4 or 8 ohm cabinet for GK MB200 head

rockamimjazz · #1 09-10-2011, 06:56 PM

I will be purchasing a Gallien Krueger MB200 bass head and would like some advice on which 1x15 cabinet to buy. I like the sound of the 115MBE cabinet; it is available in both 4 and 8 ohm configurations. Both handle a max of 400 watts. The MB200 puts out 200w at 4 ohms and 140w at 8 ohms. As I understand it if I buy the 4 ohm head I will get the full 200w out of my head. Is there a danger is going this way (overheating the amp, shortening its life, etc.)? Or is it more advisable to just use the 140w into the 8 ohm cabinet? I don't foresee adding a second cabinet in the future, if that makes a difference. The rig will be used to play with guitars and drums in small club settings.

rovito · #2 09-11-2011, 11:04 AM

Get the 8 so you can add another 8 later when you need more volume.

**B-string** · #3 09-11-2011, 11:38 AM

IF you really don't plan on having to overcome loud guitars and drums, always in a small coffee house setting? Then go with the 4 ohm cab. You will have a little more headroom available. The amp is designed to operate that load and no additional stress from running the one cab. If you grow beyond that setting, you will not be able to add a second cab. 2 115s will be much louder with the same wattage from any amp than just doubling the power from the amp.

skychief · #4 09-11-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovito

Get the 8 so you can add another 8 later when you need more volume.

+1

RickenBoogie · #5 09-11-2011, 12:25 PM

4 ohm cabs only make sense if they're BIG, like an 810, 215, or 412. Otherwise, it's generally a better idea to stick with 8 ohm cabs, especially small cabs like a 115. The difference in volume because of the lowered wattage will be negligable, but the increase in volume by adding a 2nd 15 is HUGE.

Windreaper · #6 09-11-2011, 12:47 PM

140W is more than plenty for a single 15".

scottfeldstein · #7 09-11-2011, 01:02 PM

8 Ohm, no question. You can add a second one if you want and in the meantime 140w is more than a single 15 is going to handle anyway.

Sav'nBass · #8 09-11-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

4 ohm cabs only make sense if they're BIG, like an 810, 215, or 412. Otherwise, it's generally a better idea to stick with 8 ohm cabs, especially small cabs like a 115. The difference in volume because of the lowered wattage will be negligable, but the increase in volume by adding a 2nd 15 is HUGE.

That's what I discovered when I went from a 4 ohm cab to the same 8 ohm cab. There is a difference but it is negligible.. A bigger difference would be seen by adding the second cab if you needed more..

Mktavish · #9 09-11-2011, 09:48 PM

Okies , so what about if you decided you wanted a 410 err maybe 210 off of this head.

Would you pick an 8 ohm 410 or a 4 ohm 410 .... err possibly a 210

coming from the thinking of I am not going to use a 15 anymore .... what would you do?

Mktavish · #10 09-11-2011, 09:55 PM

actually Im having a hard time finding a 4 ohm 4-10 but a 4 ohm 210 is easy

**B-string** · #11 09-11-2011, 10:21 PM

210 is about equal to the surface area of a 115.

::::BASSIST:::: · #12 09-11-2011, 10:35 PM

If I were you I'd buy a Bag End S15d with that amp. Its a very efficient and will definitely be loud enough for small pubs. Its not too pricey either.

scottfeldstein · #13 09-11-2011, 10:45 PM

No way I would buy a 4 ohm cab unless it had at least 2x15s, 4x12s or 6x10s. As soon as the cab is smaller than that, it's a) not even going to handle the amount of watts your amp can deliver at 4 ohms, and b) you'll want the option of adding a second cab, another 8 ohm cab to reach a combined resistance of 4 ohms.

Mktavish · #14 09-11-2011, 11:53 PM

So th 8 ohm 410 is the way to go with the GK 200mb?

Err did you forget thats the amp head we were discussing scott?

Mktavish · #15 09-12-2011, 12:05 AM

By the way rockimajazz ... sorry for hijacking , but this head and cab is what ive been stressing about for awhile. And I dont mean to be upity , but playing through a 15 for me is not gona happen anymore. 20 years is enough. I wana play through a 4 freakin 10 finally. I mean the 15 is not bad , and is totally the most economical when considering cabs. But ......

Anarchyok · #16 09-12-2011, 05:08 AM

I'm using a 4ohm Eden ex112 with my MB200 and it's fantastic. I also have the option to use the mb200 with one or two 8ohm GK Neo212s, but generally if the the mb200/Eden rig won't cut it, I take my GK Fusion 550 and Neo212 cab(s).

scottfeldstein · #17 09-12-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mktavish

So th 8 ohm 410 is the way to go with the GK 200mb?

Err did you forget thats the amp head we were discussing scott?

Ah. Ok, maybe I could see that. You really might want the whole 200w to drive a 4x10. In that case 4 ohms would be doable.

rockamimjazz · #18 09-12-2011, 04:15 PM

I ordered the 8ohm 115MBE. Now, as long as Sam Ash sends me the right one (versus the 4 ohm) I'll be in business. Can't help but notice there was a thread on 115MBE units being shipped from different retailers where the advertised ohms was not the same as what was acutually shipped (crossing fingers)

Slowgypsy · #19 09-12-2011, 06:36 PM

My MB200 has only one cab output. Where does the "add another cab" thinking come into play with this particular amp?

rockamimjazz · #20 09-12-2011, 07:08 PM

You are correct that the MB200 has only one output. If I am not mistaken, you could daisy chain the two 8 ohm cabs in parrallel, thereby giving you a 4 ohm load.