Downsizing from a 412 halfstack to a combo

[gmcelroy]

I am currently using a 412 Mesa Dual Rectifier Halfstack for gigging and have seriously been contemplating downsizing to 112 or 212 combo. As much as I love the sound of a 412 it's just too much amp for the venues I play in plus all amps are miked. I was wondering how many others have downsized to a combo and if so were they happy with the results? I have been looking at a Mesa Mark IV Combo since it has three channels and appears to be fairly versatile. We play anything from Metallica toTed Nugent to Foo Fighters.
Opinions and suggestions or personal experiance is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[fishyfishfish]

I went from a pair of half stacks to one half stack to a combo, then back to a head with a 1x12 for smaller gigs, and a 2x12 for bigger gigs. I like having a head over a combo because I can use any cab I want or what ever the gig calls for. I would like to get a Rectoverb or a small box Mark IV but right now I cant justify the cost. Try a 1X12 or 2X12 with the Dual if you still like the way It sounds.

 

[JOEY B.]

We play anything from Metallica to Ted Nugent to Foo Fighters.

You might get away with a little bit of 'Nuge with an open back cabinet, but the other two will require a head and a 2x12 closed back cab or a 1x12 thiele.

 

[gooberizer]

I played two full stacks for ten years in a band that did about 100 gigs a year. Then another several years with just a half stack for jamming after the band thing ended, to a 1x12 combo because as my years progressed my back did not. But after five years with just that combo I went back to a half stack and I'm much happier. There's just no substitute for a 4x12. I say get a combo and keep the half stack.

 

[Jak0lantern01]

I'd just keep the head and downsize the cab. Lugging a combo around is no fun.

 

[jab]

I'm now on an Ace head and have both 1x12 and 2x12 Roadster cabs. I stack the cabs for gigs (mostly because if I didn't it would be 2 ft. off the ground). I use 1 cab for rehearsal, keep 1 cab at home and just transport the head. If I were blindfolded, I don't think I could tell a difference between the 1, 2, or probably even a 4x12 cabinet. The mesa cabs are so loud and sound so good. We mic everything too and try to keep stage volume in control so we can hear ourselves sing so it works out fine.

I don't own one, but the 2x12 Rectifier cab seems to get "huge" sounding reviews from everyone.

 

[Telemaster]

I went from a double stack to a half stack to a short stack to a 4x10 combo to a 2x12 combo to a 1x12 combo to a pignose. Then, a few years later, from the pignose to the 1 x 12 combo to the 2 x 12 combo to the 4x10 combo to a short stack again. Surprisingly, one of the most rockin' rigs I've used is the pignose mic'd. And powered by AA batteries!

 

[Old BF Shred]

I'd just keep the head and downsize the cab. Lugging a combo around is no fun.

Right on! I went this way with my set up. A head alone is going to be way lighter than a similar power combo any day.
And a 1x12 or 2x12 is lighter without the amp built in.

My back won't take lifting extra heavy gear around anymore. Then again I'm an old fart now and look for "smart and easy" ways to transport my gear.

I have a Stiletto Ace (lightest of the 3 Stilettos) that I use with either one or two 1x12 cabs that I built.
Usually plenty of volume (I have a 4x12 if I really need it) and easier to carry each piece separately.

Also you can bring just what you need to fit the venue; a 2x12 combo still weighs the same even if carried to a small club that only needs 1x12.

I say, save your back!
Take care!

 

[Elpelotero]

Combos and 4x12s are very heavy...Downsize the cab and keep the head. Two trips is not a big deal if the toys are light.

 

[Silverwulf]

I prefer a 4X12. Combos are nice, but they're limiting (can't swap around cabs as you can with heads) and they're definitely heavy. Even in the smallest venues, there's just no substitute for pushing air through a 4X12.

I'd keep the 4X12 for when you want it, and if you want something smaller for "hole in the wall" shows, just pick up a 1X12 or 2X12 to take instead.

 

[JW123]

Ive gone from running a Sunn Model T 150 watt tube and Mesa Triple Rec 150 watt tube, to a Triple Rec with 4 Yellowjackets (EL 84), to a Mesa Roadster 100 watt, down to a Mesa Subway Rocket 20 watts w 2 EL 84 tubes and 10 inch speaker.

From what fellow players tell me my tone is better than ever with the Subway. I disagree with the above saying you cant play heavy music with little combos. We play Enter Sandman, Soundgarden, Kidd Rock, AIC, to Nugent Aerosmith AC/DC to Stones to Elvis Presley and the Subway is baddass. These days they make the Express Series of amps. These little rascals will handle everything you want need and more. Ive been playing for over 30 years in live bands and Im more comfortable with my live tone with smaller amps than I ever was with the big ones. Plus I can walk in with my guitar in a gig bag over my shoulder, my Pedal Pad in one hand and the amp in the other. I have added one of those little kickback amp stands so its aiming at ear level. I mic it with an SM 57 mic and put a little in the monitors. Im sounding better than ever with this setup. Plus this is a great recording amp. Its just easier to get sounding good in the mix than my larger amps.

I would say go with something in the 15-30 watt combo size unless the visual presence makes a difference. Anyone that says otherwise obviously hasnt played out much. In most situations these days there is no place for monster half stacks. Your going to overblow your bandmates, muddy up the monitor mix, and drive a soundman crazy.

 

[tiktok]

I like the open-backed combo sitting on top of an EV Thiele option. Best of both worlds in my book.

 

[Telemaster]

Some day I'm going to show up at the gig with just the pignose and have the sound guy put a mic on it. :lol: ( but I'll have the Lonestar in the truck just in case everyone wigs out )

 

[Mongo1]

I went from a double stack to a half stack to a short stack to a 4x10 combo to a 2x12 combo to a 1x12 combo to a pignose. Then, a few years later, from the pignose to the 1 x 12 combo to the 2 x 12 combo to the 4x10 combo to a short stack again. Surprisingly, one of the most rockin' rigs I've used is the pignose mic'd. And powered by AA batteries!

Awesome transitions!

 

[Anonymous]

i used to drive two 4x12" cabinets driven by separate 100w heads - i tell you its even better to plug into 4 stacked 212 ACE combo's at once 8)

one of my friends said: "... no, i won't try - i might like it ..." hahaha :mrgreen:

 

[lerxst88]

I'd just keep the head and downsize the cab. Lugging a combo around is no fun.

x2

 

[xrisj]

I use a couple of rigs, depending upon the venue. For clubs and small halls, it's a combo - easy in/easy out. For larger halls and outdoor gigs, I find a closed back 2x12 with my MkIIC+ 60w get's the job done on the clean for punch. Sometimes I'll use the C+ with a EVM12L - that's really like a combo, but the EVM get so freakin' loud that they can hear you in the next county! If you can afford 2 rigs, it's a lot of fun just choosing what you're going to play each night!

cj

 

[JW123]

I put in an earlier post about using a Mesa Subway Rocket live instead of a half stack or big combo.

A couple of years ago I bought a POD PRO preamp with footpedal. I use it at home with headphones or when my band practices we plug into a recording console and monitor thru headphones. Ive now done 3 gigs with this unit instead of an amp and Im tickled to death. Is it the same as an amp, not on stage, but in the mains my tone is cleaner and more usable thatn ever. I know everyon on here is into amps as I am. But if you are in a working band with good pa and monitors a preamp may work better than an amp. I have my sounds preset in the POD and they are the same from gig to gig, no fiddling with the controls like I always did on the amp. We have the gain set on the mixing board and have my level preset in the monitors and basically Im just plugging up and playing.

This might be an alternative foe a "gigging" musician.

I know 90% of the posters on here dont do many gigs so its cool to take out the rigs and show them off, but honestly its not necesary. The bad thing about the POD is that the Rectifier settings totally suck, live Ive had a lot better luck with Marshall settings and tweaking them in our pa system. Another cool aspect is that I can try a lot of different amp models, do they sound like the real thing. NO, they are a modeled sound, but they are pretty close for rock n roll. If your playing in a club to drunk patrons, believe me at midnight they dont know the difference between your pristine Mesa, Fender, Marshall or whatever. All they want is music to dance and groove too. Why drag around some boutique amp when you can downsize and sound just as good.

Just my 2 cents.