D-tox
I have a head unit that can handle allot.. currently there is a 1x12 cab on it but theres not enough punch.. what would be best, a Hartke 4x10 hydrive or if I use two hydrive 15 cabs, the 4x10 and the 2 15's will produde "1000w"? I want low down grunt...
VellaJ
Firstly, strapping several cabs together will not "produce" more power. It just means they can handle more power, depending on how you have them wired. Power output is determined by your amp.
AFAIK bass cabs use 15" speakers because they handle the lower frequencies better (being bigger). The majority of the cabs I've seen for guitar have been the 4x10 cabs rather than the bigger 15" ones. I personally prefer a 4x10 or a 2x12 cab for guitar, but for bass I think you'd be better off with the 15's...
Jack-Flash-Jr
Indeed... while there's actually quite a few options you can't go wrong with 15s imho... they actually have a lot more clarity than people give them credit for but can hit the low down comfortably.
Strapping cabs together will not produce more power but will move a lot more air = volume.
Just remember you have to haul this stuff around! I use a 1x15 and line out when the venue requires.
VellaJ
D-tox, what is the power rating on your amp, and on the speakers? From what I understand, you're planning on using 2 cabs, each with a single 15" speaker in it. How would a single 15" handle the power output of your amp (as in the case with Jack)?
D-tox
I have 750W RMS @ 8 ohm, 1200W RMS @ 4 ohm ?
so its either the 4x10 or maybe 2 15's too much is just enough...damn guitar players hehehe, just want to be prepared next time..
D-tox
so my thinking was to run the 2 15's at 4 ohm , but how will they sound at lower volume...wont you lose some clarity...
Jack-Flash-Jr
D-tox wrote:
so my thinking was to run the 2 15's at 4 ohm , but how will they sound at lower volume...wont you lose some clarity...
Adjust your rh technique and pup blend to compensate. It's not that big a difference but there a lot of 10" fans... test the configs out at a music shop ?
AlanRatcliffe
The two 15's would be my choice - especially as you specifically want lows. I've always preferred 15s. A 4 x 10 does have low end and a 15" does have high end (they have the same cone surface area), but the character is different. The 10s will be punchier with a tighter low end and faster, snappier highs. The 15s will have a fatter, bigger, warmer low end and smoother highs.
Mixing a 4 x 10 with one 1 x 15 is another option... for "a bit 'o both". Also gives you a choice of different cabs for smaller gigs.
VellaJ wrote:
Firstly, strapping several cabs together will not "produce" more power.
Actually it does, because the impedance is halved, so the amp puts out nearly double the power. We're talking transistor amps here - not a transformer coupled valve amp. Obviously into another speaker it will give more volume too.
D-tox
ahh okay, thanks, this is what I wanted to hear, my thinking was the 15's as with the old PeaVey 400's, they had 2 15's and had a nasty growl...
I will just have to check the cost as 2 15's would be more expensive.. I have a 1x12 markbass cab also, can I hook it up with the 2 15's?
sory I'm new to cab's... learning allot at the mo!
Cheers
D-tox
okay, the 15's would be too expensive... just found out, best price for 4x10 is 8000 and 15' is 6000 .....
so looks like I would have to go for the 4x10 with my current 12 cab at 4 ohm
AlanRatcliffe
The main thing you have to worry about is the impedance. Go no lower than the rated 4 ohms - which means don't go nuts and plug in more than two 8 ohm or four 16 ohm cabs. ?
Why not go with your 1 x 12 and add a 1 x 15 now. Then move up to replacing the 12" with another 1 x 15 later?
Jack-Flash-Jr
That's good advice... don't forget a lot of venues will do the heavy lifting in terms of volume and projection for you (through PA), of course that can be great or terrible depending on their sound guy and system.... but that's been covered in another thread already.
ezietsman
Also keep in mind that whatever Giant Awesome Kiff Amp Rig (Tm) you choose, you'll have to carry that thing around. And it starts sucking after one trip. (esp if you are a lightweight < 80kg person) ?
D-tox
mmm choices choices.....my current cab is rated at 400w @ 8 ohm, ant the hydrive 115c is 500w @ 8 ohm, will the combo not clash in this case?
D-tox
some more questions..... sorry..
so currently I have the MarkBass Traveller 112h rated at 400w... would it maybe make more sense to get another one of these and run them together, would it mean that I have 800w of power??
Jack-Flash-Jr
My thoughts... 400W is plenty for a small to mid venue w/o PA. With PA you don't even need an amp if you'd rather carry a swanky DI unit.
Remember volume doesn't double from 400 to 800... not worth the weight I reckon. The PA will give you headroom if needed.
AlanRatcliffe
A second amp will double the power and will also double your volume - unlike simply doubling the power of an amp. Will also double your portage.
I'm also a firm believer in utilising the PA's power and just having a moderate amp on stage for personal monitoring. I can be happy with just a DI box as long as monitoring is good enough for the situation (which it usually isn't if you have an electric guitarist with a big amp or a drummer who thinks the louder the better ?).
D-tox
mmm, see thats just it, it gets loud at times....and the pa we use belongs to the guitarist..he did not look too impressed when I mentiond to line the bass out.... so I just need the oomph to carry my own for now..
I will see, I just feel left behind hehe.... I want to be prepared...
ezietsman
D-tox wrote:
mmm, see thats just it, it gets loud at times....and the pa we use belongs to the guitarist..he did not look too impressed when I mentiond to line the bass out.... so I just need the oomph to carry my own for now..
I will see, I just feel left behind hehe.... I want to be prepared...
Mr Jack Flash manages with his 300 Watt bass amp. If your amp is in that vicinity of power and you are still not loud enough, you must tell the others to turn down. In that case you guys are overdoing the whole 'loud' thing.
