extension cab: 2x10 or 1x15?

crguti · #1 08-23-2011, 02:42 AM

I'm ready to pull the trigger. I WILL buy an extension cabinet to complement my Ashdown 2x10 cab. But, I'm still in doubt about what type of cab to get... another 2x10 or a 1x15?.

I like bottom-end, so the best choice will be the 1x15, but i've heard that a 1x15 doesn't sound good by itself. It needs to be paired with a 2x10. In the other hand, with another 2x10, I can have a consistent rig for small and big gigs, but I won't get the low-end I want.
I'm talking out of my ass? I'm new to bass rig, so any help is appreciated.

rodl2005 · #2 08-23-2011, 04:51 AM

Ppl say to match drivers , but I love 15"s, so I'll say grab the 1x15. Then you got a choice of 3 rigs. 210, 115, or both.
Who says 15"s don't sound good? There's a LOT of 15" love on here

Hopkins · #3 08-23-2011, 04:55 AM

Get another 210, driver size has nothing to do with how low a cab can go. Matched cabs are guaranteed to work together, where with dissimilar cabs its a crap shoot.

crguti · #4 08-23-2011, 05:29 AM

I'm confused.
Some people like 2x10 & 1x15 combination, but others say is better 2 of the same cab. I wish I'd have a 1x15 so I'd know how it sounds.

jnewmark · #5 08-23-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crguti

I'm confused.
Some people like 2x10 & 1x15 combination, but others say is better 2 of the same cab. I wish I'd have a 1x15 so I'd know how it sounds.

Take your combo to a store that has both, and try it out, it's the only way you will know.

praisebass · #6 08-23-2011, 05:41 AM

As down 15s are fine by themselves but 2 is better.

http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/Ashdown.jpg

Mike in Chicago · #7 08-23-2011, 05:43 AM

back to basics. I've also always loved 15's. Then I lost my way, got lost in that Squire, Geddy, Jaco mode "lead bass" mode.

I...

A: always played bass, never picked up a guitar...so I'm not one of those crappy guitar players that switched to bass just to stay in a band...

B: fingers only.

C: lock in on the drummers foot.

As far as solos go...solos on uprights are the only kind, electric ones all sound like frustrated guitar players to me.

So heck with it...I've found a place that makes affordable stuff, selling the 4x10 and 1x18 (ampeg both) dumping that (I can't believe I've ever owned one) Peavey that I used for that overrated biamp guano...and buying 2 2x15's. Just got the V4b head reconditioned, and my 4 STRING Fender will do the honors.

Real bass players use 15's, and stay in the pocket.

I guess I'm a born again bass player.

crguti · #8 08-23-2011, 05:52 AM

Mike, you used bi-amping? tell me your experience.
Have you played with a 2x10 & 1x15 combination?

Russell L · #9 08-23-2011, 06:06 AM

I like 15s. Right now I'm running a 115 with a 112 through a Little Mark II. Just yesterday I was messing around before practice with just the 115. It sounded much fuller than the 112, but I bet it's because it's in a bigger cab. Not by much, but it is a bit bigger. It could also handle any kind of spike caused by slapping better than the 112, by itself. My aim is to run two 115s eventually. (My gear is Markbass CMD 121H combo and Markbass Traveler 151P cab).

I've played more gigs on 15s in the past 23 years than on anything else. I like 'em.

Mike in Chicago · #10 08-23-2011, 06:15 AM

One thing I liked about bi amp...and I think the Peveay is one of the few has this feature is...the built in chorous (which is pretty nice sounding) or however it's spelled went in the high side only...so you didn't get that WOW wow WOW wow WOW...sound when had the effect on. The low half held together...you didn't lose the pulse.

Back to basics.

Mike in Chicago · #11 08-23-2011, 06:18 AM

sorry about double post...I use or have used 4x10, and 1x18.

I still have my big 'ol V4b folded horn refrigerator bottom. But that's too big to move around, even for a dinosaur like me.

oldcatfish · #12 08-23-2011, 07:36 AM

If you can't try both out before you buy, always try to match. Matching cabs will ALWAYS sound good. Non-matching cabs only MIGHT sound good. If you can try both out before, choose whichever you think sounds better.

billfitzmaurice · #13 08-23-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Take your combo to a store that has both, and try it out, it's the only way you will know.

+1. Some 2x10/1x15 combinations work well, some don't. The only way to know what's best for you is to try your cab along with a few 15s and also with another identical 2x10, vertically stacked. Sure, you'll get all sorts of advice from those who use a 210/115 how much they like it, but if they haven't performed that test they have no idea which they would have preferred. And even then their choice would be totally subjective, and when it comes to subjective opinions the only subject who's opinion counts is you.

crguti · #14 08-23-2011, 07:46 AM

^true

anonymous101511 · #15 08-23-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in Chicago

back to basics. I've also always loved 15's. Then I lost my way, got lost in that Squire, Geddy, Jaco mode "lead bass" mode.

I...

A: always played bass, never picked up a guitar...so I'm not one of those crappy guitar players that switched to bass just to stay in a band...

B: fingers only.

C: lock in on the drummers foot.

As far as solos go...solos on uprights are the only kind, electric ones all sound like frustrated guitar players to me.

So heck with it...I've found a place that makes affordable stuff, selling the 4x10 and 1x18 (ampeg both) dumping that (I can't believe I've ever owned one) Peavey that I used for that overrated biamp guano...and buying 2 2x15's. Just got the V4b head reconditioned, and my 4 STRING Fender will do the honors.

Real bass players use 15's, and stay in the pocket.

I guess I'm a born again bass player.

sounds good, though I would counsel against 'locking in' with the drummers foot ever. My advice to all musicians, especially bass players is to 'lock in' with the hi- hat. The groove will feel much better that way. In fact, I would suggest paying a lot less attention to the kick drum, especially if the drummer is any good. The meter and 'feel' is in the hands.

MoeGJBeener · #16 08-23-2011, 10:06 AM

If it is any help I have an SWR Redhead 210 paired with an Eden 115 cab and I love it. I switch back and forth between that and a Genz Benz 410 depending on the size gig but I love the tone on the 210/115 together.

Warrior_Bass · #17 08-23-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vail_bass

sounds good, though I would counsel against 'locking in' with the drummers foot ever. My advice to all musicians, especially bass players is to 'lock in' with the hi- hat. The groove will feel much better that way. In fact, I would suggest paying a lot less attention to the kick drum, especially if the drummer is any good. The meter and 'feel' is in the hands.

That's an interesting take that I've never heard before. Would you say this works better for jazz than for a more standard rock style beat?

Joe Louvar · #18 08-23-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crguti

I'm ready to pull the trigger. I WILL buy an extension cabinet to complement my Ashdown 2x10 cab. But, I'm still in doubt about what type of cab to get... another 2x10 or a 1x15?.

I like bottom-end, so the best choice will be the 1x15, but i've heard that a 1x15 doesn't sound good by itself. It needs to be paired with a 2x10. In the other hand, with another 2x10, I can have a consistent rig for small and big gigs, but I won't get the low-end I want.
I'm talking out of my ass? I'm new to bass rig, so any help is appreciated.

Personally I like 15’s. I’ve used 2x10 over a 1x15 stacks that were awesome - but they were biamped too. Since you already have a 2x10 I recommend staying with matching 10’s - unless you can biamp the stack, then I’d go with the 2x10 over 1x15 but if you can’t biamp I’d go with two 2x10’s.

Rob22315 · #19 08-23-2011, 10:50 AM

I have a Peavey BAM 210 that sits on top of a 115 BX BW. I play the two at church almost every week. Based on all the comments here about matching cabs, I got a 410TVX figuring I'd take either the 115 or the 410 home, add a cheap head, and use it as a practice amp leaving the better extension cab at the church.

I took the 410 to church and put it next to the 115 and played for a while swapping the cable between the two. I really couldn't notice any major difference - there were no obvious phasing issues. I had to tweak the volume slightly because the 410 seems to be more efficient at converting electricity to sound than the 115. I also tweaked the tweeter volume controls slightly because the 410 has a tweeter and the 115 doesn't. My conclusion based on this limited set of speakers is that it basically made no different outside minor tweaking noted above. Before anyone else says it - I'll grant that I'm not using boutique equipment.

Note this is a medium (300-400) sized church and the acoustics are quite good. We used to have a lot of members who were engineers so they designed the santuary to minimize the need for PA. Many soloists don't use mikes because of this so my little test wasn't totally clobbered by poor acoustics in the room.

Right now, the 115 still sits underneath the BAM at church while the 410 is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a head at my house.

anonymous101511 · #20 08-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior_Bass

That's an interesting take that I've never heard before. Would you say this works better for jazz than for a more standard standard rock style beat?

Yes, I would say this works for all styles of music. If the drummer is competent, his/her foot will also follow the hands, not the other way around. It then makes the most sense to follow/ lock in (however you want to say it) what he/ she is following too.