|
Post by leftysbbq on Mar 28, 2007 8:09:56 GMT -7
Does anyone have a preference one way or another?
Thanks!
Paul
|
|
|
Post by beej on Mar 28, 2007 8:16:02 GMT -7
Can't speak specifically to the Ray (yet!), but I prefer separate head and cab. Not sure what you currently have but I started out with a Z combo and as I added other amps and cabs, i really wanted to be able to mix and match, so I sold my original combo. With separates it's cool to be able to swap around. hope that helps
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Mar 28, 2007 9:12:58 GMT -7
I like the separate head/ cabinet because you can use different cabinets if the thought strikes you, and each piece weighs about 30 lbs. On the other hand, a combo is a convenient 1 trip (although heavier) from the car to stage. I know rockstok likes his new Ray combo because he can tilt it back. Then there is the look...personal taste on that one.
|
|
|
Post by leftysbbq on Mar 28, 2007 9:33:01 GMT -7
I like the separate head/ cabinet because you can use different cabinets if the thought strikes you, and each piece weighs about 30 lbs. On the other hand, a combo is a convenient 1 trip (although heavier) from the car to stage. I know rockstok likes his new Ray combo because he can tilt it back. Then there is the look...personal taste on that one. Well, I don't like tilting amps back, so there you have that one. I'm fortunate (or NOT....depending on how you look at it) enough to own my club where I have this stuff and I have a permanent back line and the neurosis inducing flexibility to have a setup that would be COMPLETELY impractical in a typical load in/load out scenario. I'm thinking the head/cab scenario is best too as I can plug in what I want, where I want, when I want without hoaky cable splicers, etc..... But THEN, I bet my 65 London would LOVE the Stangray's cabinet, and if it does my rig could be the London on top of the combo with a Radial Headbone switcher....Please, just shoot me! Paul
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Mar 28, 2007 10:02:45 GMT -7
Definitely separate head and cab is the best way for me.Certainly,helps reduce the weight,and more options for different cabs.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 28, 2007 10:50:13 GMT -7
I like the combo until it's time to load in or out. Then I like separates.
|
|
|
Post by prsnstrat on Mar 28, 2007 11:44:18 GMT -7
I tend to dig the combos better. At least that is the latest. I think there is too much put on the weight of head/cab vs combo. I like to put one compact unit in my truck with a tuki and drive away. With a head/cab you have an additional piece to worry about. Sound...the head/cab has a slight edge.
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Mar 28, 2007 15:50:16 GMT -7
Sound...the head/cab has a slight edge. I wasn't gonna say, but yes. I call it like I hear it...A/B'd combo vs cab/head and they were different. Even the sales rep who's played for 40 years agreed the head/ cab sounded better to his ears than the combo sitting beside it after hearing me demo both. PS. that head is for sale right now on this forum! ;D
|
|
|
Post by prsnstrat on Mar 28, 2007 17:35:23 GMT -7
Sound...the head/cab has a slight edge. I wasn't gonna say, but yes. I call it like I hear it...A/B'd combo vs cab/head and they were different. Even the sales rep who's played for 40 years agreed the head/ cab sounded better to his ears than the combo sitting beside it after hearing me demo both. PS. that head is for sale right now on this forum! ;D Have to agree with ya Mad-dog. And yep...that Stangray head on the forums is very schweet looking.
|
|
|
Post by jwr on Mar 28, 2007 20:30:57 GMT -7
Head/cab, it gives you more speaker cab options.
|
|
|
Post by hdahs143 on Mar 29, 2007 5:56:51 GMT -7
I prefer the Head/Cab also for reasons stated above. I also prefer the head because I think the head design stays cooler, and with the head the tubes aren't upside down getting pounded by soundwaves from the speakers, both of which are easier on the tubes.
|
|
|
Post by Hohn on Mar 29, 2007 10:22:50 GMT -7
I've always had combos until the amp just before my Stang, and I'll never go back to combos.
I like being able to tailor the cab to the gig, just taking either a really small peavey 1x12 with a Blue for low volume stuff, or my matching Z 2x12 to really let it strut its stuff.
For me, it's not so much about tonal variance as about VOLUME and PACK-OUT.
As for being able to tilt a combo back-- last I checked you can do that with any speaker cab. You just gotta find another place to put the head:)
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Mar 30, 2007 13:49:16 GMT -7
I like the head and cabinet as now I can also play a Maz 18 Jr. head or Carmen Ghia head with the 2 x 12 Aln-Blue speakers!!! Some new sounds for me for sure!!
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Apr 7, 2007 19:54:27 GMT -7
At Midtown Music today I moved a Stang 2 x Blue combo to get at a cabinet behind it. Oy, it was heavy.
On the other hand, I was surprised at how much a Z Best cabinet weighs.
|
|
|
Post by rockstok on May 19, 2007 14:51:33 GMT -7
I use a combo in small joints so I can lean it backand aim it up at me. I like a head/cab when there's more room.
|
|
|
Post by Don on May 20, 2007 7:56:44 GMT -7
I guess I'll chime in here, too. I also prefer a head/cab combination. In my case, I keep my heads next to me, and the cabinets placed behind me in strategic places on the stage. I can get a better spread, and idea of the overall sound that way. (I usually use a ProLine stand for the amps, but in this case, the bar table was used for height constraints due to the multi-level stage that we were on.)
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on May 20, 2007 11:19:02 GMT -7
I like separates for all the reasons stated above. I probably have 10 1x12 cabs with a variety of alnico's and ceramics to pair up in a multitude of combinations and I could use a few more. Only have one 2x12 cab but can always use 2 1x12's to get there.
Combos are just too much weight for me altho I like the way they lean back better than separates.
|
|
|
Post by propellr on Jun 14, 2007 17:11:57 GMT -7
Don's got a point, here. You can have the head near you to be able to tweak, but the sound can be coming from farther away, so you can hear it optimally, instead of just feeling your pants leg flapping at your ankle.
Combos can be more cost effective, especially if you don't already own speaker cabs.
|
|
|
Post by iluvstrats on Jun 27, 2007 4:44:56 GMT -7
They're both good. Depends on your needs. Heads for lighter weight carry in and ability to use it with different cabs. Combo for one shot load in.
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Jun 27, 2007 21:20:18 GMT -7
All of the above, and more. I generally prefer closed cabinets. The versatility of multiple heads with multiple cabinets cannot be overlooked. If you have 3 combos you have 3 variables to play with. If you have 3 heads and 3 different cabinets, do the math and enjoy the variety.
I have a personal thing about upside down tubes and chassis. It is not just aesthetics, they run hotter that way. The inside of a speaker cabinet is a sonic volcano. I cannot help but believe that tubes are going to sound better and live longer if they are upright and more isolated from that turbulence.
And with an upright speaker cabinet (taller versus wider) and head, you do not have to bend over as far to tweak the knobs.
|
|
|
Post by guitarman1 on Jun 29, 2007 8:39:47 GMT -7
With the sensitivity/noise issues often found in the ef86, I prefer a head. These tubes can get really noisy in a combo.
|
|
|
Post by compeye on Jul 12, 2007 14:00:51 GMT -7
the only thing worse than analysis paralysis is buyers remorse! I have a 3 week old stangray 1x12 gold that I wish were a head and cabinet. does anybody want (need) a new combo
|
|
|
Post by whitestrat on Jul 12, 2007 20:00:35 GMT -7
Stang Ray head and separate cab(s) offers outstanding portability and flexibility. I can daisy-chain my Stang through an Avatar Vintage 1X12" and Port City Wave 1X12" for incredible versatility and speaker options. Also, speaker placement can be optimized for best sound projection.
|
|
|
Post by Jones'n for Tone on Aug 9, 2007 17:01:24 GMT -7
I've always had combos until the amp just before my Stang, and I'll never go back to combos. I like being able to tailor the cab to the gig, just taking either a really small peavey 1x12 with a Blue for low volume stuff, or my matching Z 2x12 to really let it strut its stuff. For me, it's not so much about tonal variance as about VOLUME and PACK-OUT. As for being able to tilt a combo back-- last I checked you can do that with any speaker cab. You just gotta find another place to put the head:) If you really want to tilt your head/cab you can get hardware for a Fender tonemaster head that will hold your head securely on your cabinet and then tilt both to your hearts content. My vote is the head/cab but I would like to tilt both back so I think I'll add the hardware to mine.
|
|
|
Post by Jones'n for Tone on Aug 26, 2007 19:20:05 GMT -7
Just an update about tilting..... My Stangray with open back cabinet really doesn't appear to have a "directional" sound like my tonemaster closed cab. Tilt back legs may be a mute point.
|
|
|
Post by cbstrat on Oct 17, 2007 6:54:52 GMT -7
At Midtown Music today I moved a Stang 2 x Blue combo to get at a cabinet behind it. Oy, it was heavy. On the other hand, I was surprised at how much a Z Best cabinet weighs. Yea, you better eat your Wheaties before a tough load in.
|
|
|
Post by MeZadude on Oct 17, 2007 9:02:35 GMT -7
I prefer the head & cab combination. It just looks cooler than the combo! Oh, and it does sound great as well... MeZa
|
|