Cabs/Heads/Combos?

Basically:
Head: amplifier by itself, no speakers. Needs a cab.
Cab: speaker(s) in a box, no amplifier. Needs a head.
Combo: head and cab in one box. Plug 'n play.

Thanks a lot for that answer.

So, I have the next obvious question: When should you go for a combo, and when should you go for a head/cab setup?

Combos are ideal for playing at home or small pub gigs.

Stacks (head and two cabs) come into their own on a large stage, half stacks (only one cab) are ideal for a smaller stage.

A :-)

Thanks a lot Alan. So by your answer I deduce that you can have one amp and multiple cabs?

Back in the late 50's, early 60's, there was no such thing as a "stack". The amps back then were what we call today combo amps, meaning a "combination amplifier/speaker cab". It is a self-contained unit with the amplifier on top (the head) and the speaker cabinet below.

During the 60's especially, players like Pete Townshend of The Who wanted bigger speaker cabs that could provide plenty of volume to large crowds. He started playing Marshall amps with four twelve inch speakers (4 X 12). At one time supposedly Marshall made cabinets with eight twelve inch speakers (8 X 12), but they were too large and heavy to be practical. So players like Townsend would use two 4 X 12 cabs and "stack" them on top of each other.

So you can easily see the two "cabs" with four twelve inch speakers here. The amplifier itself is a seperate unit on top called the "head"

With a "head" you can power many different types and brands of "cabs" (speaker cabinets}

People use stacks when they play on large stages/venues or to very large crowds to provide plenty of volume. They sound very big. They look cool on stage. The disadvantage is that they are very heavy and difficult to transport.

For most venues, a combo with either one or two twelve inch speakers will provide all the volume you will ever need, plus they are smaller and much easier to transport.

That was like an FAQ answer to my question lol thanks a lot Wes :)

Laney amps have a good reputation. If I remember rightly, their website has sound samples from most of their amps.