Putting my first guitar rack system - I need help with the e

[Ervin Martinez]

Hi folks:
I'm in the process of putting my first guitar rack system together and need some help from you. *I mostly play heavey metal and shred music and so far I have the following pieces for my first guitar rack system:
1. *SKB 8 spaces guitar rack
2. *Peavey Classic 50/50 Stereo Power Amp
3. *Rocktron Piranha Pre-Amp
These are the other pieces that I'm planning to get this month:
1. *2X12 cab (genz benz or carvin legacy)
2. *TC Electronic G-Major
3. *BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer
4. *Furman PL-Plus Power Conditioner
5. *Parametric EQ (Behringer or Furman)
6. *ART X-15 midi controller
Do I really need a parametric eq if a get a sonic maximizer? *Should I get the genz benz cab or the carvin legacy cab (I only plan to use this at home)? *What should be the order (from top to bottom) of these pieces of equipment?

[MadKeithV]

Call me insane, but, DON'T get a 2*12 cab. *Either get 2 1*12 cabs, and put them a space apart so that you have proper stereo imaging, or get a full 4*12 if you're not that keen on stereo.
A single 2*12 doesn't give much in the way of stereo separation, and doesn't give much in the way of punch either.

A parametric EQ is nice to play with, but I don't use one. *The reason is that I can't find a decent programmable one for a decent price, and if I can't have my EQ settings change when I change patches, I might as well not have an EQ at all.


You'll be happy with the G-Major and Sonic Maximizer though.

[one less than none]

i agree that seperate cabs give better sepration of the stereo image

however.... in the studio you just mike both sides of the cab and live it is probably better to have the volume of both speakers closer to you for greater volume

[dwswift]

This is what I'd do:

SKB 8 spaces guitar rack -- (buy an anvil!) Top to Bottom

Furman PL-Plus Power Conditioner
Rocktron Piranha Pre-Amp
BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer
TC Electronic G-Major
Parametric EQ (Behringer or Furman)
Peavey Classic 50/50 Stereo Power Amp

2 2X12 Legacy cabs
ART X-15 midi controller *

[gkelm]

Hey Ervin-
I use the Peavey Classic 50/50 Stereo & Rocktron Piranha combo as well...nice!

dwswift's order sounds reasonable. *I have a question...are there advantages to running out of the preamp and into the effects unit v. using the preamp's effects loop?

I use the effects loop so I can make sure some un-effected dry signal is always going straight to th epower amp. *
Greg

[Ervin Martinez]

Thanks for the replies guys. *These info is extremely helpful to me. *Two quick questions:

Since these rack is going to be used mainly at home, would you get the genz benz cab (can be mono/stereo switched) or the carvin legacy 2x12?

Would you recommend me the parametric eq even tough I will have a sonic maximizer and a tc electronic g-major?

Thanks again guys.

[one less than none]

if the rig is for home use i would get two 1 x 12's for a wider stereo image (the cabs you mention are supposed to be very good thought)

signal wise you want the parametric eq before the fx units (and maybe even the preamp - experiment with what is good for you)

i never use the fx loop on my preamp (jmp-1) it's crap ! go straight to the fx unit is my advice (but try it both ways)

[gkelm]

I second the motion on two 1x12" cabs...I have two Mesa cabs and they work great (mostly at home), and are light for transport if needed. *If you want a 2x12 cab, I'd say at least get one that can be wired stereo...with a rack that's part of the fun (stereo chorus, ping pong delay, etc). *

Also, I don't think you'll necessarily need the outboard EQ, aspecially with the sweepable mids on the Piranha, and doesn't the TC have EQ as well? * As fara as that goes, you might see how it sounds before investing in a BBE...may not be necessary.

Enjoy!
Greg

[MadKeithV]

The G-Major does not have an EQ section (probably the biggest gripe I have about that thing... it really SHOULD have had an EQ section because it's pretty impossible to find a separate programmable EQ these days).

[revsharp777]

I use the BBE 462 w/ a Genz Benz 212 & it sounds great!!! *You can run the cab stereo or mono.