Should I trade my head for this...?

[DalyTek]

OK, I recently got my very first half stack, which is a Randall 4x12 cab powered by a Crate GFX-1200H head. Now I really like the head on the clean channel. The Gain channels though are kinda meh...

My biggest complaint is that I cannot play at low volumes. My amp is in my living room and most of the time I get to practice is after the kids go to bed, so need to lower the volume. At 1 the volume is too loud and if I try to turn it down any from there, it just breaks up and cuts out. It's a 120-watt amp.

My friend was saying what I should do is get a lower powered head, like maybe a 60-watt head or something. So I posted up a trade thread on my local CL for it, but didn't get any decent offers.

I did, however, find someone with a like-new Line 6 Spider III 75-watt combo amp who wanted to trade it for a Crate head. I used to have that same amp a while ago, and it worked good, but I really wasn't fond of the "digital" sounding clean channels.

Anyway, I was thinking of modding the combo into a head. I know it would work fine from my research, and the 75-watts is more than enough power for me. Would this be a good idea to trade and does anyone know any problems with making this mod?

[Twitch]

Watts difference wont help you, you need to find an amp with a less sensitive volume pot or a headphone jack. I have a 5 watt amp that CANNOT be used after hours. My PB and my Peavey Envoy(yes, I fixed it) can be set low enough to use at night though.

[SixstringKing]

You could always get a power attenuator. My AFD100 and YJM100 have them built right into the heads themselves, you can have the master cranked right up but back down the power tubes. They can from .01 watt to 100 watts at the turn of a dial.

Here's a good article written on them.

http://www.aracom-amps.com/info/attenuator.html

[clifffclaven]

get a pod and run it thru your computer speakers.

[DalyTek]

The problem is that I have zero cash to be able to buy anything for it. That, and I'm not really happy with the distortion this amp has.

[clifffclaven]

how much is "zero"? this is $90...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Line-6-POD-Version-2-0-Ultimate-Guitar-Direct-Box-Effects-Processor-UNIT-ONLY-/120774877984?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c1ebe6320

edit: do you want something just for practicing, or playing louder, like with a band?

[DalyTek]

No, I just play in my living room. No band equipment needed.
"Zero" as in am unemployed so can't afford to spend any cash. That's why I am leaning towards the trade.
Overall I liked my Line 6 combo I had, but I wanted to make the move to a half stack.
This is the same combo, so I know the sound and controls, but I can make it the new head of my half stack.
I can take the 12" out of the Line 6 combo (it's an 8 ohm Celestion)
Cut the enclosure down and reshape it into a head, attach the speaker wires to an output jack, and connect it to my 8 ohm 4x12 cab.

In theory it should work. Anyone got any experience that would prove or disprove the theory?

[Twitch]

The problem is that I have zero cash to be able to buy anything for it. That, and I'm not really happy with the distortion this amp has.

Now thats a legit reason to get rid of it. Still, look for one with headphone jack. Do some research, find stuff youd like to have, then include those models in your trade ad.

[Twitch]

No, I just play in my living room. No band equipment needed.
"Zero" as in am unemployed so can't afford to spend any cash. That's why I am leaning towards the trade.
Overall I liked my Line 6 combo I had, but I wanted to make the move to a half stack.
This is the same combo, so I know the sound and controls, but I can make it the new head of my half stack.
I can take the 12" out of the Line 6 combo (it's an 8 ohm Celestion)
Cut the enclosure down and reshape it into a head, attach the speaker wires to an output jack, and connect it to my 8 ohm 4x12 cab.

In theory it should work. Anyone got any experience that would prove or disprove the theory?

Yes, that can be done, thats how my Peavey Envoy has been done, though I had to add the speaker jacks myself, which wasnt a big deal.

[SixstringKing]

What you propose to do will work.

[DalyTek]

I will have to add the speaker jack myself as well, but that should be easy.
The Line 6 does have a headphone jack too. And a built-in tuner. Didn't realize how much I would miss those 2 little features.
I know the Line 6 sounded good at the lower volumes, and I'm pretty sure the 75 watts would be enough power to drive the 4x12 cab.
Since the speaker impedance load is the same in the 4x12 as the original 12" in the cab, and the 4x12 is rated to handle more watts than the Line 6 puts out, I can't see any problems with this idea.

[SixstringKing]

Sorry Twitch, hadn't seen your reply.

[SixstringKing]

Your cab will be fine. The 75 watts will be enough to push the speakers and not hurt them. Some people don't realize that severely under powering speakers will damage them.

[Twitch]

I will have to add the speaker jack myself as well, but that should be easy.
The Line 6 does have a headphone jack too. And a built-in tuner. Didn't realize how much I would miss those 2 little features.
I know the Line 6 sounded good at the lower volumes, and I'm pretty sure the 75 watts would be enough power to drive the 4x12 cab.
Since the speaker impedance load is the same in the 4x12 as the original 12" in the cab, and the 4x12 is rated to handle more watts than the Line 6 puts out, I can't see any problems with this idea.

That little Peavey above is 40 watts and has no issue whatsoever pushing a 260 watt cab, even at night time levels. Its not until you get into speakers that are rated for several hundred watts a piece that you get into not having enough power to get any sound out of them.

[DalyTek]

Twich, how did you cut the enclosure down and still keep it looking nice?
I got the Line 6 combo now, and have already removed the 12" speaker and installed the jack in the back and it works great.
I just want to cut it down to look like a normal head now.
Any advice? Or should I take that question to the tech section?