In the lieu of an amp...

[Chumley]

Here's the situation: I love playing guitar, and my 10 watt SS Marshall is getting obnoxious. I would get a better amp, but since I'm primarily a keyboardist and I don't have any form of PA for my growing collection of synths and such, that's the first priority. So, I thought, why not combine the two? There are Hi-Z inputs on plenty of mixers, and as long as it gets loud and sounds okay, I'm fine with compromising tubey goodness for saving cash.

So, here's what I had in mind: a Mackie VLZ3 8 input mixer, into a pair of powered monitors. I have my heart set on the Mackie, but I can't seem to find a decent pair of monitors anywhere for under $200. Remember, I'm not looking for high-end, just for jamming/messing around. With that in mind, do you guys have any suggestions?

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

ive heard (first hand, like at my friends cribs) good things from alesis and krk monitors. i believe they are in your price range.

personally i have events which are dope but a bit more loot

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

i play keys as well...

i can't recommend a fender PA100 any more highly. it's basically a fender twin with 4 separate channels - head only, so you can use whatever cab/speakers you want. good and loud, sounds great with keys and guitar and is pretty road-worthy. i typically use a nord compact, a korg ms2000 and a yamaha vss30 with mine - it can get some nice preamp distortion from the high output of the keys if you want, too.

[Chumley]

Hah, I'd love one of those things, but it's WAY out of my price range.

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

craigslist, my friend...
krk monitors are nice, fwiw, although used more for close monitoring.

[Chumley]

Yah, I'm looking for something a bit more loud. Hell, even mono is acceptable...

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

i forgot all about old kustom PA stuff... they're great, loud and can usually be found pretty easily on craigslist for decent prices.

not sure where you are, but here's a nyc listing for the head: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/1561932423.html
only $175. not bad and it's powered, so you'll have an easier/cheaper time finding a cab/speakers for it.

[$.01]

Never heard it, wouldn't buy it myself and am not recommending it ... disclaimer aside, Alesis makes 2 different size Sumo keyboard/P.A. amps that have multiple inputs and you can always connect other such stuff. cheaper than the roland keyboard amp/P.A. . I just remember running across one online in a used amp section once. if you want another option. haven't read the harmony central reviews on it either, so shrug ... best i can come up with for the amount you want to spend.

[Chumley]

*headdesk*

I didn't think of keyboard amps. Thanks.

EDIT: The Peavy KB-1 is looking pretty good so far... because it's so cheap.