Putting together a rack mounted setup......

[James C]

Its currently looking more and more likely that i will be sans-drumkit by May, this will allow me to put together a Rack setup for live/studio applications, as i'd prefer not to get a 100w head and then have my band fall through and need to offload it. Guitars are 6/7 string superstrats with nailbombs and a MM'd LP.

Budget will be between £1200 - £2000 but i am thinking of getting a 2x12 as well.

Music played will be a mix of Dream Theater, Testament, Arch Enemy + Iron Maiden, so i won't be needing vintagey cleans, but i will still want a smooth lead sound and tight distortion sound (similar to Images + Words and suitable for 7 Strings)

I need recommendations for:

Preamp (preferably with speaker sim outs, for home practice via a full range monitor)
Poweramp (looked at the Marshall 20/20 but not sure how reliable they are)
2x12 Cab (or cabs if i run a stereo rig, then get rid of 4x12)

If there is any money left in the budget i might get an effects unit, but we'll see.

[Antag]

For that money, I'd snap up Feline's Rocktron Pirhana from Seconds Out (GREAT unit, shame they're not made anymore), then an Engl E840/50 poweramp & E212VH cab from Thomann

£1730 the lot....

[hunter]

Alternative: Get an Axe FX and a FBT Verve 12MA active monitor.

You can do pretty much anything with that, it's light and fits the budget. Plus, you won't lose much as they keep their value (you won't sell anyways).

[James C]

Alternative: Get an Axe FX and a FBT Verve 12MA active monitor

I take it that the monitor would be for an on stage monitor, and that i could run through the front of house as well? I still like to feel the air being moved by speakers when i play (If a little srange)

[gwEm]

i would get an axefx, marshall 20/20 and two mesa boogie thiele 1x12s.

edit: and not to forget some nice valves for the 20/20

[hunter]

Alternative: Get an Axe FX and a FBT Verve 12MA active monitor

I take it that the monitor would be for an on stage monitor, and that i could run through the front of house as well? I still like to feel the air being moved by speakers when i play (If a little srange)

Yep. It's a Fullrange monitor, but through its coax design very natural sounding. On the Axe FX forum it seems at the moment to be the preferred active wedge (after it's been the QSC211i for a long time). It is full range, that means you would have the same sound via this wedge as you would send FOH. Other possibility is to run through a poweramp and guitar cab and then either mic it or send a FR signal direct to FOH.

[hunter]

i would get an axefx, marshall 20/20 and two mesa boogie thiele 1x12s.

Would be great, but I would stay clean of the 20/20. Not enough transformer/punch.
ART-SLA2 would be a good budget solution (SS poweramp => guitar cab).

The Thiele's must be awesome from all I've heard about them.

[gwEm]

i challenge you to come and try both the theiles and my 20/20 hunter ;)

the theiles are great, yes  8) i didn't try too many power amps, i expected a weak sound due to the small transformers and EL84s - i was surprised! but maybe it is the theiles giving me the good sound. anyway, the 20/20 is very clear and loud.

considering the need for small size, medium cost and the studio/live setting, i think it would be a good choice. the 20/20 has line out you can apply an impulse response to.

regarding the heating thing - it does get hot. i disconnected the fan, and mounted the amp in my rack without the top cover. its been fine

[James C]

I need the pound to pick up, the Axe-FX Ultra is currently £1,800. The standard is £1500, but i like the ultras ability to be updated with new models etc. i'd imagine that i could forego the monitor for the short term and use monitors provided from the FOH engineer, much easier to transport than a head, 4x12 + pedalboard.

[hunter]

I need the pound to pick up, the Axe-FX Ultra is currently £1,800. The standard is £1500, but i like the ultras ability to be updated with new models etc. i'd imagine that i could forego the monitor for the short term and use monitors provided from the FOH engineer, much easier to transport than a head, 4x12 + pedalboard.

The standard has the same amp models as the ultra. There are just minor differences, the sampler, the multiband compressor, some kind of mega chorus, ... actually I own an Ultra, but don't use the extra capacity, I usually do just amp, sometimes a drive or boost in front, a bit of reverb/delay, some modulation stuff on clean sounds. Other people program patches with multiple amps and all, but I lose the patience with that stuff.

Standard will be fine. You can pick it up used for 1300 or so.

[James C]

Can the standard still do multiple amps per patch, i like the idea of running a clean sound with a really heavy distortion

[HTH AMPS]

Rocktron Prophecy, no question... http://www.rocktron.com/frameset1.html (I'm waiting till they're selling them off in a couple of years - screw paying full price)

The Marshall 20/20 should give you plenty of volume - ever played an AC30 cranked? (if you haven't, its LOUD!!!).  Still, EL84s wouldn't be my first choice for metal - a poweramp using 6550s or 6L6s would be better.

[James C]

was on youtube last night a was looking for clips of the bogner alchemist (if i can't sell my kit then my budget is £800) - the one clip i could find of someone playing metal, was with a Maple Board Vigier and Marshall 1960b - thats beyond just a strange coincidence! although his vigier probably doesn't need a new flippin' 5-way switch.

I have looked at the prophecy, they look extremely good, and have a varied list of users, I'm not sure what 6550 or 6L6 poweramps are available, but i'll have a look.

[morgasm]

ive recently swapped out the 6L6s in my rectifier for some EL34s and i play very heavy stuff. i do prefer the EL34s, so like anything musical, its a matter of opinion. ive heard such amazing things about the axe-fx i really would quite like to try one...
morgan

[James C]

At the moment i'm looking at a used Mesa Studio preamp and Mesa 20/20 Poweramp if all goes well then it should fit the bill nicely, and i can always get a rackmount FX processor to follow.