Going the Way of The Rack, I am.... Any pointers?! SEE LAST POST FOR RESULT

[Loomer]

Since I've gotten it into my head to convert the whole damned rig into something Rack-based, and I'm toying with the idea of the following setup:

Boss GX-700 (used as the preamp exclusively)
Graphic EQ of some sort (preferably a 2-channel deal.)
BBE Sonic Maximizer (this one's a very big "Maybe", though. Not at all sure if I'd rather go with this or just the EQ. This is where you lot come in.)
Rocktron Velocity 300 power amp
and also MAYBE a Marshall Valvestate 8008 2*80W poweramp as well, just for the extra firepower.

The rack is going to be used for Madsakre and I's new Grindcore band, where the only stringed instrument will be my guitar. As such, it will need to be able to power a few more cabs than usual (at least 3) and have some serious low end as well as a lot of harsh high-end "cut". So basically I'm just looking for pointers if this will be a good setup for that purpose. Since I'm very new at this whole rack thing, any and all pointers and tips are welcome! Even the most facepalm-ingly obvious newbie things is stuff I don't know, so please do enlighten me :)

[Frank]

Someone posted some clips here with the BBE, I wasn't convinced. The guitar seemed to sound better with the BBE switched off. YMMV as they say. As for graphic EQ, I've really never felt the need for one. I think if my sound is so bad that I need a graphic to fix it then something's seriously wrong in the preamp setup.

Power amp wise, you seem pretty much set on the Rocktron but it's worth hearing your preamp through a few different power amps. I wouldn't be without a real valvey EL34 power amp. Although if you're dead set on a transistor power amp you can have my old Marshall 9040 for a knockdown price!

[Frank]

As for facepalmingly obvious advice, the great temptation with stereo FX and stereo power amps is to go mad with panning delays and stereo wibbly wobbly noises. Took me a while but I've finally abandoned ALL stereo and gone back to good old fashioned mono, same signal through both sides of the power amp. Stereo is a colossal waste of time.

[Loomer]

I am more or less dead set on solid state, since I just love that harsh, abrasive solid state sound for Metal.

Warm, tube-y goodness is actually sort of the opposite of what I'm going for, since this is supposed to be for a harsh-as-all-get-out grindcore thing, not actual "music".

That said, please do let me know more about that marshall 9040 :)

[Loomer]

Oh, also, don't worry stereo delays and effects! :lol:

If I ever need that, I'll use my trusty pedals, in mono. The GX-700 is a bit of a bitch to control in that department.

[psy]

I second what frank says about stereo vs mono.  I set my rack & cab up for stereo, but it just didn't seem to cut through as much as it does in mono especially on the clean sounds (mind you, I've only tried it in a band with a bass, drums & vocals.  It might be more effective if you're not competing with much else).

If you're just after a preamp with quite a lot of range it might be worth looking at something like the Sansamp PSA.

Oh, and you might want to add a MIDI foot control for switching patches to your list if you need to change sounds mid song.

[Loomer]

I have a Digitech control Seven for the GX-700. It's usable, but by no means great. That said, I won't be doing much in the way of switching for this project.

[JacksonRR]

Get a used Aphex Exciter/Big Bottom rack unit. The Big Bottom has the ability to fill in your bass really really well and the Exciter section can most definitely be used to create the top end that you describe. There's definitely way more range in those dials than I would ever need, but it seems you would be keeping things on more extreme settings and I could see that working in a band with no bass player.

[Stevepage]

I would advise against having a rack EQ or BBE thing. Get a half decent preamp and if it's solid state, match it with a decent valve poweramp (something like a Peavey Classic 50/50 or Marshall 9100). The valves in the power amp will give your sound that big push it needs and helps cut.

Try and keep things simple as possible other wise if any problems arise on stage you'll be in trouble trying to figure out what's wrong.

I went for a rack set up recently myself and kept it to a preamp (Line 6 Pod Pro) and poweramp (peavey classic poweramp). Very simple but sounds great.

[Toe-Knee]

I built a BBE sonic stomp recently.

Its ok but it isnt very versatile it can only really make your sound go from either

A. Bypassed (awesome depending on your rig...)
B. On (hair Metal)
C. On (solid state harshness)

there isnt really anything inbetween.

I find when not playing hair metal :D that it also is fantastic for enhacing chorus/flangers but i doubt that you will be needing that too much....

[Frank]

That said, please do let me know more about that marshall 9040 :)

It's the big MOSFET 200 Watt a side into 4 ohms grey box. Mine's had a lot of use but never failed me once. Pics here, third pic down the page is the 9040.

[Loomer]

That said, please do let me know more about that marshall 9040 :)

It's the big MOSFET 200 Watt a side into 4 ohms grey box. Mine's had a lot of use but never failed me once. Pics here, third pic down the page is the 9040.

Blimey, that looks more like the blackbox in a tank than a guitar amp :P
Feel free to PM me a price idea :D

[Frank]

I've had a look at prices of the 9040 on the net and it looks like they go for around £80 now ... so really, once I've packaged it up and arranged delivery it's not going to be worth my while selling it now. You're probably better off scouring ebay, they crop up second hand quite frequently.

[Loomer]

Yeah, you may be right. Shipping would cost an arm and a leg :/
I am in London during easter though, but it might be a bit much to lug home on the plane.

[Loomer]

Alright, so now everything is sort of put together:







Absolutely love it. The bottom cab is a Marshall 2x15 by the model name of 1552. Apparently sort of rare-ish, but it's absolutely amazing.