advice on heads/cabs

**oriv** · 09-17-2013, 01:59 PM

Hey guys

I'm using a clarus and Raezer's Edge Stealth 10. It's awesome for my Holst archtop but a bit lean and flat with my semi hollow. I also have a Henriksen head and also Henriksen combo. All sound good but still feel lean and flat with my semi hollow than what I would like. I'm gonna sell some of this and wondered if you think I should try a Redstone or Raezer's edge 8" cab (Read it is "beefier" than the 10" perhaps) or maybe a different head? (evans / mambo). Would love to hear opinions.

**coolvinny** · 09-17-2013, 03:10 PM

I happens that I also have a Holst (laminate) archtop and a Holst semi-hollow. I recently purchased the Raezer's Edge JG-10 cabinet to use on big-band gigs (for pretty much everything else, I use my Mambo 8 combo). The JG-10 is unique in that it is designed to have distinct "voices" based on whether it is placed vertically or horizontally. I find that horizontal placement gives a thicker sound, and more electric, and is what I prefer with the semi-hollow. You might want to find one to try out - having the versatility is a nice bonus.

And by the way, I power the JG-10 with my lowly ZT Lunchbox - and it sounds absolutely huge.

**mr. beaumont** · 09-17-2013, 03:33 PM

I'm a big Redstone fan, but I'm not sure I get your "tone words." "Flat" seems to imply it's something in the EQ that could be worked out?

**oriv** · 09-17-2013, 04:02 PM

Somehow the EQ is not doing it well enough, not on the henriksen and not on the clarus - I think maybe they are not quite "guitaristic" enough for me, many have said things like that over the years. again for the archtop they are great. My semi has Lollar Low Wind so I'm sure it doesn't help as these are pretty lean and bright pickup from what I understood. It's not that the sound is bad, I'm just looking for a bit more bite / balls / meat. I'm not sure I like the henriksen EQ but I'm trying to "fix" my "problem" using a different cab maybe - did someone compare a raezer's edge 8" to a redstone "8?

**jorgemg1984** · 09-17-2013, 04:03 PM

Both the AI and the Henriksen are very sterile... And I do not like their eqs either for electrics.

I love the mambo but it's still not a fender tube type of sound. I tried a Evans once, warm and tubey but expensive. I love my Henriksen with a Barb EQ pedal - try it, it makes mine much more alive.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-17-2013, 04:04 PM

Sounds to me like you want a warmer sound. Have you tried some tube amps?

**Spook410** · 09-17-2013, 06:14 PM

My apologies for the long and totally subjective post. The OP's topic is something I've been considering a lot recently. I spent last weekend with the living full of amps. Rivera Fender Concert, Lab Series, Henriksen head with a Redstone 10ER cabinet and a HoF pedal, and a 2X12 closed back cabinet with some orange Celestions loaded. My living room has 20 foot ceilings so it was a pretty open space. Ran medium to low volumes. I was trying to figure out what I was looking for using a 17" solid wood Yunzhi with an Armstrong 12 pole. Not an A/B comparisons though some of that is inevitable. Just trying to let my ears get a reality check.

- The 2X12 Lab series is a trooper. Sounds good at low/med volume and has flexible EQ with a midrange sweep. Weighs a ton. Will remain my backup for the foreseeable.
- Fender Concert was dull with stock 1X12. Muddy even.
- Fender Concert plugged into the 2X12 cabinet was absolutely great. Three dimensional, rich, just what you want an amp to sound like. Going to replace the stock Fender speaker with an EV. Weight of 2X12 and Concert together: about 140 pounds.
- Fender Concert through the Redstone 10ER was good. Better than stock Fender, not as good as 2X12.
- Henriksen head through Redstone 10ER was certainly more sterile in comparison. This doesn't mean it was bad. It's a jazz sound many use and it is appealing. Just didn't have the depth you get with the Fender. Works particularly well at lower volumes, very portable, and fits in small spaces. It's a good solution for the realities of moving and setting up gear.
- Henriksen head through the 2X12 was the biggest surprise. Really opened the sound up. Very full. Not quite the Fender but was second favorite.

Like many, I'm hooked on that shimmering depth you get out of a good tube amp. Thing is, the Henriksen with a 10" really does sound good. You could go to any sort of gathering with it and it will provide a good clean jazz tone. Still, maybe I should try that Barb EQ that Jorge likes to see what's possible without the weight.

**oriv** · 09-17-2013, 06:22 PM

I'd like to have a good tube amp and perhaps I'd buy one in the future. Right now I'm considering selling my henriksen head and henriksen combo, and buying another cab - 8" of RE or Redstone. Has anybody compared them? By the way, suddenly with a bit of change in the place of my Stealth 10 in the room I'm getting a great sound. It's amazing what the place of the amp/cab in relation to your ears can do. Another funny thing, I actually find the Clarus have a bit more "bite" than the henriksen. Both are pretty sterile but something in the henriksen, especially the head, is very "Flat" and it can't be fixed with the amp's EQ.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-17-2013, 08:12 PM

No point on going with another cab that is so similar to yours... the Barb EQ will turn the Henriksen into a tube amp, really.

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 10:53 AM

From spending most of my last days on different forums instead of practicing, what I'm now thinking is this:

1 - Selling my henriksen combo which is great but is not that different from clarus + raezer's 10 that I have, and buying a "blues amp" cabinet for my henriksen head.

2 - I might be in the need of an eq / boost pedal, although I'm not sure because with my zendrive on very little gain it give a nice almost clean boost and that might be enough. any comments on sansamp para drive vs. rc booster?

3 - glad to meet you all guys! I'm Ori, playing and living in Israel. Here's my youtube channel:
Ori Ventura - YouTube

**jorgemg1984** · 09-19-2013, 11:06 AM

A few points...

The AI and the Henriksen are not that alike - their eq is quite different.

Don't buy the "blues amp" cabinet. It's a "jazz amp" cabinet with a underpowered regular speaker...

I don't think you can achieve what you need with a Zendrive with the gain close to 0... if I understood well your purpose.

As a warmer and an eq I enjoy the RC Booster more then the Para DI. I hated the Para DI as a warmer... I liked it as a transparent DI / EQ but there are better products out there imo.

If I were you I would sell the Henriksen combo and keep the two heads. I would use the AI head as a more acoustic / pa type head and the henriksen as a more electric head. I think the Barb EQ and a reverb pedal work great in front of the Henriksen... I like the Barb EQ better than the RC Booster but if you want some grit the RC is the way to go. I would also keep the RE as a more "jazz" cab and maybe get a more regular guitar cab. For the price of the Blues Amp cabinet you can get a nice convertible cabinet. The worst part is speakers... I can give you some advice if you want.

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 11:36 AM

I hear you. But the funny thing is I'm not sure I like the henriksen head as an electric more than the clarus - I once did but somehow that has changed. There's something leaner on the henriksen I can't seem to solve, and somehow the clarus treble has a bit more bite, which I like, but it's also more transperent. As an acoustic amp the clarus wins hands down. Can you comment more on the blues amp? from what I heard in youtube and read it seems more efficient and suite able for electric sounds. By the way, I don't think the barb eq is made anymore, can't find it in the products on his website. I'm also not sure that's what i'm looking for. the funny thing is I just think of leaving it as it is - every combination here of amp and cabs sounds great, even if not "perfect" for my ear.

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 11:38 AM

**jorgemg1984** · 09-19-2013, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by oriv

I hear you. But the funny thing is I'm not sure I like the henriksen head as an electric more than the clarus - I once did but somehow that has changed. There's something leaner on the henriksen I can't seem to solve, and somehow the clarus treble has a bit more bite, which I like, but it's also more transperent. As an acoustic amp the clarus wins hands down. Can you comment more on the blues amp? from what I heard in youtube and read it seems more efficient and suite able for electric sounds. By the way, I don't think the barb eq is made anymore, can't find it in the products on his website. I'm also not sure that's what i'm looking for. the funny thing is I just think of leaving it as it is - every combination here of amp and cabs sounds great, even if not "perfect" for my ear.

Well the Blues Amp is the same amp with a different speaker... I do not like the Henriksen stock honestly. I find it spikey and sterile and beamy... The Barb EQ or the RC Booster (and a reverb pedal) turn it into a much better amp. I also liked an EV speaker much more than the Beta 12 when I had the combo... The Rajun Cajun is only 75w which would make me unconfortable with the 120w the amp delivers.

I still have an Henriksen head that I did quite some mods and use with a Barb EQ - it's my "fender tube" amp. The mambo head is my "polytone jazz amp". Love both and they sound very different which is what I wanted.

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 01:24 PM

What cab do you use with your henriksen head?

I'm thinking also of picking up a RC Booster and the empress eq - I think I need an EQ because I can't stand the preamp on the henriksen or the clarus.

I wonder if I should buy these or just sell both my henriksens (head and combo) and buy a tube amp. I just might keep the head and buy a tube amp anyway someday!

**jorgemg1984** · 09-19-2013, 01:39 PM

I use a Mambo 10 cab (much better dispersion than an Henriksen cab, can't compare with RE) or a big Dr Z 1x12 closed back with an EV.

They are different pedals those two... the empress does not warm much but it's a great eq. The RC is a simple baxandall eq (very effective) and also warms up. It will not offer the Empress eq shaping abilities though...

I would go with AI head and Henriksen head / RC with the RE cab for now and see how do you feel... if you don't like the Henriksen / RC sell them and get a tube amp

I really like the RC with my Henriksen though.

Do you have a reverb pedal?

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 01:42 PM

Yup. Wet. In that area I'm fixed for life

**jorgemg1984** · 09-19-2013, 01:58 PM

Great... don't you know anyone with an RC that can lend you the pedal for you to try?

**oriv** · 09-19-2013, 02:01 PM

No I don't think so. I see there's one in the sale page here though... mmm...

**jorgemg1984** · 09-19-2013, 02:25 PM

Man I hope you don't get disappointed... but I really like mine in front of the Henriksen, all I can say. The Spark Booster from TC is cheaper and supposed to the same and has a mid switch... never tried one though.

**Hammertone** · 09-19-2013, 03:55 PM

Clean head and cab?
I recommend this, but it's not that portable, despite the caster dolly:

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-19-2013, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Man I hope you don't get disappointed... but I really like mine in front of the Henriksen, all I can say. The Spark Booster from TC is cheaper and supposed to the same and has a mid switch... never tried one though.

I've been wondering about boosters like the TC Spark -- I'd like to try one in front of a clean SS amp. Will that work or is this a pedal that needs tubes in the amp to drive?

**kris** · 09-20-2013, 01:28 AM

I use pure tube amp combo MV3c 15 watt with 12" Jensen speaker.
I have all what I need.It work great with arch-top,semi-hollow and Tele.
Best
Kris
ps.
Soon will be 30watt pure tube head MV3.
Best
Kris

**jorgemg1984** · 09-20-2013, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I've been wondering about boosters like the TC Spark -- I'd like to try one in front of a clean SS amp. Will that work or is this a pedal that needs tubes in the amp to drive?

I have not tried the Spark so I am going to reply as if you asked about the RC Booster.

I do not like this pedal as an OD device, it produces an ugly very low-gain grit (to my ears). But I assume it would be great to give some punch to an already overdriven tube amp... It's great as a stacker with an TS or a RAT.

In front of a sterile SS amp it basically warms up the amp a lot... but never giving OD, just some life to the sound.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-20-2013, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I have not tried the Spark so I am going to reply as if you asked about the RC Booster.

I do not like this pedal as an OD device, it produces an ugly very low-gain grit (to my ears). But I assume it would be great to give some punch to an already overdriven tube amp... It's great as a stacker with an TS or a RAT.

In front of a sterile SS amp it basically warms up the amp a lot... but never giving OD, just some life to the sound.

Thanks, that is what I am looking for. Maybe the Tech21 blonde? That is designed to go direct into a PA/computer so it is not assuming tubes in the signal path.