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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Which Half Stack Or Head To Buy?
Posted by: suhreal May 8 2010, 05:07 PM
hi, I'm looking for an amp to buy so far i have made a list of amps that i might get. i already have a Roland cube 60 watt amp and i dont think its enough for the shows I'm going to play. I'm going to try out these amps of course before i buy one but i just need peoples opinions on the amps themselves, and looking for recommendations on amps.
here's the list in order of quality
1)mesa boogie road king 120w amp head
2)mesa boogie mark v (really good from what ive heard)
3)marshall dsl 100
4)marshall jvm 410h
5)egnater tourmaster 4100
6)marshalll ma100h
my budget is 2k-3.7k$
i might get something less than a half stack and buy the head seperatly
Posted by: Frederik May 8 2010, 06:08 PM
Why dont you try them out? 
Posted by: Skewlbuzz May 8 2010, 06:25 PM
It all depends on what you're looking for in the amp.
So for people here to help you, give out some clues on what sounds you want, what styles of music you play etc. 
Posted by: ZakkWylde May 8 2010, 06:54 PM
What styles of music do you play?
In any case, drop the Marshall DSL and the MA100H out of that list.
The MA100h is a lower end Marshall and the DSL is pretty much outdated since the JVM can do everything the DSL does + a whole lot more!
Posted by: SirJamsalot May 8 2010, 07:05 PM
I have a question along these lines as well, so I'll just hijack this thread a little as it might help the OP make a decision as well.
What size amp does the average venue actually *need*? Alot of the venues here in my neck of the woods have small ad-hoc stages - we're talking 1500 SQ Ft range. You don't need a full-head for that do you? I mean, you could get a way with 1/2 stack pushing 50W or less I would think since most tube amps sound their best when they're pressed to their max?
When do you upgrade to a 100W+ head? When you're hitting stage? And do you record with something that humongous? Seems like to record with even a 1/2 stack you'd need to crank that sucker up, so it's not bedroom recording kind of equipment.
Curios Chris
Posted by: ZakkWylde May 8 2010, 07:25 PM
Theoretically you can gig with a 1 watt battery amp because almost ALL venues have a powerfull PA system where your amp gets miced up and you can hear it through the monitors and play the venue...
Tube amps sound best on high volume levels - about 1/3 of the max volume - which is already really loud!
There is no real need for a 100 watt halfstack but it has some benefits like more headroom for your clean tone (amp stays clean at high volumes). Also a 50 watt version of the same amp sounds signifficantly less thight and punchy!
100 watts aren't much louder than 50 watts but the 100watts head moves more air, it has more punch and tightness behind the picking.
This can also be heard when recording.
Recording a halfstack usually works like this: Amp in a room mic'ed up on a high volume and the guitarist in another room playing. Homerecording won't really work unless you have a silent recording out (like the Marshall JVM)
Posted by: Daniel Realpe May 8 2010, 08:10 PM
Mesa wins for me
Posted by: SirJamsalot May 8 2010, 08:24 PM
Tube amps sound best on high volume levels - about 1/3 of the max volume - which is already really loud!
There is no real need for a 100 watt halfstack but it has some benefits like more headroom for your clean tone (amp stays clean at high volumes). Also a 50 watt version of the same amp sounds signifficantly less thight and punchy!
100 watts aren't much louder than 50 watts but the 100watts head moves more air, it has more punch and tightness behind the picking.
This can also be heard when recording.
Recording a halfstack usually works like this: Amp in a room mic'ed up on a high volume and the guitarist in another room playing. Homerecording won't really work unless you have a silent recording out (like the Marshall JVM)
This is great information! Thanks - I never quite knew the diff between 50W v 100W - always thought 50W would sound better played at same vol as 100W because it's pushed harder than the 50W - there goes that theory! Thanks!
Chris
Posted by: ZakkWylde May 8 2010, 08:27 PM
50 watt are 95% as aloud as 100!
The 50 watters get more saturation at an earlier stage (lower volume) so yes - they sound better at the same volume!
I was talking about the general wattage of an amp that makes a diffrence in sound. 100 wattes are punchier and more direct than their 50 watt brethren - regardless on what volume lever they are played...
Posted by: suhreal May 9 2010, 04:14 AM
alright so people have talked me down into getting either a head with a 50 watt or a combo. i dont know that many combos, i only know what heads to buy any suggestion on what to try? so its either the mesa boogie road king 2 or the mark v for me or a combo amp.
Posted by: SirJamsalot May 9 2010, 04:34 AM
I've been considering the Road King myself - based on alot of feedback I've seen on other sites. But they're pretty expensive
Posted by: ZakkWylde May 9 2010, 06:02 PM
There are tons of amps out there but we need to know WHAT you play and in what surrounding you will use your future amp (gigs, home, rehearsals...). Tell us more an we can suggest you more amps!
Posted by: Cingen May 9 2010, 08:46 PM
I don't know where you're from, but if you're in europe you might want to check out the ENGL savage or any other ENGL too:) very nice amps 
and in europe they're better value for your money than any Mesa Boogie:p S
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 11 2010, 11:18 PM
It would be best to test the amps you are intending to buy as much as you can - this will be my advice to you based on my experience. Paying that much for an amp should be justified. Only the amp that gives that "this is the one, I'm sure of it" spark can pass
Posted by: MickeM May 12 2010, 12:03 AM
I'd go for the roadking all the way!!
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