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peacock1987 · 03-20-2008, 11:54 PM

hi guys was just lookin up on sum of the gear metallica has used n they tlk bout certain guitar pre and power amps bin used in conjunction. its a bit confusing, what dus each component do and why use either or both? i het that an amp head acts as a pre amp but any helpful info wud b gud. cheers

suityou316 · 03-21-2008, 12:32 AM

An amp head is a Preamp and a Power Amp in one box, and a combo is both plus speaker(s)
Some players like to use rack preamps and power amps as they can choose the combintion they want. You can have a Mesa Boogie Preamp with a Marshall Power Amp, or whatever you want.

bertie · 03-21-2008, 12:35 AM

DOES and WOULD

thankyou

Pendragon · 03-21-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suityou316

An amp head is a Preamp and a Power Amp in one box, and a combo is both plus speaker(s)
Some players like to use rack preamps and power amps as they can choose the combintion they want. You can have a Mesa Boogie Preamp with a Marshall Power Amp, or whatever you want.

Please forgive the inane ignorance of my questions - I know JS about pre-amps & power amps ...

Looking to buy a new amplifier, I've only been looking at Heads+Cabs or Combos. So, could I widen my search [and selection] by looking to buy a pre-amp+power amp+cabinet? If I was to go down this route, how do I know, from the equipment available, what is compatible with what? Are there specific guidelines/rules one must follow?

Thanks for your help.

Sporky_McGuffin · 03-21-2008, 12:31 PM

Generally anything is compatible with anything - it's all either line or instrument level between the two (usually line level) so it's really a case of picking whatever you like best for each job.

chadjess83 · 03-23-2008, 12:55 AM

It just sounds like it would make too many options to choose from! I suppose you would have to first look at what you wanna do with it. Is it for home use or are you gonna gig in a small pub or parties or large halls. Then remember you have to transport the sucker and all your other equipment etc. The list of variables to consider is kind of endless. BUT you could find your own pretty unique sound which is exciting.

Happy hunting though!

03-20-2008, 11:54 PM	#1
peacock1987 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 271	pre and power amps hi guys was just lookin up on sum of the gear metallica has used n they tlk bout certain guitar pre and power amps bin used in conjunction. its a bit confusing, what dus each component do and why use either or both? i het that an amp head acts as a pre amp but any helpful info wud b gud. cheers

03-21-2008, 12:35 AM	#3
bertie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: planet grumpy c*nt Posts: 29,715	DOES and WOULD thankyou __________________ Frank Says ma pappy is a picker, have a listen Mrs Berts website

03-21-2008, 12:31 PM	#5
Sporky_McGuffin Spam Tsar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,546	Generally anything is compatible with anything - it's all either line or instrument level between the two (usually line level) so it's really a case of picking whatever you like best for each job. __________________ I'm with stupid ▼

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03-21-2008, 12:32 AM	#2
suityou316 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11,633	An amp head is a Preamp and a Power Amp in one box, and a combo is both plus speaker(s) Some players like to use rack preamps and power amps as they can choose the combintion they want. You can have a Mesa Boogie Preamp with a Marshall Power Amp, or whatever you want.

03-23-2008, 12:55 AM	#6
chadjess83 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	It just sounds like it would make too many options to choose from! I suppose you would have to first look at what you wanna do with it. Is it for home use or are you gonna gig in a small pub or parties or large halls. Then remember you have to transport the sucker and all your other equipment etc. The list of variables to consider is kind of endless. BUT you could find your own pretty unique sound which is exciting. Happy hunting though!