What do you guys use for gigging amps?

[stratguy23]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

40 or 50 sets of gear

To me, this is the main part of the inquiry. We can say what we individually gig with, but what solution will scale efficiently for 40 to 50 rigs? (That's a lot, btw. Is this, like, an orchestra of electric guitars?)

If I were faced with a problem of that scale, there is no way I would use tube amps. Maintenance for 40 to 50 tube amps - just, no.

Powerstage does look like a good solution, partially because it is new and thus presumably will be on the market for the near future, i.e., easily replaceable - vs. the Crate Powerblock, which is no longer made. The only wrinkle I can think of is that since the Powerstage's voicing is, at the moment, unknown to the public, whatever preamp/drive settings used with previous amplification might have to be reset. Doing that 40 to 50 times would be doable but a PITA.

Another solution might be to skip stage amplification altogether. Bands like Meshuggah and Cynic have toured with Line 6 units running straight to FOH, with stage volume just coming from monitors.

 

[NeedForPower]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

To me, this is the main part of the inquiry. We can say what we individually gig with, but what solution will scale efficiently for 40 to 50 rigs? (That's a lot, btw. Is this, like, an orchestra of electric guitars?)

If I were faced with a problem of that scale, there is no way I would use tube amps. Maintenance for 40 to 50 tube amps - just, no.

Powerstage does look like a good solution, partially because it is new and thus presumably will be on the market for the near future, i.e., easily replaceable - vs. the Crate Powerblock, which is no longer made. The only wrinkle I can think of is that since the Powerstage's voicing is, at the moment, unknown to the public, whatever preamp/drive settings used with previous amplification might have to be reset. Doing that 40 to 50 times would be doable but a PITA.

Another solution might be to skip stage amplification altogether. Bands like Meshuggah and Cynic have toured with Line 6 units running straight to FOH, with stage volume just coming from monitors.

It is equipment for about a dozen or so different groups playing all over the south west. So it comes down to 5 or six rigs per group. So 1 backup unit per group should be sufficient.

 

[NeedForPower]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Boss just told me he ordered a Mustang GT 200 to be delivered to one group as a test unit. Thinks if the guys will buy in might just pack in air crate and keep it on hand as the backup unit. I don't think it will be loud enough for all the venues but I may have missed the boat on this one. Thanks dudes for all your advice.

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Please tell me all of your stuff is in flight cases.

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

It is equipment for about a dozen or so different groups playing all over the south west. So it comes down to 5 or six rigs per group. So 1 backup unit per group should be sufficient.

So you're providing backline?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Marshall Major

 

[Wattage]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Orange Dual Terror with either a 4x10 or a 1x12

 

[daenius]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Mesa Boogie Mark V 25! Small, light weight, GIANT TONE.

Don't let the 25 watt rating fool you, it's loud as hell! Run it through a nice 2x12 or even 1x12 will produce great results.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Mesa watts seem louder than most. My 18 watt Mesa is really loud...I never have it up past 4 on gigs.

 

[jeremy]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

the blue angel may only be 15w or 18w at its lowest setting but it still has a huge 40w class a power transformer and the speaker helps a lot too (it is the 1x12 right?) always loved those amps

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

I've done my last couple of gigs with a Dark Terror into a vertical 2x12 loaded with Cannabis Rex drivers. It's a loud cab, and there is no problem with not having enough volume onstage. I got rid of 95% of the preamp's fizziness with a Telefunken and an unknown 7025 in the preamp.

A few gigs before that I have actually used my Micro Dark into the same cab. It's unbelievably loud for such a tiny amp, especially with an old stock Telefunken tube in the preamp. I think it's actually a hair louder than the Dark Terror into the same cab. It gets funny looks when I first break it out and set it on the cab, but the looks turn to smiles when I crank it up. I've been asked to turn it down a couple of times, so it's up to snuff onstage, and it's capable of so much more than metal sounds. With the volume at 3 o'clock and the gain around 11 o'clock, it's ballsy and bold like a good rock amp should be.

 

[jeremy]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

it really doesnt take much power to be loud if you have an efficient speaker

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

I'm still trying to figure out where this guy's requirements are at. So you're providing backline for a bunch of different groups. Are they actually fine with anything you bring? No rider requirements? I've never used provided backline without a list of acceptable equipment in the rider, nor have i ever provided backline for an artist who did not. I have a tough time believing the OP has a free hand here to just bring anything.

 

[NeedForPower]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

I'm still trying to figure out where this guy's requirements are at. So you're providing backline for a bunch of different groups. Are they actually fine with anything you bring? No rider requirements? I've never used provided backline without a list of acceptable equipment in the rider, nor have i ever provided backline for an artist who did not. I have a tough time believing the OP has a free hand here to just bring anything.

Mostly logistics for a dozen or so groups with their own rigs. Part of the requirement is to provide backup if something goes belly up, typically an amp. Was just looking for a high reliability amp that could be relied on when the far to often situation arises, something smokes.

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Mostly logistics for a dozen or so groups with their own rigs. Part of the requirement is to provide backup if something goes belly up, typically an amp. Was just looking for a high reliability amp that could be relied on when the far to often situation arises, something smokes.

OK, if you are going to be doing this for the long term get a 100 watt JCM900 head with 4x12 to match. Preferably a couple of them. They're not the greatest amp in the world but they sound good, they're easy to dial, they're as bulletproof as a tube amp gets, and they're rider-friendly... most contract riders will have that listed as acceptable equipment. That's why I'm specifically recommending the 100 watt version... because contract riders. If you get this rig it'll not only serve for your present purposes but also set you up if you ever need to provide backline for a fly-in or whatever. I've worked for several production companies that did backline and they all kept two or three 100 watt JCM-900s on hand.

 

[Securb]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Marshall Major

Great amp I have one I keep at home for bedroom practice

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

I use the amps that I built. They are the only ones that have proven to be 100% solid and reliable when other, shop-bought stuff has become problematic (better quality and sound, too).

 

[Mincer]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

the blue angel may only be 15w or 18w at its lowest setting but it still has a huge 40w class a power transformer and the speaker helps a lot too (it is the 1x12 right?) always loved those amps

Yeah, lowest setting is 18 watts, highest is 38. I almost always use 18, as I like the breakup. Great with a boost pedal...or get it loud enough (which is difficult unless you have an iso booth), I just use the volume control. Mine is a 1x12, from the first year...dark blue leather covering.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

i have a crate powerblock that i keep in the car for just that reason. doesnt sound as good as my old deluxe but it works just fine

I always carry a Crate Powerblock as well. Agreed, it doesn't sound as good, but it isn't bad either and is a light, bulletproof solution. (Thankfully, I've never had to use it, but....it's there.) If you're concerned about a speaker failing, carry a 1X12 or 2X12 spare...If not, just have a coupler and extra speaker cord to jumper the speaker of a combo.

I don't tour, but if I did, a substantial hard amp flight case would be a must for me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: What do you guys use for gigging amps?

Pretty much any Bandit will work
Get an old one put a new speaker in it

You can dial in most any style of music
It may not have all the nuances of a 4K tube amp
But in a live gig setting
With all the other instruments blaring
The audience won't know