Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

[mwalluk]

I haven't owned a combo amp since I first started playing. The last 5+ years I've strictly only owned head and cabs. People say a head is more versatile being that you can switch cabs. Heads are lighter and even though I have to take two trips to the car, it's still nice.

That being said, I have been contemplating switching to a combo amp. If I am able to sell my VHT D60, my Avatar 212 Cab and my EPI LP Custom I would have enough funds to land me a USED Bogner Shiva 1x12 or 2x12 combo amp.

Not to be a gear snob, but I see that as MY be all - end all amp. The one amp I can finally settle on. I see it fighting the style of music I play and would continue to play.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

Unless your getting a killer deal on the combo why do it? Why not sell the VHT and get the Bogner in a head set up?

I will admit i'm not a combo fan. Every time I lift my MKIV im reminded blazingly in my loins why i dont like them.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I can't sell you on a combo amp. I'll take a head/cab setup anyday over a bulky heavy ass combo. Plus, I don't think a lot of modern amps sound good in a combo format. Unless you're shooting for something Fender or Vox, stay away from combos.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I can't sell you on a combo amp. I'll take a head/cab setup anyday over a bulky heavy ass combo. Plus, I don't think a lot of modern amps sound good in a combo format. Unless you're shooting for something Fender or Vox, stay away from combos.

I agree with this. For the rock thing, EVERY time I've tried to live with a comob I ended-up plugging it into a sealed 2X12 or 4X12. That big, hard-hitting tone is the sound of rock for me. Always wanted a Shiva 1X12, but NO doubt I would have preferred the Shiva head + OS2X12 cab that I had over it.

For clean work, I generally prefer an open back cab or combo setup. Don't need my cleans to be big and boomy. Like 'em tight and spanky.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

"Heads are more versatile" is just flat out wrong. They are lighter, but not more versatile. A combo does everything a head does, plus more, and the only price you pay is more weight.

With a head, you can run it into any speaker you want. OK, but you can also do that with a combo; you just unplug the internal speakers and plug in the external speakers. Plus you can run into the external speaker along with the internal speakers...or you can forget the external speakers altogether, and not have to carry extra **** from the car. Also, a head is 100% useless without carrying at least two components. With the combo, you can carry one component and have a working amp...or carry two components to make it sound like a head/cab if you want. But at least you have choices.

IMO, the best way to go all around is a 1x12 combo and a 1x or 2x extension cab. You can keep it simple and easy and just bring the combo. Or you can bring the combo plus another speaker. or you can unplug the internal speaker and just use the combo as a head; because it's only a 1x12, it's not a hassle to carry the weight of a speaker you won't be using.

I can see preferring head/cab for a few reasons (not least important of which is for fashion/image reasons), but saying it's because it is more versatile than a combo is just plain wrong. A combo can do everything a head can do, plus it can be self-contained, which a head cannot.

P.S. Let's also not forget that on many combos, you can easily use the combo cabinet as an extension cab for another amp. You just leave the amp off and plug the other amp into the combo's external speaker jack. Right now I am using my Ampeg combo as an extension cab for my Mesa combo until I get a matching cab...though given how easy this setup is, I might just hold my money and pass on the matching cab; it isn't really needed except for looks.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

Not to destroy your dreams or anything, but a Shiva combo is ridiculously heavy (the head alone isn't lightweight). Don't stick to the CL80 that usually comes with 1x12s. The Shiva was built around Vintage 30s and the 60w power handling will be able to handle most volume settings without worrying about blowing it out.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I have an older Bogner 6L6 Shiva with reverb in a 2x12 combo. It is ridiculously heavy, but nothing a flat moving dolly can't cure. It's no different than a 4x12 in that regard since I rarely see someone pick up a 4x12 and manhandle it. Truthfully, that combo works perfectly with the pair of V30s and open back cabinet it sits in. It lets it breath and offers a nice crunch when needed.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I have an older Bogner 6L6 Shiva with reverb in a 2x12 combo. It is ridiculously heavy, but nothing a flat moving dolly can't cure. It's no different than a 4x12 in that regard since I rarely see someone pick up a 4x12 and manhandle it. Truthfully, that combo works perfectly with the pair of V30s and open back cabinet it sits in. It lets it breath and offers a nice crunch when needed.

I work as a sound guy, and you are pretty much right...however, I can "manhandle" Marshall cabs all night long. They are very lightweight for their size, and they have those handy side handles. Not sure how they keep them so light. Their heads weigh almost nothing as well. Not bragging, just saying that IME Marshalls are much lighter than most tube amps. However, the old SVT cabs, made before they had wheels, are not fun.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

Some combos are just too heavy and bulky to deal with and are more manageable in head/cab form, but others like my Budda combo are really great to grab and go. The pine cab and aluminum chassis are what keep the weight down in these.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I haven't owned a combo amp since I first started playing. The last 5+ years I've strictly only owned head and cabs. People say a head is more versatile being that you can switch cabs. Heads are lighter and even though I have to take two trips to the car, it's still nice.

That being said, I have been contemplating switching to a combo amp. If I am able to sell my VHT D60, my Avatar 212 Cab and my EPI LP Custom I would have enough funds to land me a USED Bogner Shiva 1x12 or 2x12 combo amp.

Not to be a gear snob, but I see that as MY be all - end all amp. The one amp I can finally settle on. I see it fighting the style of music I play and would continue to play.

I would not try to discourage you from buying a Shiva. IMHO it is one of the best channel switching amps made period. But if I had to do it all over again I would have bought a head/cab. I have a 1 12" EL 34 combo & it weighs close to 90lbs. I bought a box for it & everything with wheels but I still have to have someone help me carry it up stairs. It is extremely heavy. Get the head & save some cash to get an Avatar with V 30's or greenbacks. I like the way mine sounds with greenbacks.

 

[JonnyG92]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I own three amps: Marshall DSL100, Line 6 Spider III 1x10, and a Fender Mini Tone Master.
Of these, of course the greatest tone is the DSL. But when I have to play something or learn a tune and I don't want to wake my roommates, the Fender is what I pick up.
I like combos for the ability to jam out without getting too crazy, and I love Heads for their ability to get over-the-top crazy.
It all depends on the day and the mood.

Maybe this helps?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

No can do. Aside from some vintage combos, or something like a Fender amp, a head is the only way to go IMO.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I work as a sound guy, and you are pretty much right...however, I can "manhandle" Marshall cabs all night long. They are very lightweight for their size, and they have those handy side handles. Not sure how they keep them so light. Their heads weigh almost nothing as well. Not bragging, just saying that IME Marshalls are much lighter than most tube amps. However, the old SVT cabs, made before they had wheels, are not fun.

I know even the marshall 212 closed back cabs weigh 60 pounds, but they do weigh a bit less than other cabs of the same size. my marshall head weighs 10 pounds less than most heads


I want a nice orange tiny terror combo that weighs 37lbs... combos weigh alot. then I would want a fender pro junior that weighs 20 pounds! but they would never sound as chuggingly awesome as my head/cab.

one speaker in a cab will never sound like 2 speakers in a closed back cab, especially if you like heavy music

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

one speaker in a cab will never sound like 2 speakers in a closed back cab, especially if you like heavy music

Not excatly. I present the 100 waTT Mesa Boogie MKIV w/1x12 EV12L speaker . Massive sound.;

 

[everdrone]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

Not excatly. I present the 100 waTT Mesa Boogie MKIV w/1x12 EV12L speaker . Massive sound.;

massive weight! ;-)_

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

Not excatly. I present the 100 waTT Mesa Boogie MKIV w/1x12 EV12L speaker . Massive sound.;

BS! Thats exactly the same configuration as my MKIV and while it sounds good as a 1x12 its still not the same as plugging it into a 2x12 or 4x12.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

I don't like the sound of most 1x12 combos (or cabs for that matter) and 2x12 combos are way heavy.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

BS! Thats exactly the same configuration as my MKIV and while it sounds good as a 1x12 its still not the same as plugging it into a 2x12 or 4x12.

BS. A one 12 MKIV EV loaded combo will sound MUCH bigger than a celestion or eminence 2x12 closed back cabinet. Way more full and rounder natural bass extension and a less strained more open and sweeter top end, with mids that can get very aggresive as compared to a closed cab. You might be thinking of the boominess, or punch the closed back cabient low mids that it might have more of.
Why are you bringing up the 4x12? No one even mentioned that except you.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

...its still not the same as plugging it into a 2x12 or 4x12.

You get the best of both worlds with the combo version of that amp. If you want to keep things light and simple, say for a jam session at a friend's house, or whatever, you plug in the combo speaker. If you want to playa practice or a gig with the tone of the 4x12, go ahead and unplug the internal speaker and plug the 4x12 in.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Sell Me On COMBO AMPS!

BS. A one 12 MKIV EV loaded combo will sound MUCH bigger than a celestion or eminence 2x12 closed back cabinet. Way more full and rounder natural bass extension and a less strained more open and sweeter top end, with mids that can get very aggresive as compared to a closed cab. You might be thinking of the boominess, or punch the closed back cabient low mids that it might have more of.
Why are you bringing up the 4x12? No one even mentioned that except you.

Do you even own a MKIV? I do. I also one one of the old Mesa stacked 2x12's that came with a EV in the closed bottom and a V30 in the open back top. You can wax poetic all you want about sweet and round but that doesnt make it the "same" Less strained? Can you come up with a more vauge and ambiguous adjective to describe sound? Bass extension? Some how this 1x12 is giving more bass than a closed back ported cab?

There is no magic to the 1x12 EV combo. It winds up being very mid heavy and without using the graphic eq lacks both bass and highs. 1 speaker will never have the sound stage that multiple speakers have.