How can I use an amp head without a cab?

Metal Bassist · #1 05-30-2011, 01:15 PM

I am looking to buy a new amp and my budget is around £350. I have tried a few combos but I have realised that any combos that are powerful enough to play with a drummer and in my price range are pointless as they are too heavy to be carried in one hand (with my skinnyish arms) and I cannot just take the head if I can have direct in with PA support.
If I buy the head I was looking at (The line 6 Lowdown hd 400) I will not even be able to afford Behringer's cheapest cab. It will be fine if there is PA support, but there won't always be support.
My problem is I still need it to make sounds when I'm at home practising (my current amp is pretty much broken) and make some sounds loud enough to write stuff with a friend (guitarist) who has a small practice amp.
The head costs just under £300. I don't have any decent speakers to speak of. I could get a decant 1/4" to whatever the mic in on my laptop is and use headphones on the computer, or I could find a line out headphone amp. I can think of many ways to play it through headphones, but how can I get it to play with a guitar, to write stuff, until I can afford a decant cab?

PDGood · #2 05-30-2011, 01:31 PM

I think your best bet may be to buy a used combo. There are plenty these days that are both powerful and light thanks to neodymium speakers. Some are lighter than a big tube head by itself. They are not all cheap, and that's why you may have to buy used. But Roland and Fender have reasonably priced gear even new, and I've heard many people say that they have more than enough power for playing with a drummer on a small gig. Larger venues will definitely need P.A. support, but at least you have something to use as a monitor.

Metal Bassist · #3 05-30-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDGood

I think your best bet may be to buy a used combo. There are plenty these days that are both powerful and light thanks to neodymium speakers. Some are lighter than a big tube head by itself. They are not all cheap, and that's why you may have to buy used. But Roland and Fender have reasonably priced gear even new, and I've heard many people say that they have more than enough power for playing with a drummer on a small gig. Larger venues will definitely need P.A. support, but at least you have something to use as a monitor.

I don't know, I've been looking at combos for a while, and while they may sound good and be loud enough, I like the idea of flexibility that comes with a head/cab setup rather than a combo, you can chose the cab/head for the situation, and transport them separately. Buying second hand is a pain sometimes, as I live in the middle of nowhere and I can't drive to pick stuff up.

ButtUglyJeff · #4 05-30-2011, 01:59 PM

FYI, most solid state amps have headphone outputs. Its the all tube stuff that needs to be under cabinet load...

If you have a digital/audio interface, you and your guitar buddy can blend into a computer, so you can listen to yourselves as a pair...

Metal Bassist · #5 05-30-2011, 02:01 PM

My friend only has a very small practice amp at the moment, what digital interfaces are cheap and good for two inputs?

LiamPodmore · #6 05-30-2011, 02:04 PM

I'll say used, like someone already has, i manage to get my Warwick ProFet 5.1 for £150 + postage,so about £170 overall. For £350 you could easily get yourself a good 3-500w head and 410 if you look in the right places, Can even get them delivered to your door.

Liam

Metal Bassist · #7 05-30-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiamPodmore

I'll say used, like someone already has, i manage to get my Warwick ProFet 5.1 for £150 + postage,so about £170 overall. For £350 you could easily get yourself a good 3-500w head and 410 if you look in the right places, Can even get them delivered to your door.

Liam

I will keep my eye on classifieds but I need something soon, and new is the best way to get what you want when you want it.

ButtUglyJeff · #8 05-30-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Bassist

My friend only has a very small practice amp at the moment, what digital interfaces are cheap and good for two inputs?

I like the PreSonus AudioBox USB, for the price. And audio software is included, so you can record and mix...

PreSonus

I have a Mac and went with the Apogee Duet, but it costs about twice as much, but it doubles as a nice headphone amp, if you're the audiophile type...

But this wont solve your gigging issue...

Metal Bassist · #9 05-30-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

I like the PreSonus AudioBox USB, for the price. And audio software is included, so you can record and mix...

PreSonus

I have a Mac and went with the Apogee Duet, but it costs about twice as much, but it doubles as a nice headphone amp, if you're the audiophile type...

But this wont solve your gigging issue...

I won't be gigging till I can afford a cab.