2x10 not enough?

Ineedahobbie · #1 08-09-2010, 11:33 PM

I've decided on a Carvin Bx500 head (or maybe a Markbass LittleMark II???). Anyways, I don't really have much cash to spend on a full 4x10 and I feel like a 1x15 wouldn't sound articulate enough with my Fender Jaguar bass. I just recently blew the speaker on my Fender Bassman 100 watt combo from me running too much low end through it for a prolonged period of time.

Essentially, how do you guys think this rig would sound? Fender Jaguar bass, Carvin Bx500 head and either a Carvin BR210N-4 or a Carvin BRX10.2NEO 2x10 cab. I might add a 1x15 cab in the future for a full rig, but just for a loud small club gig, what are your opinions?

JimmyM · #2 08-09-2010, 11:47 PM

i'd go two 210's if i were you. two 210's in a vertical tower can sound pretty massive on the lows and generally are a little snappier on the high end than 115's, especially those carvins. and nowadays you can get pretty much anything you want out of either of those combinations. but the way you describe what you like, you'd probably dig two 210's more than a 215. the tower effect makes it sound bigger and louder to you when you play, too. if you're not crazy about their 115's, just don't use them. it'll sound just as big with two 210's, imho, ymmv and all that.

Whitbass · #3 08-10-2010, 06:58 AM

Can't comment so much on the Carvin stuff.....but there's not so much $$ difference between most 2x10's and 4x10's.......
a 4x10 will likely have more low-mid girth.......and likely be more controlled, and likely tighter
2x 210's are portable and will handle a lot with the right head.....
personally , I prefer a 4x10 over 2x 210 cabs if you can swing the cost.................and don't mind the extra weight
depends on your needs and your ears ultimately
you might look hard at some good, well cared for, used gear......

I personally feel the LMII/LMIII is one of the better values in bass industry....
not the most features..and not that it slays everything else, but man does it sound good and get plenty loud for most........a seriously good bang for buck..............
also quite plug and play capable with a very usable eq set
not steering you from Carvin, but I can only comment on what I know......
you might also check out the new GK Neo stuff....212, 410, 210, etc......

maybe......an LMII/LMIII + the best used 410 or 212 you can find......or of course a 210 or two.....depending on what you need
FWIW....Bergantino is about as good as it gets IMHO......but you need to find what works for you.......and in your price range (again, check resources for good used gear, but not something ragged out) check some of the Bergantino dealers too for trade-ins.......
otherwise, GK Neo is getting great reviews, especially for the $$...
if course, if you have confidence in the Carvin and like it, don't let me persuade you otherwise

regardless......try to buy the best you can afford (not necessarily the most $$, but quality reputable gear that will hold up)....and what sounds good to you.......

good luck to ya

shadow_FIX · #4 08-10-2010, 07:06 AM

You'd be surprised at how much you can get away with, with just a 2x10. I played outside Saturday morning with mine...was WAY too early to be dragging my 100lb Aguilar 4x10 down three flights of stairs and back up afterwards

Bob C · #5 08-10-2010, 08:01 AM

The Carvin BRX10.2 is supposed to be a pretty beefy little cabinet. Whether it's "enough" for you - only first hand experience can answer that for sure.

Two 2X10's will cost you more than one 4X10. But as mentioned above, they do have their advantages.

I have read over and over that Carvin's BRX cabs are several steps above the BR series.

Dragan · #6 08-10-2010, 08:04 AM

it's about what gig you have. for loud band - 2 guitars, the hit-man drummer.. etc you aint gonna cut through or it 'll be very poor. but for a nice marquee venues with smooth and silent band, you'll got plenty of tone with that stack

Snipper! · #7 08-10-2010, 08:10 AM

Get 2 if you can or buy one and save some dosh for a 410 to go with it later, I've played with one on it's own, side by side with a heavy drummer, it won't do it.

Lester4string · #8 08-10-2010, 08:22 AM

I have a 4 Ohm 2x10 that I feel handles any to all of my needs. Although I dont play stadium shows....
A 2X10 should cover your on stage needs for any show with PA support. Without PA support, you will need more cabs, so I would recommend an 8 ohm cab, so that you can be more flexible when pairing in the future.

Snipper! · #9 08-10-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester4string

I have a 4 Ohm 2x10 that I feel handles any to all of my needs. Although I dont play stadium shows....
A 2X10 should cover your on stage needs for any show with PA support. Without PA support, you will need more cabs, so I would recommend an 8 ohm cab, so that you can be more flexible when pairing in the future.

Excellent and well remembered point, 8 ohms gives you the options of mix and match, I've always bought 8's for this reason plus I've found high output amps seem happier buffering against 8, seems to stop them cracking up at the higher volume settings.

BassmanPaul · #10 08-10-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i'd go two 210's if i were you. two 210's in a vertical tower can sound pretty massive on the lows and generally are a little snappier on the high end than 115's, especially those carvins. and nowadays you can get pretty much anything you want out of either of those combinations. but the way you describe what you like, you'd probably dig two 210's more than a 215. the tower effect makes it sound bigger and louder to you when you play, too. if you're not crazy about their 115's, just don't use them. it'll sound just as big with two 210's, imho, ymmv and all that.

I00% in agreement with Jimmy. I own four 2x10s. One for rehearsal, a pair to gig with and a pair for backup. Unless you are going with a power amp rig, buy them in 8Ω.

Paul

Jimmy Stump · #11 08-10-2010, 08:53 AM

I use a single Bergantino AE210 right now, and really only for rehearsal / home use. For my needs RIGHT NOW, a single 2x10 is just fine. I intend to add a second AE210 when or if I need it. IMO, the benefits of modularity for a two 2x10 setup are worth the extra cost involved, compared to a single 4x10 cabinet.

MattyH · #12 08-10-2010, 08:53 AM

2x10's are awesome to carry around. And if youre lugging alot of equipment, that little bit helps. But I was playing out of a Mark Bass 2x10 cab with the LM3 head. Not at all what I was looking for. It sounded over driven all the time. If youre doing louder gigs, even if youre going direct and need a loud stage mix, I'd say 4x10. But if youre playing clubs, practices, or smaller venues, by all means go 2x10. Your back will thank you!

PS - Even though the Mark Bass cabs werent for me, I fully recommend the LM heads. My Little Mark 3 is AMAZING. Im playing through an Ampeg 4x10HLF and my band mates are always telling me how the mix and match of the 2 are bass gold!

PPS - My dad has a Carvin combo. It worked for a few days then blew. Usually Carvin is decent, but unfortunalty unless you live near the factory, you cant try them out! I always suggest getting something you can physically play out of first.

Ineedahobbie · #13 08-10-2010, 10:11 AM

Thanks guys this has really helped my decision. I think I'll just save for a long time to splurge on a Littlemark II with a 4x10. That should fit my needs perfectly. Thanks everyone!

BigOldHarry · #14 08-10-2010, 10:14 AM

99% of my gigs I run a 2x10 rig - but it's not a Carvin... Carvin gear is a good value, but you get what you pay for... And the fact is, there is no cheap way to sound good and loud. There just isn't.

Ewo · #15 08-10-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i'd go two 210's if i were you. two 210's in a vertical tower can sound pretty massive on the lows and generally are a little snappier on the high end than 115's, especially those carvins. and nowadays you can get pretty much anything you want out of either of those combinations. but the way you describe what you like, you'd probably dig two 210's more than a 215. the tower effect makes it sound bigger and louder to you when you play, too. if you're not crazy about their 115's, just don't use them. it'll sound just as big with two 210's, imho, ymmv and all that.

Hey, JimmyM--and anybody else!--wanted to get your opinion on something similar. (OP: I'm not trying to threadjack! I figure this is related to your query.)

I've got an older 2-10 GK combo with the 1001 head. When I get the jingle together, I was thinking about adding an neo-loaded extension cab to use with it.

So I'm wondering about a 2-12 cab instead of tens..?

JimmyM · #16 08-10-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

Hey, JimmyM--and anybody else!--wanted to get your opinion on something similar. (OP: I'm not trying to threadjack! I figure this is related to your query.)

I've got an older 2-10 GK combo with the 1001 head. When I get the jingle together, I was thinking about adding an neo-loaded extension cab to use with it.

So I'm wondering about a 2-12 cab instead of tens..?

anything that isn't matching has to be judged on a case by case basis, and that's one case i've never tried.

Snipper! · #17 08-10-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

Hey, JimmyM--and anybody else!--wanted to get your opinion on something similar. (OP: I'm not trying to threadjack! I figure this is related to your query.)

I've got an older 2-10 GK combo with the 1001 head. When I get the jingle together, I was thinking about adding an neo-loaded extension cab to use with it.

So I'm wondering about a 2-12 cab instead of tens..?

12's,... you've got the 10's for low/high mid/top end, now get the 12's for a nice fundamental bass spread

B String · #18 08-10-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

anything that isn't matching has to be judged on a case by case basis, and that's one case i've never tried.

I've been using my AE210 for many of my gigs. Just for kicks I tried using that box with my Epi UL112 for a louder gig.
On paper, these two boxes should not be a good match, but I was taking it on a case by case basis. The combination totally kicked ass. The UL112 has a huge low end for such a light weight box. Somewhat attenuated mids and an airy high end. The AE210 is thick from the low mids up to the highest mids. For what ever reason, the matchup worked. Really well. I had more volume and solid low end than my UL310. Go figure.

A good 210 is a great way to start. You can always add speakers for volume and flavor later.

mike costelow · #19 08-10-2010, 11:45 AM

I play bx500 and a lmiii through brx 410 and brx 210. You will be suprised at how big the brx210 sounds,I've had other players comment on this also. If going with carvin,get the brx line. try 1 210 and if it is not enough order one later. If you run 2 of the brx210's they are 4 ohm cabs,you could run them both with bx500(it goes down to 2 ohms) but could not run both with lmii.

VanillaThundah · #20 08-10-2010, 11:51 AM

First off, I have a Carvin BX500 and LOVE it to death...an amazing head with insanely versatile tone and great features, plus where else will you find a footswitchable 2-channel bass head? Good choice on that one bro, I'd go with the BX500.

Now I use an Avatar neo 2x10 and set it up vertically. With the BX500, I had my head turned at 2 on master volume with EQ set to taste. My drummer and guitarist could EASILY hear me even with my head set at 2, and that was totally clean sounding as well....no speaker farting or unpleasant buzzing. That or the carvin would both be good choices, but you will do plenty of damage with just a 2x10s for sure.