For $1200...?

Why not get a Carvin B1500 and either a Carvin BRX neo 410 or an Avatar 4-10? My own $0.02 is that that would be a better rig than what you're contemplating, but of course mileage varies.

 

Hookers and blow dude, always hookers and blow.

 

If you don't turn it up too high you'll be fine. Same as for any amp of comparable size. Just because you have a max of X watts available (which is what an amp power rating is), that doesn't mean you're using all those watts all the time. (However, it also doesn't mean that just keeping the volume below 10, or 9 or 8, will guarantee that you're *not* maxing things out. In some circumstances, an amp can reach full power at settings well below maximum. You just have to be somewhat sensible about things.)

 

I would think so, if used with reasonable care and sense.

 

Well, 200 watts isn't much of an increase in power (40%) which might amount to an extra db, all things being equal, and mixing cabs won't give you the best sound quality, so I say get the Carvin 1500 and another Carvin 115.

 

Up to you. But do a search around here. Many people like them, and I wouldn't be surprised if the majority would prefer them to the Hartkes, though I have no hard data.

If you need to save the money for other things more than you need to upgrade your rig, that's a separate issue. Only you can decide that.