium outdoors venues) my 65watt tube rig is quite enough.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

Most of the guys around my town who use two 4x12's are the only guitarist in their band, and they put one cab on each side of the stage. I guess it would be good to help their sound spread a little more and fill the whole area with sound. You could also do the stereo thing with two cabs and the right setup.

I agree that closed-back cabs are directional, and if they're pointed at your back the bass player on the other side of the stage won't hear you. Monitors help, but there has to be a soundguy who gives a crap. I always just use one 4x12 myself (soon to order a 2x12), I just couldn't imagine lugging two 120 pound monsters to a gig.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

twilight brought up a great point, tone. if it sounds better to you, then go for it. but form an audience members stand point, dont make it killer loud. full stacks could be nice and great tone, imo, when used right.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

I do agree that 4x12s are fuller so I'm sure two on top of each other would reach the ear level giving players audibly "richer" tone. I know when I walk away from my little 2x12 I notice that the sound is different. For a 2x12 to really work live, I think proper PA system type micing is in order. So I think cabinet sizes all have their uses. If I were to simply mic something, I'd go with a 2x12 in a heartbeat, whether that's in the studio or live. However, if I was playing in a place where there is no real sound system... I'd prefer a 4x12.

Listen to a 2x12 facing at your feet. Now either lie down so that the 2x12 reaches your ears or face the speakers to you... massive difference (massive improvement in my case). I love the portability of my 2x12, but I do wonder if a 4x12 might suit my needs better.

Back to the question... is a full stack "necessary"? No, not really. But if it helps you rock out and you have all this extra cash lying around for another one (and space, mind you) by all means... get it ;)
 
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Re: is a full stack really necessary?

I'm not really into the full stack thing.

But I do like two half-stacks on each side of the stage/drum-riser.

Ping...............................................................................Pong

Besides, having an extra 4x12 doesn't really make you any louder, it just spreads the sound a little better, and in some instances, it means you can turn your overall volume down because your not blasting it trying to reach the dead zones your speakers arn't pointed at.
 
Re: is a full stack really necessary?

Pandemonium said:
"Necessary?"

Of course not. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
But fun!! Not to mention, I feel like I'm getting a fuller sound that doesn't fart out on my as much on the low end. I don't know, but yes, it does make me feel macho!
 
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