I've got a Boss GX-700 preamp (solid state, multieffect, rackmount) and I need "the rest", so to speak. That is to say, I need (afaik) a power amp and some cab.

The stuff is going to be used for rehearsals with drums, and probably gigs in small places (with opportunity to mike it up).

So what is good and what is bad? What would you suggest? How much money would you think I'll have to spend to get what I need?

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how much money do you have to spend?

Money spent will depend on what I need to spend so to speak.

I'd prefer spending less than $450, but I have *no idea whatsoever* of how far any certain amount of money is going to get me, so basically any pointers as to what equipment is good and worth it's money would be great.

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An alright poweramp will run you about 400 bucks, if you want the loud juices going. If you want a nice poweramp I suggest Crown. I have a crown and it simply kicks ass. Obviously if you get a power amp you just need passive cabs which will be much cheaper, I suggest ones around 100-200 each for the wattage and the sound.

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I have seen a few reviews for Nady poweramps. I haven't heard anything bad about them yet except that they just started to make them at a good price, so maybe you get what you pay for. They may cost less but still kickass because there are new to poweramps? Most poweramp name brands cost more the longer they have been around.

I am thinking about trying out the Nady 900; $199, thats $0.22 per Watt. I have 2, 100W rated, 8ohm, 4x12 cabs and the Nady 900 will give me shit load more overhead power. I just haven't tried the amp yet but maybe someone here has. I don't mind if its solid state, infact I perfer it, because as long as I just use a tube somewhere in the chain for flavor, I don't hear a difference in tone; plus its cheaper, reliable, and more cost effective in the long run.

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a decent (used) 100w-ish tube poweramp will cost you about $200-$600(u.s.) depending on what brand and so on. i highly suggest the peavey classic series poweramps, they're tube, dependable, fairly cheap, and they sound great.

as for a cab you can snag a used marshall 1960 style cab for under $450, i say the marshall because they're great cabs with great speakers and they are pretty much the industry standard / most commonly used cabs by pro's.
but another great cab for the money is the peavey ms412, it's stereo and it's loaded with sheffeilds.... i used to own one and i paid $200 for it used... very good cab if you're tight for cash.

or... www.avatarspeakers.com sells factory direct cabs and speakers, you can get a brand new 4x12 from them loaded with v30's,the same speakers that are in mesa cabs and alot of other top notch cabs, but instead of costing $800+ it costs like $500-600..... you pick exactly what speakers you want in the cab and which type of cab, then they give you a killer deal...

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Ok thanks for the help dudes.

If you wish, feel free to turn this thread into a general discussion on power amps and cabs. Maybe it could even get stickied if we said enough good things in it.

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How good are Crate cabs? I have one and it seems to be alright. I was just wondering how you guys feel about them crate cabs. I see Jack Owen uses them (or used to use them while he was In CC).

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I got 2 of them and I don't see anything wrong with them. They don't cost much and I think that makes people wonder about them. I like mine.

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the blue voodoo cabs with vintage 30's... thats the way to go for a crate cab, thats what jack uses.
my guitarist has the low end bv 4x12(same cab, just different speakers), it's stock speakers are complete shit, no low end, horrible breakup, and a low total power rating of 120w, he ran a 120w head into it and it fried two of the speakers, then he just took the other two out and loaded the thing with 4 v30's. and now it sounds fuckin awsome.


that looks rad as fuck, not a bad price either. i'm all about el34's. they have a nice breakup and sizzle that's always missing with 6l6's.
most 6l6 heads like the 5150's and rectos sound so great with el34s imo. mesa's new stilletto amp that's comming out soon is supposed to be built around el34's. i'm eager to hear one.

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