Portable live rig advice

[MarkG]

PLX starts at 700 euros, not an option why is it so hard to find a decent poweramp mono around 300-400 euros? For live application with an e530

 

[Metaltastic]

Well, in Europe anyway

 

[MarkG]

I find it odd to use a PA power amp for an e530. Will that sound good?

 

[Metaltastic]

All that matters is that it's clean and has a lot of headroom!

 

[DanLights]

All that matters is that it's clean and has a lot of headroom!

exactly, the "sound" is taken care of in the pre-amp stage

 

[Metaltastic]

That said, a tube poweramp of course adds a lovely color when it's pushed and the tubes start distorting only to the point of extra harmonic content, but that's a luxury that's not worth the unreliability (in a live setting anyway) IMO!

 

[MarkG]

Thanks, good info!

 

[Fredrik-Ablaze]

Im going with a GT8 straight to PA or into whatever amp is avaliable and it totally slays! Since we fly out to 99% of our gigs bringing a tube amp is out of the question

 

[ParsonsMatt]

That said, a tube poweramp of course adds a lovely color when it's pushed and the tubes start distorting only to the point of extra harmonic content, but that's a luxury that's not worth the unreliability (in a live setting anyway) IMO!

If you can even get it cranked up that loud!

 

[Metaltastic]

Well I dunno, even at gig volumes a 100 watt tube power section starts really filling up the sound nicely, as I found when I re-amped the guitars for my upcoming EP (without a doubt the loudest my Rectifier has ever been recorded by far Made sure my parents were out of the house ). Still, it was a pretty subtle difference!

 

[DanLights]

Well I dunno, even at gig volumes a 100 watt tube power section starts really filling up the sound nicely, as I found when I re-amped the guitars for my upcoming EP (without a doubt the loudest my Rectifier has ever been recorded by far Made sure my parents were out of the house ). Still, it was a pretty subtle difference!

make sure to post something of that Ep when it's done!

 

[Metaltastic]

make sure to post something of that Ep when it's done!

Oh you know it dude!

 

[MarkG]

I found a Marshall valvestate 80/80 poweramp, which is solid state and can be used mono and stereo. It was 185 euro. Would this be good for live use?

 

[Metaltastic]

So 160 watts total in bridged mono? Yeah, I'd imagine that'd be good, though best to look for some reviews! (I would just google the model, something is bound to come up)

 

[MarkG]

reviews are very mixed. A lot of people rave about its reliability, and others have the fuses blow 3x in a year time. Tone is very flat, but what can be expected from an SS poweramp right I have a 3 month warranty if I buy it so I'll put it through its paces.

 

[MarkG]

So 160 watts total in bridged mono? Yeah, I'd imagine that'd be good, though best to look for some reviews! (I would just google the model, something is bound to come up)

actually it can't be bridged but you can disable one channel to go mono :S So its 80 watts stereo or 80 watts mono. Still loud enough for small gigs?

 

[Metaltastic]

Eh, not so sure, with solid state you wanna have PLENTY of headroom, especially with cheap solid state - my friend had a 100 watt Marshall MG combo, and at small gig volumes that thing was harsh as all hell, so I vote pass honestly! :/

 

[ParsonsMatt]

160 SS watts is NOT enough to compete with a drummer/guitarist/bassist and have any sort of clarity. I recommend at least 300W.

 

[MarkG]

Alright, that blows. I don't think lightweigh 1u poweramps exist that supply that kind of power within my budget

 

[Metaltastic]

Why does it have to be 1U? However, I'm inclined to agree with you - honestly, I've been able to get a pretty passable live sound out of the Line 6 Spider III heads; they're about as noob-looking as it gets, but you've got built in FX, tuner, and yes, even wah with an FBV Express, so I'd strongly consider that; Line 6 are the kings of convenience!