Turning Combos into Heads

bigdaddyweed · March 24th, 2008, 02:28 PM

Just want to get other guitarists thoughts on this.

I currently have 2 tube heads, and 2 tube combos. Since I have cabs in 2x10, 2x12, and 4x12 combinations, I'm thinking about turning the combo amps into heads, giving me the freedom to pick and choose what I need, per gig. I'm also currently building a 1x12 cab, for the smaller gigs or practices.
The woodworking aspect is not a problem, as far as making new enclosures for the heads. I've looked into trying to do some trading, combo for head of the same model, but haven't had much luck. So, have any of you done this? And if so, have you ever regretted it? Or, any pitfalls that I'm not seeing?

The tube heads I have are a Dr. Z Maz Jr., and a hot rodded Epi Valve Jr..
The combos are a Mesa Maverick 2x12, and a Peavey Classic 30.

Later...........weedman

Jim L · March 24th, 2008, 02:55 PM

I guess you just need to make sure your amps have multitap OTs so as to pick the ohm setting depending on which cab you plug into, no?

bigdaddyweed · March 24th, 2008, 07:15 PM

Jim,
Yeah, all the cabs are set up at 16 ohm, and the amps are all compatable.............weedman

Geoff738 · March 24th, 2008, 07:27 PM

I was going to ask pretty much the same question.

I'm guessing you'd want all the speakers to be roughly the same in terms of the wattage they're recommended for. Ie if all your amps are in the 15 - 30 watt range, also have all the cabs running speakers that can handle 30 watts and still sound good at 15. You wouldn't want to run a 100 watt head through a speaker rated at 25 watts, I don't think. Not for too long.

But is the opposite true as well? If you're running a lower watt head (or head part of a combo) through a speaker set that can take a lot of watts, will the speakers not have to work as hard and maybe not sound as good as when they're pushed a bit? I suspect this may make more of a difference if you're aiming for distorted tones. But, this is all just a guess by me. Amp gurus?

Cheers,
Geoff

March 24th, 2008, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigdaddyweed TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 38	Turning Combos into Heads Just want to get other guitarists thoughts on this. I currently have 2 tube heads, and 2 tube combos. Since I have cabs in 2x10, 2x12, and 4x12 combinations, I'm thinking about turning the combo amps into heads, giving me the freedom to pick and choose what I need, per gig. I'm also currently building a 1x12 cab, for the smaller gigs or practices. The woodworking aspect is not a problem, as far as making new enclosures for the heads. I've looked into trying to do some trading, combo for head of the same model, but haven't had much luck. So, have any of you done this? And if so, have you ever regretted it? Or, any pitfalls that I'm not seeing? The tube heads I have are a Dr. Z Maz Jr., and a hot rodded Epi Valve Jr.. The combos are a Mesa Maverick 2x12, and a Peavey Classic 30. Later...........weedman

March 24th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigdaddyweed TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 38	Jim, Yeah, all the cabs are set up at 16 ohm, and the amps are all compatable.............weedman __________________ I do not use or promote the use of illegal drugs, but I used to hang out with some people who did.......big daddy

March 24th, 2008, 02:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jim L Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrimac, MA Posts: 378 13 Photos	I guess you just need to make sure your amps have multitap OTs so as to pick the ohm setting depending on which cab you plug into, no?

March 24th, 2008, 07:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Geoff738 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 44 Posts: 302	I was going to ask pretty much the same question. I'm guessing you'd want all the speakers to be roughly the same in terms of the wattage they're recommended for. Ie if all your amps are in the 15 - 30 watt range, also have all the cabs running speakers that can handle 30 watts and still sound good at 15. You wouldn't want to run a 100 watt head through a speaker rated at 25 watts, I don't think. Not for too long. But is the opposite true as well? If you're running a lower watt head (or head part of a combo) through a speaker set that can take a lot of watts, will the speakers not have to work as hard and maybe not sound as good as when they're pushed a bit? I suspect this may make more of a difference if you're aiming for distorted tones. But, this is all just a guess by me. Amp gurus? Cheers, Geoff