amp head question

scorpio · 05-20-2007, 10:15 AM

Do you need a cabinet to play a amp head?

This sounds very stupid but I want an amp head because I'm not getting that distortion that I want from my combo. I have a Line 6 Spider III 30 and it's not getting that sound I want. My parents always say it's too loud just when I'm playing the combo. So if I need a cab then I should just keep the combo.

telecasting · 05-20-2007, 10:36 AM

Can I hear the sound of whoosing? You do need a cab to play through, as otherwise you wouldn't make any noise. Also, if the power amp is not connected to a speaker it can get a bit messy. You would do better by getting a modeller (I can't believe I've said that) with a decent tone and a set of headphones for practice. Crank it all you want, the only person you'll deafen is yourself.

Hopeful · 05-20-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio

Do you need a cabinet to play a amp head?

This sounds very stupid but I want an amp head because I'm not getting that distortion that I want from my combo. I have a Line 6 Spider III 30 and it's not getting that sound I want. My parents always say it's too loud just when I'm playing the combo. So if I need a cab then I should just keep the combo.

Should go to "Amps" forum.

What kind of distortion are you looking for? I really think your problem is your current amp isn't a very good one, so get a better one. What you can get is determined by your budget. I'd follow the amp threads to get suggestions, but my son has been playing through a 60 watt Johnson Amplification (not the plain "Johnson" amp manufacturer) for a long time and he gets a wonderful sound live. The company that made the amp also produces a number of well known brands like AKG, Digitech, DOD, JBL, Crown, etc. Granted, the amp has an AX7 preamp tube and is not tube powered, it still works great. Plus, it has a headphone jack that he can plug in the turns the speaker off - great for parents! I recommend you find a used one, since they are no longer being made.

**nbfan** · 05-20-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio

Do you need a cabinet to play a amp head?

This sounds very stupid but I want an amp head because I'm not getting that distortion that I want from my combo. I have a Line 6 Spider III 30 and it's not getting that sound I want. My parents always say it's too loud just when I'm playing the combo. So if I need a cab then I should just keep the combo.

Often heads will have what appears to be a speaker, but it's purely cosmetic. And yes, Spider III's thoroughly suck. I know, because I finally put mine to sleep not long ago.

Hopeful · 05-20-2007, 03:25 PM

Scorpio - NEVER run an amp head without a speaker. You will damage your amp. Plus, always make sure your amp cab matches the impedance of your amp head. It takes more power to drive lower impedance amp speakers and cabs.

**thesteve** · 05-20-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeful

Scorpio - NEVER run an amp head without a speaker. You will damage your amp.

unless the manual specifies otherwise

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 05-20-2007, 04:24 PM

Firstly, a combo amp is not the problem. Its the type of combo. I play a Peavey Triumph 1x12 mostly and the thing has more gain than is actually useful. (I mean for hardcore and metal, it can go right over the top to just sounding mushy)

Now one thing to consider, with distortion, less can truly be more. You can often get a much harder sound by dialing back the gain. Its counter intuitive, but it works.

I play mostly old Peavey tube amps that can be picked up from a pawn shop on the cheap. My recommendation would be a smaller, better 1x12 combo.

Forged by Fire · 05-20-2007, 06:04 PM

I think to suggest the best amp we really have to know what exactly you want out of your distortion. There are also various combos that have variable wattage settings so you can run them hot and still have a lower volume for peak performance. I wouldnt suggest using headphones its alot easier to cause ear damage with headphones. I mean everyone once in a while phones are ok but IMO its not ideal. It also would be usefull to know your budget

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 05-20-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forged by Fire

I think to suggest the best amp we really have to know what exactly you want out of your distortion. There are also various combos that have variable wattage settings so you can run them hot and still have a lower volume for peak performance. I wouldnt suggest using headphones its alot easier to cause ear damage with headphones. I mean everyone once in a while phones are ok but IMO its not ideal. It also would be usefull to know your budget

I agree, but, I think its safe to say that a combo is going to be part of the solution. The headphones are probably going to be a problem. An attenuator may be needed as well.

**thesteve** · 05-20-2007, 08:31 PM

I think it's hard to just throw headphones out as not ideal considering the number of players out there using IEMs.

but thats just personal bias from a player who relies on having my left ear plugged in to hear my guitar.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 05-20-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

I think it's hard to just throw headphones out as not ideal considering the number of players out there using IEMs.

but thats just personal bias from a player who relies on having my left ear plugged in to hear my guitar.

my issue is most teens benefit from having their parents complain about the noise. It helps them keep their hearing.

For a pro or a mature and experienced player, i wouldn't throw out headphones. For a teen or even a less experienced pro... headphones can be a fast track to hearing loss. And just so everyone knows this isn't a slight to the OP, I have found my use of headphones to result in me having ears ringing.

Hopeful · 05-20-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

my issue is most teens benefit from having their parents complain about the noise. It helps them keep their hearing.

For a pro or a mature and experienced player, i wouldn't throw out headphones. For a teen or even a less experienced pro... headphones can be a fast track to hearing loss. And just so everyone knows this isn't a slight to the OP, I have found my use of headphones to result in me having ears ringing.

Ha, why do you think us older players have hearing loss even though we didn't use headphones through amps much in the old days? Hint: standing in front of loud amps.

We weren't as sophisticated in those days and didn't have as much choices as we have today.

I remember Doug Doppler (see my sig) telling us an Eric Johnson story as he was teaching a class at GIT where Doug also taught. A student once asked him if he had an issue with the noise coming from his amp when he wasn't playing. He replied, "What noise?"

**thesteve** · 05-20-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

my issue is most teens benefit from having their parents complain about the noise. It helps them keep their hearing.

For a pro or a mature and experienced player, i wouldn't throw out headphones. For a teen or even a less experienced pro... headphones can be a fast track to hearing loss. And just so everyone knows this isn't a slight to the OP, I have found my use of headphones to result in me having ears ringing.

indeed. I've only used mine in live scenarios, so I just keep them high enough to here my guitar over the monitors (or other the strum of my guitar when playing alone)

Forged by Fire · 05-20-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

I think it's hard to just throw headphones out as not ideal considering the number of players out there using IEMs.

but thats just personal bias from a player who relies on having my left ear plugged in to hear my guitar.

Well in live situations IEM's are the lesser of evils lol. Especially when you have the monitors competing with a loud stage volume

. I dont even mind using big isolating studio headphones onstage. When I can work with the soundguy and pull it off I even use a little submixer to mix my own levels for my phones or IEM onstage.

The only thing I was trying to warn about with practicing with headphones. Is that ive seen alot of guys develop ear infections from sweating with the headphones on there ears from practicing a long time.

Also the highend is what hurts your hearing most and most headphones except the more expensive ones accentuate that and its always directly on your ear. While with an amp you tend to be able to get more definition with less of that harsh treble that does the most damage. So when I see young kids who are learning and practicing for long periods of time, I try to steer them away from that. Im not saying that you shouldnt at all. Im just saying if its an option not to use phones or you can work it out, try to. If you do have to use phones let your ears air out and rest every half hour at least.