Guitar Gear Forum

I always hear about players downsizing to small amps, modeling etc, but playing hsrd rock original gigs around the DC/Baltimore area, I don't see it much. 90% of the hard rock/metal bands around here are still using regular sized amps or even half-stacks. I see some modeling but its not a lot even among younger bands. Maybe this is more prominent in the cover scene? I'm not sure.

So have you actually downsized your current live rig? From what to what?

I have to admit the last time I downsized my rig, it was in the 90s, when I went from a large rack to a head and 4x12 with pedals on the floor. Since then, things haven't changed much.

Although I just finished loading a 2x12 with V-Type Neo speakers and it sounds great so I may consider using that cab on some gigs. So that would be downsizing a little.

I'm down to a 1x12 and just shrunk my pedalboard from a pedaltrain Novo 24 back to the Classic Jr. I still have my OS 2x12 for when the gig calls for it... but 9/10 times I'm using my 1x12 to play the small 100 person bars or house parties my band usually does... right now local bars are going for acoustic acts and the last one we played I went direct to board with a friend's Friedman IR-X and used IEMs and it was pretty good... can't lie... if more of those gigs start popping up I'll probably snag the new IR-D and build a small board...

I don't have any 4x12s anymore I have two combos that both get gigged but that isn't a "downsizing" thing, and I use a head and 2x12 90% of the time anyway


I don't see very many original bands (or most cover bands honestly) using modelers at all around here. The percentage of like modern metal bands using modellers is higher though. But for the most part people are using smaller tube combos at msot of the shows we're playing

I went to a 2x12 in my last band, but I was still running a 100 watt Metropoulos so, kinda?

I used to do half stacks. Now I run an HX Stomp and Tonex. It’s sounds great and takes literally a minute to setup. I don’t miss hauling amps around.

I did last year and will stay the same this year.

Guitar > wireless> pedal board stereo out> 2 Katanas (50 watt 1x12) on stands side by side.

A small but very capable system with the GX-100 on the board.

Cover bands in my area are split between modelers and smaller combo amps.

A lot of the younger bands are using Line 6 and other bullshit poverty amps.

Original rock/alt bands down here are mostly using boutique gear these days, and the bar and grill bands are using run of the mill DSLs/Gibsons.



My last band I used the Jubilee 1/2 stack, and I tend to match my rig to the style of music.

I now use Marshall 1936 212 cabs with 50w heads instead of 100w heads through Marshall 1960 412 cabs. But I still have my 100w head and 1960 cab, I use them in rehearsal now. I'm using the 50w heads and 212 cabs for most gigs.

Because I was careful to get all pine build 1936 cabs instead of the MDF ones, and also careful with speaker selection, I have no loss of tone going from 1960 cabs to 1936.

I think the downsizing is moreso in the cover gigs where the sonics of it aren't as integral. If I were out playing originals I wouldn't compromise on my rig. I would want my vision to be in full.

macaronisalad wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 3:24 pm I think the downsizing is moreso in the cover gigs where the sonics of it aren't as integral. If I were out playing originals I wouldn't compromise on my rig. I would want my vision to be in full.

That's a good way to put it. I agree