Going for the VHT stable...

[keith]

After alot of searching and experimenting (alot by my standards at least) I've decided to drop some serious cash on a VHT power amp and cab to hook up to my Pod.

Now...I'm still not 100% on the 2/50/2 vs 2/90/2 front, so I'd really like to hear some opinions, especially anyone who uses them or tried them. I'm looking for a harmonically rich sound, lots of good overtones...lots of wood coming through, so I need a power amp to complement this sound.

Aggression is paramount too...so no telling me going for a vintage fender

[Two hands31]

The power amp (as far as I know) won't effect your tone much. As far as what wattage to go for, here's a simple way to figure it out: The more watts, the louder it can go without distorting. So figure out how loud you're going to need it, and that'll tell you how much power you need.

[frethack]

A tube power amp will completely change your tone, but most likely in a good way. I like the 2/50/2 because it is a little lower wattage and you can really get the transformer singing. If youre running the local club circuit (as most of us are) I dont think Id walk in with anything more than 100 watts because it is harder to hit the power amps sweet spot and really get the tubes interacting with the speakers if you have a soundman constantly telling you that youre redlining his board (trust me on this one). The EL34s are going to give a bit more of a Brit sound (but then again...Vai uses EL34s ) so you may want to research different types of power tubes to select the sound youre looking for. www.amptone.com is a great reference as is the sticky post on tube selection at the top of this section of the forum (I recommend checking there first!). The only problem that *I* can foresee (and Im by no means an expert on digital modelling) is that the cabinet emulation functions of the POD are going to be colored by the power amp (if indeed you use them in a live situation).

[Mandrak]

Originally Posted by Two hands31

The power amp (as far as I know) won't effect your tone much. As far as what wattage to go for, here's a simple way to figure it out: The more watts, the louder it can go without distorting. So figure out how loud you're going to need it, and that'll tell you how much power you need.

Frethack is right; power-amps make a huge difference.


You can make a JMP-1 crunch like hell or sound like a 15-watt valvestate depending on the power-amp.

[Two hands31]

My mistake And as far as the cabinet emulation problem, just turn it off, no problem

[keith]

Well, from what I've seen so far i can safely say a power amp will change the tone greatly hehe

With regards to the cab sim, that's no prob at all...as Twohands said, it's easily switched off.

Tnx for the help guys