You might run into issues where just managing the volume of the two real amps is a bit of a chore. While it's easier with two identical amps, I gave up on a stereo real amp rig when I had two different amps because one would easily overpower the other if the volumes were not just right.Interesting, I’ve been using a Helix and two wedge monitors for a few years, so I’ve gotten very used to stereo. I’m actually thinking of picking up another Supro Keeley so I can go full tube stereo with the Helix effects. That’s one of the reasons I asked this question actually, I don’t want to be putting my eggs in the wrong basket.
Hard to say tbh…I do know that 2 amps at the same volume, result in a louder endresult together then just one.What’s the difference in volume like using two amps compared to one? I know the science of loudness is a bit weird!
Any 30kg should travel with a trolly…even if you don’t do the 200 m sprint with itThe last 1x12 combo I bought was a Bogner Goldfinger 45 Superlead. 45W, Fender clean, Marshall overdrive, built in tube boost, good stuff. I wanted the head, but it would have taken several months for the store to order one.
But god damn, that thing must've been made out of gold bullion because it weighs as much as a Fender Super Reverb. At the time I lived in an apartment on top of a hill and had my car parked down the street so I thought "eh, can't be bothered to move the car up here, I'll just carry the amp, it's only like 200 meters".
With one top handle, 30 kg weight...it was a struggle. I ended up picking the amp with two hands and carrying it like a box. Which barely helped since it's an awkward size to carry even a short distance.
After that ordeal, I decided I will never again buy a combo amp. I turned the Bogner into a head and cab and that made transporting it easy - a ~15 kg head in one hand and the combo chassis as a cab in another.
I have nothing against 1x12s otherwise. I currently use two 1x12 BluGuitar cabs and they sound great together.
I'm happy with BluGuitar for this. About 15 kg with the Fatcab, about 11 with the Nanocab.Any 30kg should travel with a trolly…even if you don’t do the 200 m sprint with it
..and 30kg is one extreme side of the spectrum right?…plenty of amps are far more manageable.
That said…there is very little gear you wanna carry 200m…
Question is…how far do you wanna go to prevent you having to carry more then you like?
I don’t wanna play sh***y stuff all year, just to mitigate the risk of one gig per year with a longer walk to stage…I got a trolly in my car for that
I plan for the “average” gig in my book…and then something like a deluxe, even my sonic 60 is fine, and I always have a stJames & superchamp when I know upfront there’s gonna be some hauling gear…all tube combos
Maybe when you do 200 shows a year carrying your own into unknown venues it’s a different story..
But even traditional tube gear can be made better and lighter. Manufacturers just aren't interested.
You can use lighter woods like pine or paulownia. IMO birch ply is overkill and I have no complaints about the sound of my 4x10 made of paulownia. That cab is only about 16 kg.Better AND lighter how? A certain number of watts are going to require certain glass and iron (for a quality piece).
You want the chassis holding all of that made out of thick high grade steel. And I certainly want a real wood box and
heavy duty hardware to surround everything.
Other than neo for a driver magnet where's the weight savings without impacting quality and ruggedness?
You can use lighter woods like pine or paulownia. IMO birch ply is overkill and I have no complaints about the sound of my 4x10 made of paulownia. That cab is only about 16 kg.
Some are…Blackstar st James…11kg for the combo….thats 50w el34 or 6l6I'm happy with BluGuitar for this. About 15 kg with the Fatcab, about 11 with the Nanocab.
But even traditional tube gear can be made better and lighter. Manufacturers just aren't interested.