https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:38:13 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307169 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:30:23 +0000 Live Sound greybeard https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307169 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307165 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:56:10 +0000 Live Sound manti https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307165 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307124 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:22:24 +0000



During the 60's especially, players like Pete Townshend of The Who wanted bigger speaker cabs that could provide plenty of volume to large crowds. He started playing Marshall amps with four twelve inch speakers (4 X 12). At one time supposedly Marshall made cabinets with eight twelve inch speakers (8 X 12), but they were too large and heavy to be practical. So players like Townsend would use two 4 X 12 cabs and "stack" them on top of each other.



So you can easily see the two "cabs" with four twelve inch speakers here. The amplifier itself is a seperate unit on top called the "head"



With a "head" you can power many different types and brands of "cabs" (speaker cabinets}

People use stacks when they play on large stages/venues or to very large crowds to provide plenty of volume. They sound very big. They look cool on stage. The disadvantage is that they are very heavy and difficult to transport.

For most venues, a combo with either one or two twelve inch speakers will provide all the volume you will ever need, plus they are smaller and much easier to transport.]]> Live Sound Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307124 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307076 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:16:43 +0000 Live Sound manti https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307076 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307054 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:20:51 +0000
Stacks (head and two cabs) come into their own on a large stage, half stacks (only one cab) are ideal for a smaller stage.


A :-)]]> Live Sound Alan Green https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307054 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307041 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:23:28 +0000
So, I have the next obvious question: When should you go for a combo, and when should you go for a head/cab setup?]]> Live Sound manti https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307041 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307025 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:08:42 +0000 Head: amplifier by itself, no speakers. Needs a cab.
Cab: speaker(s) in a box, no amplifier. Needs a head.
Combo: head and cab in one box. Plug 'n play.]]> Live Sound slejhamer https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-307025 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-33210 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:14:47 +0000
What exactly are these three types of Amps? I've been playing for about 5 years and I'm looking for a good amplifier so I can play with a band and live. I'm ashamed of not knowing what the difference between these three is :S

Also how good are Laney amps? I'm looking to play classic rock (not heavy metal or anything hard like that).

Thanks a lot in advance ;)]]> Live Sound manti https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/cabs-heads-combos/#post-33210