Half stack or combo + 2x12

[Zeds.Ded]

alright lads!

well I'm going for a Carvin Legacy, my mind has been made up about that for the last while, but a new question dawns on me now. i was sure i was going to buy the VL-100 head with the matching 4x12, but now I'm considering buying the VL-212 combo with the 2x12 extension cab. reason being is its handy to have the combo for the fact that its portable for jams, and sized well for small venues (even though i don't play in a band or have an mad intention to play in one) and the 2x12 is there if i need the extra speakers. but what i want to ask is which would you recommend i get? as i said i don't play in a band so i don't really have to buy the combo, and i do have enough space for the half stack at home, and i have heard combo's tend to get rattly when the volume goes up, and the sound quality isn't as good as the Amp Head brothers because of the tubes being right at the speakers. i do really like the look of the half stack so I'm probably going to go for it, i just want to get your views on the subject.

Thanks a million for reading!

[NOT!!!]

of course you should go for a head and a cab!

4 is better than 2 speakers, and you are more versatile, if you wanna change speakers...

[Zeds.Ded]

no i mean id be getting the combo (2 speakers) and the 2x12 extension (2 speakers) altogether thats 4.

or id be getting the half stack (4 speakers)

[Luminescence]

The combo will be much more convenient than a 412, but the head gives you more options tone wise since you can mix and match cabs. You culd mix and match with the combo too, but it would cost more money and if you decide you like the tone through a cab much more than with the combo you will heave two V30s that are essentially dead weight. It all depends on what your needs are- if you are actually going to use a 412 , how you transport your gear etc.

[Ant711UK]

I've had a combo and it was really heavy so I sold it but it sounded great. I still have two VL100's and two 2x12 cabs. I find the best sound is with a VL100 on top of a 2x12 cab mic'd up with a shure SM57, 45 degrees off axis at about 2 inches from the edge of the cone. It's more portable that way and easily loud enough for any venue I play. I have had problems with one of the heads though. The transformer died, I had it replaced an it worked well for a while but lately it has developed another problem and needs to go in for a service. The other head has been fine for me though.
They're good value for money and I do think they sound different to most other amps in a very hard to describe way. The only way they could be better is if they had 3 channels.

Tony

[Shade]

The combo is going to be heavy as anything and still pretty bulky.

If you want maximum portability and transporting ease + future expandability, I'd go with the head + a 2x12 cab, then later on an additional 2x12 cab if you want even more sound.

[Zeds.Ded]

i never thought of later expansion, i just wanted four speakers now!!!

but i guess i could wait another while for an extra 2x12, or hey, i might not even want one! but buying the head and the 2x12 will allow the Whammy pedal that ive always wanted to fit into my budget!


thanks for the help folks!

your friend Zed.

[NOT!!!]

if ou have a gig, you can buy a 1x12 and it won´t be as heavy as the combo (amp+ 1x12). You only need 1x12 for a gig, because it´ll be miked anyway...

[Masi]

I A/B tested the combo and head + cabinet when buying. The combo is totally different...and I do mean TOTALLY. Get the head & cab combination, there is no contest. Seriously. Especially if you're playing with a minimum of effects.

[NOT!!!]

i haven´t seen the combo from behind, but it could be because it has an open back. Open back speakers sound diffrent from closed.

[Shade]

I think the legacy has a removable back as well.

I had a similar experience with the JSX..I really liked the head more than the combo. Shame I have no way of test driving a legacy without practically buying one.

[NOT!!!]

I think the legacy has a removable back as well.

I had a similar experience with the JSX..I really liked the head more than the combo. Shame I have no way of test driving a legacy without practically buying one.

just listen to Steve´s music, you don´t need to test it...it´s 100% the sound!

[notavirtuoso]

I'd lean more toward the head and stack myself but for a reason that hasn't been mentioned and may or may not be of any consequence to you. My homeowner's insurance policy will cover any piece of gear I have that is under $1000. Any piece of gear I have that cost more than that I have to have a separate rider policy on, like my guitars. A combo is over $1000 and would require yet another rider, adding $20 to $30 annually to my premium. The head and cabinet are two pieces of gear, costing less than $1000 each so I wouldn't have to buy additional insurance.

[TRIDS]

I know i sound like an idiot, but I am a half stack noob and I was wondering if you could plug a 2x12 into the head instaed of a 4x12. I am also wondering if it will affect the sound in any way.

[NOT!!!]

of course it will affect the sound!

The only thing that´s better than a 4x12 is two of them .


And yes, you can plug a 2x12 on it!