Hi Fretboarders, looking for some more advice for moving from bedroom guitarist to forming a band and playing live.
I've been thinking about my amp setup recently.
(I play a range of stuff, and this is slightly theoretical at the moment)
I have:
- Blackstar HT-5RH Mk II head (5w)
- Blackstar HT-112OC MkII cab (50w, 16 Ohm)
- Orange Micro Dark
- Two Notes Torpedo Captor X (16 Ohm)
- Bunch of pedals
What I like about the Blackstar:
- Good for home volume
- Easy recording
- Range of sounds
- Cab can be closed or half open backed
My only concern is that it's probably not going to be able to keep up in louder practices, and small gigs. Especially for cleans.
What I'd like:
- More volume for practices / eventual gigging
- Decent cleans, range of overdrive
- Modern high gain a bonus, but could go with pedals for that
- Good with pedals
- At least two channels
- Not massively heavy if avoidable
- Doesn't take up too much room (max is 1 x 12" cab / combo, realistically)
That last point is important as space at home a premium for me.
So, my initial thoughts are that I could:
- Swap the Blackstar stuff for e.g. Marshall DSL-40CR
- Swap for a Fender HRD
- Keep what I've got, and get additional 15 - 40w head for use with the HT-112OC.
The cab is 50w, 16 Ohm. Not sure what exact speaker is.
If I get another valve head, would it work well with this cab, and be loud enough over drums etc.?
Marshall DSL-20HR or Orange Rocker 15 Terror look good...
Alternatively I think I could use the Torpedo with a DSL-40CR for attenuation and recording.
Have thought about going down the modeller route before, discounting for now as I don't want to do lots of menu diving, and generally like a simpler setup.
Obviously I need to try some things out, I'd just like to know if getting an additional head is the sensible option.
Budget is £500 max, would likely go second hand route.
Any advice appreciated. Cheers!
Comments
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
The Fender HRD would give you the clean sounds but you would need pedal(s) to get high gain. I only ever used mine as a clean pedal platform as I didn’t like the drive sound, but this is personal preference. You may also want to change the stock speaker.
I haven't played the earlier Mark 1 to 3 versions where the Drive channel is said to be not for everyone - but I use a Mk4 and the drive channel is good enough for me to use in the band I'm in.
We do Blink 182's All The Small Things in the set and I stomp on the More Drive channel and wind down my guitar volume to to take account of the slight vol bump for hi-gain sounds.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-B-906-TA-312S/dp/B0831TZK9T/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=2W4WN1VJQNIHV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0555Oh76DA-Vc8mpxdZQG6Yr2G3BSwucXDTMHrtwIoQGLLblruwn5tu2tD3UcQlKxglrJHUkMNZhZ_3zFmYqnqk2tEEDmtT2Hc8geHq8xIBhs__ENTaCEsfUUmM4Cqbb6zVaTNJmIR9oYpIGZSRKfx8xyd0DTQE8uolr7URPbvm7sqwQM9x6uaZE0HCc1FjGdFUs9TrWBCnHAAREYzzdZA.8mHLUhDN-Q-t2JkSPkMfmvlGV262ZNXYzN_zhqbXzag&dib_tag=se&keywords=instrument+mic&qid=1707992878&sprefix=instrument+mic%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-8
RocknRollDave said: Just take whatever amp you like the sound of and mic it up through the PA.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-B-906-TA-312S/dp/B0831TZK9T/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=2W4WN1VJQNIHV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0555Oh76DA-Vc8mpxdZQG6Yr2G3BSwucXDTMHrtwIoQGLLblruwn5tu2tD3UcQlKxglrJHUkMNZhZ_3zFmYqnqk2tEEDmtT2Hc8geHq8xIBhs__ENTaCEsfUUmM4Cqbb6zVaTNJmIR9oYpIGZSRKfx8xyd0DTQE8uolr7URPbvm7sqwQM9x6uaZE0HCc1FjGdFUs9TrWBCnHAAREYzzdZA.8mHLUhDN-Q-t2JkSPkMfmvlGV262ZNXYzN_zhqbXzag&dib_tag=se&keywords=instrument+mic&qid=1707992878&sprefix=instrument+mic%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-8
Fair point, I suppose I'm coming at this from a 'cover most bases' point of view, I saw a few DIY gigs, or in e.g. pub garden last year where they were just using a large combo, un-micced. But I will bear this in mind. I've got an SM-57 kicking around.
Do venues usually supply that stuff, or best to pack your own?
Heh, the thought had occurred to me (or a similar Blackstar). Irrationally, my instinct was that if I get another head, it has to be a bit different to what I've already got. But I suppose a straight swap is the most logical path here.
It'll likely come down to what's available locally in price range. The general question is - will the cab stand up to it? If it's 50w, can I take that to mean I can use any head with a 16ohm out, up to 50w? Or do I need to have some margin / headroom?
Thanks for all the answers so far
It's definitely got the modern high gain that you're after but also does a decent clean and also great crunch. I use mine with the classic channel set to edge of breakup and push it with a drive pedal. If i need clean the volume control on the guitar does the job by backing it off. I then use the ultra channel as a solo boost.
I've 3x amps that I use for gigging depending on the mood I'm in. Marshall DSL20-HR , Marshall Origin 20H and an Orange Tiny Terror. They go through a Marshall 2x12. I'd recommend any of these but i reckon the DSL hits the nail on the head for you.
They are all more than loud enough to do your average pub gig un-mic'd. If you're going to need more volume than this then your entire band is going to be mic'd up through the PA. They're also all small enough and have low power modes to use at home too.
Fender HRD - yes it's the staple live combo, they're a great pedal platform, i gigged one for the best part of a decade, it never let me down etc etc. However I found it so boring. It was just a loud heavy box that just amplified my guitar signal rather than being part of the sound. I've bought oodles of drive pedals trying to get the sound I wanted and never did.
But of course my experiences are totally subjective to my personal tastes.
I took my Blues Cube Artist to a blues jam last weekend (as it's somewhat lighter) and had the opportunity to hear other guitarist s playing through it. It sounded great.
Assuming it should sound similer, I think I might for the Blues Cube Stage now, as the Artist is probably overkill, and the Stage is slightly smaller and even lighter. A bit above your budget new, but you might get one second hand. The Blues Cube has power scaling, which helps for home use. In fact I used my Artist on its 15W setting at the Blues jam.
I think the HRD IV has the slight edge for the cleans, but the drive on my Blues Cube Artist sounds pretty good to me (unlike the drive on my HRD).
if you are just starting out you do need to think about a situation where you are not mic’d up and competing with a drummer. If you are remotely clean, that means a suitable amp which moves enough air. There are plenty to chose from but if you aren’t too worried, go for an all rounder that can cope with a variety of styles and add pedals to suit. Do think about portability too and also when you might use it. Gigs is fine but you might find it depends on what you need for rehearsals- some studios will have cabs.
Could just resort to the 'pause for a beat before launching into the chorus' approach to songwriting
If you like the HT5 then the HT20 or the JJN version of it might fit the bill?