Rack system or Amp

Richard Tipple · From: Ohio, USA

Just wondering how many use the rack system & how many use amps on live gigs & why

Jonathan Cullifer · From: Gallatin, TN

I use both. Space is the deciding factor. My rack sounds better (Rev pre, MPX1 into 2 NV112s) but that can get a little bit much to carry around, especially on some of the tight stages I play. I'll take the best sound I can, given that sometimes it might not fit so I'll use something smaller.

Sonny Priddy · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.

I Always Use A Amp Never Used Any Else. SONNY.

Mike Winter · From: Portland, OR

4-space rack and 15" BW speaker...lighter.

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

I use Both.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I'm trying to cut down on size/weight [but the jury's still out]leaving the complete Tubeworks rig at home. I have a 3 sp. Pod/Boss rack that I'm currently using with either the NV400 or a Mosvalve 500 power amp. So, it's either 4 pcs. or 5 with a 12 and 15 BW depending on the gig and space constraints on stage. The stereo sound with the MV500 is unquestionably sweeter, but the LeMay 400 sounds pretty darn good too. Very Happy

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

For years I used a rack setup with some sort of preamp (the last I used was a THD Univalve as a preamp) into a good EFX unit into a power amp. The last I used was a VHT 2-90-2 which is the best clean power amp out there, IMHO.

I always use an low powered amp these days (a THD BiValve or UniValve0. The sound guys like me better, the sound is fatter at a lower volume.

But I don't go for a standard tone, your mileage may vary.

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

I've been playing through a rack system for about six years now.
The reason I went to a rack system is:
With a combo amp. it is what it is, very little EQ, poor reverb, NO delay, bottled or packaged sound.
With a rack system, you build your own tone. You get to choose the power amp you want to use, you get to choose the FX model you want to use, and most important you get to pick what Pre Amp. you want to use. All with much more EQ and options in lepps and bounds than with a combo amp.
This coupled with YOUR Choice of speakers, and you have built your tone the way YOU want it.

Now, when you deside to go with a rack system, come see me on our website. We have some beautiful rack cases and speaker cabinets and great deals on them as well. Thanks.

I'm Fred Justice and I approve this message. Very Happy

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Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Someone told me Fred Justice was trying to cut down on weight and went to a Fender "Squire" amp with an 8 inch speaker! You know a Fender "Squire" weighs less than a Peavey 112.

Jay Ganz · From: Out Behind The Barn

I just did a Poll on this very topic awhile back.
Here ya go.....

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I first put a rack system together in 96. I've had several different combinations in the rack over the 10 years I had it. It sounded good but there was really no place that I played that justified using that system and mostly it was only played at home or collected dust. I finally broke up the system and sold most of it off this year. I still have a Rocktron rack preamp that I'm torn between keeping or saving. I have to say my rack system sounded great to me, but several of our club members have rack systems (including a stereo steel system) and truthfully when you are listening, you can't tell the rack systems from the ones using a combo amp.

But, back to Rack or combo Amp. Even tho I had the rack system, I always had a combo amp, and in the last couple of year it was "downsize" time and I'm now using a Nashville 112 exclusively. The 112 is more than adequate for any job I've done in the last two years (since I got it).

Larry Weaver · From: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Both. A Revelation/Mosvavle rack rig for clean, and a Holland combo amp running 6v6's and biased warmer for overdrive and dirt.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I use both ...have had a Peavey E115 based rack system since the early 90's....and now have a Revelation Pre ....I also on occasion run this into the back of my Nashville 1000 as well, depending on the gig.

Tony Dingus · From: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA

I just got a Mesa Boogie studio preamp that I'll use with a Nash 112 and direct in the studio. I've been just using the Nash 112 and a DD6 delay and it's worked great for me. I have a Digitech Genesis 3 and a Quadraverb GT that I can use with the 112. I got the Boogie mainly to use in the studio.

Tony

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

I use a SF Fender Twin Reverb. I will probably never use a rack system, the way I see it if you can get good sound out of one little box, why make it more complicated? That being said, you do get a lot more options as far as effects, etc. in one convenient little box with a rack.

Reason I like to keep it simple: I've found after years of dicking around with various pedals and amps and speakers and equalizers, etc., that yes, you can spend hours on your own tweaking your sound EXACTLY how you want it. But then, chances are you will fire up that same rig with a band and it won't sound as good to you anymore, thus requiring more tweaking. With an amp like the Twin Reverb, all you have to do is plug it in, and it automatically sounds good--that's what is was engineered to do. I don't HAVE to choose my own speaker, try a new power amp, etc. etc.

Plus, having too many options is just distracting for me, the goal is to have it sound good without my having to worry about it so I can just concentrate on hacking up the song!! Laughing

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Both.
Depending on what the job is. Big arena or outside, rack with two 15" closed back cabs. 300 watts per side.

Club, smaller space, combo tube amp with 15" speaker, open back, 80 watts.

Hope this helps.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Years ago Jeff Newman recommend a rack system to cut down on weight. He recommended the Peavey ProFex and the DPC 750 solid state amp going to a pair of 15" speakers. The trouble is, a guy never stops with just that! I played for a Christmas Eve program the other day and I practically filled up the back of a van with my "stuff"! Whoa!

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

It depends on the gig, and my mood. I'm most comfortable with my little Boogie amp (Rotosphere in the effects loop). Sometimes I get the bug to use the rack with its Lexicon stereo effects. Sometimes I just run a POD XT direct into the PA, and monitor the mix with headphones.
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Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

Went to a Fender Silverface Twin Reverb about 6 months ago with a 15" JBL-K130 speaker. Before that I used a Mesa Boogie Studio preamp>Mosvalve 500> 2X15" JBL-E130 cabs with an RV-3 in the effects loop. I just got tired of the hassle of all the wires, power chords, etc. The Twin is heavy, but it's all I need for anywhere that I might play. I highly recommend wheels on the Twin! Just setup the steel, plug in the amp and connect two 1/4" input cables. Ready to play! Very Happy

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Tim,

I'd also recommend two rack type handles on each side of the twin so you can lift it with both arms. It's better for the spine. It's hard to beat a Twin!! I had to quit carrying mine because I kept messing up my back. That's what inspired me to go the rack route, keeping everything nice and light, but still using some tubes in there to get a Twin-like tone. My preamp/fx/tuner rack weighs about 30lbs and my powered speaker cab weighs 29lbs. So no individual piece is a back breaker for me now.

Brad

Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

Brad,

That's a good idea! I believe Ken told me the mod he's doing to my Twin is one that you recommend. I'm really looking forward to having two for one!

The amp section of the Twin weighed in at 35 lbs. The rest of it must weigh 30+ lbs. I think that James Moorehead had a good idea making a piggy back rig.

I'm considering modding my combo cab to be a speaker cab (saving the integrity of the Twin combo cab) and building a Tolex piggy back amp head. I can see the multitude of benefits.

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