Advice Needed On Choosing Head/Cab Or Small Combo Setup

[bassinagain]

I've searched around and really didn't find an exact answer to this. I haven't played for a few years and am just getting back into it and need to figure out if it is worth it to spend more money on a head/cab setup vs a small combo amp.

I've never really liked the tones of the smaller practice combo amps under 100W, but I haven't tried all of them. Plus how much wattage is really enough for something that is going to be used mostly in my home for now?

I tried out the Hartke LH500 though a HX115 and the 2x10 HyDrive Combo w/LH500 head. I was really impressed by the tone and sound of both. So it makes me want to go with a 4x10 cab and the LH500 head.

So here's the questions:

1. Would a 500 watt head (LH500) w/4x10 cab just be too much for practicing at home. I'm not going to be able to crank this up most of the time so lower volumes will be the norm for a while.

2. Should I just forget the head/cab and get a cheaper combo like something under a 100W's?

Thanks for any advice!

[Mirios]

I guess my question is are you only going to practice with it? If so the 4x10 combo would probably be overkill. Do you ever plan on playing with people? Gigging or even just jamming with people? If so the 4x10 combo would give you a jammable/giggable rig.

You can turn a larger rig down. If you turn a smaller rig up too high you may not have your smaller rig anymore.

[bassinagain]

Probably should have said I do plan on gigging and playing with others, but it could be a while.

[Mirios]

Well if it doesn't break the budget I'd get the combo then. Also if you have the floor real estate. Later down the road you'll already be ready to rock. I practice with a combo larger than needed and yes the volume and gain knobs are both down further than they would be gigging. But for practicing it works fine.

My opinion.

[smgleitch]

I have been going through something very similar lately. I own a combo amp and am now looking for a head and cab rig. The combo is is fine for playing at home but when getting together with friends it runs out quick. I play rock with a heavy handed drummer. I have a gk mb115 200 watt combo. It seemed like the right choice at the time, but now seems like a big waste of money. Now I have to sell it to try to pay for something with more headroom. A real advantage to the separate head cab is flexibility. I can leave a cab at the rehearsal space and a small can at home. Now all I have to do for practice is grab a bass and amp and go. I guess long story short I have done the combo thing and am now buying again. Wish I would have done it right the first time. With all this said this is what works for me. Combs are very popular and a lot of people use and love them. Good luck to ya.

[bassinagain]

I guess the biggest question is, is a 4x10 cab w/ a 500 watt head (I believe it would be 350W @ 8 ohm) go down enough in volume to effectively use for home practice?

By effectively I mean not shaking the walls, etc. But we will have to turn it up some of the time...

[smgleitch]

Yes. I had a set of 210's with a 500 watt head. With that set up I had 4 10" speakers getting all of the 500 watts. At low volumes it sounded great. I personally think it sounded better with both cabs running rather than just one 210. It seemed to have a very full sound even at low volumes. I got ride of it because I had problems with the equipment physically not with tone or volume. I thought I could get away with the combo but havent been happy since then. If you have the ability to go big I would go big.

[bassinagain]

Thanks for all the advice! Knowing me I will be much happier with a head/4x10 rig.

[Mirios]

My main practice amp is running 400 watts through 2 12's. It may sound better louder to my ears, but it sounds fine turned down.