mk v head vs 90w combo
- Thread starter dannyc80
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Authorized Boogie
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dannyc80 said:
Electronically there is no difference, as its the exact same chassis. The only differences are between the speaker being in a combo cab vs an extension cab. Thanks!
Thanks Mark.
I have seen posted somewhere about how the 90w combo doesn't handle the bass and mid as well as what a head with a separate cab of same size will do.
I know the electronics are the same, just the response in its varied format.
Thanks again.
I have seen posted somewhere about how the 90w combo doesn't handle the bass and mid as well as what a head with a separate cab of same size will do.
I know the electronics are the same, just the response in its varied format.
Thanks again.
ryjan
Well-known member
The combo will simply have the included open back cab. You can unplug the speaker in the combo and use any other cab you like just like the head.
Are you asking what the open backed combo speaker will sound like compared to closed back cabs?
Are you asking what the open backed combo speaker will sound like compared to closed back cabs?
LesPaul70
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Just two practical concerns:
1) From roadability POV, the head + a separate cab wins. The combo is cumbersome to lug around (big and heavy), and the casters will not always save your day.
2) From retubing POV, the combo wins. The head shell is a tight fit, and it can be very hard to reach some of the tubes without removing several other tubes first or pulling the whole chassis out. With the combo, you have much more room to operate in.
Other than that, the actual amp is the same. And like said above, if you don't like the sound of the combo speaker/cab for some applications, you can always connect the combo amp to any external cab you like. Just like the head version.
1) From roadability POV, the head + a separate cab wins. The combo is cumbersome to lug around (big and heavy), and the casters will not always save your day.
2) From retubing POV, the combo wins. The head shell is a tight fit, and it can be very hard to reach some of the tubes without removing several other tubes first or pulling the whole chassis out. With the combo, you have much more room to operate in.
Other than that, the actual amp is the same. And like said above, if you don't like the sound of the combo speaker/cab for some applications, you can always connect the combo amp to any external cab you like. Just like the head version.
I have the combo and I use with a 410 lone star cab. The tone is awesome. i also have a RK 412 cabinet that i have plugged into before and i must say i think the tone is slightly better at least bigger. The RK412 is 109lbs though. Having said thet i still may get a MV head for the 412 cab and then choose which rig based on the gig. Good luck
4406cuda
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dannyc80 said:
The tone IMO, is much better when you plug the head in to a quality 1x12 closed back cab compared to the combo. The difference IMO, is actually night and day. The head is the way to go. I have no problems changing tubes in my head. I stand the head up on it's side when I change tubes.
LesPaul70
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4406cuda said:
The problem with the combo cab is (IMO) that it is too middle-of-the-roadish, very much like the Mark V itself. But you can improve it. Here's what I did with mine:
1) Swapped the speaker. I put a V30 in mine. Works very well for the distorted sounds I use.
2) I had just built a detachable back panel for a half-open 2x12 cab, so I made one for my MkV combo as well. I don't want to use it all the time because it interferes with heat dissipation (meaning my tubes will be hotter and wear out faster) but when I want more thump, more focused lows, I put it there. No screws, just push it in. Nothing simpler.
Of course, when all else fails, you can still connect the combo to that "quality 1x12 closed back cab". Or better yet, use that 1x12 as an extension cab in addition to your combo speaker. Two 12" speakers are better than one.
tele_jas
Well-known member
About 50 pounds!
Just preference.....Exact same in every way, just you're locked into the combo cab. You can always run a 1x12, or bigger, extension cab with the combo too.
I really like Combo's over head/cab setup for the ease of "plug and play". But the weight is sometimes a deal breaker to some people.
Just preference.....Exact same in every way, just you're locked into the combo cab. You can always run a 1x12, or bigger, extension cab with the combo too.
I really like Combo's over head/cab setup for the ease of "plug and play". But the weight is sometimes a deal breaker to some people.
New guy here. I for one prefer the head and cabinet route. Every combo I've ever had developed tube problems from the vibration of the speaker, and they were always too heavy. I also prefer the tone of a 4x12 or a 2x12. I know you can unplug the speaker of a combo and plug it into a cab, but then what would be the point of having a heavy combo when you can have a lighter head?
tele_jas
Well-known member
John BNY said:
I agree with you there!
It's more of a "convenience" for me to have a combo, I have a 2 door car with a small back seat and an even smaller trunk opening.....So, I'm limited on space. Then when we play out of town, my bass player sends me a text "hey dude, I need a ride".....Then I have to fit his stuff in my car too (luckily his amp is in the band trailer). By the time I have my gig box and pedal board case in my back seat, I have room for only a 1x12. If the bass player doesn't ride with me, I could fit a 2x12 in the front seat. One of the down-sides to needing a car that gets good gas mileage :? Plus a 4x12 or even a 2x12 is overkill for a lot of the gigs I play (volume and size). My poor 30w Z-Wreck doesn't see too many gigs because of this (it's a head/2x12 cab).
ryjan
Well-known member
Just for reference:
A Mesa Vertical 2x12 will just fit into a Honda Civic trunk. 8)
A Mesa Vertical 2x12 will just fit into a Honda Civic trunk. 8)
tele_jas said:
It's always those bass players who cause problems! (just kidding). Yea, I understand the practicality of having a combo. My band has been pretty good about meeting at my house on the day of the gig with SUVs to help share the load. Good for me, since I have the drums and the guitar rig.
