Which Bass Cab to Buy (newbie post) :S

[Broomiester]

Hi,

I'm pretty new to bass and I've never owned anything other than a combo before, I just bought an Ashdown mag 300 head off ebay and I now need to get a cab (preferably before next friday). I'd like a cheap second hand one so I don't mind settling for a one speaker cab (but preferable a 2x10). I've looked at some on ebay such as an Ashdown 210, however, this is a 150w 8ohm cab and the mag 300 is a 300w with min 4ohm impedance. I think I'll be okay ohmage wise but it was my understanding that I'd need to have a speaker cab of 300w or above to handle the head. Is this the case or not? If so, what cheap +300w cabs would you recommend?

Thanks,

Matt

[lazyone2]

I use a 1000 watt amp and a 200 watt speaker. Your amp has a volume control. Let your ears tell you when the speaker has had enough.

[RickenBoogie]

Yes, 8 ohms is what you want, and don't worry about wattage ratings, just use common sense and don't send alot of low end high volume to the spkr.

[cchorney]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Yes, 8 ohms is what you want, and don't worry about wattage ratings, just use common sense and don't send alot of low end high volume to the spkr.

+1 to this sentiment. Also, to improve the amount of sound you hear while jamming with your new gear, try placing the cab on its side so the 2 drivers are vertically aligned, and possibly also placing it on a milk crate or chair to get a little elevation to it. That will help you hear it better when you are standing up in front of it.

If it turns out you like the tone of your amp and cabinet combination, when you are ready for more volume, start shopping for a second, matching cabinet. I suspect you will run out of speaker excursion before you run out of amp head room with what you've got.

[sandman357]

Hi,
+1 to all posts so far. Here is some info that may be helpful since you are new to cabs and heads.
http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_amps/...net_guide.html

About half way down the article it talks about power of speakers and amps. The rule of thumb in the past was to have the speaker be more powerful than the amp, but that is not the case any longer with modern equipment. (10 years or so) Now many people say it is better to have a more powerful head than what your cab is rated for. This is called "head room". Do a search for that term and there will be tons of info on it. It will talk about sine waves and square waves and such, but basically an under powered head can blow a speaker as well as an over powered head. Just for different reasons.

The FAQ on this forum has good info as well.
AMPS FAQ!! Info on OHMS, Allsize RIGS-OverUnderPowerCabs DIY TechTalk-Links

So, read the info in those links if you want to know why it is OK to go with an more powerful head than what your cab is rated for. I think the Ashdown 210 would be a good match. Like cchorney said, set it on its end so it is vertical. Down the road you could get another Ashdown 210 cab and set that on top of the first one and have a very nice vertical stack. (Look up "vertical stack" to get info on the benefits a vertical speaker alignment) Then you would have a 300w 4ohm stack which is what your head is rated for

Good luck!

[mystic38]

yes the mag300 will produce 300W into 4 ohms, but note it will deliver somewhat less into 8ohm..

4 ohm minimum means 8 ohm speakers are fine.. you just get less Power.

the 8 ohm Ashdown 210 is a good cabinet for that amp..it will sound great, and if you need more volume later on, simply get another 8 ohm Ashdown 210 cabinet ..then you will have a 4 ohm 410 rig

congrats

Originally Posted by Broomiester

Hi,

I'm pretty new to bass and I've never owned anything other than a combo before, I just bought an Ashdown mag 300 head off ebay and I now need to get a cab (preferably before next friday). I'd like a cheap second hand one so I don't mind settling for a one speaker cab (but preferable a 2x10). I've looked at some on ebay such as an Ashdown 210, however, this is a 150w 8ohm cab and the mag 300 is a 300w with min 4ohm impedance. I think I'll be okay ohmage wise but it was my understanding that I'd need to have a speaker cab of 300w or above to handle the head. Is this the case or not? If so, what cheap +300w cabs would you recommend?

Thanks,

Matt

[SirDuke]

Peavy makes a nice 210 headliner. Rated at 400w and 800w peak. I use my 1kw head through it and it sounds great. Only cost me like ~190$

[5 Wire]

I used that exact head for many years with a single 15" 8 ohm cabinet and it served me very well. I later added a 112 and brought it to 4 ohm and the Mag came alive.

Think about running a preamp of some sort - pedal, etc.