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combo vs. seperate head and cab


Stranglehold

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I'm buying a new amp soon and I have no idea what the hell I need. It'll only be the second amp I've ever bought. What can you guys tell me?

 

 

I can tell you that if you don't mention how much you want to spend, your responses will be 62% more useless to you than if you do mention how much you want to spend.

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I bought a Line 6 LD-150 almost 2 years ago for $350 and like it. For $500 I think you can get the larger version that's got a 15" speaker and more power.

 

A used Ampeg B-series combo would sound fantastic.

 

 

Here's the thing with combo's...once you get to the point where they're around 60lb or more, they cease being 'portable' in the sense that they are usually so bulky they're difficult to lift and carry. At that point it's a good idea to at least consider a separate head and cabinet. But tone is king...if you find something that sound great to your ears, use it.

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I bought a Line 6 LD-150 almost 2 years ago for $350 and like it. For $500 I think you can get the larger version that's got a 15" speaker and more power.


A used Ampeg B-series combo would sound fantastic.



Here's the thing with combo's...once you get to the point where they're around 60lb or more, they cease being 'portable' in the sense that they are usually so bulky they're difficult to lift and carry. At that point it's a good idea to at least consider a separate head and cabinet. But tone is king...if you find something that sound great to your ears, use it.

 

+1 on all points. ...although my preference is the Ampeg B100R. :)

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Quality-wise the new combos out there are every bit as good as many cab/head combinations. Basically the best combo builders are just loading topnotch heads into some of their finest cabs so you get great sound and quality. I like a combo that's easy to move and many of them come with pullout handles and wheels, which is a nice touch.

I do however like the versatilty of the separate head/cab combination because it gives me options and makes it easier to deal with problems. If I'm playing a small gig, I can leave the backup head (cheaper one) and cab in the car and play with the main head/cab. If either blows I have a backup for each. Both cabs are different so I can choose either one as the main cab and of course together (stacked) they are designed to compliment each other.

Some guys don't want to bother with all that in which case a combo will do the trick. I'd advise bringing along a nice direct box (like a sansamp) with them in case the amp blows. That or a cheap backup combo that's loud enough to use as a monitor.

Those Line 6 combos are very good and have quality effects built into them.

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Check out the new Acoustic amps. They get rave reviews over at TB and they are not expensive at all. A 200 watt 1x15" combo new for $349. And they are loud and sound great according to all the reviews. I have a B200 head on order ($249) and will review it here when I get it so everyone here will realize what gems these new Acoustic amps are.

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