Head and Cab compared to Combo

Jammer · Post by **Jammer** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:19 am

Im just wondering what the advantages are to having a head with a cab instead of getting a combo, which would be cheaper.

saewat · Post by **saewat** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:49 am

Combos are cheaper. for AD30TC head + 2 12 cabinet (vintage 30s) i paid 1875, but you can get the combo for around 1600.

I don't think there are huge differences, but the combo is not completely closed back, and the cabinet is, so you should be getting a little bit tighter bass on the cabinet. I didn't notice a huge difference though..

Head + cabinet is heavier combined, but i think it's nicer, because i could get a 4 12 later, and choose between a 4 12 and a 2 12 depends on the size of the show. But you can always add another cab to the combo too, so i guess it doesn't REALLY matter.

Oh, by the way..

Head + cabinet also looks a lot cooler in my opinion

Sae "say what?" Lee

Jammer · Post by **Jammer** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:38 am

Yea, i agree that head and cab look cooler... but i dont know if its worth the extra money. What kind of show would you use a 4 x 12 versus a 2 x 12 for?

saewat · Post by **saewat** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:33 pm

There was a discussion on this issue in another thread, but I still think 4 12 will at least "feel" like a bigger sound (i still believe that the volume will be slightly higher, but not everyone agrees).

The problem is unless you're hulk hogan, you can't lift the 4 12 on your own. I can lift the 2 12 but i didn't even try the 4 12. But if you can handle the weight, by all means, go with the 4 12.

Sae "say what?" Lee

Post by **bclaire** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:00 pm

Well, I think there's a huge difference myself. At the end of the day, I prefer a head and cab because there's more 'oomph' and 'whoomp' from a closed back cab. They're directional, too, and Sae Wat, you're not losing your mind here. All of the sound is focused forward with a cabinet while an open backed combo disperses the sound in all directions, which, by the way, is perfect if your drummer can't hear the guitar on-stage.

The focused directional throw of a 4X12 can be tricky, too, when you're working with soundmen. If you have the cab aimed right at them, often your stage volume and the directional qualities will make them keep you too low in the mix. Try not to ever aim your cab at them...

My back likes the combo better though... but I like them all! mostly 'cause I'm an Orange fanatic... OH, and they all sound good- just a little different!

Billy

Edited by - bclaire on 15 Jul 2004 15:01:31

Kurb2004 · Post by **Kurb2004** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:39 pm

I'm definatley a head an cab man. You get far more scope to experiment with different combinations of speakers.. oh and they look mega. Orange ad 200 stack 1x15 4x10 Orange Cabs looks mint and my Soundcity 120 mk4 custom on top of two marshall 4x12 looks pretty cool too.

Kev

www.kurb.org

Jammer · Post by **Jammer** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:51 pm

ha, how heavy is the 4 x 12?

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:45 pm

About 50kg...

I'd get a head and cab if I had the money, mainly as it looks cool, but i'm very happy with my combo... you can still plug it into a 4 x 12... just take the old speaker cable out of the back!

Don't tell me the best way, just tell me the cheapest way...

Post by **bclaire** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:03 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
About 50kg...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

... which is about 110 lb. for us US folk...

Billy

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:24 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> ... which is about 110 lb. for us US folk...<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Apologies, I forgot you guys in the US are still closet members of the Empire <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don't tell me the best way, just tell me the cheapest way...

Head and Cab compared to Combo

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