• Registered: 2010-08-29
  • Posts: 98

Topic: class 5 head + stack or combo??

hi everyone , i just read on a Marshall forum that on the combo class 5, the tubes are to close to the celestion inside the box, that may do affect the soud if the amp are getting to warm , maybe head + stack could be a good idea for a appartment playing , what do you think??

Does Mxr Micro Flanger, Ts  808 , DD 3 and JB Fuzz Face are good for this amp??

or should i save more money to maybe one day buy a VM 2266c or MA 50c ??

Thanks for any reply / loic

Epiphone Les Paul 1989 with bridge & neck WCR DarkBurst set pickups , Burny Les Paul Custom från 80 ' late with bb2 & bb3 ,Fender Princeton Reverb 68 , Joe Bonamassa Face Fuzz Dunlop ,MXR Micro Flanger , Ts 808 tubescreamer reissue , Boss DD 3 made in Taiwan ,  MXR Dyna Comp , MXR Distortion +,MXR Joe Bonamassa Fet Driver
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: class 5 head + stack or combo??

I have both, and there is no difference in sound, either is a good choice.  I had to replace a power tube in my combo, it just went bad but I don't think the placement of it affects anything otherwise.  Honestly, probably for just apartment playing, the combo would be my choice.  I constructed a small effects case with some drive pedals and a rack reverb and it's a perfect rig for touring the open mic circuit as well as home use.

If you're going to keep the volume low, a ts808 won't give you a whole lot of drive, but it sound killer with the volume closer to half.  I still use one but also stack it with a catalyst pedal if I'm keeping the volume low.  ..Just depends on how much gain you want.  Fuzz sounds good with the class 5 too.  It's a great amp.

If you decide on the head version, you might as well go with a 2x12 cab.  Otherwise, pushing a single 12" cab would be pointless since you could just get the combo version and have about the same thing.

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: class 5 head + stack or combo??

The combo is a 1 x 10 so a good 1 x 12  could be considered an upgrade.  The price will be the space it takes up - oh and of course the price.  wink

The freddom to spec diffeent cabs / speakers is the main advantage of the head over the combo but it is true the valves are on top in the head rather than under the circuit and therefore less prone to overheating - theoretically it may therfore all last longer.