Is the GK 410RBH Enough for a 700rb?

lovebrigade · #1 02-13-2011, 09:58 PM

I just bought a used GK 700 rb II head and a 410 RBH. The cab is rated 800 watts @ 8 ohms and the head is 480 watts + 50 biamp. I'm new to the head+cab game (only used combos before).

Does that mean my 800 watt cab is only able to handle 400 watts at 4 ohms or does that mean that it's only pushing out 240 watts worth of sound?

Sorry if it's a stupid question, just concerned about whether I should be worried when pushing my amp to 11 or consider getting another small cab to get the full power out of the head.

Thanks!

Noose · #2 02-13-2011, 10:16 PM

That head only pushes 320 watts at 8 ohms so you should be careful not to push the amp so hard that it clips. You're right that another 8 ohm cab would help draw more power safely from your head.

lovebrigade · #3 02-13-2011, 11:44 PM

So if I get another 8 ohm cab, I'd be getting full power (480 watts) out of my head, correct?

jelwood · #4 02-14-2011, 01:05 AM

The cabinet has an impedance of 8 ohms and can take 800 watts no matter what. If you currently hook your head up to your cab, you will feed the cab 320 watts. The cab can easily handle that. Feel free to crank your amp.

lovebrigade · #5 02-14-2011, 09:27 AM

Alright well that's good news, but a second 8 ohm in parallel to the current one would bring it to 4 ohms correct?

tdub0199 · #6 02-14-2011, 09:30 AM

I have a friend who runs a 700RB II into a 410RBH cab & it sounds great!!!!

**Laklandlover** · #7 02-14-2011, 10:27 AM

+1 got for it, I used the same set up for years.

Noose · #8 02-14-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovebrigade

Alright well that's good news, but a second 8 ohm in parallel to the current one would bring it to 4 ohms correct?

Yeah. Your don't have to worry at allabout overpowering your cab as is, but be aware that your amp will start clipping long before the cab starts begging for mercy. Clipping can mess up speakers just as bad as overpowering. So crank it up, but don't get silly.

lovebrigade · #9 02-14-2011, 12:04 PM

Glad to hear it, really excited to start playing with it. If only it didn't weigh 100 lbs...

Still worth it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laklandlover

+1 got for it, I used the same set up for years.

georgestrings · #10 02-14-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovebrigade

So if I get another 8 ohm cab, I'd be getting full power (480 watts) out of my head, correct?

Doubtful you'll ever need it - the 700rb-II is more powerful than most amps rated similarly, it gets way louder than it's output rating would indicate... Also, that RBH cab is a real bear - it's about the only G-K cab I really like...

Congrats on putting together a fine rig...

- georgestrings

lovebrigade · #11 02-14-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Doubtful you'll ever need it - the 700rb-II is more powerful than most amps rated similarly, it gets way louder than it's output rating would indicate... Also, that RBH cab is a real bear - it's about the only G-K cab I really like...

Congrats on putting together a fine rig...

- georgestrings

Thanks! Best part is I did it all for $500...

Sold my 100 watt Phil Jones Briefcase and without spending an extra dollar found a 410rbh and a 700 rb II, both in new condition... My proudest moment...

BigOldHarry · #12 02-14-2011, 01:20 PM

Old GK gear is a *deal*.

But in case no one else mentioned it: It's *good* to have a cab that's rated to take more than you amp is rated to put out; The only time to worry is if the opposite is the case (the head having more rated output than the cab can handle).

Good luck and welcome to the real-bass amp world!

Noose · #13 02-14-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Old GK gear is a *deal*.

But in case no one else mentioned it: It's *good* to have a cab that's rated to take more than you amp is rated to put out; The only time to worry is if the opposite is the case (the head having more rated output than the cab can handle).

Good luck and welcome to the real-bass amp world!

Ive heard other people say the complete opposite. They prefer to use a higher powered amp to get more clean headroom. I guess both over powering and underpowering are bad.

georgestrings · #14 02-14-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovebrigade

Thanks! Best part is I did it all for $500...

Sold my 100 watt Phil Jones Briefcase and without spending an extra dollar found a 410rbh and a 700 rb II, both in new condition... My proudest moment...

Killer deal, and great move, IMO...

- georgestrings

AciDBatH666 · #15 02-14-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noose

Ive heard other people say the complete opposite. They prefer to use a higher powered amp to get more clean headroom. I guess both over powering and underpowering are bad.

I do this. I went seeking out a GK 1001RB for the purpose of overpowering all of my cabs. I was playing an SWR 410 thru my SWR Workingman4004 (at 8ohms it was only pushing 260 watts). I was pushing my SWR head to 7-8 to compete with my two guitarists. I went with as much power as I could in my next amp for the sole purpose of not having to crank the head over 3-4 and overworking it.
I'm not worried about the cabs. My cabs push everything I need. The 8X10 is more than enough for whatever I want. And the 410 is great for medium-small sized jams. Different cabs, all getting pushed from the same head. You made the right choice OP.

georgestrings · #16 02-14-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Old GK gear is a *deal*.

Maybe so, but IMO the best amp G-K has ever made is the 700rb-II, which isn't all that old...

- georgestrings

lawrence2 · #17 02-15-2011, 05:44 AM

Yeah, great complet: rb 700 and rbh.
I have also rb 700 I, which is even 100watt less power (380 on 4 ohm) and I run 400 watt cabinet TECH 21 B410( 8 ohm). So, my problem is not too much power from a head, and also your is, if it is; but it is ok; not the oposite, the cab is superb. And, yes if you want to get all the power from your head (for 4 ohms), you have to have one cab at 4 ohms or 2 cabs at 8 ohms.