Legacy..combo or head/cab?

[clovis]

Hey guys,

I've decided finally on getting a Carvin Legacy. But I can't decide on whether to get the combo or the head and a 2x12 cab. I've heard over time all the shaking in a combo amp can rattle tubes loose and cause other problems. But...I have to lean my 5150 combo back on a small box to be able to hear myself on gigs that we don't mic amps on. With a head sitting on top of a cab how would I be able to do this without knocking the head off? If I don't lean my amp back then it blasts the crowd and the sound mostly hits my calfs and knees and I can't hear myself that well unless I lean down past the cymbals towards the speakers. Of course you can't play a gig all night like that. hahahaha

Also, would there really be a sound difference in having a 2x12 combo as oppossed to a head with a 2x12 cab? My band is loud, but not ear bleeding loud at our gigs. I would go with a 4x12 cab that has the top two speakers pointing upwards, but I'm afraid that would be overkill for my situation.

What do you guys think would be best?

Thanks,

John R.

 

[flatfinger]

THe combo has a rear cover and is a closed speaker cab(rare as most combos are open back).
The 2x12 and the combo have a removable back so as to give you the option. So basically , I would think that either would sound the same, so the question is how young and strong you are , do you have roadies??

The combo is( HEAVY 90lbs), I'd go w/the head!

 

[HeeHaw]

I would go with the head as well. Tubes can rattle in combos due to vibrations at higher volumes. For this reason alone I choose the head version over the combo.

-hope this helps you bro.

 

[carltonh]

Definitely the head and cab. Combos are fine as long as they aren't stupidly heavy. Head + cab is also more versatile, and definitely worth a slightly higher price. Either one could be used more easily with different cabs or heads. Plus, if anything goes wrong, it is easier to pack up a head and ship it back to Carvin or take it to a tech. I've played the Legacy head + 2x12 and thought it sounded great. And though you don't have to sound like Vai, it sounds incredibly good for other styles even with a JEM with Evo's, and a Keeley DS-1.

 

[clovis]

hey there,

unfortunately I'm burnt on the 5150 sound. I'm definately going with a legacy, I just need to decide combo or head/2x12 cab. I'm just wondering how I'm gonna lean that 2x12 cab back to hear myself on stage when playing unmic'd as oppossed to how I always lean my 2x12 5150 combo back on a box or tilt legs to be able to hear myself and not blast the crowd directly in the path of my amp. I just can't decide yet. lol

John R>

 

[gulliver]

It's more of an open back cab vs closed back question ... so, hope this helps.

 

[clovis]

Well, both the Legacy 2x12 combo and 2x12 cab give you the option of having the back closed or open. So that's why I'm stuck. If the 2x12 was a closed back only option, I would get the combo...I have to have an open back...I hate the sound of a closed one...It's just me...

 

[daneswede1]

Originally posted by clovis
hey there,

unfortunately I'm burnt on the 5150 sound. I'm definately going with a legacy, I just need to decide combo or head/2x12 cab. I'm just wondering how I'm gonna lean that 2x12 cab back to hear myself on stage when playing unmic'd as oppossed to how I always lean my 2x12 5150 combo back on a box or tilt legs to be able to hear myself and not blast the crowd directly in the path of my amp. I just can't decide yet. lol

John R>

have you really tried one of these amps out in person or just listened to soundclips? Just wondering what the deciding factor/s were to your decision to go eith the Legacy?
IMO I would go with the 4x12" cabinet and head. Ripoff the exact settings Vai uses on the astoria london DVD slap an EVO and a sustainiac in a strat and buy an Analogman DS1 and see what happens. I wonder if they mod Vais rig is my question. zzYou have to admit that tone is pretty friggin good for a midrange super clean lead type of setup--- IMO!

On the G3 in Denver (one with Yngnut) when Vai comes out with his 3 neck and when he initially opens up the volume and starts playing his legato runs it is so juicy and mid rangy smooth. Man nice tone. I like the fact Carvin gives you like 10 days to try the rig out as well and if you no likey its byby minus shipping though!
I could see myself ABYing this thing with my JCM800/ubercab. I have 6 days off of my teaching gig so Im gonna go amp demo crazy this week. Been thinkin of ordering the legacy and cab just to see? Its still a small loss if you dont dig it though. I just wonder if vai mods his legacies?????

 

[Antero]

I know a dude who went backstage, talked with Vai and his tech, and looked at the amps, and they're definitely not modded.

They've got a very interesting, distinct sound - that can confuse some people, because it doesn't react like some of the amps they're used to. Definitely quality tone, though.

 

[ungarn]

Definitely go with the head version...it will be easier to tote around and more easily combined with other cabinets and speakers...like maybe an Earcandy Buzzbomb 2x12!!!!

Good luck!

-Thad

 

[daneswede1]

Originally posted by Antero
I know a dude who went backstage, talked with Vai and his tech, and looked at the amps, and they're definitely not modded.

They've got a very interesting, distinct sound - that can confuse some people, because it doesn't react like some of the amps they're used to. Definitely quality tone, though.

The one thing that really needs to be paid attention yto is this. If you listen to the Live in AStoria DVD, Mcalpine is playing through a Legacy head as well and it sounds.........well you tell me.. it sounded like poop!! Then Vai hits a chord and WHALA!!!!It definitely is VERY sensitive to Pickup selection. Cabinet/ Speaker selection and impedance selection as well as of course .THE PLAYER! BU tas far as tone is concerned i hacent heard a much better LEa guitar midrangey wet furry clean ripping super fast attack tone in my life. And it costs $799 new! Unreal. Can this be true. Im really gonna give this some thought considering I am about to bLOW $4k on either a Marshall Handwired plexi setup or a BOhgner XTC Classic or a Mojave Peacemaker/ and cabs. ++

 

[carltonh]

The Legacy is definitely midrange focused. Mix that with midrangey pickups and it may not be very versatile. But mix it with extended range or relatively mid-scooped pickups like Dimarzio Evolutions, Bill Lawrence humbuckers, Petrucci's pickups, etc. and unleash a beast.

One more thing, Vai often uses a Keeley DS-1 in front of his Legacy. With that pedal & a Legacy, I think it is worth the price savings over an Ecstacy. Though the Plexi and Mojave will be more authentically vintage Marshall.

 

[clovis]

Well, I have a Carvin C66. Alder body with flamed maple cap and ebony fretboard...I use a Duncan JB in the bridge and a Duncan 59 in the neck. Tends to be bright at times...but I just adjust EQ on my amp or with my Boss Ge-7. I really dig the sound...How will this sound with a LEgacy? I'm honestly considering getting the head and the 4x12 cab that has the top two 12's slanted slightly....I wonder if I can handle that in my band and not be overbearing or too loud. If so, I could always get a 2x12 cab for it....

 

[daneswede1]

Originally posted by carltonh
The Legacy is definitely midrange focused. Mix that with midrangey pickups and it may not be very versatile. But mix it with extended range or relatively mid-scooped pickups like Dimarzio Evolutions, Bill Lawrence humbuckers, Petrucci's pickups, etc. and unleash a beast.

One more thing, Vai often uses a Keeley DS-1 in front of his Legacy. With that pedal & a Legacy, I think it is worth the price savings over an Ecstacy. Though the Plexi and Mojave will be more authentically vintage Marshall.

ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have just been informed by someone who owns the Legacy Head and I qoute "Steve Vai is using Bogner Guts inside of his Legacy Amps?:"Could this actually be true! Hmmm! I know the other post above states that he went to a Vai show and him and his tech stated the Legacies were stock. WEll,.......what would they say, I mean he endorses this amp for the past seven+years at a few million dollars a year so you would think if there is some monkey business going on with the "Bogner Guts" Then its kind of under wraps". I mtrying to find out this persons source of information. One thing is certain. On the Carvin website there is a soundclip of Vai plugging direct into a Legqcy apparently no DS1 Keeley either and just some delay from his mighty TC ELect G Force and he lets it rip. Sounds the same to me?? I dont know. Im not gonna lose sleep over it but it makes you wonder sometimes about endorsements and the shredders behind [email protected]!!!!!!

 

[kealiikai]

Originally posted by daneswede1
ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have just been informed by someone who owns the Legacy Head and I qoute "Steve Vai is using Bogner Guts inside of his Legacy Amps?:"Could this actually be true! Hmmm! I know the other post above states that he went to a Vai show and him and his tech stated the Legacies were stock. WEll,.......what would they say, I mean he endorses this amp for the past seven+years at a few million dollars a year so you would think if there is some monkey business going on with the "Bogner Guts" Then its kind of under wraps". I mtrying to find out this persons source of information. One thing is certain. On the Carvin website there is a soundclip of Vai plugging direct into a Legqcy apparently no DS1 Keeley either and just some delay from his mighty TC ELect G Force and he lets it rip. Sounds the same to me?? I dont know. Im not gonna lose sleep over it but it makes you wonder sometimes about endorsements and the shredders behind [email protected]!!!!!!

I`ve read about that somewhere to but I can`t remember where. It is unproven and I don`t believe it. I`m sure he still uses the Bogners here and there in the studio and possibly live but not loaded in the Legacy.

 

[carltonh]

ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

This urban legend has been going around for a good while. It is stupid and demeaning to Vai, and of course, false. Vai has specifically addressed it as false and an attack on his integrity. If he wanted his signature amp to sound different... he'd have Carvin change the production line.

This he did after the first year or so. He changed from Greenbacks to Vintage 30s and to a different transformer. All Legacys since then incorporate the changes. You can get most any Vai tone just with the Legacy alone, but some may require a Keeley DS-1.