Stuck in a rut over amp size...

[Texas Swamp]

Anyway, after I finish getting the Seymour Duncans into my SG, the next is defientley getting a new amp and it's tube no discussion on solid state since I have had SS for too long. Anyway I know if I get the half-stack or 2x12 it will be the Peavey Triple XXX no matter what. My dilemma is, since I don't gig alot but still want a tube amp I was thinking of doing a 2x12 combo since it's perfect for bedroom and stage but I know it's hard to beat a half-stack. I have only had a half-stack for a little bit and regret selling it, but I am just trying to look at things realistically. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[marvar]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

It's been my experience that a 1x or 2x12 combo will do you fine in most situations. Yeah, a 1/2 stack looks cool, and is impressive-ask yourself, will it really fit my situation? I've been playing out for about 20 years, I started out using full stacks, then to 1/2 stacks, and now to a 112 or 212. I've also learned after many years, unless you are playing med to large rooms, a combo does just fine, of course, we always use a full PA, so volume is not a concern. All I need is to hear myself, so why lug around a full stack?

 

[proxy]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

Buy an attenuator or go with fewer watts. I've played on lots of times with my 100 watter and I rarely get the chance to really give those tubes a good push. For this reason I'm looking at 30 watters.

As far as cab size. I would go with a closed back 2x12. It'll make your 2x12 sound much bigger.

 

[slash857]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

i dont think i will ever use a half stack. i think a 212 is ample for a decent sized audience. with a good 112 or 212 and a hot plate you can work wonders. the xxx seems like a good amp. its 60 watts i think? thast plenty.

 

[51501984]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

The XXX combo is only 60 watts? I thought it was 120 , anyway go for the XXX . It sounds like you want it and I`m pretty sure it will sound good at bedroom levels.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

If you get a head, you're not tied down to a specific speaker configuration.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

If you can swing the head + 2x12 go for it. Really for bedroom stuff anything over 30W is way overkill, 18W is usable.

 

[Kac]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

I've owned a LOT of different amps of various sizes and am most happy with my current set-up, which is a 100watt tube head (with master volume) and a 2X12 cabnet. I'm picking up another 2X12 cabnet next week or so, so that I'll be ready if I want to really crank it for a big show, but I know full well, I'll probably be sticking with only 1 of my 2X12 cabnets for most applications.

having 2 2X12 cabs is much more versatile and easier to move around than a 4X12 cab

Just my little bit of input.

Rock On Bro :headbang:

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

i that as far as being able to hear yourself goes, a lot of that has to do with how close your speakers are to ear-level. obviously a half stack or full stack (as opposed to a combo) will be more audible on stage because the sound isn't pointing at your feet.

say you were to get the 2x12 combo, it would already be plenty loud, even if it is 60 watts. at 50 watt tube head through a 4x12 is really ******* loud. but if you have any doubts about the combo, i'm sure you'd be more than alright if you had a way to elevate it or at least tilt it back a little.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

Get the head and 2x12 or 1x12!

 

[Willis]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

A head and a 2x12 works great for me.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

Look into the Traynor amps. I think someone here mentioned that they're going to release the EL-34 Blue head and 2-12 cabs pretty soon. That might be a lot of bang for buck.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

For the last several years, bass playing has been more of what I do, and I haven't been taking a lot of guitar playing jobs. Since re-aggravating my back injury around 10 years ago I've wanted to scale back my guitar rig, so it is less stuff and less weight for me to have to haul.

Although I'm sure they exist, I haven't found a 2x12 that sounds remotely as "big" (full sounding) as a 4x12. After thinking about this for a bit- I realized if you don't have *your* sound at gigs, you won't be happy. I have a 2x12 but I've never been happy with it. I've tried different speakers, different baffling options- but it's just not happening for me. Besides that, it's much rougher on me carrying a 2x12 than rolling a 4x12 on casters.

A few things regarding wattage and guitar amps... 100w is only around 12% louder than a 50w amp. It's not a linear thing- twice the power is not twice the volume. For more volume use more speakers. There are very few realistic applications for a 100w guitar amp. For the most part- you'll have to really crank a 100w amp to sound "good" (somewhat pushing the power tubes). Most every bar, club, festival- whatever- is going to have PA support, so the need to be "that loud" really isn't there.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

This thread has me thinking about reconfiguring my cab. I have a Mexa 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s. I was considering selling it because I just hate lugging it around and it seems like too much for my needs (as nice as it sounds).

Perhaps the better thing for me to do is get a 2x12 enclosure and move two of the Vintage 30s from my larger cab to that enclosure. Has anyone on the forum ever tried something like this?

- Keith

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

There are very few realistic applications for a 100w guitar amp. For the most part- you'll have to really crank a 100w amp to sound "good" (somewhat pushing the power tubes). Most every bar, club, festival- whatever- is going to have PA support, so the need to be "that loud" really isn't there.

I have known very few people that actually NEED 100 watts of power. For the most part their use is playing outdoor festivals that lack decent monitoring and for keeping up with untalented drummers that deserve to be fired.

An attenuator is a nice solution but I've found alot of folks in my research that feel they altered the tone in an undersirable manner. There's just something about the whole chain being pushed at a certain level that gives a certain sound. And an attenuator changes this.

I keep finding that smaller amps work better for rehearsals and gigging clubs. They can be leaned on harder, make an easier load-in/out and when miced allow the PA to all the "heavy lifting" if necessary.

Currently I'm using a highly modified Fender Blues Junior to gig with. On some nights I'm even willing to admit that it's more amp than I really need.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

I think my brother in law is still trying to sell his Peavey XXX 2x12 combo. If you're interested, I could ask him. He's driving here from California at the end of the week (maybe he'd be willing to stop in Houston ).

OTOH, he just bought an old Traynor amp, and loves it. Either way, you'd be ok.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

my 50 watt bassman is too loud to play in my house with "my" tone...i have to move it to the garage or deal with really quiet tubes...so i'm thinking of picking up an Orange AD30 2x12 'cuz they're 30watt and bright orange...perfect little amp for most things i'd use it for and i'll still have my 2x12 cab around if i want to look like a big cool rock star.

-X

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

I think a 30 to 50 watt 2 x 12 combo amp is MORE than most people need but probably appropriate since it'll cover alot of situations.

I've owned a few Marshall 4 x12 half stacks over the years...I own one now. Haven't plugged it in in at least a year! It's just to loud.

When I gigged regularly I almost always felt like I'd like to turn my amp up louder to get a little more overdriven tone, but even my 2x12 Pro Reverb combo amp was to loud for most, though not all, playing situations.



Lew

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

B-to-the-ump

This thread has me thinking about reconfiguring my cab. I have a Mexa 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s. I was considering selling it because I just hate lugging it around and it seems like too much for my needs (as nice as it sounds).

Perhaps the better thing for me to do is get a 2x12 enclosure and move two of the Vintage 30s from my larger cab to that enclosure. Has anyone on the forum ever tried something like this?

- Keith

 

[greendy123]

Re: Stuck in a rut over amp size...

I got a 2x12 and it works great. They provide a lot of volume and easy for transporting even by yourself. If you really need more speakers you could just get another 2x12. You'll still be able to move everything on your own.