Best backup option? I’ve been thinking about backups all wrong

[metropolis_4]

I realized I think I’ve been approaching my backup from the wrong angle.

Typically during live shows I use my amp -> mic-no-mo -> Suhr RL (or a speaker cab).

For a backup I’ve been thinking I want an amp-in-a-box that I can keep on my pedalboard. So I’ve started with a Simplifier, and I carry a Quilter Phantom Block. But I’ve realized there are some flaws in this approach:

1. I’d have to unplug the XLR from the mic-no-mo and plug it into the Simplifier, so I’d have to communicate to the sound tech that I need to be muted
2. The “cab” sound would be totally different in the mix
3. Level difference would be more variable
4. Can’t drive a real cab when needed

So my new plan is some kind of compact head. That way I can have it set up and ready to go, and if it’s needed I can unplug the speaker cable from the mic-no-mo and plug in the one from the backup without as much noise, and I can drive a cab if needed. I could also get a head switcher if I really wanted to be thorough.

So my criteria list is:

• Compact size. The smaller the better
• Prefer solid state that never needs maintenance
• Low noise floor
• 8ohm speaker out
• Must work very well with pedals!

I’ve been looking at those little Orange amps and Vox MV50. The problem with little solid state amps is it’s so hard to know how they’ll work with pedals

Curious what other options might be worth a look!

Anyone have an amp like this they’ve had good experience with?

Anyone try those amps with pedals?

 

[newholland]

i use a 2000 fender stage. it was $89.

 

[metropolis_4]

i use a 2000 fender stage. it was $89.

That’s bigger than I would prefer. Does the external speaker jack mute the internal speaker?

 

[2dor]

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury or Iridium.
I have the Iridium & it kicks a$$

 

[metropolis_4]

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury or Iridium.
I have the Iridium & it kicks a$$

I kind of forgot the BluGuitar Amp1 is an actual amp. That’s a good suggestion!

 

[newholland]

That’s bigger than I would prefer. Does the external speaker jack mute the internal speaker?

its a head, so i hope so! it also has an xlr out, a loop, dead quiet, maintenance free, and 160 watts into 4 ohms or 100 into 8, and further made controllable by a standard fender #2 input!

oh and gad.. it weighs like maybe 10#?

 

[metropolis_4]

its a head, so i hope so! it also has an xlr out, a loop, dead quiet, maintenance free, and 160 watts into 4 ohms or 100 into 8, and further made controllable by a standard fender #2 input!View attachment 60568

oh and gad.. it weighs like maybe 10#?

Ah, that makes more sense! When you said Fender Stage I was picturing this:

 

[metropolis_4]

I’m really getting curious about the Orange Terror Stamp.

A tube preamp seems like a safer bet with drive pedals interaction than solid state or digital, 20 watts, and small enough I could just set it on top of my amp ready to go.

I wonder if I would regret not having a grounded power supply though

 

[maddnotez]

I just recently got a tonex one and an am4. Both seem great and with very little Play Time on each I would say the am4 is much better. I'm going to wait for the Wampler pedal head to come out and that will be my backup rig.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury or Iridium.
I have the Iridium & it kicks a$$

100%.

 

[sleewell]

Quilter makes really great small ss amps that are stupid loud, great w pedals, and aren't very expensive

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury or Iridium.
I have the Iridium & it kicks a$$

This. It could even be your main amp for the gig. They're really good.

 

[laxu]

• Compact size. The smaller the better
• Prefer solid state that never needs maintenance
• Low noise floor
• 8ohm speaker out
• Must work very well with pedals!

BluGuitar Amp 1 Mercury Edition ticks all those boxes.

You may find that you can also ditch some drive pedals from your board because its overdrive channels have a lot of gain on tap, with a built in boost too. There's also a noise gate for convenience and a half-decent spring reverb.

You can use the Vintage channel as a second clean channel if you want - a Marshall flavored one. You might want to get the 1Control box (or MIDI adapter + MIDI controller of your choice) to adjust this aspect though as it gives you control over the channel gain range, the internal powersoak and 2nd master.

The overdrive channels are a bit quirky because they behave like a Marshall with a big bright cap. So with low gain settings they are harsh like a Plexi turned down. To tame that you have 3 options:

1. Set gain to a higher setting to reduce the bright cap effect, roll back your guitar volume and tone.
2. Reduce the max gain via MIDI or 1Control. Then you just run the gain higher to mitigate the bright cap, and still get a lower gain overdrive without touching your guitar.
3. There's also a "low gain mode" powerup setting that reduces the gain on all channels. While this requires no extra gear, you also reduce the gain on the clean channel which makes it a very pristine clean instead of the "little bit of hair and harmonics" goodness you get out of it normally.

 

[Fishbulb]

My backup is the humble Joyo Jackman II head - it is vaguely Marshally with a decent clean and an effects loop, just how Hugh Jackman likes it. They do have several other models that cover different sounds. The power supply is kind of a pain. If I wanted to spend a little more I’d look at one of those small solid state Friedmans or something.

 

[nightlight]

May I suggest just discussing the backup with the soundman? I'm pretty sure an amp failing doesn't happen at many shows for anybody, unless it is in dire need to repair. You could save the cash and pick up a new amp if that is the case.

If you want a backup just for peace of mind, maybe try a Tech 21 pedal that can go DI straight into the board. You can just take the cable out of the Mic No Mo and plug in and it should be fine, with the advance warning given to the sound ensuring that he makes the right tweaks while you get into the show.

It's just that even big bands have technical issues, so a minute or two to change a guitar string or unplug a pedal that has gone kaput shouldn't disturb the sound guy to the extent that he criticises you. If he does, get a better soundman.

 

[Baba]

I'll have to second the Bluguitar stuff. The thing weighs like 1 or 2 lbs, is loud AF, sounds great, and is relatively small, and can be used with the same gear as your normal head. You won't need the Suhr RL though.

I will say, the amount of times you will actually need/use a backup is close to zero, at least in my 40 year gigging experience, so, don't overthink it.

 

[BFRaid]

its a head, so i hope so! it also has an xlr out, a loop, dead quiet, maintenance free, and 160 watts into 4 ohms or 100 into 8, and further made controllable by a standard fender #2 input!View attachment 60568

oh and gad.. it weighs like maybe 10#?

I do some thing simular. I have a Fender Bassman 100B I keep in the car at gigs, it is an emergency head for myself or the bassist. It sounds great for a $100 head. Incredibly neutral-sounding, and it will get you through the night if needed. It is also super light. It takes to pedals fine, I use it a bit at home because it sounds surprisingly good.

 

[la szum]

I realized I think I’ve been approaching my backup from the wrong angle.

Typically during live shows I use my amp -> mic-no-mo -> Suhr RL (or a speaker cab).

For a backup I’ve been thinking I want an amp-in-a-box that I can keep on my pedalboard. So I’ve started with a Simplifier, and I carry a Quilter Phantom Block. But I’ve realized there are some flaws in this approach:

1. I’d have to unplug the XLR from the mic-no-mo and plug it into the Simplifier, so I’d have to communicate to the sound tech that I need to be muted
2. The “cab” sound would be totally different in the mix
3. Level difference would be more variable
4. Can’t drive a real cab when needed

So my new plan is some kind of compact head. That way I can have it set up and ready to go, and if it’s needed I can unplug the speaker cable from the mic-no-mo and plug in the one from the backup without as much noise, and I can drive a cab if needed. I could also get a head switcher if I really wanted to be thorough.

So my criteria list is:

• Compact size. The smaller the better
• Prefer solid state that never needs maintenance
• Low noise floor
• 8ohm speaker out
• Must work very well with pedals!

I’ve been looking at those little Orange amps and Vox MV50. The problem with little solid state amps is it’s so hard to know how they’ll work with pedals

Curious what other options might be worth a look!

Anyone have an amp like this they’ve had good experience with?

Anyone try those amps with pedals?

I hauled around a Care Powerblock for almost 2 decades as a backup, and used it exactly one time.

Pretty sure it was less than $200.