Cab to pair with Marshall VBA 400?

thehippie · #1 12-17-2010, 12:38 PM

I recently got a Marshall VBA 400 head for a pretty good price. The only problem is finding a matching VBC 412 or VBC 810 is pretty much impossible where im at...

I was wondering if anybody had some good suggestions for a 4-ohm cab to pair with the head? I'm looking for something to really help bring that old school tube overdrive sound out.

groovaholic · #2 12-17-2010, 12:46 PM

I'd recommended a 2x15, especially if you can find some 15's with good mids & highs; like some of the EV drivers or Celestion Sidewinders.

I used to have a Laney 215 formerly owned (or probably just used) by Geezer Butler. It had the Celestions in it and they sounds fantastic.

The cab, unfortunately, was no longer structurally sound and rattled like crazy...

The Mesa 215 with the EVs is also a great option for that tubey overdrive sound.

Good luck!

AwkwardLoudness · #3 12-17-2010, 01:18 PM

For low efficiency and more overdrive at reasonable volume, I suggest an Acme B4 cab or a pair of 8Ω Acme B2 cabs stacked vertically.

For plenty loudness, Mesa Powerhouse 6x10, 8x10, or 2x15 or a Bergantino NV610.

thehippie · #4 12-17-2010, 02:18 PM

Thanks! I have never heard of acme or bergantino cabs...and I never thought about getting a Mesa.

the Mesa 2x15 sounds pretty cool, I may try to do a little research on them

BassmanPaul · #5 12-17-2010, 02:48 PM

This is not a particularly powerful amp. The B4 is rated at 700W, as would a pair of B2s, and many push them with a lot more than that. I would agree that a twin fifteen cabinet would fit the bill.

AwkwardLoudness · #6 12-17-2010, 03:05 PM

So, 8 x 6550 power tubes are not enough to drive a B4 cab?

thehippie · #7 12-17-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

This is not a particularly powerful amp. The B4 is rated at 700W, as would a pair of B2s, and many push them with a lot more than that. I would agree that a twin fifteen cabinet would fit the bill.

Really? I figured for an all tube head, 400 watts was about as big as you can get.

derridiandrift · #8 12-17-2010, 03:28 PM

I've used this head with the matching cab as backline supplied by Marshall. For my taste, I wasn't terribly impressed with the matching cab. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the cab is ported. Not really my thing. The rig was plenty loud for me!

If the amp was mine, I'd pair it with an Ampeg 810. That would sound more old-school than the matching Marshall cab.

BassmanPaul · #9 12-17-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwkwardLoudness

So, 8 x 6550 power tubes are not enough to drive a B4 cab?

IMO not fully no.

BassmanPaul · #10 12-17-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehippie

Really? I figured for an all tube head, 400 watts was about as big as you can get.

Yes for a tube amp but for the average bass amp it's not that much.

thehippie · #11 12-17-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I've used this head with the matching cab as backline supplied by Marshall. For my taste, I wasn't terribly impressed with the matching cab. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the cab is ported. Not really my thing. The rig was plenty loud for me!

If the amp was mine, I'd pair it with an Ampeg 810. That would sound more old-school than the matching Marshall cab.

I hear alot of people use an Ampeg 8x10 with this head and love the sound. I'm kinda afraid an 8x10 would be to big for me to move by myself and for some of the places I play at tho....

What do you mean when you say the Marshall cab is ported if you dont mind me asking?

Alex1984 · #12 12-17-2010, 04:26 PM

Ported just means it's not fully sealed. Porting can affect the tuning of the cabinet and most ported cabs provide more bottom end IME.

SactoBass · #13 12-17-2010, 04:36 PM

thehippie:

When I was in a YES tribute band about 10 years ago, I gigged with a Marshall VBA400 head and a pair of Mesa Powerhouse 4x10 cabs.

That amp is *VERY* powerful, and that rig rocked!

Fab Savage · #14 12-19-2010, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

This is not a particularly powerful amp.

Wow U sure about that? My VBA 400 destroys my very loud Labsystem 600W Hybrid in volume.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the cab is ported.

If the amp was mine, I'd pair it with an Ampeg 810. That would sound more old-school than the matching Marshall cab.

Nope its sealed and vintage sounding... listen to Bruce Foxtons earlier stuff (VBA + VBC). The ampeg would still be a great choice though.

skychaserhigh · #15 12-19-2010, 04:52 AM

I went to see Bruce Foxton play last night and he was using 2 Ashdown cabs with his VBA. I'm guessing they were both 4x10 cabs. I used mine with a VBC 4x12 and also Hartke 4x10 cabs and thought the Hartke's worked better than the Marshall cab.

The VBA400 is big and powerful enough to drive anything , certainly no shortage of power in that amp !!

derridiandrift · #16 12-19-2010, 04:53 AM

I find that in most instances it's easier to move my 810 than the Eden D410XLT I used to have. My rule of thumb is that if the room is big enough to warrant bringing my SVT, it's big enough to warrant the 810 cab as well. Otherwise I take a combo amp.

Of course, there's always the Berg NV610. Your amp would kill through that cab.

Sartori · #17 12-19-2010, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehippie

I hear alot of people use an Ampeg 8x10 with this head and love the sound. I'm kinda afraid an 8x10 would be to big for me to move by myself and for some of the places I play at tho....

What do you mean when you say the Marshall cab is ported if you dont mind me asking?

Dude, you bought a four hundred watt tube amp. And now you're getting all iffy about the practicality of a big cab?

Unless you've got a bad back or most of the places you gig have lots and lots of stairs, it's not that big a deal to move big cabs, especially tilt back ones.

chadds · #18 12-19-2010, 06:17 AM

Bergantino NV610.

Kicks it as an 8x10. Sounds like a vintage Ampeg 8x10. Easy to move. Berg quality. What else is there?

aledeville · #19 12-19-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I've used this head with the matching cab as backline supplied by Marshall. For my taste, I wasn't terribly impressed with the matching cab. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the cab is ported. Not really my thing. The rig was plenty loud for me!

If the amp was mine, I'd pair it with an Ampeg 810. That would sound more old-school than the matching Marshall cab.

Exactly the same situation here, played it a few times and the cab is really a nothing.
I'd combine it with an open sounding cab with a high sensitivity.

thehippie · #20 12-20-2010, 05:57 PM

Ok so after doing to research I found a VBC 412 over in England. It's gonna cost me about $1100 for the cab plus shipping if I go that route. really doesn't seem worth it.

Another cab I found on Craigslist was a Marshall Super Jubilee 2x15. The dude wants $775 for it and a Marshall MB450H. Anybody know anything about those cabs?

hmmm I also like the Bergantino NV610 tho....I may try to find a used one somewhere.