Questions about my rack setup...

[ChrisReedSmith]

Hey Now!
I was hoping I could get some insight on my current rig. Basically I run my guitars into a Boss GT-6. Then it feeds stereo into a BBE 462i going to a Peavey Classic 60/60 tube (6L6) power amp into a Behringer BG412S cabinet.

I plan on buying a Mesa 50/50 (not sure if new style or old) to replace the Peavey. And 2 Mesa Vertical Rec 2X12s. For easier transport and more stereo seperation by distincing them apart.

Now I really dig my tone. The GT-6 is great. I'm sure I'm really going to dig replacing everything with Boogie. But I guess I'm not sure if I want to switch back to pedals again. Just for ease of use.

On my GT-6, my main distortion is derived from the JC-120 preamp model, with a Metal Zone. And the EQ is active and tweaked. Thats it.

Now. I guess the other 2 routes I've been considering are, trying to find another stand-alone preamp, get single pedals, and go that way.

OR, I was even thinking of using Roland JC90 combos, like 2 of 'em, to replace the whole rack. Because JC's clean sounds are absoutely awesome in the first place. I wonder if using a distortion pedal in front of them would satisfy me. It sure would be easier the lugging a rack around!

Now I shouldn't run pedals directly into a power amp right?? I've always considered effect pedals as "effectors" for the signal and not actually preamp leveled. And running a guitar clean into a power amp aint a good idea either right? Cuz then you cant EQ your clean tone.

So basically. Pedals = Preamp?

[kent]

No offense, but I'm not really sure what you are asking. I can tell you sincerely want some input so here's mine.

If you are using a GT6 and you like your tone, it may be a good idea to get the cleanest power amp/speaker combo you can find. If I recall correctly, the GT6 has that Roland COSM thing going on. If that's the case, the unit is simulating a real guitar power amp going through a cab, similair to a Pod. I'm sure there are lots of guys who get great results running Pods through traditional tube guitar power amps and then guitar cabs, but theoretically the cleanest and most effecient power amp/speaker combo would be better.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Gresh]

I'm sort on the same track as Kent. If you like the GT6 so much, why not just run it direct to the board and be done with it? If you need a personal monitor on stage, ie your band's sound rig doesn't provide you a way to hear yourself, then you'd need an amp just so you can hear what you're doing. I'm not familiar with the GT6 so not sure if it has the flexibility to send separate signals like that.

But if you can't and you need to run it into a power amp and speaker set up, I never had much luck getting my Pro to sound good through a rack rig. It just couldn't produce what I wanted and I had it running through sonic maximizers, tc electronics effects, boogie power amps and boogie cabinets. Guess when it comes to live tone, I'm a tube snob after all. That said, I've heard some great live tones out of this sort of gear, but with massive eq going on, Ty Tabor jumps to mind. POD Pros, boogie amps and cabs, massive amounts of eq in his chain but his tone is fantastic live...but he's also Ty Tabor.

You're gonna need to experiment probably. What about just buying some one of those powered JBL monitor speakers. It's got clean power, and a full range speaker system. Running stuff like the GT6 and line 6 gear through guitar cabinets tends to make them sound muddy and over compressed, maybe a full range PA application will clean it up for you, and it should be more cost effective and portable. Just a thought.

[The Madness Here]

I saw kings X in october and I got a good look at his rack (), he was using randall tube pre amps and power amps. no solid state or digital pre amps, although he did have a rather hefty graphic eq in his rig.

[bpd111]

If you like your tone, why change?

I understand switching the Peavey for a Mesa and the Mesa cabs. This sounds like a preference thing.

Are you experiencing a particular problem with the GT-6? I can't remember ever hearing anything bad about them. I wouldn't run direct to PA if I could avoid it.

If you switch back to pedals, yes you are going to need a pre-amp. You essentially have a pre-amp in the Boss you seem to be happy with. I'd leave it alone.