brynwkh

Hi Guys,

I had a few question here. What is the major different between the MG100DFX and MG100HDFX. Obviously one is a combo and another is a head for stack.

1) Is there a tone difference between these two?
2) Can i output the MG100DFX(Combo) to a 4x12" cabinet?
3) Both amps are 100watts and is there a sound/loudness different if MG100DFX(Combo) is being output to a 4x12" cabinet?
4) Anyone kind soul mind to share why there are combo n stack?

Cheers
Bryan

Metallon

Combos are easier to transport than stacks, but heads are easier to transprt (often) when you just want the head with you and plug it into the venue's existing cabs. Aside from obvious appearance differences (stacks are infinitely cooler) there is the fact that a combo usually has a single 12" speaker, whereas a head like a MG100HDFX is usually bought with a 412 cab, so you'll got tonal differences for sure.

Now someone finish up here, I'm not that high on combo/head differences.

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iceman0124

The main problem with combos vs head is all the excess vibrations rattling all the compnentes around, it is true that most tube amp heads have a longer logevity than combos that are heavily used, tube life can be somewhat longer in a head as well. As for speakers, most combos can easily accpet extension cabs. I personally like combos, and greatly disliike moving around 4x12 cabs. I dont personally know what speaker extension options the combo in question has, they may try and save a few bucks by leaving them out, I've seen that on other cheaper amps, but can always get an amp tech to add those for a price.

As for the main reason why there are combos and stacks....why are their 2 and 4 door cars? Why do some folks take baths and other shower (and others just stink) ? Basically its simply different strokes for different folks. There are pros and cons to each, the main pro with combos are portability, though as stated earlier, if all you have to lug around is the head, the head wins that one.

Whats your budget? If your going solid state I would highly reccomend looking at the vox AD series, they are close to the same price and the vox IMO sounds a lot better, plus it has a preamp tube that warms things up a little, and the amp models are fantastic, you get nearly a dozen totally different amp voicings across the whole spectrum, and the effects are a bit better too.

Buy Vox AD100VTH Valvetronix Amp online at Musician's Friend

Buy Vox Valvetronix AD50VT 50W Guitar Combo Amp online at Musician's Friend

Dont be afraid of the 50 watt combo....a 100 watt amp is NOT twice as loud as 50 watt, in most cases 30 watts is overkill for most situations, especially for amps that sound best when really driven hard. Right now I'm only using a 5 watt tube amp through a single 12" speaker and it keeps up with the band, it even cuts through a 120 watt tube bugera halfstack of our other guitarist.

"Will running my 100 watt amp with two power tubes make it half as loud?"

Answer: No. It will only drop the sound pressure level by three decibels. If you have ever plugged into a 50 watt half stack and then compared it to a 100 watt half stack then you know what I mean. The 100 watter has a little more grunt but the 50 watter is not far behind. In turn, players running 50 watters and looking for more power are often disappointed that a 100 watter is not twice as loud. This is simply because every time you double your power you only get three decibels louder. So you players looking for a bedroom amp need to look for amps that are between one to five watts.

That was from euro-m

PaoloJM

He was asking about a MG series which is a solid state head.
The increased reliability of a valve head vs combo does not apply here.

The main advantage of a solid state head and cab vs combo is to do with the sonic qualities of the cabinet used with a head and cab set up.
Firstly a half stack generally uses a 4 X 12.
Is this louder than a 100 Watt combo using a 1 X 12? Answer; No.
But it sounds "bigger". Basically it pushes more air than a 1 X 12 or even a 2 X 12 and fools the human ear into perceiving a bigger, fuller sound.

Secondly a 4 X 12 half stack generally uses an angled cab (eg 1960A).
If you've ever moved your ear up and down in front of a speaker you'll notice that you get hit with more treble the closer to the centre of the speaker cone you get. This is because treble frequencies tend to project straight out whereas bassier frequncies tend to disperse more.
When you stand in front of an angled cab you get a nice mix of the bass from the bottom two speakers and more trebs from the top to as they are angled towards your head. On stage the crowd will here the same thing but the other way around, more trebs from the bottom two and more bass from the top two as they are are down lower than you are. This means when you set up your live sound you can be more confident that what you hear on stage is what the crowd will also hear.

The other differences are to do with logistics.
Some prefer be able to just carry around a combo whereas the head and cab seperatly are lighter than a combo but you have to carry around two bits of gear.

Interestingly enough when Jim Marshall designed the first angled 4 X 12 cab his reason for using the angle was so it would match the dimensions of the head and look better, it had nothing to do with the sonic qualities!!

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Metallon

Any and all genius contribution to mankind is always unintentional.

But wow, I never could've guessed that there was such a difference between straight cabs and angled cabs!

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brynwkh

Tx everyone esp.. PaoloJM, u had answer most of my questions.

The reason i'm asking these questions is that both series shared the same manual. As i go thru the manual, i didnt notice much different between both.

Now the best part the combo have an output to a external loudspeaker



Now if i use tat output to a 4x12" cab(eg 1960A)... izit tat i can mimic a head with 1/2 stack now?

Is there any differences in tone fullness compared to the actual head?

brynwkh

Anyone can tell me the diff?

steelhorse

If you plan on gigging get the stack, if not get the combo, it's pretty much as simple as that.

Just saying....

TONY50WATT

I used to use a 50 watt combo/12" speaker (vibrated the components too much) an amp tech told me I should go with a "piggy" instead because of the high volume. I bought a 50 watt Jmp and a 4x10 cab (easier to move than a 4x12). I get many compliments on the sound!!!

brynwkh

So u r using a 50watt combo and output it to a 4x10" cab? So all together u had 5 speaker playing at the same time?

JohnH

it seems to me youd get the same sound with the head or combo, assuming both are going to the same sort of cab and you are not using the combo speaker. The electronics are the same.

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TONY50WATT

Let me clarify. I had the 50 watt combo first..sold it..bought a JMP 50 watt head and a 4x10 cabinet (if I remember correctly the 4x10 1965A was for the mosfet back then) the head is wider than the cabinet, but I put a black board on top of the cab and put my head on top. I have had this since the mid 80`s. It works fine, the bass is a bit thinner than a 4x12 but it sounds really great and is pretty portable. Later,Tony.

ExxplorerAxe

Hey all,
What I have found is that it really depends on the venue. Combo, vs half stack, vs stack. If you're in a small bar, with primarily a vocal PA, and the band not miked up, you can play the combo, crank it up and hear well.
In a bigger venue, with full stage, and 3way or 4way sound, I prefer a moderate stage volume, spread out over multiple cabinets. I use 2 heads & 3 cabs at larger venues. On a big stage, if you are not dead in front of the amp, you can't hear unless you turn it way up. When you do that, some sound men will compensate by turning you down in the PA. Then only those right in front of you will hear everything you are playing. Solos may not cut through etc.
In short, the venue you are playing has a lot to do with stage volume, and how much air you want to move. Hope this helps.