Help matching amp to fEARful 12126/1

[Bassguy1]

I recently received my fEARful 12126/1 from Robby at Art of Noise. I'm now looking for a great head to run through it. I tried the RH450 but was not thrilled. I'm getting too old to carry around something heavy so can someone make a few recommendations? I'd love to go with something with tubes and I've heard great things about the GB Streamliners and Shuttle series and the Mesa Walkabout heads. I play mostly country without much PA support. Thanks in advance.

[Derek Kiernan]

Those would be the two heads I check out I'm also keeping my eyes on Baer Amplification's Valkyrie, but at 28 lbs it's not a micro. Depends what you're willing to carry! If you were willing to go pre and power amps separately, Jule Amplification's Monique has already become legendary among pre-amps for its tuby perfection, and it weighs a little less than 5 lbs individually.

[rpsands]

Sd1200's are on clearance at GC still.

[jnewmark]

Some 12/12/6 guys use the Carvin BX1500. I use it myself in my LDS 1212/horn cab it I love it.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Bassguy1

I recently received my fEARful 12126/1 from Robby at Art of Noise. I'm now looking for a great head to run through it. I tried the RH450 but was not thrilled. I'm getting too old to carry around something heavy so can someone make a few recommendations? I'd love to go with something with tubes and I've heard great things about the GB Streamliners and Shuttle series and the Mesa Walkabout heads. I play mostly country without much PA support. Thanks in advance.

You have lots of choices. First determine how much total power you need/want to do justice to those two LF woofers. Then, narrow it down further in terms of amp voicing.

If you dig the big, round, smooth tone of tubes, then the Streamliner would be a better choice than any of the Shuttles. The Walkabout would be a great choice for tone, but you'd be leaving a lot of SPL on the table.

MM

[Robby Hoinsky]

I just shot you an email. The fEARful 1212/6/1 gives you a broad range from lows to high for you to work with. It is a very clean and neutral cab, so you'll get out what you put in. I'd look for something with a good EQ section, so that you can tailor the sound to your liking. It is also a good candidate for pre+power amp, so you might want to look into the lightweight power amps, like a crown xls or xti matched with a pre amp that will give you the color you want.

Robby

[makohund]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Some 12/12/6 guys use the Carvin BX1500. I use it myself in my LDS 1212/horn cab it I love it.

Aye. That be my arsenal of choice, and happier with it I could not be.

The only thing it won't do is grit/fuzz. The drive cranked is just barely shy of that, which is perfect for me. I have other toys to add that if I want, which is rare.

Like Robby says, the cab pumps out whatever you give it. And with that much EQ on board the amp, you can get almost anything you can think of. The power is good, too. It even sounds great at "bedroom" practice levels. The DI is good... just recorded some from that today.

Haven't played through GB or the others, so can't speak to that.

[dhomer]

I second Robby's suggestion for a pre/power amp rig. I will be using a solid state Bmax/DCM600 setup on my 1212/6, and I expect nothing but excellence..

[makohund]

Originally Posted by dhomer

I second Robby's suggestion for a pre/power amp rig. I will be using a solid state Bmax/DCM600 setup on my 1212/6, and I expect nothing but excellence..

Also an excellent way to go... did the pre/power thing for years with my older cab.

I retained that capability with the Carvin. There are two different ways to use a separate pre with it. I still have my old pre in the rack, if I ever feel like using it. (RBI... works as an effects unit too, so it isn't just dead weight otherwise.)

1. Via the effects return. Retains the graphic EQ, and power section control. (Single signal goes to both amp channels, crossover is still avail, etc.) Most convenient and "intended" way to do it.

2. Via amp inserts. Using the "ring" of an insert cable completely bypasses everything but the power amps themselves. Easy enough to use when bridged, or just using a single channel.

Nice flexibility, however it'd be silly to get this amp just for the power section. A nice Peavey IPR 1600 or similar lightweight power amp would be cheaper, and a couple pounds lighter. (Though once a pre is included, the total would probably be back up to similar weight.)

BurningSkies seems pretty happy with his Kern/Peavy IPR rig... that's some pretty serious tube-age for a pre. If that's what you like, maybe you should look into that or something similar. You could just run a VT pedal as a pre, too. Or an SVP.

I don't think the Baer Valkyrie is available yet, if it were I'd be curious about it.

I'd also be very interested in the GK MB800. But the release date keeps getting pushed out, and it doesn't really qualify as a "tubey" sound, so it probably isn't what you're looking for.

The possibilities are endless, really.

[5StringPocket]

I'll bet the MB800 would be good with the 1212/6/1 when it finally hits the shelves. The GB ShuttleMax 9.2 is also very nice with a cab like that. I use mine with a 1212/66 cab using the 3012LF. The 9.2 has enough power to open up the cab and make it roar but also offers up a great EQ section, wide tonal pallette, and keeps the bottom tight.