Lightningdan help me out here... and everyone else for that matter. LOL!

[WAR IN D]

Ok bros (and bro-ettes), since many of you around this joint have more of the Pod knowledge around here than I do.... I'm pickin' you to be the go to peeps for me.

I'm givin' up on my tube amps (well, sort of.. read below).. I know, sad to say, but they just aren't giving me what I'm looking for anymore.. That damn GuitarPort has ruined me I guess..

Next project is going to be going all Line 6, all rack mount with power amp driving straight into either a 2x12 or possibly 4x12 cab depending on what I can find for deals around here locally. Since I've never really been a "rack mount" kind of guy, what do you guys suggest I start with..

I've pretty much got my mind made up on the Pod Pro XT rack mount (w/floorboard)... I would LOVE to get my grubby little mits on something like the Mesa 50/50 that Dan has for the power section.. but they don't really pop up that often in the used market that I've seen.. Same for say the VHT 2150's, which would be another highly considerable thought.. So, I guess I'm possibly not getting totally away from tubes..

Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternative power section that's not going to break the bank, even something solid state.. GASP!

Secondly, do you need to run a power conditioner with this stuff? I know it would probably be a good idea with the tube driven power amps to help smooth out the voltage for better consistency of tone.. but do you need it for solid state? This will pretty much just be used at home, so it's not like I'll be playing clubs and having to deal with all the electrical variance that entails..

This is just in it's infant stages, so any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated... I've even considered a Vetta II if I can find one worth the money.. By the time I buy all this stuff, I might be able to score one of those for the same kind of $$$ I'm probably going to spend on this and just have it all in one.. BUT, I'd kind of like to have the option of maybe going back in later with a good rack mountable tube preamp just in case I get misty and decide to back "old school"..

Thanks in advance, and let the Komments Kommence!

[PacerMedic]

Don't ditch your gear dude, you'll hate yourself.

[WAR IN D]

Don't ditch your gear dude, you'll hate yourself.

True dat..

But I only have the one 212 combo left, and I probably won't get rid of it. I just recently (within the last two months) sold my half stack. A VTM 120 with 4X12 because I really didn't need it anymore... No more garage tours for me. But I'm kicking myself now for selling that damn cabinet.. It was beat to Hell, but was loaded with some really nice Celestions..

I'm just looking for something that I can get that tone I'm used to hearing out of my computer with that GuitarPort, but that I can crank if need be.

You see, most of my guitar playing life.. I've focused more on my guitars that my sound. Now, I'm kind of going the other way. I've got the cool guitars, now I want to build that "dream" tone I've been looking for and the modeling stuff just seems to make it alot easier to find.

[Johnny Drama]

I've never used one personally, but I've read a lot of good things about Carvin tube power amps, and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than the Boogies and Marshalls of the world. I'd check them out!

[WAR IN D]

I've never used one personally, but I've read a lot of good things about Carvin tube power amps, and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than the Boogies and Marshalls of the world. I'd check them out!

Nice suggestions, if Carvin is good enough for Vai... I guess they'd be good enough for me. Love my guitar, so I'm sure they make some quality amps too.

I'll most definitely check them out.. Thanks.

[RockStringBender]

Stephan, did the same thing about 8 years ago.

This is a little weird but you could get a couple of ART Tube MPs (if you go stereo, 1 if mono) and stick it right between the POD and your fan-cooled power amp (unless you can afford an $800+ studio power amp DON'T try the cheapies, ya can't hear the fans when you're set on 11 anyway)

You can dial in true warm tube amp sound right in your signal chain and they just started selling the MP for $25 !!!!!!!!!! new. Just a thought. I use them on some recording tracks just for this. 12AX7A real tube in there.

Power conditioners clean your sound up as well as protect your equipment but the rack units are expensive as hell.

Via is not using a stock Carvin anymore than Ed was using a kramer in 1984. Carvins are decent and priced right and get good reviews.

Behringer has a nice stereo 4/12 cabinet for cheap loaded with Jensens FYI.

Good Luck!