the cab search begins.....

mattbass6945 · #1 07-31-2011, 05:06 PM

ok, so i joined a 2nd band and i need a 2nd rig. my price isn't large enough to get another svt cl and 8x10.
i've always had an ampeg 8x10 or crappy second hand budget gear.
so long story less long.....are there any cabs out there that sound great that don't cost an arm and a leg. i constantly overlook peavy and hartke and others because i assume that price equals quality. i know, stupid. so who should i give a second look to? probaly looking at 10's or 12's.

BruceBass3901 · #2 07-31-2011, 05:42 PM

Why do you need a second rig? Could you not use the same rig for both bands?

jmlee · #3 07-31-2011, 05:48 PM

High quality + low price = Avatar

RickenBoogie · #4 07-31-2011, 06:11 PM

+1 why the need for 2 rigs, (nothing wrong with it, of course). I used to play in 3 bands at once, using the same gear for all 3. Otherwise, like you mentioned, Peavey, Avatar, Harke, etc.

mattbass6945 · #5 07-31-2011, 06:47 PM

after i got divorced, i sold all my gear (still hurts....) and drummer bought the rig. don't know how he'd feel about me transporting it and i doubt the 8x10 would fit in my car anyhow. besides, i need my own gear.
where can i find avatar? aren't they just direct like carvin? nervous about ordering before i play it, even though i've heard good things about them and haven't seen any used in the area.
what's the benefit of aluminum cones on the hartke? i imagine more clarity, brighter? thanks guys! keep em' comin'!!!

testing1two · #6 07-31-2011, 06:50 PM

Having a second rig is common practice for a working bassist. First, it is a tremendous time-saver if he is working at different rehearsal facilities on a regular basis. Also, the new gig may require a vibe that the SVT rig doesn't fit (not every gig works best with 300 watts and 8 10's). And perhaps most importantly, it's mandatory for a working bassist to have a backup should an amp or speaker cabinet need repair.

So my recommendation to the OP is buy used pro-grade gear. Determine whether you need something as large and loud as your SVT and whether you want the new rig to sound like an SVT or if you want something different.

In terms of speakers, Avatar really is good value for money. But you could also find a used Ampeg 401HLF, SWR Goliath III, or Eden 410XLT for the same money.

**IvanMike** · #7 07-31-2011, 06:58 PM

Used pro grade gear is a good call - but with cabs you really need to be careful to test them out. If you can swing it, I like to go modular and use two smaller cabs rather than one big one, but that's a preference thing.

Personal opinion - Hartke aluminum cones are...OK. A little brighter but kind of a gimmick these days and to be honest I would put the brand as a whole in the lower half of the spectrum quality wise.

A lot of good deals can be had on older 2x15 cabs by peavy, mesa, etc. They can be a pain to transport, but are generally workhorses. Lots of older heavier 4x10 cabs still have a lot of life in them too.

mattbass6945 · #8 07-31-2011, 07:06 PM

i'm all cool with used gear and will put em' thru their paces before buying. i just didn't know if i was being judgemental because the peavy didn't cost that much or wasn't a big name like gk, swr, ampeg, etc........

testing1two · #9 07-31-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

i'm all cool with used gear and will put em' thru their paces before buying. i just didn't know if i was being judgemental because the peavy didn't cost that much or wasn't a big name like gk, swr, ampeg, etc........

Peavey makes quality gear that seems to last forever. Tone is subjective but I don't find the sound of most of their bass gear to suit me, especially their 4x10 and 8x10 cabs which seem to have a scooped voicing. Also, you won't see any Peavey gear on a professional backline rider (endorsements aside) so take that for what it's worth.

darylchan · #10 07-31-2011, 08:25 PM

Hartke hydrives FTW.

jmlee · #11 08-01-2011, 07:15 AM

http://www.avatarspeakers.com

Wes Whitmore · #12 08-01-2011, 12:58 PM

What are your volume requirements? Stage Volume levels? Are you providing the bass to fill the whole club, or do you have PA support? How often are you going to be picking up this gear, and do you have to do it yourself?

As far as the debate between name brand/cost/etc, I say it's all a crap shoot for me. I have had GK and Ampeg heads (new and used), and all of them have crapped out on me at one time or another, while my Behringer stuff that I reluctantly purchased here and there when I absolutely needed it, hasn't had an issue on 12+ years.

I have found it better to buy decent mediocre gear that sounds like I want it to, then buy it again when I can, for a backup and modularity.

Im betting that if you have Ampeg now, you will probably want to stick with that ampeg sound in the future. I would check out some of the new line of portaflex amps to grab the new warranty and the Ampeg tone you seem to like. I personally dig the GK stuff, but like what both companies are doing right now.

Wes

PSPookie · #13 08-01-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darylchan

~~Hartke hydrives~~ TB Classifieds FTW.

Fixed

chuck norriss · #14 08-01-2011, 01:17 PM

I'm happy with the sound of my Hartke Transporter 410 even thought it's the budget version among their 410 cabs. No tweeter. Loud & clear.