Legacy Combo vs Head+2x12 comparison

[NaturalBornBoy]

Folks,

Help me out here if you can. I'm buying a new legacy and am wondering if there are any tonal differences, or any other differences worth noting between the combo or buying seperate head with 2x12 for ease of transporting.

Thanks
Hope this hasn't been addressed already.

[scoden]

Well i dont have either Legacy head or combo...but I own a 5150 head / combo ......and biggest difference is at bedroom volumes..the head is a tad muddier than combo since it has more output..really shines cranked though...

Dont dismiss the ease of transport esp if you plan on gigging often....stay away from combo...you are going to kill yourself dragging it around.

If you are a bedroom guiatrist get the combo.

Peace

Scott

[NaturalBornBoy]

Thanks scoden,
Does muddy mean flabby? Like not as crisp?
Oh Christ, here we go.

[Gresh]

Can't comment tone-wise, but I feel the opposite when it comes to portability. I find a combo better because you can get it all in one trip. I guess I'd rather it be faster than lighter. Plus fewer trips means less chances of stuff getting stolen...gotta keep your eyes on your gear. Combos are heavy mothers though, so if weight is an issue for you...

[Drew]

I spent a summer gigging, carrying a TSL-100 head in one hand, a Mesa Recto 2x12 in the other, and a 7620 slung across my back in a gig bag. So, yes, it can be done... I just had to wait about ten minutes before my arms would unclench enough to actually play anything.

As far as output, well, they're the same amp electronically, driving the same speaker configuration - output should be identical.

-D

[ScottB]

Originally Posted by Drew

I spent a summer gigging, carrying a TSL-100 head in one hand, a Mesa Recto 2x12 in the other, and a 7620 slung across my back in a gig bag. So, yes, it can be done... I just had to wait about ten minutes before my arms would unclench enough to actually play anything.

-D

JeeBus! You must have Popeye arms after working out like that.

I'm too lazy for that kinda work on a gig night. I bought a dolly board with 4" diameter wheels and the whole load gets strapped on and moved in one trip.

[fyrie]

I have the combo, and it's waaaaaay too loud for the bedroom guitarist unless you are going to buy a hotplate or a power break. The combo is essentially a Legacy head combined with 2 speakers. There is an ouput on the amp so if you've got a cab you could use the combo as the head (bypassing the combo speakers).

It is really heavy. I think the combo weighs just under 90lbs. I'm 5 foot 6, 155 lbs and I have a very difficult time moving this thing because it weighs more than half of me, however it fits in my car much better than a head and a 4x12 does.

Here's another option to consider - Buy the head and buy the 2x12 extension... This leaves you room to upgrade to another 2x12

[Mo Fo]

the head is EXACTLY the same as the combo as far as the electronics goes. Same power, same everything. It's just upside down. The other difference is that the reverb tank in the combo is inside the cabinet on the bottom, not up top by the electronics. i had the combo. Loved it! But, I sent it back and got the half stack instead. I love that even more. It's loud as balls, but i don't care. It sounds so good and I have no neighbors for a quarter mile. If portability is your main issue now, get the combo. If you have bigger gigs in the future and you need more volume, such as if you're playing an outdoor arena like the superbowl, you can always add on another cabinet. 100 watts is plenty. I put mine's on the 50 watt setting and it's more than enough. At our loud volume jams and I never need it to go above 4 on the 50 watt setting, and that drowns out the drummer and everyone else.

For you, I reccomend the combo and a hand truck. You can hook up more speakers to it if you want to. Even use it as a head by disconecting the internal speaker and plugging into 2 4x12"s.