Rack? or Head?

[4Mal]

I'm a rack rig user these days - and I really can't talk you out of the SVT III Pro. It's a great sounding amp. It's 450 watts isn't going to keep up with some larger rigs but - you can still get damned loud with it and it has undenialbly great tone.

My 2nd band owns one. It powers an SWR 1x18 and 2x10 stack - and it's the only time I've EVER liked SWR cabinets. Sweet rig - I use it for rehersals and run my rig live. We practice in a second floor studio so no stairs for me thanks!

In your shoes - frankly I'd hate being limited to L&M. I've been to a coupe of their shops and at least from a cost perspective I'd be looking elsewhere. You're paying a real premium for that Mesa cab and it's OK - not great. OK. The RBI - is unimpressive inspite of Mr Lee's glowing endorsement. Again it's OK - not great.

For my money it would be troll the GFS here carefully and you'll be able to assemble a killer rig for way less dinero than at L&M - and for the most part you'll be dealing with folks who actually understand the gear they are selling.

If I were in your shoes, I might be thinking Schroeder 410 or 21012 - the R cab's are going pretty cheap at about half of list these days. For power - the SVT III Pro, maybe a GK 1001 RB II, or a separate pre/pwr rig if you choose. QSC PLX's are going pretty cheap, sadly as I own one ;~) way nicer to lug one of those than an RMX.

I figure my rig at about $1700 landed, using today's realistic used pricing.

Eden Navigator $600
QSC PLX 2402 $400
Schroeder 410R $625
SKB 4 space case $75

That T-21, RMX and Mesa rig can't be too far off that - and that rig isn't going to keep up from any perspective I can think of.

You haven't really talked about where you're expecting to go tonally. Knowing that could really change the specific products that anyone participating in this thread might recommend.

 

[1kinal]

So i played on the SVT 3PRO again today, and i gotta say im really diggin that thing. I haven't gotten a chance to play the racks setup ive been describing, but from what ive heard you guys say, its apparantly a better idea then the head.

talk me out of the SVT.. PLEASE.

The SVT-3 may sound great in the store, but I find it very underpowered in a live setting. Plus, each time I've played with it, I was constantly trying to get a good sound out of it and never really achieved it...

On the other hand, the SVT-6 sounds really great and is more powerful but also extremely heavy.

I've personnally found my ideal head with the Ashdown ABM500 EVOII. Great tone and not too heavy.

 

[Ayliffe]

That T-21, RMX and Mesa rig can't be too far off that - and that rig isn't going to keep up from any perspective I can think of.

You haven't really talked about where you're expecting to go tonally. Knowing that could really change the specific products that anyone participating in this thread might recommend.

In terms of tone, im looking for, as i believe i said earlier, geddy lee's tone, with a bit more growl. I use a Warwick Thumb, so i dont think the growl part is to hard to accomplish, the trick is the geddy lee part, and i think using the same preamp as him, is a step int he right direction.

 

[4Mal]

... and you think Mr Lee actually uses that pre ? for what ? Seriously you need to use your ears to cop something similar to Geddy's tone - you can't afford his signal chain ... I for one don't believe for a minute that GL uses an RBI in any significant way. Do not fall victim to the ad's or the hype ... Geddy got paid for that ad after all...

 

[Ayliffe]

so you're saying you think he just pretends to use that... when.. ive seen it in his rig, i've heard his tech talking about what its used for, and i have used it, and gotten a tone i liked from it, like GL's. sooooooo... in conclusion, you're wrong.