Putting together live rig

[MonsterTone]

Alright guys, it’s time to discuss the rig I’m putting together to finally get out and play some live shows. I’m looking to get help on purchasing the rest. My budget is limited, so I’m trying to find the less expensive ways to get decent quality results out of my gear.

Let’s just state firstly what gear I’ve got now.

So I recently purchased a like-new Blackstar HT Studio 20w head, and I love it.

My axe is a brand new Jackson Soloist SLX Spalted Maple model like this one here https://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear/sha ... 2916341510

The only decent speaker cab at the store was a Peavey 1x12 with the celestion G12m Greenback, so I picked it up. It sounds “okay”, but I liked how the amp sounded better with the Jet City 2x12 he had, but he wouldn’t part it from the head, so I had to settle for the Peavey. But I’m open to trying to sell/trade this cab for a better option.

That’s it right now. But as it is, I’ve been rocking at home on this rig for couple weeks now and it’s been killer!

I need recommendations for decent mini pedals I can put on my Pedaltrain Metro16 board. I’d like to cover most of the basics (to the extent my budget can afford). I was wondering what would be higher up the list for basic effects. My band does mostly 80s hard rock covers with some modern rock thrown in. I use Van Halen as a general blueprint for tone.

One thing in particular I’m looking for is something that would give the Blackstar just a bit more, not sure what the word is.....”articulation”? I love the tone of the amp, but the notes do seem to fall apart a little bit sometimes. Something like a clean boost pedal might help it’s responsiveness? What do you guys think? Do you recommend particular mini boost pedals I should look into?

Other recommendations would be much appreciated!

 

[skullfxr]

I hope you are planning on mic'ing up, right?

 

[cardinal]

I'd get a wah and a Boss SD-1 to boost/"add articulation" and you'll probably be set. Maybe a chorus (CH-1 or so) since were talking '80s. This is pretty much Zakk Wylde's pedal board and he does alright.

Your Blackstar might run out of volume unless your band is hired as sorta just moderate volume background music, which actually is somewhat common.

 

[skullfxr]

I'd get a wah and a Boss SD-1 to boost/"add articulation" and you'll probably be set. Maybe a chorus (CH-1 or so) since were talking '80s. This is pretty much Zakk Wylde's pedal board and he does alright.

Your Blackstar might run out of volume unless your band is hired as sorta just moderate volume background music, which actually is somewhat common.

I would highly wager that unmic'd you would be drowned easily. Tbh. It's not like it has massive iron either which can help it out in some ways. If you can I would take it back and get a HT40. Then go for a different cab.

 

[MonsterTone]

At 1/4 volume with master cranked this amp splits ears. Kind of figured I could get by with the 20.

The SD1 is overdrive right? I wasn’t really wanting more overdrive. This amp’s got a killer distortion. I was more wanting just a boost that wouldn’t color the tone. Also, my pedals need to be mini.

 

[cardinal]

I'd get a wah and a Boss SD-1 to boost/"add articulation" and you'll probably be set. Maybe a chorus (CH-1 or so) since were talking '80s. This is pretty much Zakk Wylde's pedal board and he does alright.

Your Blackstar might run out of volume unless your band is hired as sorta just moderate volume background music, which actually is somewhat common.

I would highly wager that unmic'd you would be drowned easily. Tbh. It's not like it has massive iron either which can help it out in some ways. If you can I would take it back and get a HT40. Then go for a different cab.

I was just at a minor league ball game with live band doing rock covers with a Mesa Mark 25 and a little 6505 thing. They had plenty of volume for what they were there to do and they sounded great.

 

[skullfxr]

I bet they were mic'd though.

I have heard people say on here that their JJ Jr can't keep up with a band. I don't see a black star doing any better.

Also GB's are a very inefficient speaker from the sensitivity standpoint.

It may be heard but you won't have low end or any cleans.

Also 1/4 the way up on volume is NOT equal to 1/4 of the volume.

IMO, YMMV.

 

[cardinal]

It's really going to depend on the gig. Seems like some places hire a band and want a volume that patrons can essentially talk over. That's just not very loud.

 

[skullfxr]

It's really going to depend on the gig. Seems like some places hire a band and want a volume that patrons can essentially talk over. That's just not very loud.

I totally agree. I don't feel prepared with 20 watts tbh unless it's a small blues joint where the power tube distortion makes the tone as opposed to hindering the tone.