Orange Rocker 30... Convert Combo to head?

[BrianPhase90]

Is this an easy or even possible feat? Or would it be easier to sell the combo and buy a head? I love my Rocker 30 combo... But I need the flexibility of a head... what say you?

[tony_clifton]

I'd say you'd better try to trade/sell it. The TT Combo is the only one with a head built-in in a cab. If you take a look at your rocker you'll see that the panel with the knobs is upside-down compared to a head.

If you build a cab for the head I think you are gonna end up like a JCM vs a MG-head . If it will be possible at all considering the placement of the valves/trannies.

[MaxRossell]

Yeah, you'd have to build it into an upside-down head (many manufacturers just flip the chassis upside-down and rewire the whole thing backwards from head to combo) and I don't even know if that's possible.

You could probably score a new R30 head for what you'd get for the combo second hand if it's in real good condition.

[BrianPhase90]

Yeah, you'd have to build it into an upside-down head (many manufacturers just flip the chassis upside-down and rewire the whole thing backwards from head to combo) and I don't even know if that's possible.

You could probably score a new R30 head for what you'd get for the combo second hand if it's in real good condition.

Yeah... that's kinda what I was thinking... thanks!

[ironlung40]

Is this an easy or even possible feat? Or would it be easier to sell the combo and buy a head? I love my Rocker 30 combo... But I need the flexibility of a head... what say you?

I don't understand this statement at all. How is the head more flexible than the combo? The rocker 30 combo is small enough, and doesn't weigh that much, so it is practically as portable as a head. Also, you can run it to extension cabinets just like a head, plus it has its own unique voicing by being in its own 1x12 open-back cabinet, so you get great versatility and different tones to boot.

I can understand liking heads better than combos, but not that a head is more flexible than a combo. If it is an ohm matching problem, you can always unplug the internal speaker and then you have the same options as the head will give you.

I wouldn't change it to a head under any circumstances.

Ironlung40

[a.hun]

Without having an R.30 head to hand, I believe the actual amp sections of the combo and head are probably identical, bar the different faceplate with reverse / upside down lettering. In the R.30 combo the valves are directed to the rear with the faceplate facing up. Rotate it 90° and you'll have the faceplate facing forwards and the valves upwards as with the head. Given a headbox and different faceplate it should be do-able.

But I wouldn't. Waste of a good combo cabinet for starters, and all in all too much unnecessary hassle getting / making the headbox and faceplate needed. (Even assuming that they are the only differences!)

+1. I'd just sell the combo and get the head.


Andy.