identical backup head or variety?

**nostatic** · #1 03-17-2010, 10:41 PM

I know a lot here have multiple heads (uh, amp heads), and some designate them as "backups" while others just like head (uh, amp heads).

I've always been a one amp kinda guy, but now having gone small (uh, amp head) with now multiple live situations going on, I think I'll stop tempting fate. So the question at hand - do most of you who bring a backup have the same or similar head, or something different to give you some variety. For instance, I was originally thinking I'd get a Classic 450 as a backup to the RH450. But then I started reading the Walkabout thread...

Of course that is the real problem - TB threads. But still I'm curious...

JimmyM · #2 03-17-2010, 10:45 PM

doesn't really matter. buy what you want.

Gubna · #3 03-17-2010, 10:55 PM

Variety is fine. I used to have two gk800rb's. Kept one set up in the rehersal space, unless we went out on the road

xbrandonx · #4 03-17-2010, 11:01 PM

Mine are different for the sole reason that my back up was my gig head until I upgraded. And I really don't want to spend $1000+ on another head that only gets used hardly ever.

countrybass007 · #5 03-17-2010, 11:08 PM

My main amp is an Orange Tiny Terror Bass, my back-up is a GK1001rbII I carry in a rack with the P.A. power amps. Either one works with my SP212 and my OBC115, so I'm covered in case of a failure. Truthfully, I've never had to use my back-up at a gig. I have had to use my back-up bass on numerous occassions, broken straplock, battery failure in the middle of a set, etc. I have bailed out guitar players with my back-up amp when theirs acted up.

Jim C · #6 03-18-2010, 05:18 AM

Since most modern amps are pretty reliable, the backups don't get much use; I'd say get something different for the sake of variety, also, the Walkabout seems to have a very strong resale; it may cost a fair amount for a used amp but if bought correctly, it will have very minimal depreciation meaning a semi-free cure for GAS!

KJung · #7 03-18-2010, 05:26 AM

I've carried a back-up head with me for years and years and years... haven't had to ues it once. Good to have though.

The key is, if you truly are buying as a back-up (i.e., to keep in your car just in case your primary head fails), get something small and inexpensive (Genz Shuttle 3, Carvin BX500, etc.). If you, on the other had, want some variety, then the sky is the limit!

Bass Junkie · #8 03-18-2010, 05:26 AM

I only buy backups of the same amp if it's something that's hard to come by or no longer made, like a Walter Woods or a Gibson GB440. No point in having a duplicate amp if you can buy it anyday of the week. Go for something different to spice up your life.

Fly Guitars · #9 03-18-2010, 06:19 AM

I use older valve heads, so I keep an ashdown superfly head as a backup. It was cheap and most importantly very small. I've never needed to use it, but it is handy - who needs to lug extra gear that will not get used - one day i'll be glad I had it with me no doubt.

**nostatic** · #10 03-18-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I've carried a back-up head with me for years and years and years... haven't had to ues it once. Good to have though.

The key is, if you truly are buying as a back-up (i.e., to keep in your car just in case your primary head fails), get something small and inexpensive (Genz Shuttle 3, Carvin BX500, etc.). If you, on the other had, want some variety, then the sky is the limit!

Tell my budget that...

I'm all about small/light at the moment, so that are the only things i"m looking at. The other possible use is that I occasionally do solo acoustic guitar coffee house gigs and with two small heads and a pair of 112 cabs I could do guitar and vocals with separate amps. Or cover vocals in a pinch for small jazz combo gigs. Or I could run stereo bass out of my Analogman :P

Towards that end, the LMIII is looking interesting due to the xlr input and the lowest price (or could find a used LMII). But the short list is LMIII, Orange Terror bass, Walkabout, and a Classic 450.

Eublet · #11 03-18-2010, 02:16 PM

If it's truly a backup, and you aren't concerned about having the exact same sound when you need it, I'd get something else. If you want to use this is a chance to try something else really nice, then get whatever. Personally, I'd buy a true backup that is easy to transport and doesn't take up a lot of space. The items on my list currently if I were shopping:

I'd by used only:
F1 (first choice because of size)
Shuttle 3 (2nd choice because of size and weight)
Shuttle 6
LMII
Ibanez Promethean
Carvin BX500

Any of these would bail you out of a jam, and they could also be regular players to help mix things up.

Vic Winters · #12 03-18-2010, 05:13 PM

Main amp: 1001RB-II
Backup: BL600

Cheap, fairly light, loud enough, very similar sound. I keep it stashed in my accessory bag with my cables.

stiles72 · #13 03-19-2010, 07:02 PM

I went with 2 of the same amp so I would have the same sound, and the same configuartion. If Im playing a bigger club I use both heads each powering a 2x15 cab. When I play smaller places and just use one rig, head #2 is in the trialer as a backup.

Munjibunga · #14 03-19-2010, 07:57 PM

I like a light weight backup so it's not a problem to take it along. On the first gig I played with my Glockenklang Heart-Rock, it went dead after the first set (operator error ... I thought the A/B switch was the mute switch after pushing both at the end of the set) and, fortunately, I had my Walter Woods Ultra in the car, so it took about 5 minutes to get it in place. After the gig, I noticed the button pushing situation, and was disgusted and relieved at the same time.

Bass_Pounder · #15 03-19-2010, 08:27 PM

I have two B1500's

However, I just picked up a BX500 and I am going to start taking that along on gigs as a backup.

The second B1500 will just be a "ready replacement" when and if the gigging B1500 goes down for the count.

**nostatic** · #16 03-19-2010, 08:40 PM

I decided on variety, and ordered an LMTube today. The prospect of two inputs at once gives me some interesting flexibility for other uses. And I could always split the two AE112s and run stereo out of the Analogman chorus

meatwad · #17 03-19-2010, 09:09 PM

I bought an SVT-IIIPRO as a backup when my CL crapped out, because it was somewhat similar to what I was already used to. I wasn't looking for a completely different sound, and with the help of a compressor in the FX loop, it became very close to sounding much like it's all tube relative. After I got the Classic fixed, I kept the 3 and took it along to gigs for a while until all the crackles and pops got worked out...

I think if you are purely wanting a backup for your live rig, you shouldn't stray too far away from what's working for you. My goal was to find something a little lighter and smaller, and a lot less expensive, that had enough balls to push my cabs. After all, it's a "backup".