Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

[jdier]

my band plays rock and roll. two guitars, bass, drums. Music to us sounds like old Uncle Tup, or Bottle Rockets or Lucero. We get some (generous) comparisons to Tom Petty, Stones, Springsteen.

One guitarist currently has a Mesa Boogie Dual Rec 1/2 stack. Not the dream amp for our application, but what we have so it is what we use.

We/he may be able to get a back up that could turn into a primary. The goal is to find something in a combo that does not weigh as much as a small car or a large woman.

I have a twin reverb that we use for recording but it weighs a ton (old JBL speakers in it.) We have smaller amps like Champs that we use in the studio but they do not put out the volume.

His preference would be something new that is roadworthy.

What can put out the volume but not break your back. I guess what is between the Twin Reverb and a Champ?

Suggestions anyone?

 

[chadd]

Re: Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

If he already has a cabinet, why not just grab a vox or bassman/bandmaster style head? I prefer a head and cab, even if it's only a 2x12 as each piece is lighter than a combo and easier to carry. As for combos, I loved my Blues Deluxe. Not too big, not too heavy and loud as hell. The distortion channel isn't my favorite, but that's a taste thing and a lot of guys use pedals anyway.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

Dunno how it compares in weight, but my Vox AC30C2 is quite awesome.

 

[SteveAlysis]

Re: Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

fender supersonic

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

If he already has a cabinet, why not just grab a vox or bassman/bandmaster style head? I prefer a head and cab, even if it's only a 2x12 as each piece is lighter than a combo and easier to carry. As for combos, I loved my Blues Deluxe. Not too big, not too heavy and loud as hell. The distortion channel isn't my favorite, but that's a taste thing and a lot of guys use pedals anyway.

+1 on the head and cab. I used to have a combo and it was a heavy beast. A head and cab's combined weight might be heavier, but one in each arm and you've got something more portable and easier to handle. I'll carry a head and my 2x12 in each arm any day over a heavy combo amp.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Suggest a combo amp or head for my band

There is definitely something to be said for head + cab for transportability. However, I remember when I was playing in Toronto in the early 70's I had a head that weighed more than an AC-30 combo (Fender 400PS). It had 3 power sections with each output rated at 145 watts. I ran it through three cabs, each containing a pair of JBL D130's. It could bring down a jet airliner at 30,000 feet.


That being said, the Egnater Rebel is a great amp that is compact, very light weight, and sounds great (clean and dirty chanels). Comes in head or combo. Runs off of EL84's or 6V6's or any combination/mix of both.