Rig upgrade...

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metalheadCP

metalheadCP

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My current rig (1 Marshall DSL100H head + 1 MX412AR cab) just isn't cutting it. I have to crank it to 10 to try to keep up with my drummer and it's clipping/sounds like crap.

I decided it's time to get serious if I'm going to advance my tone and deliver the goods when we play. My dream amp (EVH 100w Stealth) arrived today but now I need to figure out what to do on the cabinet front. The Marshall was my first half stack, and for the EVH I really want to go full stack (but not spend a ton of money atm). Options:

1) Get the MX412BR to complete the full stack for roughly $650.
2) Sell the Marshall head and upgrade to an EVH cab instead of Marshall - https://www.guitarcenter.com/EVH/5150III-412-Guitar-Extension-Cabinet-Ivory-1273888002930.gc (then I'd have a mixed stack for now).
3) Sell the Marshall head AND cab, buy 2 of the EVH 4x12 cabs partially using my credit card and hope the wife doesn't kill me (or, eventually, if I get one EVH cab now, get the other one down the road a bit).

From what I've read online so far, people are generally negative when it comes to the MX412 speakers, and forgive my naievity here, still new to gear talk, the EVH cabs have "greenbacks" that are universally loved? I'm guessing I could try to run the Stealth through the Marshall's but if I really want to keep up with band volume-wise AND have it sound killer, it's gonna be the EVHs right?

Thanks for all the pro tips in advance, from an intermediate level player who's really starting to get into this stuff! Rock on!!

Cheers
-metalheadCP
 

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Buy a used cab off of Craigslist. You can find pretty good deals on Craigslist for cabs. I found a Randall cab from the 80s with the original vintage 30s which kick ass for $400. That thing destroys your current cab. I’ve seen a splawn cab with greenbacks for 350, and I recently saw H&K cab for 500 with vintage 30s and greenbacks like a Friedman cab. I’m sure these guys would have sold for a bit less.

Bring your head along and plug into them and see how they sound. I have played through numerous cabs that sounded great that weren’t the usual Marshall or Mesa cabs. my friend has an avatar that sounds amazing, it’s their copy of the Bogner 2x12. There is that other place called guitar cabs direct I think? They make cabs for a lot of the boutique brands.

Just hunt for a good deal. Sound is far more important than matching brands or looking for a “hip,” brand. Plug into cabs that have good speakers and are a good price regardless of brand. I have seen the carvin Vai cabs for good prices. You just have to search.
 
If you are that tight on cash, I’d be real careful with the wife, justttt sayin. Number 1 cause of divorce.

I’d sell the Marshall head and cab, and buy a used EVH 4x12 or recto cab USED, not new for either of them, and leave my credit card alone. I’m not sure why you would need 2 4x12s unless you wanted to leave one At your rehearsal spot ( which is completely a convenience thing and something you probably can’t do right now)
 
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japetus said:
Those cabs are trash. Get a cab with some better speakers, whatever you choose. There is no way that DSL wouldn't be loud enough. Get a cab with V30s or some old g12-75's to start.
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This.
DSL 100s are easily going to keep up with any drummer I’ve played with. And, the EVH 5153 won’t be any louder. The EVH cab will be but it will pale to 75s, or V30s. Greenbacks aren’t as loud as those 2. Sell the MX cab and like Japetus said, grab a quality cab like a 1960 or a Mesa.
 
RaceU4her said:
The dsl isn’t the problem, get a proper 1960
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Yep.

Keep the DSL, you have the EVH, buy a good cab. Marshall 1960, Mesa, the EVH, Orange, Bogner etc... Plenty of good stuff out there new or used. Then you have a main amp and a backup.

Now if you have to sell both Marshall pieces, do so and buy the EVH 4x12. And frankly you don't really need two 4x12's in most live situations much less your home unless you just dig looking at cabs.
 
DSL isn't the problem, speaker efficiency is likely the culprit

sell the cab and get a legit 1960, used, or a used mesa or 5150 4x12.

or if you're on a super tight budget, and it has to be new (credit card) get a v30 Harley Benton or something.

What I would do? Replace the speakers in the cab with something loud and that cuts.

Buy some used V30s, creambacks, 12Ls, scumbacks, Redcoats, etc, depending on the sound you want.

The amp isn't the problem, guaranteed, unless there's an unnoticed problem with the tubes

You'll have the same volume issues with the stealth with the same cab, I'm guessing
 
I love my EVH cab. I like it just a hair more than the 1960BX I also have. I agree that swapping the cab is what you need to do. Keep whichever amp you like better.
 
8len8 said:
A 100W amp can’t keep up with a drummer????
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Only when I crank it all the way up, and then, as I said, it doesn't sound great and clips out from time to time on the 2nd higher gain channel...
 
metalheadCP said:
Only when I crank it all the way up, and then, as I said, it doesn't sound great and clips out from time to time on the 2nd higher gain channel...
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The amp is broken (maybe bad tubes) or the speaker cab is bad.
 
Definitely don't underestimate how important it is to have a good cab. One of the easiest ways to go wrong with buying gear, is dropping money on a great sounding head only to cut corners with a cheap cabinet, especially in live situations.

They're pricier than they used to be, typically around $700, but I'd look for a used mesa standard cab. If it doesn't work for you, it'll hold value well enough that you won't have a problem moving it.
 
japetus said:
I would take a low-mid sounding amp through some great speakers, over a badass head with a shit cab
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It's also important to play a few different amps through a nice cab so you know how it "reacts" with different types of amps

That will give you a good idea of what it's "base" tone is imparting to every amp

And therefore determining what is the amp, and what is always there in the cab
 
cobrahead1030 said:
Definitely don't underestimate how important it is to have a good cab. One of the easiest ways to go wrong with buying gear, is dropping money on a great sounding head only to cut corners with a cheap cabinet, especially in live situations.

They're pricier than they used to be, typically around $700, but I'd look for a used mesa standard cab. If it doesn't work for you, it'll hold value well enough that you won't have a problem moving it.
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Agreed, I rarely knock equipment but that cab is lower end for a reason, MDF I believe.

And if you're amp is in good working order, that amps plenty loud for any situation.

Get a quality cab. That said EVH Stealth through the EVH cab, cannot beat that.
 
Don't know if it's an amp issue or maybe the cab does suck like said above, but I can't imagine a 100-watt head not being to keep up with a drummer, even a loud one!
 
Harley Benton has v30 loaded 2x12 and 4x12 cabs and good prices. could be worth a look
 
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