Amp head vs Preamp pedal

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Hey guys, i've got this gig, but the amp provided is a Smarvo.
Nothing against Smarvo, but with a 100W solid state, it really doesn't give me the sounds i want.

Therefore, i'm thinking about plugging in direct to the PA, either through an amp head or preamp pedal.
I wouldn't mind bringing an amp head or smth similar, but speakers are definitely out of the question, since i'm taking public transport.

So the question is, should i get a preamp pedal (think Mesa V-Twin, Bottle Rocket) or should i bring an amp head? I'll probably be using the onboard drive should i bring an amp head, so either way, it's gonna be guitar--->preamp--->PA. No pedals in between. Amp head in question is a Jet City 20W Head.
Also, anyone got any good recommendations on a preamp pedal, and anyone with information where to purchase the Mesa preamp pedals? Help would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[van_halen]

pre amp alone is not enough. you need power amp too.

 

[ownage101]

bring your own head. IF its allowed. check if the cab can support your head first

 

[asdf]

1 of the tech21 character pedals should do the direct job.

 

[Likui]

I use AMT SS 20 preamp pedal ok lah really change your solid state amp character.
you can use the guitar -> to preamp -> return of the amp. (not input)
pretty good sound

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

bring your own head. IF its allowed. check if the cab can support your head first

No cab, i was thinking of going straight into PA, is that possible? Definitely allowed to bring my own head.

I use AMT SS 20 preamp pedal ok lah really change your solid state amp character.
you can use the guitar -> to preamp -> return of the amp. (not input)
pretty good sound

How to go from preamp to 'return of the amp'? Sorry, i don't understand that part. :/ I normally go from guitar--> amp input, this is smth new for me.

 

[ownage101]

No cab, i was thinking of going straight into PA, is that possible? Definitely allowed to bring my own head.

depends on your head. if there's a direct out. and then if i'm not wrong, some heads need a dummy load or something like that.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

i see, Thanks for the advice!

 

[Likui]

http://www.mg.co.id/Smarvo_product.asp?mod=product&cat_id=&product_id=515
you see the spec have Effects send/return
that's the thing where u plug your preamp pedal into plug it into the return. This this is usually found at the back of the amp head. some amps have it in front though but most are at the back.
What it does is it by pass the amp's preamp section. So if you plug your guitar into the preamp pedal and the into the input. This is what happens guitar -> preamp pedal -> smarvo preamp -> smarvo power amp -> smarvo cabinet.
If you plug your guitar into the preamp pedal and then into the return of the amp this is what happens.
guitar -> preamp pedal -> smarvo power amp -> smarvo cabinet.
The sound will change drastically for both the settings.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

I see, i understand now. Can this be done with a solid state combo? I assume you were talking about stacks since you mentioned the cab. Or am i mistaken?

 

[Cavett]

As long there's an efx loop in any amp, combo or head, you can plug any preamp type pedals to the efx return input of that efx loop in the amp. This will result in you using the power amp section of that particular amp and bypassing the preamp section totally. Highly recommended if one is using amp simulated pedals as there will be no coloration of tone with this method. Try it if you haven't.

 

[Godspeed64]

At the same time, it's entirely possible to put a pre-amp type pedal to the mixer straight. In fact, those older Character series pedals by Tech 21 has the cabinet simulation that is intended specifically for that, same with the AMT Legend series of pedals.

Though, there's nothing wrong with a 100W Solid State. Solid states are great clean platforms specifically for the coloration your dirt pedals provide. Pedals nowadays are no longer built to push an amp's signal, but rather EMULATE the said distortion (eg. the tonnes of Marshall-in-a-box around). That said, I'll most probably rather gig with my SS Randall than my Tube Vox.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

At the same time, it's entirely possible to put a pre-amp type pedal to the mixer straight. In fact, those older Character series pedals by Tech 21 has the cabinet simulation that is intended specifically for that, same with the AMT Legend series of pedals.

Though, there's nothing wrong with a 100W Solid State. Solid states are great clean platforms specifically for the coloration your dirt pedals provide. Pedals nowadays are no longer built to push an amp's signal, but rather EMULATE the said distortion (eg. the tonnes of Marshall-in-a-box around). That said, I'll most probably rather gig with my SS Randall than my Tube Vox.

Not on this Smarvo it ain't. I guess it's really subjective, but at home i have a Jet City Tube amp and a Marshall MG15, solid state. I'd gig with either any day. The problem is the Smarvo cleans don't sound too good to me, and while it can muster a decent sound if i bring my own dirt pedals, my dirty sound is slightly overdriven, and i'll play with quite a bit of cleans as well. I'd rather bypass the preamp and use my own. Definitely will look into the AMT and Character series as suggested.


Thanks Godspeed64 and Cavett for the great advice!

 

[Likui]

Not on this Smarvo it ain't. I guess it's really subjective, but at home i have a Jet City Tube amp and a Marshall MG15, solid state. I'd gig with either any day. The problem is the Smarvo cleans don't sound too good to me, and while it can muster a decent sound if i bring my own dirt pedals, my dirty sound is slightly overdriven, and i'll play with quite a bit of cleans as well. I'd rather bypass the preamp and use my own. Definitely will look into the AMT and Character series as suggested.


Thanks Godspeed64 and Cavett for the great advice!

As long the amp have efx loop means can already, u want try play AMT? can come my house try haha

 

[CyanideJunkie]

Bring the amp head, but only IF it's allowed. I seem to recall some scandal where someone brought their amp head to a gig but turned out to be against the rental company's guidelines... Ended up pretty badly too...

Anyway, if you do bring your own amp head, plugging it straight into the PA is fine, but don't neglect your stage sound because of it. The crowd in the middle and back of the room may get a good floor sound from the PA, but the people near the front will be hearing more of the stage sound than anything else.

 

[taiku]

depends on your head. if there's a direct out. and then if i'm not wrong, some heads need a dummy load or something like that.

yah, most heads still require a load, i.e. cab/spkr, even if you intend to only use the FX send or other direct outs of your amp...this prevents damaging your amp..

so for the head amp option, u might still need to connect it to a compatible cab in the gig venue and run your signal from FX send -> DI -> PA...

if preamp pedal, then preamp direct out -> PA...

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Haha bro Likui, no need to bother you, i'll go shop to try... Any particular models you recommend?

CyanideJunkie: definitely allowed. I've asked the organizers and they allow. With reference to the people only hearing the stage sound, what if i go

................................|------- >PA
amp head---> a/b/y box
.................................|------- >efx loop

Then the sound overall will be balanced, yes? People near the front hear the amp, people behind who can't really get the amp sound get the PA sound. is there anything to take note of if i am doing this?

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

your amp has no emulated cab out, and has no line out too, you cannot plug your speaker out into an active PA directly cause something will fry somewhere. the only easy way to go about using your particular amp head is to plug your amp head into a guitar cab. if the venue doesn't have, then using the amp head should be entirely out of the question.

best alternative is to utilise the smarvo and mike it up in some way

 

[morello]

pre amp alone is not enough. you need power amp too.

Power Amp into Mixer?
you are gonna blow the poor mixer

 

[taiku]

Haha bro Likui, no need to bother you, i'll go shop to try... Any particular models you recommend?

CyanideJunkie: definitely allowed. I've asked the organizers and they allow. With reference to the people only hearing the stage sound, what if i go

................................|------- >PA
amp head---> a/b/y box
.................................|------- >efx loop

Then the sound overall will be balanced, yes? People near the front hear the amp, people behind who can't really get the amp sound get the PA sound. is there anything to take note of if i am doing this?

you might want to do this:

head amp FX send -> DI in -> DI pass thru -> FX return -> cab
head amp FX send -> DI in -> DI out -> PA (usually this is done for monitoring onstage, but there is no cab simulation, unless PA has)

hence, no need for ABY box, instead a DI is needed...cab and PA sound will/might be different though...

this setup is best done with an amp modeler like POD X3, because it has dual independent channels which can be panned...