Amp cab configuration

[RitchS]

I have a question about getting a good all around sound for a cover band. I usually play through a BX1500 Carvin head that has enough power for whatever. My question is, What is the best cab configuration to cover a wide variety of music? I generally play through a 4x10 but am wondering if adding a 15" or an 18" will help.
I know it doesn't matter much when we're running through the PA, and for those I bring the smallest rig possible. But for gigs at smaller venues, (up to about 100 people) what is the best combination?

[BurningSkies]

Add a second matching 4x10.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Add a second matching 4x10.

+1

OP - I would think your BX1500/410 would be enough to cover a 100 seater - but if not, get another matching 410.

[scottfeldstein]

^ I'm with BurningSkies ^

There are always naysayers, but I think you'll find that matching cabs is the common wisdom among the most knowledgeable people.

[Martin89]

Can't the BX1500 bi-amp? like separate settings and everything for the cabs so mixing isn't as much of a problem? I know a 410 and 115 is a pretty popular setup, I'm sure the 118 is similar just a little more low end?

[scottfeldstein]

Actually, I just looked it up. Yes, the BX1500 Carvin can biamp. It has an adjustable crossover knob right on the front panel: 100Hz to 2kHz, with separate levels for each channel.

That would be the one circumstance where I think mismatched cabs could be ok.

Some still say even this crossover scenario has issues, that it leaves a hole in your sound at the point of crossover. I can't speak to that. I used to do it with an 18 and 2x10s, never hurt me none. Still seems like an over-engineered solution, though.

[RitchS]

Would it matter much what bass I'm playing at the time? I play an EBMM SR5 and an NS design standup. I love this site BTW!

[scottfeldstein]

Upon reflection, I probably wouldn't use the biamp feature of your amp or use mismatched cabs.

There is one advantage to biamping with mismatched cabs, that I can see. You'd be able to have two cabs of varying size/weight (like a 410 and a 115) that could be used separately for different sized gigs and also be able to use them both together while avoiding most of the drawbacks of mismatched cabs through crossover biamping.

One could use matched cabs together beautifully, of course. But you're left with the options of using one or both--2 options. With mismatched, you can use cab A, cab B or both. That's 3 distinct cab options instead of 2.

But if you ask me that's a pretty dubious benefit. I wouldn't invest in a rig like that. Simpler to use matched cabs and call it a day.