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what do you guys think about cabs for gigging ? which ones would be good enough for 100-200 people ? and what are cons / pros of a Cab vs PA system ?

Well, a PA will spread the sound out better so the people in the back row can hear without you on stage getting your eardrums blown out.

PA speakers are made to project sound better than a guitar cabinet. A guitar amp will sound a lot more muffled and ambient as you increase distance. I normally think it's best to keep the stage volume low and use the PA to project, unless you are in a small room.
Nonetheless, I like to use my 4x12 cabinet, not for volume, but for thick sound.

I'm not a pro at this topic, but I think a 30 or 50W tube head with a 2x12 or 4x12 should really be enough for that ammount of people... depends on what kind of music you are plaing though.
With a PA, the watts of your rig don't really matter... allthough a fat stack raises the style of your show immense imo... dunno... just what I think

cool ima probably save up for a PA system then..some places around here have them..some dont..but i think it would be best to get one to play through all the time so i can have practice with it and know it in and out, would someone mind posting links to decent PA systems ? or maybe somewhere i could learn more about them, ive googled around and checked music 123 / zzounds / musiciansfriend etc etc.. but didnt really see anything i liked...

if you have a closed back cabinet with an efficient speaker in there, like an EV 12 incher or similar speaker, you'd be surprised at the volume and projection you can get.

Amps like the twin were used for cases where there was no PA and you needed PA level volumes.

QSC makes some seriously awesome PA's. My dad has 2 of them, a 2000 and a 1000, and he was able to use them at the Viscaya mansion in key biscayne through his 2 Yorkville 15 inch woofers and horns without a problem.

I really like having a half stack for shows cause some venues have real crappy PA's that can barely allow for vocals. We usually just mike the kick drum and vocals through the PA at our shows anyways.

Most of the time I use a 50w 1x12 for a crowd that size and it works fine.


Originally Posted by XeromusMost of the time I use a 50w 1x12 for a crowd that size and it works fine.

1. although i do want a 212.


Originally Posted by slash857 1. although i do want a 212.

yeah I find my legacy half stack rarely leaves the house because I don't want the headache of moving it around plus it's too loud.

I've played for over 200 people in a club with a 40 watt tube combo amp with 1 12quot; speaker

any bigger club or more people I would have definetly wanted more.

Rock On - kac

hm..well if an amp can do it then thats what id go for because i play a lot in my room also..id just be slightly worried about the rest of the ppl not having sufficient stuff to gig with most of the time we just jam in a garage

I've always played at churches, that had reasonably good sound systems. I can't imagine having to project your tone to the whole room with just your guitar amp. The powerful amps like twins and marshall full stacks were necessary back in the 60's and 70's because of the low power and poor quality of sound systems, at that time. IMO an amp should be used as a tone generator and personal monitor, only. A miced guitar cab, through, even a mid quality modern PA will have much more consistent tone, throughout the room, than trying to spread your sound just from your amp. Like stevo said, usually an amp just sounds more and more dull the further away you get. It's not a matter of volume, it's a matter of getting that great tone you worked so hard for, to as much of the audience as possible.


Originally Posted by FireBros.I've always played at churches, that had reasonably good sound systems. I can't imagine having to project your tone to the whole room with just your guitar amp. The powerful amps like twins and marshall full stacks were necessary back in the 60's and 70's because of the low power and poor quality of sound systems, at that time. IMO an amp should be used as a tone generator and personal monitor, only. A miced guitar cab, through, even a mid quality modern PA will have much more consistent tone, throughout the room, than trying to spread your sound just from your amp. Like stevo said, usually an amp just sounds more and more dull the further away you get. It's not a matter of volume, it's a matter of getting that great tone you worked so hard for, to as much of the audience as possible.

smart man-good advice

I have played at several Hard Rock Cafes and they restrict the size of the amps for Center Stage to small cabinet (e.g., one 12 inch), while allowing large stacks in the other stages.

The best bet is to play for the room and try if possible to use the PA, but only if it is capable of producing your sound and make sure that the sound man - does not FIU (F uck it up)

I use several diffenent amps becuase of the different venues that are played...

Each are chosen because they deliver the tone that I use for the specific venue that I am playing...

Best way is to pick the amp for the tone and venue. Use your sound man and get set-up, long before your suppose to play.