One good cab, so-so amp, or Great amp, so-so- cab?

synterx · #1 04-12-2011, 06:40 PM

I'm going the great cab, so-so amp route for now. Figuring there's not much substitute for a crappy cabinet. Amps however, seem to be much more forgiving.

I only had about $900 to spend on a new rig that can handle big clubs, small festivals, etc.

Right now I'm going Genz Uber-212 and Line 6 HD400 amp. 400 watts into the 212. Need a few effects and tuner, and HATE multiple power supplies and cords. So one amp, everything done, good or bad, that's what I have.

Both cost me $850.00.

But, I could sell the Genz cab and make $200 minimum and return the Line 6...Spend, say $600 on an amp, and $250-300 on a used cab.

Thoughts?

brendanbassist · #2 04-12-2011, 06:43 PM

Unless you're primarily running through your head into the PA, I'd definitely say the cab is more important.

RickenBoogie · #3 04-12-2011, 07:18 PM

Yes, never skimp on the speakers, they are much more important.

MuzikMan · #4 04-12-2011, 07:22 PM

Cab first for me. I think your first move was a good one!

But, there must be a reason you are posting this question. Are you unhappy with your rig?

synterx · #5 04-12-2011, 07:33 PM

Haven't heard it yet. Have cab, head coming tomorrow.

I only have two weeks to get a rig together. So if I need to swap/sell something, now is the time.

I'm hoping the cab sound as good as my old neox-212.

MuzikMan · #6 04-12-2011, 07:41 PM

Ok, I see where you're coming from. Well, I think you made the right choices. You know how it is, if you got the chops it will sound good!

Jim Campbell · #7 04-12-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synterx

I'm going the great cab, so-so amp route for now. Figuring there's not much substitute for a crappy cabinet. Amps however, seem to be much more forgiving.

I only had about $900 to spend on a new rig that can handle big clubs, small festivals, etc.

Right now I'm going Genz Uber-212 and Line 6 HD400 amp. 400 watts into the 212. Need a few effects and tuner, and HATE multiple power supplies and cords. So one amp, everything done, good or bad, that's what I have.

Both cost me $850.00.

But, I could sell the Genz cab and make $200 minimum and return the Line 6...Spend, say $600 on an amp, and $250-300 on a used cab.

Thoughts?

another option would be to keep the cab and buy as much amp as you can.....if you have to add more speaker in the near future rent one,and save for something that will complement the genz or replace i.....

synterx · #8 04-12-2011, 08:18 PM

I hope the genz/L6 combo is okay. It is about as compact and simple a rig as I've ever had, with a few FX, compressor and tuner included. One power cord, one guitar cord, and I'm good.

**flygirafda3** · #9 04-12-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Yes, never skimp on the speakers, they are much more important.

+1

Also later down the line you can buy a better head and keep the older one as a back up, and get way more use out of it than you would a crappy cab.

synterx · #10 04-12-2011, 08:47 PM

Good point. The cab was sort of an impulse buy. It was so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I was just going to sell it to make a few bucks toward another NeoX-212. Got the L6 head for a steal as well. I rarely buy anything new, always used but in A+ condition so if I want to sell it sometime, I don't lose anything.

I'm hoping the combo will be decent.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 04-13-2011, 12:29 AM

As long as it has enough volume you can easily drastically change the tone of an amp by adding a pedal such as the VT Bass or Tone Hammer.

The VT Bass is only $125 and can make a crappy amp sound fantastic.

My .02

BillyIVbass · #12 04-13-2011, 12:41 AM

If I was in your shoes I'd keep the Genz Benz cab, sell the Line 6 and get a new head. GB makes great cabinets. I've been gigging with a Hartke LH1000 head with no complaints.

In general though, a crappy cab will make even the best amp and bass sound terrible. With a good cab I've already ran a powered PA head as my amp and it sounded good.