Shiva: combo vs cab

[Thunder7]

I'm looking at picking up a Shiva EL34 model after the holidays. I'm looking for pros/cons between the combo and the head version. I played the combo version, however, it was run through a 2x12 cab because the combo's speaker was being re-coned at the time. I will be building the 2x12 cab myself so cost is not an issue there, I'm looking to get a list of pros/cons between the combo and a separate cab/head set-up.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Pro - Combo's are an all in one package kind of deal.

Con - Combo's are an all in one package kind of deal.

If you decide you prefer the sound of another cab, you're kind of stuck dragging the whole combo around anyway.

Combo's also won't break down into separate pieces when going up/down stairs.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

I'm looking at picking up a Shiva EL34 model after the holidays. I'm looking for pros/cons between the combo and the head version. I played the combo version, however, it was run through a 2x12 cab because the combo's speaker was being re-coned at the time. I will be building the 2x12 cab myself so cost is not an issue there, I'm looking to get a list of pros/cons between the combo and a separate cab/head set-up.

I have the EL34 Shiva, and honestly if I had to do it again I would have bought a head. The combo is ridiculously heavy at about 90lbs. I bought a case for it but it still takes to people to get it out of a car. The head and 2 12 or 4 12 would be a lot easier to move.

That said tone wise I don't think it is bad in any way. On the contrary the Shiva; in any form is one of the best channel switching amps I have ever played through. The clean channel is absolutely beautiful & the reverb is the best I have ever heard(and I own two vintage fenders). Once you get it where you want it it is a great sounding amp. you will not be disappointed with it. I love mine!

The only major problem is its weight. As I said if I had to do it again I would have bought a head and paired it with a Marshall 1960AX (with greenbacks). I feel the greenbacks offer a much better tone then the vintage 30's that Bogner offers with theirs!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Pro - Combo's are an all in one package kind of deal.

Con - Combo's are an all in one package kind of deal.

If you decide you prefer the sound of another cab, you're kind of stuck dragging the whole combo around anyway.

Combo's also won't break down into separate pieces when going up/down stairs.

Bogner does make head cabs and one of the advantages of them is if you decide to switch you can buy a cab and drop the power amp into it. If you look at them they are identical.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

There are various pros and cons to both set ups.

However the good thing abotu Bogner stuff is that the chassis are the same so if you go wiuth a combo then decide later to go as a head + cab you can just order a head cab from Bogner and be done.

FWIW, if I were you I'd buy a Bogner cab as well...I know it costs more than building but Bogner makes some of the best speaker cabs money can buy these days IMHO.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

I prefer heads to combos in every way. Bogner makes an awesome oversized 2X12 cab that sounds BIG. That's what I have. I just sent my Shiva to a buyer a few days ago (I've got an XTC Classic sitting on the OS cab now). The Shiva was just awesome with that OS cab. They also make a Shiva-sized, open-back 2X12 cab that's great. Granted, you're going to make your own cab. But I just think that the Shiva head is the way to go, because all of the options that it gives you.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

The Bogner EL-34 Shiva head isn't lightweight by any means, so I can only imagine how heavy the combo is. That, in itself, is enough to make me stick with just the heads. Bogner's speaker cabinets are second to none as well, so the sound you get through a 4x12'' is something you really need to experience for yourself. There's nothing wrong with combos, but you'll want to get something to angle the speakers up since they'll otherwise be facing towards your ankles.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Oh, you want the head for sure, and a nice 2-12 cab to go with it.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Head all the way!!!

I have the 20th Anniversary head from the factory with EL34s
The amp is orgasmic. I recommending the 20th with EL34s if you can swing it. Or get it used and convert to EL34s.

Combos are heavy! I also don't know if you can disconnect the internal speaker so you would always be getting sound from the open can.

I use the head through a semi open back OS Bogner 212 with WGS Vet30 and ET65s and it is delicious.

I also have what I consider to be the best in portable 212 cabs, a THD 212 with potted slot back. It is just about as light as mist oversized 112s.

Both my cabs have semi open backs which I recommend. It's about a 4" opening shuck allows the thump of a closed back but the spread and dimension of an open!

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

do the shiva heads have the tubes hanging down from the chassis? combo style?. Doesn't that negate the best advantage of a head design? heat dissipation?
any problems with heat in those heads?


Also head versions don't get their tubes tortured from vibration at volume as combos do.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

do the shiva heads have the tubes hanging down from the chassis? combo style?. Doesn't that negate the best advantage of a head design? heat dissipation?
any problems with heat in those heads?


Also head versions don't get their tubes tortured from vibration at volume as combos do.

Nope, mine are secured on the bottom....very good design overall. The 20th is the BEST amp I have owned to date.

 

[Thunder7]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Awesome, thanks for all the responses guys! I definitely like the idea of a head and 2x12 cab and just wanted to see if any of the more experienced folks had suggestions. Thanks to everybody that has replied, time to finish saving up!!

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

do the shiva heads have the tubes hanging down from the chassis? combo style?. Doesn't that negate the best advantage of a head design? heat dissipation?
any problems with heat in those heads?


Also head versions don't get their tubes tortured from vibration at volume as combos do.

Yes, the regular Shivas do have the tubes hanging-down. And yes, they do get pretty hot. I always ran a clip-on fan on my Shiva. I think it would have been fine without the fan, but I figured I'd make the amp and tubes last longer by keeping some airflow on them. Why not? Also, the Shiva probably runs extra hot because they are running such high plate voltages on the Shiva to get 80 watts out of two EL34s. (I dunno that makes it run hotter, just an assumption.)

My XTC Classic runs much cooler than the Shiva did. And considering that I've got the chasis out of the headshell right now as I experiment with tubes, I don't even bother running a fan on it at this point. But when it's back in the headshell, I will run a fan on it just to be conservative.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Yes, the regular Shivas do have the tubes hanging-down. And yes, they do get pretty hot. I always ran a clip-on fan on my Shiva. I think it would have been fine without the fan, but I figured I'd make the amp and tubes last longer by keeping some airflow on them. Why not? Also, the Shiva probably runs extra hot because they are running such high plate voltages on the Shiva to get 80 watts out of two EL34s. (I dunno that makes it run hotter, just an assumption.)

My XTC Classic runs much cooler than the Shiva did. And considering that I've got the chasis out of the headshell right now as I experiment with tubes, I don't even bother running a fan on it at this point. But when it's back in the headshell, I will run a fan on it just to be conservative.

I guess they changed that on the 20th Anniversary heads because mine are not hanging upside down. Mine are on the bottom.
They changed that with the 20th Anniversary.

My Egnater had them hangin from the top.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

I guess they changed that on the 20th Anniversary heads because mine are not hanging upside down. Mine are on the bottom.
They changed that with the 20th Anniversary.

My Egnater had them hangin from the top.

Correct, the 20th Anni Shiva is the more traditional head arrangement with the chasis on the bottom and the only Shiva model that is setup that way.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Yep...
Head + cab

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Shiva: combo vs cab

Plus...

The extra vibration of the combo shortens tube life. There is some vibration damping in the feet of the head on top of a cab which you don't get in the combo.