Choice of a new bass head is overwhelming! Help?

nato101010 · #1 08-17-2011, 11:58 AM

Hi guys. I'm looking into a more powerful head, because the one I use is really under powering my new cab.

I use a Peavy Nitrobass 450 head, with a 800 watt Traynor 4x10 cab. The cab is rated for 8 ohms, but from what I read on the Peavy's manual, the head is only pushing like 170 watts into 8 ohms, and it really isn't very loud. I have to crank it to get it loud enough to play with a band. The bass I'm using is a Warwick $$.

I guess what I'm looking for is a bass head that is rated for 8 ohms at 800 watts. I would like lots of headroom, because I jam with some loud players in large rooms. I don't really see many heads like that around, does anyone know of any? Thanks in advance!

JimmyM · #2 08-17-2011, 12:08 PM

Your head is not underpowering your cab for two reasons:

1. There is no such thing as underpowering a cab.

2. There is no way a Traynor 410 could take 800w cleanly. 400-450w is more like it. 800w is the wattage that causes voice coils to melt, but it will fart out with far less power.

If you want to be louder, a higher wattage head will help a little, but nothing like adding a second 410.

erigod23 · #3 08-17-2011, 12:20 PM

It's probably 800W peak, not program. You need to get another cab, so you can have a 4 ohm load and take advantage of your amps full power. If you get another head, you'll probably still have volume problems. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I see an 8 ohm rated cab, I assume it's to be used with another 8 ohm cab (unless it's a quiet gig). Most heads run optimally with a 4 ohm load.

shoot-r · #4 08-17-2011, 12:34 PM

The Peavey Nitrobass 450 head:

450 watts at 2 ohms.

300 watts at 4 ohms.

170 watts at 8 ohms.

Your only getting 170 watts into your 8 ohm 410.
In a "loud" band setting a bass can use up 170 watts quickly and start to distort.
I agree with JimmyM and erigod23 a second 8 ohm cab will add greatly.

In order for you to get your heads full rated power of 450 watts your going to have to use two 4 ohm cabinets or four 8 ohm cabinets.

nato101010 · #5 08-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Sorry guys, I don't have room for a 2nd cab, and i really don't want to carry it.
Would 200 tube watts into 8 ohms be more then enough? I found a Traynor all tube head. its 200 tube watts, switchable to 4/8 ohms.

EDIT: The cab is 800 watts program, not peak.

Muckaluck · #6 08-17-2011, 12:40 PM

Have you tried any other heads with the cab? I have no trouble with 200 tube watts into a 1X15 and being heard in a full band.

If you don't want to get another cab, a Traynor tube head would look very sharp on top of that 4X10!

kevinmoore73 · #7 08-17-2011, 12:42 PM

You would probably be best served by a second 8 ohm cab or a 4 ohm cab to replace the one you have.

bassplayer8953 · #8 08-17-2011, 12:45 PM

Carvin.com :: B2000

...will put out 700 watts @ 8 ohms, very close to a perfect match. Later, if you do add a 2nd cab, the watts output from the head increases also. Win!

nato101010 · #9 08-17-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

Have you tried any other heads with the cab? I have no trouble with 200 tube watts into a 1X15 and being heard in a full band.

If you don't want to get another cab, a Traynor tube head would look very sharp on top of that 4X10!

Yes, i tried it with a 4 ohm 2x10, and its still not loud enough in most cases.

I'm leaning toward the Traynor head...there's a used one near me for half of what they sell for new.

shoot-r · #10 08-17-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato101010

Sorry guys, I don't have room for a 2nd cab, and i really don't want to carry it.
Would 200 tube watts into 8 ohms be more then enough? I found a Traynor all tube head. its 200 tube watts, switchable to 4/8 ohms.

EDIT: The cab is 800 watts program, not peak.

See if whomever has it will let you borrow or rent it for a rehearsal or gig.
That'll tell you quickly if it'll be enough for you.

I'd suggest your looking into G.K.'s MB-500 or their new MB-800 head.

The G.K. MB-500:
350 watts at 8 ohms.
500 watts at 4 ohms
580 total watts at 4 ohms.
3.8 lbs.

The G.K. MB-800:
500 watts at 8 ohms.
800+ watts at 4 ohms.
4.5 lbs.

My gigging amp is a G.K. MB-500 head into two Avatar Neo 210 cabinets.
I'm with a LOUD, 6 pcs., country/rock group...I can witness that volume wise the MB-500 will come close ta takin' your head off without brakin' your back!!!
Their also pretty inexpensive.

shoot-r · #11 08-17-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato101010

Sorry guys, I don't have room for a 2nd cab, and i really don't want to carry it.

Since you are familiar with using four-ten's. Maybe your Peavey 450 head into two, 4 ohm, 210 cabinets?
Easy to handle, smaller cabs than your 410.
Use one cab, (Peavey 450 gets 300 watts at 4 ohms), for rehearsals/small gigs...both cabs, (gets the full 450 watts at 2 ohms),for when you need more volume and coverage.
Also you can stack two 210's as a vertical 410 rig.

scottfeldstein · #12 08-17-2011, 01:12 PM

The first three responses have everything you need to know, IMO.

However, I have to chime in and represent for my MB500 brethren. It's a little gem of an amp. I've had it plugged into an 8 ohm 2x10 cab and I've had it plugged into a 4 ohm 8x10 fridge. Very pleased with it in all cases.

Jarrett · #13 08-17-2011, 01:13 PM

I just got a TC Electronics RH750 head and it pairs up well with my cabs. The cabs are two SWR Golight 2x10s rated at 400 @ 8 ohms. I'm technically driving the whole rig at 4 ohms though. Sounds pretty good though.

This might be good too:
Carvin.com :: BX1500
900 watts bridged at 4 ohms.

RickenBoogie · #14 08-17-2011, 01:14 PM

Volume is more a product of the speaker cabs than it is amp wattage. If you don't want to lug around 2 cabs, not much you do with your current cab will solve the problem. Partly, yes, but not near what a 2nd cab will do.

Bass_Pounder · #15 08-17-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato101010

Yes, i tried it with a 4 ohm 2x10, and its still not loud enough in most cases.

What did you expect ?

You gained some wattage output by using a 4 ohm cab, but cut your speaker area in half.

lomo · #16 08-17-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Volume is more a product of the speaker cabs than it is amp wattage. If you don't want to lug around 2 cabs, not much you do with your current cab will solve the problem. Partly, yes, but not near what a 2nd cab will do.

Although this is true, jumping to 500 watts from 170 WILL produce a significant boost in volume and headroom.

nato101010 · #17 08-17-2011, 02:51 PM

Thanks guys, but I think I'm better off answering my own question for now after this thread.

I'm just going to rent a few heads and see what works out for me.

jeff7bass · #18 08-17-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

Carvin.com :: B2000

...will put out 700 watts @ 8 ohms, very close to a perfect match. Later, if you do add a 2nd cab, the watts output from the head increases also. Win!

What he said. Best bang for buck head on the planet.

scottfeldstein · #19 08-17-2011, 04:42 PM

Increasing the watt output of the head by rewiring the cab to a lower impedance may be pretty marginal. I'd get a second cab. This will lower the impedance, increase the watts AND give you an additional speaker to push more air. That's the winning recipe here, as others have pointed out.

JimmyM · #20 08-17-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

Although this is true, jumping to 500 watts from 170 WILL produce a significant boost in volume and headroom.

If the cab can handle it, it'll produce a noticeable difference. But I'd estimate that cab will top out at 500w at best. I still think 400w is more like it. Program power handling ratings = marketing babble.