Combo or Cab? Why?

[Frenster]

What are you guys using and why? Is it just the convenience of the combo or the tone of the cab? I've been a combo guy for a long time, but seriously thinking about a head/cab setup for my next purchase, which will probably be one of the dumbly clones out there.

Waddaya got?

[GAD]

I have combos because I've always had combos. The older I get, the less I enjoy moving a 90 pound amp.

My next amp will be a head/cab

GAD

[ManleyF]

I went through this about a year ago-

set out to get a really nice combo- had to have superb Fender like clean tones, good gain on tap, and I was also interested in what class A had to offer...

I went to my favorite local shop, Fazio's Music in St. Louis, and quickly settled on the Rivera Venus 6 Combo.

Loved it- EXCEPT that the tube rattle drove me nuts, and there was a buzzing when I played certain low notes.

Ok- Rivera- boutique quality and build here, and multiple amp gurus listened to it, and the issue was even discussed with Paul Rivera, Paul Jr. and another guru at Rivera (that's the kinda service you get with them)

There never was any final agreement, but many of those involved felt that the buzzing and noises I was pointing out were simply a product of the combo design, and my major issue with it-

The speakers being in the same cab and right next to the tube rattles the hell out of them- making lots of noise, and lowering expected tube life.

Now, in pretty much any loud live situation, all that noise is pretty much masked. Obviously there are a ton of happy combo users out there, so apparently most don't mind or notice the tube rattle noises in there playing situations.

So.... the rest of the Venus story, Paul Jr. talked me into trying the head version, and I bought the open back 2x12. (The combo was over sized 1x12). Problem solved and several advantages:
- no noise, more evenly distributed weight when carrying, ultimate flexibility with cabinets- (go anywhere from 1x12, to 2x12, 4x12 or any combination you can dream of.

BTW- I absolutely LOVE that amp.... :AOK

The only drawbacks are small increase in price, and two items to cary.

All that said, for sitting in at a blues or jazz jam, and for my jazz guitar duo, I simply grab by combo Peavey Delta Blues 210. Not to heavy, compact and plenty loud for the job.

So smaller light weight combos still have a real advantages for certain applications, but if you are wanting the sound and depth of a 2x12 or larger cab, the weight of the 2x12 combos quickly gets to be a real pain in the ass.

[jtm622]

I really prefer a head thru a closed back cab... For me, controlling the direction of the sound coming from the speakers is important to the stage sound level I use. I have two Marshall combos, but having all of that sound coming off of the back of those combos' speakers was just too much of a hassle for me. I much prefer to use either my 100 watt JCM 2000 or my 50 watt JCM 900 thru a 1936 2x12 cab. IMO, that closed back cab is far superior, sound-wise. Plus - the cab has CASTERS!!!

[dividedsky]

Had combos only so far but have been considering a head/cab setup. The next amp I buy will definitely be a combo because of the few I'm considering that's how they come but I might split the amp down the line if I really dig it.

[ManleyF]

I really prefer a head thru a closed back cab... For me, controlling the direction of the sound coming from the speakers is important to the stage sound level I use. I have two Marshall combos, but having all of that sound coming off of the back of those combos' speakers was just too much of a hassle for me. I much prefer to use either my 100 watt JCM 2000 or my 50 watt JCM 900 thru a 1936 2x12 cab. IMO, that closed back cab is far superior, sound-wise. Plus - the cab has CASTERS!!!
Great point, and another reason to have the flexibility of a head.
Ironically, I'm feeling the same way, but in the open back direction currently as I'm in a heavy blues/jazz/fusion phase, and love the sound and openeness of an open back cab, and am rather put off with the closed back sound at the moment.
But, it wasn't long ago in my heavy rock years when a closed back was the only way to go.
Pat Martino actually prefers a closed back 2x12, even though he's a straight ahead jazz player.
Bottom line is, again- the head approach offers much more flexibility....
But then to confuse matters a bit more, you can always add an extension cab to a combo. ;-)

[cram]

head and cab.
experimenting with speaker cab combinations is fun.
I have to think that a head with rubber feet being separate is also better on the vibrations that a combo will endure being in the same box. but I don't know.

[radioboy950]

Hey all.
Long-time "lurker" , first-time poster.
I've had both amp configs. But lately, it's been combos. And it's been a love-hate relationship.
I like the idea of "good things come in smaller packages". But the compromise--most often--seems to be the tube rattle which drives me insane.
With my 55W Rivera Quiana, I changed the brand of 6L6s to stop the jingle-jangle. I like the tone of the SED =C=, but I switched to JJs because they do not rattle in my combo. JJs sound fantastic too, biased around 40-42mA at 460V on the plates.
When I remove the chassis to adjust bias and test, the output tubes are far enough away from the speaker, and the SED's were quiet as a mouse.
So, you can haul around two pieces of gear and not worry too much about tubes, or opt for the convenience of a combo and be prepared to tweak a little.

[derekd]

I have both, use both. Depends on the situation and sound I want to go for. I do not have combos that are noisy though.

[B_of_H]

i've always used combos but want to go the cab/head route.

my only issue being that i'd like to use my 8ohm 1x12 cab or 4ohm 2x12 cab with the same head depending on the stage but I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet.

I'd like to get a bandmaster/bassman head.

[10-top]

I used combos for most of my playing but have recently switched to a head/ cab. Its easily portable and gives me more flexibility.

[clothwiring]

I tend to like combos more. Ease of use. If I want I can roll my Matchless somewhere and plug it in and go, no fuss no muss.

[DodsonLP]

I like the Head /Cabinet deal because I have many different cabinets and can choose cabinets based on tone/ venue size etc. To me it is just as easy to carry a head in one hand and a 1-12 in the other. Sometimes it packs better as well. I can also change to the head with a 2-8, an open back 1-12, closed back 1-12, a 2-12, a 4-12, a 4-10 and so on. when I use my axetrack to go direct, a head is better than having an unused speaker attached to the amp.

[shane88]

1x12 combo.........if it needs to be louder (and it doesn't) mic it

[mobis8]

Why not go both? I have an AC30, and an Orange 2x12. This allows me to be scalable so if I want a 4x12 for larger venues where I need more stage volume I have it, or I can just take the combo to a smaller one... And in all honesty I really use both because as of right now I like the closed back vintage 30s mixed with the open backed blues... may change later but right now it is interesting...

[Elmer]

I have both, use both. Depends on the situation and sound I want to go for. I do not have combos that are noisy though.

1x12 combo.........if it needs to be louder (and it doesn't) mic it

+1 to both of these.

I prefer the portability of a lightweight 1x12 combo, and it gets miked at every gig - not because it isn't loud enough, but in order to maintain a sane stage volume and put a good mix out front. However, I do have heads and cabs for the situations that require 'em.

[benabloom]

I prefer Head/Cab for gigging, mainly because of tube rattle at high volumes which is why I initially switched. Now that I have switched, I also like the versatility it provides in speaker placement, amp control placement and of course th ability to bring along different cabs as needed.

B

[mobis8]

Here is another thought... And I will probably be slapped for saying this but lets all face it... There is a certain amount of image that has to be considered when playing in a band and sometimes that image bleeds into the bands gear. There are certain bands I have gone to see who completely get away with smaller amps and make it look "cool" (ours (the band, not ours as in my band haha) is a great example of this), while others need to have that larger equipment (kiss, ACDC, etc). So practicality isn't always the only answer...

[Frenster]

What about tone? Would you use head/cab all the time if you always had roadies? Open or closed back?

[Frenster]

Actually, I suppose if I had roadies, I'd go head/cab, but are there some of you who prefer the tone of the combos?

I haven't had a head/cab setup since I had a Marshall stack, and that was in the '80's. I'm thinking head/cab will be a fuller sound, tighter bigger bass.

[ManleyF]

What about tone? Would you use head/cab all the time if you always had roadies? Open or closed back?

Roadies or no roadies, my response is the same. Either way if you want the flexibility of a head, then if you are dedicated and obsessed, and the gig really called for the big 4x12, you're usually going to bring it.

I know many local pro's who haul all their own gear, and then still have to help load a PA, and if in most cases, they bring the 4x12 even though they are doing all the hauling.

There are times when we get in a hurry, or just don't feel like it, but I'm willing to bet most people bring what they really need to bring, even if it takes several trips to the car.....

[defiance]

Head Cab, because i dont like lifting combos...also more versitile

[jnug]

i like head and cab. just seems to be more flexable for me and lighter on the back. i've never enjoyed the tones from a combo cab.

[62Tele]

Combo fan here. I prefer the way open back cabs disperse and I like the simplicity. No extra cord to remember etc. I get why a spit head cab is easier to carry, but if you do the math, most head/cab setups are heavier than the equivalent combo. Closed back cabs have a really nice vocal quality, but their tendency to beam can be a real pain.

As for rattle - I've always been able to get rid of rattles in my amps with a little patience. Never has been much of a problem for me.

[papa taco]

The key with multiple trips of loading/unloading gear is to ensure you've got somebody watching the van to protect everything from teh pimps and teh hoes.