FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Brat Pack Half Stack Bass Amp Package

Question:
Some years ago I was involved in an exchange with Ken G, about whether or not a small amp turned way up, or a larger more powerful amp turned down, was the better approach. At that time I argued that the smaller amp turned up was the best, but in fairness to my experience since and my continuing love affair with my Super Lead half stack, I'll have to say Ken, you were right. A large, powerful (and great-sounding amp), a quality overdrive pedal, a good cab, good guitar, and a little luck in playing technique and ability (grin....) is a great combination. Knowing when to be loud, and when not to be loud, is the key, I believe. My guitar volume controls go all the way down to off, so no matter what I use, I can always be responsive to the needs of the differing stages and sizes of rooms, and still have a great deal of fun with my fav amp and cab. We think of the Super Lead half stack as being a rig that is meant for the large stage and big room, but darn it - these amps and cabs can sound great in smaller places as well. What do you guys as players do to have your cake and eat it too? How do you adapt to different stages and rooms? What works for you, and what doesn't?

Answer:
The Matchless Lightning 15 combo wants to see an 8 ohm speaker, and a 4 ohm extension speaker/cab. Until I recently blew an old 30 watt Celestion in m `72 Marshall 2 x 12 cab, a nice approach was to use that `72 Marshall 8 ohm cab (unplugging the internal Celestion V30 in the Matchless) and then using a 4 ohm Mission Amps 2 x 12 cab (a V30 and a Weber Blue Dog ceramic speaker). Both 2 x 12 cabs worked pretty well together and covered a stage pretty well, but it still is not a Super Lead half stack (grin....). I'm really fortunate to have found, in the SL half stack, the amp and cab of my dreams, so I take it out whenever I can, and work around the size of the room, stage, acoustics,etc. Have fun with your rig and keep getting out there and performing. Nothing beats live for tightening up everything and seeing what works and what doesn't. And you're part of a group of musicians who are actively attempting to take good music out there to the people again. All the best to you and your band! Looks like a very nice purchase for someone. Yep, I'm a Marshall guy so a single 12 or a 2 x 12 combo would be about perfect for many stages. I still take the Super Lead half stack out because 1) I can, 2) I love the amp and cab, and 3) I've learned some work-arounds to allow me to use it in pretty much anyplace. As long as my back is able (weight-lifting for musicians, always use your legs and don't extend a considerable amount of weight out in front of you with straightened arms to avoid rotator cuff problems), I'll still take my fav amp and cab out. I know that Kent P. is really happy with his Marshall 2 x 12 combo, and if I didn't have my Super Lead, I'd probably pick up a mid 70's 4 input non-master volume Marshall 2 x 12 combo (50 watt); had a `79 50 watt master volume one that I really liked and should never have sold..