Opinions on combo vs. head

[AmirH]

So here's the dealie- I'm finally gonna buy a tube amp and I think I know which one. I've been testing out the peavey's and mesas and overall I think the rectoverb combo we have works best for me. It's got the best clean(followed closely though by the jsx) and the closest gain voicing of the bunch to the tone I've been after for the last few years. At first I thought I didn't want a recto but I almost can't believe how much sweeter and smoother the rectoverb is. Anyway, long story short- regardless of whether I get the head or combo I'm gonna run it with that marshall 1960a I was talking about in the other thread. Getting it in combo form is for the option of open back for recording cleans and slight drive. I also like it a lot better from an aesthetic standpoint(in other words, this is what I really WANT).

Thing is, there's a BIG price difference between head and combo. I can get the combo for 1200. The head can be had for 725. Is it worth it to get the combo with that price difference? Do you guys think I'd be better off getting a separate open back cab and ignoring the aesthetics? Keep in mind I will probably barely average 10 bucks an hour after I get my commission check... grr all this gas is messin me up inside :smack:

 

[tone4days]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

i went round and round with this when i got my mesa roadster in late dec '06 ... i went with the head cus the combo is just too damn heavy for my 40+ yr old back to schlep around in one haul (even with casters, i still have to lift it up into my CR-V) ... i also like it because i can swap out cabs to suit my needs for volume ... i have (2) 1x12" cabs, both currently closed backs ... i plan to replace one with a 1x12" open back for even more verstaility

hope this helps
good luck
t4d

 

[fingerace]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I would get the head.

For the verstaility as t4d said, and because with less money wou can buy the exact speaker you want and a nice cab to put it in.

With almost $425 you might even be able to get a nice 212 open cab, if you really want the open back sound...

Definately the head...

 

[Baltar]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

/edit: sorry for editing, but lets bring it to the point.
for me it turned out, that tonal and setup flexibilty is great.
but logistical complexitivity is a pain in the butt.
so i went for combos. i had a nice laney top in the past, but i
hated carrying top+huge cab.

if the combo version is nice, compact and not too heavy,
i'd go for the combo. if it is painful to carry, don't care and
go for the top. mention you have to move that thing around
every gig.

cheers, martin

 

[Bludave]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I think more in terms of ease. When you have to do a Gig on the 2nd or 3rd. floor and you have to carry a 4 12" up 2 flights of stairs before you play and at 2am when your done those 4 12's are heavy. A combo can be placed in an easy carrying case. Theres no doubt that a 4 12" may have a deeper sound and can be more versatile, but most audiences won't be able to hear that. Once the drums kick in and if you have a good PA it will be fine and a lot easier to carry!

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I think more in terms of ease. When you have to do a Gig on the 2nd or 3rd. floor and you have to carry a 4 12" up 2 flights of stairs before you play and at 2am when your done those 4 12's are heavy. A combo can be placed in an easy carrying case. Theres no doubt that a 4 12" may have a deeper sound and can be more versatile, but most audiences won't be able to hear that. Once the drums kick in and if you have a good PA it will be fine and a lot easier to carry!

That's the appeal of the combos to me. I can get into the door with the amp in one hand and my axe in the other and that's it. I don't need to go and cart anything more around.

And generally I find the smaller size of the combos in general to be more appealing. I own a 2 x 12 cab now and it's just huge compared to all of my combo amps.

I'd rather kick in for a mic and a cable and a little money into the PA fund if needed for larger gigs than have to have another setup for larger rooms.

Both have their place. But I've always been about getting a good sound and being compact with it all.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

lol, you guys missed the point- I'm gonna use it with that 4x12 whether it's a combo or not. Main reason I want the combo is for recording cleans, and cuz aesthetically I think it looks really cool to have one sitting on top of 4x12. "Different" if you will... So from what I gather from the peeps advocating the combo, I probably will be better off with the head.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I love combos - you can cart them around easier. Rehearsal or small gig? Grab the combo and go. Big gig? Use it like a head to drive a cab.

2-12 combos are really heavy. Overall (including practicality) my old Marshall 4010 1-12 combo was about the perfect amp.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

i too buy heads in general.... i love being able to pick and choose the cab i need for any gig.. i use a 1x12 for small gigs and a 4x12 for big gigs... But like some of the others have said at 3am when loading the gear back up those big heavy pieces of plywood full of speakers and electronics can be a real pain..

I too would love to find a 1x12 combo that does what i want and is under 40 pounds... i have not done so yet so i carried the big stuff... Towards the end of my last gigging band i started to use a Classic 30 and a few pedals to just be carrying less... but in truth, by the time i included my pedalboard and the extention cab i was not saving much weight or space in the van. I didn't use many pedals with the heads as they sound great on their own.... so in the end i'm happier with Heads and cabs....

I want to track down a nice 2x12 next that will work with my 800 and 5150 heads.... 8 ohm... Something that will fit in my new Camry's trunk and i don't have to borrow my dads van....

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

Combos tend to shake the tubes a lot. Mine keep becoming microphonic if i turn mine up.

 

[Baltar]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

Combos tend to shake the tubes a lot. Mine keep becoming microphonic if i turn mine up.

is it really a difference? i never expirienced such a problem, but in theory
tops stand on their 412 as well and are being shaked.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

Combos tend to shake the tubes a lot. Mine keep becoming microphonic if i turn mine up.

I've always had that problem with combos as well.


(to OP)Tell ya what, get a head. You're better off.

is it really a difference? i never expirienced such a problem, but in theory
tops stand on their 412 as well and are being shaked.

My head, as well as most, have large rubber feet to dampen the shock. In a combo the tubes are locked to the cab which is being rattled by the speakers.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

Lol, well I think you guys have convinced me. Actually since my issue with the head seems to be mostly aesthetic I'm just gonna order it in diamondplate or maybe a nice wood grain and call it good. None of the reasons advocating a combo seem at all applicable to me. The only time I'd ever actually use it other than recording would be band practice, and actually my trunk will fit the 4x12- which is(believe it or not) lighter than the rectoverb combo(that thing weighs at least 60 or 70 lbs). Plus it has wheels so... Thanks for the advice as usual guys.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I too would love to find a 1x12 combo that does what i want and is under 40 pounds... i have not done so yet so i carried the big stuff... Towards the end of my last gigging band i started to use a Classic 30 and a few pedals to just be carrying less... but in truth, by the time i included my pedalboard and the extention cab i was not saving much weight or space in the van. I didn't use many pedals with the heads as they sound great on their own.... so in the end i'm happier with Heads and cabs....

Under forty pounds is a bit ambitious for an amp that's going to handle something other than a small room without being miced. Unless the cab's made from some space-age material then that isn't likely to happen!

I caught alot of **** for going with an Atomic amp for my PodXT over the Crate PowerBlock because I didn't want to have to carry so much gear around....so beware these people that enjoy taking 5 trips out to the car to get everything....they're around here somewhere!

I want to track down a nice 2x12 next that will work with my 800 and 5150 heads.... 8 ohm... Something that will fit in my new Camry's trunk and i don't have to borrow my dads van....

Ahhh....the trunk issue!

If it helps you out, a Marshall JCM800 2 x 12 cab fits in the trunk of a Saturn.

But I do have to admit some morbid amusement I have when I went car shopping and my "final test" for the vehicle was being able to fit a Fender HSC in the backseat and a Hartke 4x10 cab in the trunk.

Some sales folks just don't understand real priorities!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

so beware these people that enjoy taking 5 trips out to the car to get everything....they're around here somewhere!

amen, i have a small hand truck that lets me get to and from the CR-V in one trip with my double gig bag on my back .. head, (2) 1x12" cabs, 5 space shallow rack, small combo for synth, suitcase with synth floor unit, retired diaper bag pressed into service to carry cables, etc ...

havent had to deal with steps yet ... that would suck enough to maybe be a deal breaker ... i might just use the small ss combo and no synth for that gig

 

[Forbes]

Re: Opinions on combo vs. head

I'm a 2x12 combo man...but with wheels! My marshall KILLED my back before getting wheels put on it, nowadays i can ride it down the slope to the practice space!

My 2x12 jcm800 fits in the back of my little citroen saxo, tight fit, but it goes in.