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fEarful question

sprag

sprag

Sep 15, 2011
1,282
1,445
Melb Australia
#1
Best micro head to drive a 12/6 and 12 sub?

I play in 3/4 and 5 piece bands playing classic rock and prog metal. We generally have PA support apart from rehearsals so I don't need to get super loud.

My current rig has 2 heads, 1 for clean and 1 for effects. I would prefer to have a single head and blend pedal to make this a more affordable, portable setup.
 
#5
sprag said:
Best micro head to drive a 12/6 and 12 sub?

I play in 3/4 and 5 piece bands playing classic rock and prog metal. We generally have PA support apart from rehearsals so I don't need to get super loud.

My current rig has 2 heads, 1 for clean and 1 for effects. I would prefer to have a single head and blend pedal to make this a more affordable, portable setup.
Click to expand...

What is your budget?
 
#6
I'm in Australia so budget changes around a lot, ie Tone hammer 500 are going for $1050 new, PF 500 $650 fusion 500 $1100. The 800 versions are 200-250 more. I'd prefer to get second hand but its a smaller market here so it can take quite a while for things to come up. in this size/weight category it may be cheaper/quicker to import as long as the voltage can be readily changed to 240V

To answer the question I'll pay what it costs as I don't like flipping gear and buying once will make it cheaper in the long run.
 
Last edited:
#9
Based on the styles you play, plus you get dirt from external FX and not the amp, it depends on how you like your clean sound:

  • If you want your clean to be super clean (tight lows, glassy highs): Genz Benz ShuttleMax 9.2 (If you can find one used) or I'd imagine a Tecamp Puma 900 would suit you. The ShuttleMax might be better for you with it's dual channel setup.
  • If you want a thicker, more tube-amp sounding clean ("not as glassy" highs, thicker mids & lows): Genz Benz Streamliner 900 (if you can find one used).
  • Going for something in between: GK MB Fusion 800...never used one personally, but it's at the top of my GAS list as far as amps go.
I have a LDS 15/6/1 + 15 Sub and have used the ShuttleMax and Streamliner through it. I personally prefer the Streamliner (and I prefer clean tones) for the bigger, thicker low end.
 
#13
I really like my 12/6 with the Streamliner 600 I picked up used for $400. Sounds great through the 12/6, 15/6 stack as well (at 4 ohms).

Like Johndough247 said, the streamliners are warmer and gooey, while the same set up with my GK 1001 rb 2 is fast and hard. More like the Shuttlemax.

For small and inexpensive, I was impressed with the Carvin bx 500.

The only amp I've tried that didn't do it for me with the fEarfuls was the TC rh750. I spent a couple weeks with it and returned it. I really wanted to like that amp, but it was not for me.
 
#15
Lots of guys around here use Aggie TH500's and I think they sound really good. If they ever make a TH1000 I'd be real tempted! I also think the GK MBF800 is fantastic on those 3 way cabs. I like my Mesa M9 quite a bit with my 3 way cabs, but that ain't a mini. I also have a ShuttleMax 9.2 that sounds really good and like the Shuttle 9.2 even more. The Streamliner is a tricky one. I love em, but like many others have said, they can be tough to dial in fast in a difficult room, though they work nice with 3ways.
 
#17
If you don't want to end up flipping - pick up a preamp and a Crest Prolite 2.0 and be done with it. Put serious power in front of a Fearful and things just work. Fearful favorites for low cost preamps are used Peavey Max, BBE BMax (tube or solid state both work well) and the ART ProChannel II.

I run a 12/6 at relatively low volume and lug a pre + power amp to get the sound I want. I own a GK MB500, and it is collecting dust.
 
#19
sprag said:
Thanks for all the input people.

I might have to check the genz 9.0 and 9.2 out a bit more closely. Is it just a switch on the back for voltage change.
Click to expand...

Yep, switch on the back. I take my ShuttleMax on Euro tours for this very reason. Easy to switch, but won't switch on accident :)
 
#20
sprag said:
Best micro head to drive a 12/6 and 12 sub?

I play in 3/4 and 5 piece bands playing classic rock and prog metal. We generally have PA support apart from rehearsals so I don't need to get super loud.

My current rig has 2 heads, 1 for clean and 1 for effects. I would prefer to have a single head and blend pedal to make this a more affordable, portable setup.
Click to expand...
I'm going to suggest the TH 500. I use one with my 12/6 Cube and 12 Sub. It's plug and play. It has a very good build quality. Near as I can tell, this is an unsuspecting combination of micro head and cabinetry. And when I post images of my Aguilar/fEARful rig with detailed rave reviews of the combination on any of Aguilar's threads it's just crickets for responses. I'll put in yet another plug for fEARful cabs - man, you're 2 fEARfuls are some of the very best cabs available overall. Try micros before you buy, each will have a distinct tone signature with you fEARfuls.
 

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