Gear help

[SpellboundByMetal]

its time to get something new.
I cant decide on rack stuff or a new head.

the rack stuff i want totals the same as the head in price.

here is the head. its a Marshall AVT 150. ive never owned a marshall.
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... 150HX.html

[bassist_25]

There are probably people on here more knowledgable about that particular head than I am. Personally, I'm not a Marshall guy, but that's just me.

With that said, I'm partial to rack guitar setups, as IMHO, a quality MIDI processor (like a TC Electronics or Lexicon system) will always sound superior to a cheap floor processor like a Digitech or a pedalboard full of tone-sucking stomp boxes. Of course, it's all in what you're trying to accomplish. A lot of cats sound great with a Fender combo amp and a few quality pedals (e.g., Felix or Noah from the Nightcrawlers) or a Rectifier with a wah in front of it. I guess my point is if you are going to do a more meat-and-potatoes thing, then a self-contained head would probably be the best route. If you're planning on getting intricate with you rig, then a rack setup is probably the best way to go, because the stages around here aren't big enough to use multiple rigs with Bradshaw switching systems. LMAO

What rack setup were you looking at? I'd also suggest going down to see Terry and Guitars n' Stuff by Ebensburg. He always has some affordable, used, quality rigs there.

[SpellboundByMetal]

I think im gonna go with the head for now, and start carefully planning a rack rig.
The head is only $739..and some people here prob think its not good enough cause it doesnt cost $2000. I DONT HAVE $2000!

anyway, thanks for you input, Paul. I know what you mean! Right now, im using a Boss Gt-6 for my distortion and effects. I want to be able to use the marshall's distortion....but then something else for effects...is that possible?

[MeYatch]

if you aren't planning on using the marshall's digital effects I would look at a different head. Musicians' Friend has a few tube amps in the same price range.

[lonewolf]

What do you intend to play? If its metal, this Marshall may disappoint you. This is a nice versatile amp if you want to keep it simple and are going to play rock covers. Metal? The tight bottom is probably better suited to hard rock than metal.

Before you buy, take a look at some of the Randall stuff out there.

The nice thing about rack rigs is that you can start with one arrangement and change it as you go. You can get a 260 watt ART SLA-1 power amp for about $170 on eBay or $229 at MF. This is not a digital switching amp and so it has plenty of headroom for guitar. This is an item that would probably serve your rack forever.

Unfortunately, most guitar preamps are $$$$$$. You can get a Rocktron Gainiac (no FX) 2 channel for $200 with lots of gain for metal. No midi there, but nice for metal. You wouldn't need to get that $200 midi controller right away.

Another cheap favorite is to get a modded ADA MP1 preamp, but there again, its more of a rocker than a metalhead. I have all the parts necessary to do a nice ADA mod.

TC ELectronic has the M350 FX processor with 1 effect + the best reverb out there. $200. The G-sharp will work better with guitar at $249.

Gator makes lightweight shallow FX racks for around $100, depending on the number of spaces.

Don't forget, you will need a power conditioner. The Furman M-8 is pretty nice for the money. Unless you see "3-stage protection with GaAsFETs" on the box, these power conditioners are all pretty much the same and use MOV's for surge & spike protection. Same thing as the little $5 powerstrips at the Dollar store.

You didn't mention anything about a speaker cabinet. It makes a difference depending on the type of amp system you go with. A Marshall-style 4-12 cabinet is great with a traditional amp head, but doesn't work as well with a modeling preamp where you want an "unflavored" speaker system to reproduce the sounds that are generated by the modeler.

[onegunguitar]

What do you intend to play? If its metal, this Marshall may disappoint you. This is a nice versatile amp if you want to keep it simple and are going to play rock covers. Metal? The bottom end probably won't cut it.

Before you buy, take a look at some of the Randall stuff out there.

My Randall V2 thru my MetalHead cabs freakin' smokes!! I love it.
http://www.randallamplifiers.com/produc ... /xl/v2.asp

[metalchurch]

Alot of this just plain boils down to what you want or have to spend. Then once you have a price range in mind go from there. I can tell you that for the price of a mid range head, that there's no way that you will come close to getting a Power amp and a preamp, even in used condition.
I've never had any low end problem with any Marshall I've ever had. Could always use an external EQ to solve that matter, if it occurs.
Good Luck with the hunt.

[Punkinhead]

I found a 1980s JCM800 for $600 at Guitar Center and put an 80s MXR Distortion+ in front of it and it wailed and had a shitload of bottom end. All for $650, so it's out there you just have to keep an eye out.

[metalchurch]

That was a bargain and a half. Was it the 2203?

[SpellboundByMetal]

I dont want Randall. I dont wanna be dimebag. thats what i think of everytime i think 'Randall'. Thats not what i want.

I play everything from light clean stuff to death metal like riffs.

[onegunguitar]

I dont want Randall. I dont wanna be dimebag. thats what i think of everytime i think 'Randall'. Thats not what i want.

I play everything from light clean stuff to death metal like riffs.

I didn't buy a Randall to be like Dime,I bought it cause I like the tone of it plus I got a good deal on it.

[SpellboundByMetal]

Scott- dude, im not saying you did, man. I was just saying for me, everytime i hear dean or randall, i think of Dime. Thats not a bad thing!!! he made that gear his! and certainly his amp didnt make his sound.
i was just saying for ME, i wanted something else. i was responding to Lonewolf with my post.

i do have to hear your amp sometime soon though.

[bassist_25]

From what I understand, Dime didn't even use the Warheads. They were just stacked up as backline to look pretty. There was really another amp (I'm thinking a Marshall, but don't quote me) backstage with the mic on the cab. Going by what an artist endorses isn't always the best bet, as you don't know what's really sitting backstage with the Shure pointed at it. You especially really don't know what's being used in the studio. I also suspect that many of these national artists have their heads hotrodded for more gain.

I really don't know if guys are buying Randalls to be like Dime. If an amp has what you're looking for, I say use it, regardless of what national artist uses it. I use to shy away from signature series instruments, because I just pictured people trying to be like their idols buying them; but if I came across a signature series bass that I really liked, I'd play it.

I want to be able to use the marshall's distortion....but then something else for effects...is that possible?

That shouldn't be a problem at all. The built-in FX may be good though. Again, I can't speak to the quality of that particular head, but it has been in my experience that amps with built-in FX have quailty FX, but often the FXs have a very "digital" sound to them. You could still use the head and build up a rack system. I've seen guys travel with their heads in flight cases and then have racks with their off-board FXs, noise gates, rack EQs, etc. The important thing to remember is that when you get a quality piece of gear, make sure everything else that you're using is quality. Believe me, when you finally upgrade something, especially an amp or guitar, you quickly learn where all of the bottlenecks in your rig are.

[onegunguitar]

Scott- dude, im not saying you did, man. I was just saying for me, everytime i hear dean or randall, i think of Dime. Thats not a bad thing!!! he made that gear his! and certainly his amp didnt make his sound.
i was just saying for ME, i wanted something else. i was responding to Lonewolf with my post.

i do have to hear your amp sometime soon though.

It's all good man,just wanted to clear that up!! Haha!!

[onegunguitar]

From what I understand, Dime didn't even use the Warheads. They were just stacked up as backline to look pretty. There was really another amp (I'm thinking a Marshall, but don't quote me) backstage with the mic on the cab. Going by what an artist endorses isn't always the best bet, as you don't know what's really sitting backstage with the Shure pointed at it. You especially really don't know what's being used in the studio. I also suspect that many of these national artists have their heads hotrodded for more gain.

I can't say for sure,but I really don't think Dime was the type of guy to bullshit about the gear he used.He was a Randall player from a long time back,he had just recently went with Krank,the Damage Plan tone(Krank) is alot different from the Pantera tone(Randall). I never heard him ever playing thru Marshalls. Just my 2 cents worth.

[metalchurch]

Dime used a Randall GH-200 Century series 100 watt head, then went to the Warhead, then finally to Krank. He did dabble w/ rack gear for a while, using an ADA MP-1 pre amp. Don't know when or why but iread that in a few places. I know myslef, I would love to have Dime's sound, it just plain crushes. And his amp/ Guitar w/ the Bill Lawrences's WAS his sound. He even states that himself. But anyone could play his amp and guitar and stilll not sound like him though. Everyone has their own sound no matter what you play. Dime Rules!

[SpellboundByMetal]

yeah, i doubt Dime would have a cab mic'ed backstage. he was straightforward on all levels. he didnt BS anyone.

Anyway....I think Ive decided on rack stuff. I will be able to do more with it than i could a head, and ill have more power.

[metalchurch]

More power? A watt is a watt. No sure what you mean?

[bassist_25]

You can generally find a power amp that has more watts than any self-contained head. The most powerful guitar power amp I can think of off the top of my head is a Mesa 2:90, and I can't think of any tube (key word is "tube") guitar heads with that type of power. I'm sure there may be some out there, but they seem to be few and far between. I went the power amp/preamp route with my bass rig mainly because most heads didn't have the type of power I wanted (1000+ watts). I use to make fun of the guys with ultra-watt rigs, until I found out how much headroom is really needed to have a clean bass sound. Plus, an open low B has a huge appetite for watts.

Of course, more power isn't always a good thing when it comes to tube amps, especially if you're just playing clubs and want your amp to break up to get that nice harmonic distortion. My advice would be to get something around 100 watts and have a cabinet with efficient speakers.

[metalchurch]

I guess you could do that. I was assuming he was going for a 100 watt to begin with that's what made me wonder.

[lonewolf]

The most powerful guitar power amp I can think of off the top of my head is a Mesa 2:90, and I can't think of any tube (key word is "tube") guitar heads with that type of power.and want your amp to break up to get that nice harmonic distortion. My advice would be to get something around.

Marshall makes a dual 100W rack mount power amp called the EL34 100/100. They have been making this size amp for about 20 years.

In the mid 70s, Fender made a 300 watt all tube guitar amp called the 300 PS. They also made the 180 watt Super Twin.

Ampeg made the SVT 300W bass amp and I think they still make a version of that.

(these are all R.M.S. ratings)

[bassist_25]

The most powerful guitar power amp I can think of off the top of my head is a Mesa 2:90, and I can't think of any tube (key word is "tube") guitar heads with that type of power.and want your amp to break up to get that nice harmonic distortion. My advice would be to get something around.

Marshall makes a dual 100W rack mount power amp called the EL34 100/100. They have been making this size amp for about 20 years.

In the mid 70s, Fender made a 300 watt all tube guitar amp called the 300 PS. They also made the 180 watt Super Twin.

Ampeg made the SVT 300W bass amp and I think they still make a version of that.

(these are all R.M.S. ratings)

Yeah, I figured that they had made some high watt tube amps, but it's something that you don't see every day. Bass amps generally have more power because of the extra needed head room. I think that highest powered bass tube amp that I can think of is the Mesa 400+, which I believe puts out about 500 watts at two ohms. Then there's this monster power amp that Aguilar use to make. I believe it was about 400 watts. My back aches just looking at pictures of it.

[metalchurch]

Yeah, my Marshall 9200 is a Dual monobloc design. Channel A&B both 100 watts.

[Killjingle]

Anyway....I think Ive decided on rack stuff. I will be able to do more with it than i could a head, and ill have more power.

R u planning on bypassing the PA? The quest for power in a guitar rig with the low amount of stage volume you will prob have to run doesnt make sense...

The music u play will call for a very defined mix. If u are too loud you will be "the guy the sound engineer turns off at the board cuz he has no control over you"

[Killjingle]

The head is only $739..and some people here prob think its not good enough cause it doesnt cost $2000. I DONT HAVE $2000

I dont have a disposable 2000 dollars either. But keep checking Ebay for deals. I got my Rectifier for 600 dollars.

Good deals exist, u just have to be patient. I would like to buy a Diezel, but I just cant justify the debt I would incur.