help on a half stack


the grim gopher
Registered User
Joined: 07/12/04
Posts: 4
the grim gopher
Registered User
Joined: 07/12/04
Posts: 4
07/12/2004 10:05 pm
im looking to get a 4x12 cab and a 100+watt head. what setup should i get for under/around $600
# 1
Lordathestrings
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Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
07/13/2004 6:40 pm
For $600, you will have to prowl eBay and every music shop you can get to. Even used, you aren't likely to find a 4x12 cab and a 100 Watt tube amp. You might be able to get a transistor amp and cab for that kind of money.

One of the best-kept secrets of the guitar world is the late-60's-early-70's Traynor YB1-A. This 100 Watt tube head is a serious competitor to the Marshall 'plexi'. Prices are starting to rise as word gets around, but you should be able to get one for less than $400. The 50 Watt YB1 is just as good, just as loud, and usually less expensive.

The Ampeg V2 (60 Watts) and V4 (120 Watts) from the same time period are also good candidates. I prefer their sound (I have the VT-40 and VT-22 combo versions) and the tone controls are more flexible than anything else out there, but they cost more, and if you buy on eBay the shipping cost is going to hurt!
Lordathestrings
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www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 2
the grim gopher
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Joined: 07/12/04
Posts: 4
the grim gopher
Registered User
Joined: 07/12/04
Posts: 4
07/15/2004 8:42 pm
alright, thanks for the info, i appreciate it.

are 4x12 B52 cabs any good? there was one at my local Guitar Center for $350 (new), then they had a Peavey 120w head for $250.

thanks again for the help
# 3
blankdrawn
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Joined: 12/28/01
Posts: 30
blankdrawn
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Joined: 12/28/01
Posts: 30
07/15/2004 10:04 pm
i have never played with the b52 cabs myself, but i have been to a few shows and heard them in use, and i think they sound pretty good. and for $350, i think that's a good price.

and i would also jump on that $250 peavey head deal. i've been considering getting one myself, and brand new they cost nearly a thousand (or even more) just for the head.
this is enthusiasm.
# 4
Lordathestrings
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Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
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Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
07/16/2004 3:52 am
I'll second that!

I paid about CDN$700 for a road-worn pair of Garnet 412 cabs a few years ago, so $350 for a new 4x12 of reasonable quality is worth considering. And $250 for a 100 Watt anything is a good price. For that kind of money, I expect to see a transistor output stage instead of tubes, but at that price, hey, give it a try - if you like the rig, you're good to go, and even if you don't like it, you can recover all (or most of) your money on re-sale.
Lordathestrings
Guitar Tricks Moderator

www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 5

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