Best Half stack in your opinion...

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Hindu Not Hitler !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Member Since: May 28, 2007

I been looking at some and i can't tell what is best. I play anything from metal to The funk Brothers but mostly rock and metal. What is best???

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jun 06, 2007 08:55 pm

why a half stack? MESA's got some SWEET 2x12 combo's that'll get just as loud.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 06, 2007 09:05 pm

Quote:
why a half stack?


My first thought as well...

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 01:24 pm

Didn't we go around on this with Forty recently?
Long thread if I remember.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Jun 07, 2007 01:38 pm

Here ya go. Easy on the back when you have to carry it around too.


http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/fit,400by400/MS2-95c359bd5cab9b1a16a1751c5cbf0205.jpg


I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jun 07, 2007 01:47 pm

To answer the question, there is no answer! There is an amp that's right for me, and an amp that's right for you. They're probably not the same amp.

But as far as educated opinions, I'd put Mesa right up there as far as overall quality and versatility for rock and/or metal. They're extremely well-built, efficient (read: loud as **** for their respective wattages), and they have tone to die for. I cant say that I've read any negative reviews from Mesa owners.

Marshall would be right behind, although their quality control seems a little lacking...I hear of more problems with Marshalls than Mesas, but then again I don't see too many Mesa owners in these parts other than WhosYourDaddy. But Marshall is by-and-large the standard hard rock amp/cab/combo.

I hear a lot of Orange owners rave about their amps, mostly for rock and not metal though.

Vox's AC line is another surprisingly thick and heavy distortion monster that I'd always thought were more jangly sounding. But wow, their AC30, when cranked, can be pretty damn nasty. But still probably not suitable for metal.

Mind you I'm speaking solely about amps that have tube power sections, and not the weird hybrid stuff that Marshall, Vox, etc. insists on marketing like their MG, Valvestate and Valve Reactor lines.

One other note is that you'll only hear the true character of a tube power section when its cranked. This means that the louder you turn up the amp, the better it will sound. Take that into consideration when you select the wattage of your new amp. A great-sounding 100 watt head into a 4x12" cabinet is no good if you always have to keep the master volume on 1 or 2 when you play. It'll sound no different than a little Crate 5W solid-state practice amp.

happy shopping!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 01:57 pm

Carvin's been getting some good press, you may want to take a look at them.

There's the peavey line too, the XXX and JS, and 6550, or whatever they have now to replace the 5150.

That'd keep half yer $$$ in yer pocket, but still knock down a few buildings.

Soldano is pretty well regarded, as well as Krank. Dimebag used Krank, I think, so there's that.

It'd be nice to have a traveling van come to your house, with a half stack of each one, that you can try out each system for a few days.


yeaahhhh, that'd be nice . . .


but i guess you'd need a guitar van come too, so you can try out guitars at the same time.

that'd be sweet =).

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 02:15 pm

Hey Beerhunter - I own one of them wee amps!! Handy for walking roond with, clippd to yer belt for a wee jam and saves getting the acoustic out when the kids are sleeping ;-)

As for the amp - you dont need a half stack to be honest....

I have a Marshall TSL122 (www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productId=21) and I know someone who has the equivelant half stack....I also know a guy with the same TSL122 as me.

100W of pure Marshall power, clean / crunch / lead channels all independently footswitchable and more VOLUME than anyone can handle ;-)

Its a beast of an amp (and heavy to boot) ... now, gettin back on track - the TSL122 my mate has (and the TSL half stack equiv) - the TSL122 apparently (based on my mate and his band mate) both agree, the combo sounds better !!

With, less weight and easier to transport...

The half stack is cool to look at (tho if yer going half stack, might as well get a full sized combo) OR get a full stack ... half stack tho, a bitty pointless IMHO.

ANyways, good luck man

Coco

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 02:40 pm

i don't own a mesa, but my parents store stocks them....and yes, i love the snot outta them....the marshall (british) sound is a bit 'honkey' to me....mesa = balls with a sharp top end.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Jun 07, 2007 03:22 pm

Actually coco I went for the full stack! You know, I was worried about being underpowered. Oh ya and it looks better on stage. Plus, it helps get ya all the chicks! I think I should get a whole wall of them just like EVH.


http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/fit,400by400/p1667b-9bb700dc3f048308abf286ca68fb5b15.jpg


Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 03:35 pm

problem being, the chicks are only 6" tall

Get one of these, and all the short people will be following you around:


http://park11.wakwak.com/~blackmore/picture/Mini-marshall.JPG



Actually, I've been eyeing these little stacks up for awhile. Itchin to add one to my basement =).

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 03:38 pm

lol i thought you photoshopped the real small one in there! but that's a real amp huh?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jun 07, 2007 03:43 pm

yeah, i played one many moons ago, and it's pretty damn cool. 2x10, 15w. Zakk Wylde's been using them and pushing them as backstage / practice amps.

It'd go great in my basement =).

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jun 07, 2007 04:15 pm

LOL this thread cracks me up.

Sorry WYD I thought you owned one of those vintage-y looking Mesa combos. Lone star or something like that?

PJK, those are all good suggestions too. Peavey has really made a name for themselves in the valve amp market lately...they used to be kind of a joke but their tube amps are all pretty sweet especially for the price. That JSX is so overpowered its ridiculous...120 tube watts? Crissakes theres no venue on earth that would need that much power! Hopefully thats a combination of the wattage of the various channels...

I saw a guy playing at a local casino with one of those little marshall stacks. If he had known good tone when it hit him in the face, maybe he would have done it justice.

Gotta love the mini stack too. You still have to have a roadie carry it in, just for the principle of the matter :D Just tell him not to clip it to his belt...he has to do it 2-handed like it was a full-sized stack :D

Mamma Jamma
Member
Since: May 20, 2007


Jun 07, 2007 07:05 pm

I've been dying to get my hands on on eof the new fender super sonics... even the 1x12 is rad! The best sound in the world comes from fender.. sorry guys

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 07, 2007 09:00 pm

Buhda Twin Master. Its not a stack, but a 2 x 12 combo. And let me tell you something. It rips in a huge way. If I was to go back to using a live rig here it would be that or a Soldano Hot Rod 50 modded with a 2 x 12 cab.

Nuff said.

Hindu Not Hitler !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Member
Since: May 28, 2007


Jun 07, 2007 10:11 pm

I already have that.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jun 08, 2007 12:19 pm

Quote:
No Bio Entered


Pulled from you HRC profile =).

Fill in your profile, and it'll help us along =).

Member
Since: Dec 11, 2006


Jun 08, 2007 12:47 pm

u honestly cant beat a godd old marshal ;)
good for all kinds of sounds, i got one and its sick ;) i play hardcore n stuff.
n peavy isnt bad for the actual stack but dont but a peavy head
if nething get like a messa or a marshal ;)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 08, 2007 08:33 pm

calvin, you have a Buhda or a Soldano or both?

If that is the case what in the world would you switch out for another amp?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 08, 2007 10:51 pm

I know several peep's with Peavey heads and they are happy as ****. Ever plugged into a 5150 Hydrial???

It is one killer head.

Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Jun 08, 2007 11:04 pm

For heads: Orange 30 watt, 5150, THD 15 watt, 60's Fender Bassman... For cabs: Orange 2x12 and Vox 2x12.

Gear Hunter!
Member
Since: Jun 08, 2007


Jun 08, 2007 11:14 pm

There's quite a few amps out there that will get you in the realm of tones you need. Mesa is certainly one of them... others that come to mind (and most of which have been mentioned).

Vox AC30, THD, VHT...

A 1/2 stack will certainly move a lot of air, and they have tons of bass response. That's about the only benefit I can see at this point to having one. For larger stages, I used one all the time. Marshall TSL100 and 1965AV... and I played LOTS of different styles with it!

Bottom line is... go out and play as many of them as you can and then make your choice!

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jun 09, 2007 02:48 am

yeah Tad, i absolutely fell in love with the MESA Mavrick 2x12....it hasn't ever sold! thank god

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