Amp decisions...help

[ChrisB95678]

Ok I am sorta in a jam. I have around $800-$1000 to spend and I am stuck between getting a Line 6 Spider II half stack($800) or just getting a Carvin Legacy head(about $800) and then buying a legacy cab later on.
I play mainly instrumental rock/jazz and I need an amp that doesn't have too much gain but has enough power to really cut through when I play lead. Also, if I get a Carvin Head what can I run it through before I get my cab? Is there a way to run it through my Ampeg combo? or maybe my stereo system?

[bpd111]

Originally Posted by ChrisB95678

Ok I am sorta in a jam. I have around $800-$1000 to spend and I am stuck between getting a Line 6 Spider II half stack($800) or just getting a Carvin Legacy head(about $800) and then buying a legacy cab later on.
I play mainly instrumental rock/jazz and I need an amp that doesn't have too much gain but has enough power to really cut through when I play lead. Also, if I get a Carvin Head what can I run it through before I get my cab? Is there a way to run it through my Ampeg combo? or maybe my stereo system?

Are you bent on a half-stack? If not, you should be able to find a Legacy combo easy enough. Of course, it comes down to preference. There are plenty of people who love Line 6. Personally, I think you'll get better "tone" from a tube amp like the Legacy.

As far as running the Legacy head through alternative speakers, I'm no expert, but I know you could run into some trouble. Putting it through a stereo is dangerous, because you're sending too much power through the unit and you need to know the ohms and wattage your speakers can handle. The Ampeg is a bass cab, correct? If you get the wattage and ohms OK, I would think it would have trouble with the high-end frequencies.

You could buy a 2x12 guitar cab.

In the long run I think you're better off waiting until you can get what you want. The trick is to decide what you want.

[Paul Secondino]

When I played the Legacy, I noticed right away that the clean channel was decent but that the gain channel was very dark sounding. I was surprised to notice that it was even darker than my triaxis preamp.

The line 6 amps are for guys who wnat to plug and play and don't care about tone. IF you don't mind the compressed tone and lack of dynamics,then a line 6 amp might be good for you.

Digital may improve to the point where it replaces tube circuitry, but that wont be for a long time. So for me, Digital isn't even a consideration as a main amp.I do have a pod for practicing, and late night direct recording.

But as said above, getting the legacy combo is way better for you than getting the head.If oyu get the combo, oyu can always buy a second speaker cab and use it along with the head

Never try to power a stereo with an amp, you will not only fry your stereo but most likely ruin your amp as well.IT is possible to use the preamp out of most amps and make it work with a stereo that has a line input but otherthan that, don't do it

[ChrisB95678]

I was thinking of getting a Legacy combo but the thing is I would really like a half stack so then I can buy another cab and have a full stack and just keep adding to that. I tried out some Line 6 amps at a music shop and I can't say I like them. They were definetly nice amps but I just couldn't get the tone I need out of them. I think I'm just going to get the Carvin Legacy head then look for used cab on ebay.

[frankfalbo]

Remember, a 2x12 on top of a 4x12 makes a pretty big 3/4 stack. I love the freedom of a combo amp with extension cabs. You can just bring the combo to smaller gigs or back to your house for practice.