Finbar

Its all true. You don't want to see Rob dressed as Hermione :/

Hey, I'll keep it in mind Pretty heavy compared to the rest of them though (lightweight is good as far as I'm concerned), and even more high powered still! Good deal though, for sure. My main concern is matching a good speaker cab and power amp though, so once I know what cab I think I want to buy and what kind of power it can realistically take going into it, I can make a more informed choice on the poweramp

So following on from the last thread I made, I've decided to go down the pre/power route for my new rig. Now I think I've finally wrapped my head around bridging etc (justabout! I'm an electronics nub for sure), I figured it is time to look at what choices are open to me for it. I've already taken the plunge on a preamp already, so I really only need to look at a good combination of power amp and cab. For the power amp, I've looked at the QSC line, and the Crown line mostly. From what I can see, they're generally well thought of and affordable. I'm not too bothered abuot fan noise, as this isn't a home rig, and if the fan can be heard over a full band playing loud noisy rock, then there is something wrong with it I think! Main contenders are the QSC PLX2 1802 and the Crown XTi 1000. The Crown is absolute favourite on price, though the QSC pumps out a monstrous 1800W when it is bridged into 4 ohms. The question is whether I need the extra 400W that that gives me over the Crown. Because on paper, the Crown is a good couple hundred quid cheaper. If there are any other good options, I'd be interested to hear them Dood's Powersoft looks interesting, but it is very expensive in the context of my budget, and the power rating does look very high for my needs (see below). My other main point is a cab. I was looking at the Schroeder 1212L as a lightweight companion for the new amp, and I can afford it. It has 800W power handling at 4 ohms though, so would the 1400/1800W of those two power amps be a bit much for it? Though I've heard conflicting views on whether the cab should be able to handle more, MUCH more or less than the head is capable of giving it. Useful, hah. Also, does anyone know how it handles a bit of distortion? I've found that some cabs absolutely HATE being driven just by valves, let alone a distortion pedal. This is a pretty integral sound for me, so it is an important point. I've found that tweeters seem to be the main culprit, though I'm sure the one on the 1212L can be turned off? Again, are there any other similarly priced/sized lightweight cab options (I do like my 12s) that will handle the distortion nicely, as well as put up with the power from the power amp? I've realistically got about £1100 to spend between them I think. Cheers, Chris

He's in the process of moving the workshop at the moment. So he might not get round to a speedy response, but he's been a busy boy! Not seen anything of the Doodle though when I've been down there recently

Yes. Or if its a DI box, the output to desk will be after effects but before amp.

There's actually a thread with this in somewhere I think. I think in general it is... Cost of item + Shipping + 3.9% import duty Then the VAT is calculated on all of that. Then there is a clearance fee, depending on who picks up the package. Parcel Force (£12.50) is cheaper than DHL (£20) from memory. Someone will probably tell me I'm talking out of my bum, but I tried I'm not sure if this applies to everything or just specific items, or if items like pedals are exempt, I'm sorry

Not true ¬_¬ Sometimes they avoid import duty, sometimes you get hammered. You shouldn't get charged duty if you're buying from inside the EU though, IIRC.

I have the Tourman, and my Whammy pedal sits in it fine. So does my Ernie Ball volume pedal. I've had problems withmaking dents in the foam because the carpet covering keeps coming up inside the case and my pedals are moving around ¬_¬ Nail that sucker into the bottom of the board as soon as you get it! But even if it is making an impression in the foam, isn't that what the foam is there to do? Cushion the pedals...

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='210667' date='Jun 1 2008, 06:34 PM']With regard to the output impedance issues, it's common for the better PA amps (irrespective of topology and class) to run to 2 ohm per channel in stereo or 4 ohm bridged. Bridging will yield [i]approximately[/i] twice the power into the same load as running in stereo or dual mono.[/quote] Lol, I wish that made my understanding of my choices easier! It seems that those QSC ones will run 2, 4 or 8 ohms in stereo? So it doesn't really matter what cab I'd be running it through? I think the interesting thing for me is also the mix and match approach you can take with the pre/power setup. I've done a fair bit of research into it today, with different brands etc, and it is definitely a possibility.

The pre/power setup has one big advantage over the Mesa (or most other high-end hybrid stuff), and that is price! I'm all for overhauling everything (I'm in that very spontaneous mood for a complete change), but it depends a lot on finding a new cab I like. If I go down the route of a head as similarly priced as the Hiwatt, then I *cannot* afford a new cab. Simple as that. I'm also very much into finding something possibly lightweight-ish, probably tweeterless (don't like 'em) and definitely no bigger than the 412. Single cab please ;p I think I could stretch to about 5/600 for a cab?

Out of the stuff so far, I'm most interested by the Pre/Power setup suggestions. Seems the best way to get the optimum level of drive from the pre, and then deliver it at whatever volume is necessary using the power amp, I suppose. I am a bit of a nub when it comes to all the ohmage issues and stuff though. Would I be correct in assuming that the QSC power amp which doesn't have the 2 ohm or bridging options would be suitable for me (I hope so, it's cheaper )? I'd only want to run it through one 4 ohm cab, using one channel of the QSC. Probably the PLX1104? Hopefully some knowledgable chap can set me straight!

Hmm. The annoying thing about this kind of conjecture is that I can't get to try this stuff out. I'd LOVE to give a Mesa head a good thrashing, but it just isn't going to happen ¬_¬ Wouldn't mind giving some Ampegs a go either. Never really been convinced by the stuff I've heard before, but so many people get 'that' sound out of it, y'know?

Sounds like a Roland DB500 combo would suit you down to the ground really. Not tried the new ones, but the old ones are superb. Small, portable, LOTS of different tones, loud for its size (though doesn't have to be turned up).... Look into it!

God, I never thought I'd do this, but here we go. Thanks Ste ¬_¬ Also down to something Dood said about him downsizing everything and not needing the epic 'man rig' he had constructed for himself to get the power out of it, as modern gear has come on so much. Here's the story. I own a Marshall VBA400 with a Marshall VBC412 cab. If I'm honest, this is a great great amp, but I just feel myself moving away from it. I could quite happily use it for years, but I'm on that never ending quest for madd tonez The plan was to sell a bunch of my basses, and my Marshall head and use the proceeds to buy a Hiwatt 200 head. I've already sold the basses, and it is a matter of time before the amp head goes really. But now it comes down to it, I'm questioning my judgement. The Hiwatt has been like the object of my desires for a few years really. There is something iconic about it, and that all valve sound that I can't put out of my head. But now I come to think about it, I'm not sure if it is the right one or not. It WILL be heavy, it WILL be limited (even though what it does will undoubtedly be nice) and it may even be too loud. I know there's a lot out there, too much for me to get my head round, but can anyone offer some advice on this? I guess I want the best of both worlds - valvey driven sounds, but with nice articulation. And that massive 'wall of sound' that a big valve amp pumps out, but without the weight. I'm sure that is everyone's dream really So basically if I decide against the Hiwatt, what options would be available to me, with the following (picky) criteria in mind... - valve overdrive sound (preferably without having to pump the volume too high - I don't like drowning everyone out, just to get 'the' sound...) - articulate sound, but not too hi-fi - lightweight (or at least not too heavy!) - up to around £1300/1400 (savings accrued for the Hiwatt) I'd be prepared to go for head, or a rack pre/power setup, or consider anything really. I'd even sell the cab I have for a little more cash, and use those funds to do over the entire rig, head AND cab if something good is suggested. Infact, I'd be willing to look into this, as although I love the 412 cab, it is a heavy and cumbersome one! I know that the money I would be spending on this Hiwatt will be enough to buy me most amps, which is probably what made me have this mad panic. If it helps to know what application I'll be using it in, then my band is www.myspace.com/maeslostempire - this was all recorded direct into a computer with no amps, so it isn't my ideal tone, but it should give you an idea of the band. It is a one guitar band, so I act almost as a rhythm guitar. Need a very 'full' sound to hold everything down with only one guitar. Also use a lot of effects, so something that copes well with that would be good. Mainly distortions. I've had/tried amps in the past that don't sit well with distortion, and that is important. It is why I go for valves - I've found they just 'like' distortion better. I play mostly with a pick, and tapping. Not really a slapper, and I play fingers about 30% of the time. I play a 7 string, so anything that will help to bring out the subtleties of the extended range would also be neat. I guess what I'd want to be aiming at is something along the lines of Justin Chancellor's tone on 10,000 days or Lateralus. That kind of thing! Hope that isn't too long winded o_O Not urgent, but for a decision on something this big, I really want to get it right!

The microsynth looks pretty fit.