help an old newbie

[mnavarro]

Looking to improve my rig, and learn how to set it up. Starting out with a Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier 25w lunchbox head. Have 2 Crate 2x12 cabinets from the 90s, closed back (don't know what speakers are in them). Also have an older Digitech RP500 and an old Line 6 Spider head. Thinking I need a decent cabinet and a more recent multi-effects unit. Suggestions please. Not really sure how to put any of it together. Have mainly played just straight to an amp or trough headphones RP500.

 

[glpg80]

For an all in one recent effects unit in pedal format that sounds great, check out the Eventide H90.

Recently boss released an SDE3000 pedal that is amazing and worth a look at if you want something more dedicated delay oriented.

You’ll run time based effects in the effects loop of the 25W in simple mono mode although these effects can do stereo as well.

As for your cabinets, you need 16 ohms most likely for the head. I know my 20W only has one cabinet connection that supports 16 or 8 ohm, not sure how many cabinets you can run directly from your amp.

 

[rsm]

There are so many options to consider. How do your cabs sound? If they sound good to you, I wouldn't upgrade those first. Do you like your Mesa head, or want to go for a different sound?

For an effects processor, my current fav is my Line 6 HX Effects, worth a look. HX-FX can also do MIDI amp channel switching.

If your amp has an effects loop, you can use the 4 cable method with the HX-FX or other units: Guitar --> HX Effects input; HX-FX send to amp input; amp effects send to HX-FX return; HX-FX out to amp effects return. If you had a stereo head you could run stereo out to your two cabs with the HX-FX.