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Do you Prefer a Stack, or Combo?
- Thread starter 98dvl
- Start date
stack for sure. Then if you later want to upgrade either the head or the cab, or try different types of cabs, different configurations etc, you're not limited in any way.
If you want a small rack like a 4 space, you can have a head, tuner, compressor or whatever all in one box thats easy to carry with one hand and simple to set up.
Or if you are looking for serious portability, a head can slip into a padded gig bag and toss is over your shoulder.
This setup is also so much better if you end up in playing situations where there may already be a decent cab available and all you need is your head. Or a combo may be provided and you could bring a second cab to plug in.
So much more versatile and I firmly believe you can find stellar deals on used cabs and used amp heads that will cost less than a high powered combo. Just my 2 cents!
If you want a small rack like a 4 space, you can have a head, tuner, compressor or whatever all in one box thats easy to carry with one hand and simple to set up.
Or if you are looking for serious portability, a head can slip into a padded gig bag and toss is over your shoulder.
This setup is also so much better if you end up in playing situations where there may already be a decent cab available and all you need is your head. Or a combo may be provided and you could bring a second cab to plug in.
So much more versatile and I firmly believe you can find stellar deals on used cabs and used amp heads that will cost less than a high powered combo. Just my 2 cents!
I recently made the transition of using a combo, to going to a stack setup. I gigged with my Peavey TNT 115S for about five years, and while it was nice, just doesn't have the power, tone, or versatility of my Kustom Groove/Dr. Bass 210&115 combo. Also, my combo amp weighed a lot...it's actually easier to move around the separate pieces of my current rig than lugging around that ol' TNT. I still use my TNT as a practice amp, and will still probably use it for smaller gigs.
Unless you happen to be a person with resources enough to have two or more rigs (no shortage of that around TB), you may think of yourself as 1.) A "big stage, big volume" player (or aspiring to be one, like a lot of younger players -- depends on the type of music or music culture you participate in), and can't even see the need for a capable mid/high end combo (other than maybe a small bedroom practice amp); or 2.) You're a more established older player who never encounters dual full-stack guitar players in their band/gigging routine, and if you had your way, would never need anything larger than a Mesa Walkabout 12 or equivalent (or maybe just In Ear Monitors).
I think appreciating an amp form factor is strictly situational. I do have a variety of amps to choose from (acquired over the years). My favorite setup is my GK head with my two Bag End speakers. Light, great sound, and easy to set up. However, sometimes, depending on the room access or load in/parking situation (and even how fast I have to be ready - time crunch issues, you wouldn't believe...) I'd just as soon have my old Harke 1155 combo (which is on casters, and a very capable amp for nearly all but the largest gigs I have), roll it in, find my place on stage, find the AC, DI, and whatever else, and get on with it. One piece versus two small cabs, a head, and a cart.
So for me, I try to size things up beforehand, and choose what rig to use to fit the occasion. Sometimes the band leader is afraid the band's onstage "look" will overpower the delicate sensibilities of the audience, so he suggests using smaller stuff (and I've learned to diplomatically ignore that and make my own call). It's also my mood too. No denying that I'm a bit fickle on any given gig night.
Whatever you're used to is what you like. If you show up to enough gigs without enough stage horsepower, you want more. If you get aggravated by too many trips and not enough help at load in/out, or you find that the 4x10 speaker you've been using for years is starting to be a drag to squeeze into your hatchback, you eventually try something else. Lots of choices, sometimes too many. It's all got to do with your tolerance, your budget, and your common sense.
I think appreciating an amp form factor is strictly situational. I do have a variety of amps to choose from (acquired over the years). My favorite setup is my GK head with my two Bag End speakers. Light, great sound, and easy to set up. However, sometimes, depending on the room access or load in/parking situation (and even how fast I have to be ready - time crunch issues, you wouldn't believe...) I'd just as soon have my old Harke 1155 combo (which is on casters, and a very capable amp for nearly all but the largest gigs I have), roll it in, find my place on stage, find the AC, DI, and whatever else, and get on with it. One piece versus two small cabs, a head, and a cart.
So for me, I try to size things up beforehand, and choose what rig to use to fit the occasion. Sometimes the band leader is afraid the band's onstage "look" will overpower the delicate sensibilities of the audience, so he suggests using smaller stuff (and I've learned to diplomatically ignore that and make my own call). It's also my mood too. No denying that I'm a bit fickle on any given gig night.
Whatever you're used to is what you like. If you show up to enough gigs without enough stage horsepower, you want more. If you get aggravated by too many trips and not enough help at load in/out, or you find that the 4x10 speaker you've been using for years is starting to be a drag to squeeze into your hatchback, you eventually try something else. Lots of choices, sometimes too many. It's all got to do with your tolerance, your budget, and your common sense.
Here, here. This 'whacker' fellow seems to know what hes' talking about.
I hate people that make sense, they spoil TB for the rest of us.
I hate people that make sense, they spoil TB for the rest of us.
fdeck said:
+1 Yepp.... I use a combo (12"/75watt) when playing with only two guitarists + vocals. I use the full stack (2 x 210s) when playing with those + the drummer and will use it for shows (we currently do not have a drummer). I also practice at home through the stack as it sounds better and I would hate to have all that great sounding gear for only one or two days a week.
I like a combo for portability (carrying 1 piece instead of 2) but in the end I'll always choose a stack. If I get bored with one tone I can change either the head or cabs and get another.
Radiobass said:
That's why I have my Ashdown. It does what I need in one unit and I can add another cab if I need to (not likely since most places I play have decent enough PAs or the amp itself is loud enough).
I tend to go towards stacks, since you can easily just take it apart, and pack it away with much more ease than trying to stuff a larger combo amp in a car. Plus this way you can also experiment more with different heads/cabs to find a better sounds.
IMO, I find it alot more practical to have stacks, not combos.
IMO, I find it alot more practical to have stacks, not combos.
I faced this precise situation a year back. I wanted to get a GK stack and at first was going to get the 700 RBII with NEO 212 & 115 cabinets, but the size of the thing scared my wife. I went to another music shop and saw the full GK line. Once I laid eyes on the NEO 1001/212, I was hooked. It comes in a portable package and provides tons of power. It was the head and the cabinet I wanted and it doesn't scare my wife (much).
I have not regretted this purchase one bit. The only drawback is that GK does not make a dustcover for it, so you have to find a way to protect it. I bought a cheap case on Ebay and that seems to do the trick.
I'm usually not a combo fan, but for this one, I made an exception.
I have not regretted this purchase one bit. The only drawback is that GK does not make a dustcover for it, so you have to find a way to protect it. I bought a cheap case on Ebay and that seems to do the trick.
I'm usually not a combo fan, but for this one, I made an exception.
in my case BOTH suit my needs.
1x15 combo (swr wm15) for rehearsal (stays at bandmates house), convenient, no doggin it to and fro. i have a matching 1x15 extension cab (wm15T) if needed for small gigs out . its a cool little mini stack.
head and cab(s) for gigs. 2 each 1 x 15 single cabs , 2 x 15 or 4 x 10 depending on venue. i've installed casters on all my cabs for portability. mix and match as needed. see below.
powerful-ass drummer, he'll bury you easy if you're underpowered. i can somewhat deal with that at rehearsal but WILL NOT at gigs! i tend to bring more than i need and scale down if necessary.
1x15 combo (swr wm15) for rehearsal (stays at bandmates house), convenient, no doggin it to and fro. i have a matching 1x15 extension cab (wm15T) if needed for small gigs out . its a cool little mini stack.
head and cab(s) for gigs. 2 each 1 x 15 single cabs , 2 x 15 or 4 x 10 depending on venue. i've installed casters on all my cabs for portability. mix and match as needed. see below.
powerful-ass drummer, he'll bury you easy if you're underpowered. i can somewhat deal with that at rehearsal but WILL NOT at gigs! i tend to bring more than i need and scale down if necessary.
