Members niceguy Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I'd like to hear your reasons for preferring one over the other... Mostly cuz I really want a Mesa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steadfastly Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 A combo because it's easier all around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Special J Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I like both for different reasons. Head/cab - more versatile, can scale the cab to the gig, isolates the electronics from the vibration of the cabinet, looks badassCombo - more convenient to transport, take up less space, easier to tilt up/put on stand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Head, to avoid tube rattle issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members coldshot2000 Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Head...in case something catastrophic happens to it you'll still have the cab to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caveman Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I've always gigged with Fender and Ampeg combos. They're more compact, sound damn good in the mix and mic'd they'll handle any venue I'd ever play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Clinically Deaf Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 combo guitar in one hand, amp in the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StevenJM Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 i used to gig with 2 half stacks, but the band i'm in now, i just use my '59 bassman combo, and i LOVE when it comes time to load. like someone said, guitar in one hand, amp in the other... although it is a heavy amp, its compact enough where i can handle it with 1 arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members =JL= Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 It's up to you and the sort of band you're playing with. I like the portability of combos, but the flexibility of half-stacks is cool too. If I need a fair amount of power I like the fact that the heaviest, most awkward piece of gear (the 4x12) is not full of hot, fragile tubes. For smaller gigs I just use a single speaker combo though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mesa/Kramer Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Depending on the size of the Combo, a head and 2x12 cab could be easier to move around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 What about rack stuff?!Not hip I know but you can tailor your amp to your taste/needs, stereo, build in fx/gates etc.I kept mine simple and it weighs less than any head I've owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I only have a combo that never leaves the bedroom but it's obvious that both have their pluses and minuses. One thing I like about my combo is the reverb tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lp_junkie Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I have both, different venues need different amps. I love my 100 watt Marshall full stack, but realistically there are some places that I don't need to use it so the 100 watt 1x12 combo does the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob411 Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Heads Playing out changes things, but just for at home, multiple heads take up less room than multiple combos. That, and put good speakers in one 2x12, instead of upgrading the speakers in half a dozen combos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C-4 Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I like both for different reasons. Head/cab - more versatile, can scale the cab to the gig, isolates the electronics from the vibration of the cabinet, looks badassCombo - more convenient to transport, take up less space, easier to tilt up/put on stand I have one of each for the reasons stated above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluesnapper Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Combo with an external speaker out, so you can beef up the sound if required. A combo is also much cheaper than a head and cabinet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FoonkySteve Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Combo's always made the most sense to me. I like to keep things as simple as possible for my simple brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkwire Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Combos for portability and affordability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Ok, these people who are saying combos are easier are baffling me. I stwongly disagwee. Combo's are heavy, at least Mesa ones are. If it's gonna be a 112 or 212, it'll surely weigh more than a head or cab. This means you strain more and are more tired when you are all ready to play at a show. Two easy trips is better than one insane, {censored}ty, ballbustingly heavy trip. They're also bulkier, and demand more thought when packing up. They're harder to aim where you want as well. A head is more portable in my eyes, far more versatile, tubes last longer and are easier to change out because you can reach them easier. I switched from a 212 combo to a 212 cab and a head. I couldn't be happier. My combo had a hard case (which is a must in my eyes, if you're gonna gig it), and I was able to carry it by myself, but it was really hard and usually I had someone get the other end and help me. Sucks having to wait for someone to be done with their {censored} before they'll help you set up. Man, I can't recommend a head and cab setup strongly enough. Especially with Mesa, I mean you probably want some beefy gain, and it's so much easier to get that from a closed back cabinet than a 1/2 back combo. Also, those high gain/high volume situations rattle the hell out of your tubes. Heads are less prone to that as the tubes aren't in the same box with the speakers. If you get a combo, I can almost promise you that you'll wanna switch to a head/cab down the road. It's frickin spendy to go from a combo to a head. The money you'll make from the combo will only cover part of the head, or maybe the cab with a bit leftover. If you decide you don't like your head or cabinet, then you can sell it for a very similar price that you paid if you bought used (as they're in higher demand, and for a reason), and just get a different one. I mean, sure, combos work for some, the old Fenders and Voxs are perfect for some bands, especially one guitar, not very hard rock type bands... but me thinks if you're wanting a Mesa, you want gain, and powerful gain, go with a head. Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkwire Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Got a point, there, at least as far as Mesa goes. Every Mesa combo I've run across has been hella heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sk8centilli Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 If you decide you don't like your head or cabinet, then you can sell it for a very similar price that you paid if you bought used (as they're in higher demand, and for a reason), and just get a different one. I agree with most everything you say except the bold part - that, I stwongly disagwee with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Willyguitar Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I guess it all depends on whether you have the requirement to mix and match - to have a range of different amps at your disposal. If so, the head/cab arrangement is obviously better, as you can transport three different heads for the same weight as a single combo, and you can mix and match with different cabs. However, for most small scale performers, the single combo that covers the ground you need is likely to be a bit more practical. There is something a little more beautiful about a combo too, somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 I agree with most everything you say except the bold part - that, I stwongly disagwee with. Ok, if we're speaking about nicer gear... tube amps and Celestion/Eminence or better equipped type cabs, I totally think people buy more cabs than combos. Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Patuney Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 Combo-small bar scene shows, head-outdoors or large auditoriums with multiple speaker boxes(all custom built). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayd_mon Posted February 18, 2011 Members Share Posted February 18, 2011 If you're looking at the same amp in a head or combo version - I'd chose the head for its versatility. I also have two cabs that I'm very happy with, so that helps the decision. I also have combos, and they server their purpose well. In the future, however, if I get an amp, it'll most likely be a head not a combo. That way, you could use an amp switcher to switch heads using the same cab. Very useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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