New rig advice needed

[Rexel Matador]

Hi all, I'm forming a new metal band and thinking of splurging on a new amp. It's so hard to know what I'm going to need in terms of wattage, cab size etc.

 

I play with a pick, on a 4 string bass tuned B-E-A-D with EMGs. Musical style is roughly a cross between The Black Dahlia Murder and Amon Amarth. Two guitars, bass and drums.

 

I like the look of the Darkglass heads - Microtubes specifically - as I feel like I probably wouldn't need to be messing around with pedals too much to get a solid tone with a bit of compression and grit. But I'm also thinking they might be a bit of a fad and maybe I should go for something more timeless that I could shift in a few years provided I take care of it.

 

As far as cabs go, I get the impression most gigs with a proper PA and a sound guy tend to mainly DI the bass, so would the cab(s) on stage be mostly for my benefit? My thinking at the moment is to get two - a 2x10 and either a 1x15 or a second 2x10, to be added if the situation calls for it. I was thinking maybe Fender Rumble because they're not too expensive and not too heavy.

 

Last time I played in a heavy rock band I had a Hartke LH1000 and 8x10 cab which were both insanely cumbersome and way too much power for almost any gig we played. My most resent band was a classic rock covers band playing mostly in pubs and I got by with a cheap TC head and a homemade 2x10 (basically two of the speakers from the old 8X10 that I screwed into a box - no tweeter or anything fancy!), so it's definitely time for an upgrade.

 

I know this is entirely subjective, but I just don't know where to start. Are there any places left (preferably in the north of England) with a good selection of amps and cabs that one can actually go and try out? I feel like Youtube demos that people were probably sponsored to make can only get you so far. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Lozz196]

Given the style of music I’ll assume it’s originals and therefore venues with proper PAs. Given that I’d look at a rig that can fulfill on stage sound. You can’t always rely on either the gear that’s there or the person operating it, so having a rig that if needed is powerful enough for the whole band to hear on stage is essential imo.

 

As I do similar (tho punk/Oi) I’ve an Ashdown 500 watt RM500 Class D head, and two of their Pro Neo 210s, the whole rig is about 28kg. 
 

I’d always look at two of the same cab, for rehearsals use one, for gigs both if needed, plus if one cab blows the sound will be the same whereas with say a 210 & 115 each will have its own sound, so your overall sound always depends on both cabs.

 

 

 

[Rexel Matador]

Good advice about the cabs, thanks  - I think you're right - two of the same makes more sense

[BassAdder60]

Assuming you’re just looking for stage volume and it’s mostly di out to a large PA rig then a decent 210 cab would suffice 

Rumble cabs tend to fart out when pushed and I’m not too sure they would handle the low B that well 

But they are reasonably priced 

If you don’t mind heavy gear then the Ampeg SVT 212 AV is a great single use cab and sounds similar to 610 and 810 Ampeg cabs. 
A decent 500w head should be fine, Darkglass are very good but so many others to consider and if you need drive just run a boss ODB3 in front or Spark Booster job done 

Amp Brands to choose

Ashdown

Ampeg 

Laney

Aguilar ToneHammer 

 

Make sure they have a DI output 

Ive always found the best sound comes from heavier gear but some lightweight gear is a close second these days or some would say as good as especially the top end priced cabs 

 

Dont cheap out on cabs as they are more important than amps in many cases 

Edited Friday at 11:59 by BassAdder60

[Dan Dare]

8 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Dont cheap out on cabs as they are more important than amps in many cases 

 

Up to a point, maybe, but if you pair high quality, revealing cabs with a cheap amp, the result is unlikely to be good. The cabs will likely highlight the limitations of the amp - garbage in, garbage out and all that. Don't choose/buy on the basis of reviews or recommendations. Try stuff and see what works for you. If buying used, look at plenty. Take your time, rather than trying to get it sorted in a single day. That way, your new rig won't end up in the classifieds after a few weeks. Google should help find you some shops to visit.

[Norris]

9 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Rumble cabs tend to fart out when pushed and I’m not too sure they would handle the low B that well 

Not in my experience playing my 5-string through it. I have a v5 500 combo btw and they have since brought out the 800s. That is plenty enough for the pub gigs I play and more than enough for the occasions where we have full PA and it's just used for on stage monitoring.

 

Places to try a range of amps are very few and far between. You just have to read reviews, listen to demos, ask for advice and ultimately take a bit of a punt. I'm very happy with my Rumble. There are a few BC members using them and they very rarely appear in the classifieds, I guess that says something.

 

But then ask 10 people and you'll get 20 different recommendations 😂

[Ed_S]

At the risk of being the 5th person with recommendations 9 and 10, I play melodic metal originals using a standard tuned 5 and favour this method..

 

- Use a compact pedalboard with a preamp at the end to get the DI tone you want to send to the PA, rather than a particular amp/cab

- Just take the pedalboard if good foldback or full backline is provided by the venue (or you use IEMs - I personally don't)

- Get a simple, light, workhorse of an amp that just makes the pedalboard output loud (mine's a Markbass Nano 2 - highly recommend it)

- Use the amp EQ to keep the stage sounding how you need it, knowing it can't inadvertently affect the FoH DI

- Use whatever cab is provided by a venue or headline band, as it'll probably be fine for stage monitoring and you don't have to move it

- Get a cab based mostly on the weight you can stand to move and the value you can stand to lend (mine's a Barefaced Two10 - my wallet is healthier than my neck/back)

- If you need two cabs then get two the same, and if you like to keep your gear clean and presentable in metal venues then avoid carpeted cabs

 

Of course, my free advice is worth every penny you paid, but all the very best of luck with the new band and the gear search! 🙂 

[chris_b]

Don't buy a good amp and then cheap out on the cab.

 

Do some homework and find out about Barefaced 2x12 cabs, the Super Twin and the Big Twin 3.

[Jack]

Not sure what you mean by 'North' but my mates in alternative originals bands can't always count on pa support up here, it's a world away from swanky covers in posh wedding venues. 

 

If you know what you're getting in to then fine. If not I wonder if it's worth having a nice rig (say a darkglass head and 2*10 cab or whatever) and then picking up an old 810 or something for super cheap for the gigs where you have to loosen fillings on your own. 

 

If you're sure you can get away with stage volume then don't sleep on the modelling combos. The Fender Stage, the Boss Katana and even the Blackstar stuff can all do proper grindy, compressed rock tones for little money and even less weight.

[walshy]

I'm based in the 'North' near Newcastle and have a decent selection of amps and cabs in stock. Drop me a message if you want more info dude

 

On 25/07/2025 at 10:26, Rexel Matador said:

Hi all, I'm forming a new metal band and thinking of splurging on a new amp. It's so hard to know what I'm going to need in terms of wattage, cab size etc.

 

I play with a pick, on a 4 string bass tuned B-E-A-D with EMGs. Musical style is roughly a cross between The Black Dahlia Murder and Amon Amarth. Two guitars, bass and drums.

 

I like the look of the Darkglass heads - Microtubes specifically - as I feel like I probably wouldn't need to be messing around with pedals too much to get a solid tone with a bit of compression and grit. But I'm also thinking they might be a bit of a fad and maybe I should go for something more timeless that I could shift in a few years provided I take care of it.

 

As far as cabs go, I get the impression most gigs with a proper PA and a sound guy tend to mainly DI the bass, so would the cab(s) on stage be mostly for my benefit? My thinking at the moment is to get two - a 2x10 and either a 1x15 or a second 2x10, to be added if the situation calls for it. I was thinking maybe Fender Rumble because they're not too expensive and not too heavy.

 

Last time I played in a heavy rock band I had a Hartke LH1000 and 8x10 cab which were both insanely cumbersome and way too much power for almost any gig we played. My most resent band was a classic rock covers band playing mostly in pubs and I got by with a cheap TC head and a homemade 2x10 (basically two of the speakers from the old 8X10 that I screwed into a box - no tweeter or anything fancy!), so it's definitely time for an upgrade.

 

I know this is entirely subjective, but I just don't know where to start. Are there any places left (preferably in the north of England) with a good selection of amps and cabs that one can actually go and try out? I feel like Youtube demos that people were probably sponsored to make can only get you so far. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Bankai]

6 hours ago, Ed_S said:

At the risk of being the 5th person with recommendations 9 and 10, I play melodic metal originals using a standard tuned 5 and favour this method..

 

- Use a compact pedalboard with a preamp at the end to get the DI tone you want to send to the PA, rather than a particular amp/cab

- Just take the pedalboard if good foldback or full backline is provided by the venue (or you use IEMs - I personally don't)

- Get a simple, light, workhorse of an amp that just makes the pedalboard output loud (mine's a Markbass Nano 2 - highly recommend it)

- Use the amp EQ to keep the stage sounding how you need it, knowing it can't inadvertently affect the FoH DI

- Use whatever cab is provided by a venue or headline band, as it'll probably be fine for stage monitoring and you don't have to move it

- Get a cab based mostly on the weight you can stand to move and the value you can stand to lend (mine's a Barefaced Two10 - my wallet is healthier than my neck/back)

- If you need two cabs then get two the same, and if you like to keep your gear clean and presentable in metal venues then avoid carpeted cabs

 

Of course, my free advice is worth every penny you paid, but all the very best of luck with the new band and the gear search! 🙂 

 

I think this is the best way to look at things.

 

What’s the budget?

[Bolo]

Ed_S pretty much nailed it.

I'm in a thrash metal band, using a 5 string tuned AEADG.

Where I used a 412 cab for a decade, a modern 2x12 (I found a b-stock darkglass) turned to be a capable alternative. Compression, tuner and dirt from pedals, I use the DI in my amp to send the signal to the desk.

A hybrid or solid state amp of more than 400 Watt, or 200 tube Watts should see you through most scenarios.

 

If it doesn't have to be brand new, have a look at the For Sale section here.