Single amp versus stereo rack system

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

I have been considering building a rack system (stereo) with twin speaker cabinets.
I would like to please hear feeback on the pro's and con's (though they might seem obvious)of each. I practice through a Johnson J-Station and headphones, so when I play live now the sound seems one dimensional unless I use two amps. I am not real big on effects, but a good reverb and maybe some echo are good for me. I bought a Lexicon MPX1 effects for the effects, and are considering which power amp and preamp would be good. Also, I have a pristine pair of 1960's JBL D-130's, but they are 16 omhs.
Any suggestions and advice will be appreciated.
thanks,
Lefty

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Cons: More to haul around and more cables to connect.

Pros: Much better stereo sound and usually lighter weight because the peices are separate. I also find going thru rack systems that I get a great reduction in picking noise and general mistakes don't stand out quite as bad.

I find the rack system much more versatile in sound and range. My current setup is a Roland GP-100, Mosvalve 500 power amp, into two Black Widow 1501-4 speakers in homemade cabinets. Sounds fantastic! (The system not the player!

Just my $.02.
Dave

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GFI D-10 8&7, Roland GP-100 & Mosvalve 500, Peavey Session 400

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I really like my Fender Steel King (FSK) a lot. It's the best single amp, single speaker system I've ever owned. Running two amps together always sounded better though I don't bother with that anymore.

As good as the FSK sounds I have heard at least 2 rack and dual 15" cabinet systems that were far better. The last one I played through had a Stewart World power amp, Evans Preamp and a few other items I can't now identify. The stereo sound is awesome for practice and sounds great to the player on the bandstand. Away from the bandstand they seem to sound about the same as a good amp because the stereo effect does not project out far. However you can point your sound in more directions with 2 separate speaker cabinets and it may be heard more evenly off the bandstand.

Ideally I would keep my Peavey Nashville 112 for small gigs, the FSK for bigger ones and have a rack system to practice with because the sound is so full and multi-dimensional.

It's nice to have so many choices!

Greg

Greg's Web Page
MSA/Steel King Sounds

Mark Vinbury · From: N. Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA

I found the stereo rack arrangement to be more trouble than it was worth.

How many trips back and forth from the stage to your transportation do you want to make?

Even with a lot of attention to simplifying the wiring, setup was time consuming and a pain.Stagehands would just drag the whole thing off in a heap.I'd be in the backline of the next act trying to untangle the mess.

I had a Mesa Quad preamp into a solid state power amp and a couple rack mounted effects all running stero.The dependability varied with each manufacturer and the whole thing was only as good as it's weakestlink.All it took was one intermittent cord to require a lengthy de-bugging.Also dialing in that many variables in a live situation was tricky.

I guess a lot depends on your playing situation.The big "airy" sound is nice but also bit out of sync with the mono guitars etc.
I gave the rack a good shot but am now back to a single 1x12 amp with a stomp box or two.In and out in one trip.

[This message was edited by Mark Vinbury on 03 June 2006 at 06:25 AM.]

Sidney Malone · From: Buna, TX

I'll have to cast a vote for the rack system. With the help of a 2 wheel dolly I can haul the complete system in 1 trip. The spkr cords (only 2 wrapped into 1) fit in the seat with the other cords, pedal etc...

My rack has the preamp/amp combo, effects unit & tuner, so all those cords stay put. It's much easier for me to move in/out with this setup than it was with 2 amps which is what I used previously.

As far as sound goes.....once I played with the stereo setup, I found it a step backwards to play with a single amp. I don't think I would ever be satisfied with the sound of a single amp.

I do understand those who prefer simplicity though! Plus the one's who have the talent to be able to plug into a single amp and knock your socks off!! It just don't work for me.

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MSA Millennium S-12U
Walker Stereo Steel
Hilton Pedal

Chick Donner · From: North Ridgeville, OH USA

I needed to get the weight down. Used to use two Webb 614's, and by the time I had all the junk in the backs (mic, cables, matchBro, etc), they weighed 85 lbs apiece.

Went to a six space SKB rack with the rollers and luggage handle; in it are a one space power conditioner, a one space Korg DTR1 tuner, a two space Pod XT PRO and a two space Stewart World 1.6 amp, driving two BW 15's in Marrs closed back ported cabinets.

Better tone than I've ever had, and a good bit lighter.

Fred Rushing · From: Odin, IL, USA

JMO I have played through both systems and the stereo thing is all for the steel player cuz no one else cares. Everyone has a preference but choose for yourself cuz like I said no one else cares. Out front a good Peavey FSK or Evans or Webb all get the job done and sound great. Fred

rpetersen · From: Iowa

I Gotta go with Fred - It sounds stereo within a few feet of the speakers and after that it is mono to anyone farther away unless you can place the speakers a long ways apart - I have alway felt that if you want 2 tones to mix together, use something like a Peavey Vegas with 2 channels or an evans dual preamp

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Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
Mullen Universal 12 - Session 400 - Vegas 400 - ETC.

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

I have a Walker stereo system, and it sounds great, but I've gone back to just the Nashville 112 and a Pod xt because of the weight.I've gotten lazy in my old age. ha ha

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Evans SE 150, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt

Larry Hamilton · From: Amarillo,Tx

Two Nashville 112's is pretty cool and works for me and they don't kill the back. I use a two wheeler and that really helps.

Like was said earlier no one out front really knows any difference, just me. The better I sound to me, usually the better I play.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

I tried a rack system for a year and the sound was nice although I don't really miss it.

Many times we were the opening act and it was a pain moving it offstage and then back on to finish the night.

I went from moving five pieces to three which makes life a little better.

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

[This message was edited by Dick Wood on 04 June 2006 at 12:35 PM.]

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I find the stereo envelopment very inspiring onstage, and the three smaller pieces easier to transport than a rack and large amp. Many to most of the venues we play have a stereo P.A., and miking both cabs makes for a huge sound. I'm kind of taking the place of a keyboardist in my current band and the stereo sound is a big part of that. I love it.

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

I use a Stereo Steel amp with an RV-3 and DD-2 and sometimes just one 15" cab in small spaces. The SS amp weighs 15 lbs and maybe 25 lbs for the cab (just a guess on the speaker cab) It's not stereo but is does sound nice.

I have the GP-100 with various power amps in stereo and it sounds very nice. But weight and number of items to carry is a factor.

I also use the Steel King but once again weight is an issue.

Michael Hartz · From: Decorah, Iowa, USA

I've used both setups and I still prefer the rack.Yes it's true out front the stereo image isn't as obvious as it is where you are but who cares? If you can't please yourself who can you please? When you're sitting there and you are surrounded by great tone in stereo,no less, you tend to play better because it's MORE FUN. That's what it's all about isn't it?

James Quackenbush · From: Pomona, New York, USA

I find it interesting to read this thread and find that there are so many players that really DO like the sound of their setup in stereo , but went to a combo amp for convienience ..... I'm seeing more and more with steelers that convienience is taking the place of better tone .... Pretty soon all the places that we play in , will find it more "convienient" and cheaper and easier to hire a disc jockey ..... Sometimes "convienience " can work against you !!.....Jim

James Quackenbush · From: Pomona, New York, USA

I find it interesting to read this thread and find that there are so many players that really DO like the sound of their setup in stereo , but went to a combo amp for convienience ..... I'm seeing more and more with steelers that convienience is taking the place of better tone .... Pretty soon all the places that we play in , will find it more "convienient" and cheaper and easier to hire a disc jockey ..... Sometimes "convienience " can work against you !!.....Jim

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've got a rack system (had it for about 9 years) and very seldom use it, except at home.

I've downsized to a Nashville 112 and a POD XT. Quick to unload and setup and quick to tear down and when I'm doing the RV park tours (this past winter with Tommy Cash) it's all that's needed.

David Doggett · Posted 7 Jun 2006 12:11 pm

Pardon my ignorance, but is anyone above actually talking about true stereo, or are you talking about playing mono through two speakers? How can you get stereo (two dimensional sound) from one pickup and one guitar? Do you run different EQ through each speaker? or different delay? or what? I suppose you could use a phaser in stereo and put your speakers at opposite sides of the stage, but other than that, what are we talking about?

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

David. Stereo reverb creates true stereo. The dry guitar signal may remain mono, but the reverb trail is stereo. Stereo reverb creates two discrete and non-coherent reverberations for each channel using randomization algorithms as well as other stereoizing processes, and that does indeed create true, wide sounding stereo. Typically it seems that most but not all delay settings will be run in mono, but it's the reverb that makes the left and right channels distinctly different and gives that HUGE and W I D E sound. But I think you're right. Too often people refer to two amps as "stereo" when really it's not stereo at all, it's just mono thru two speakers.

Brad

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