help with cab...

chrispunx · #1 08-11-2010, 11:53 AM

hello to all. this is my first post here on talk bass. i frequent UG alot and this place seems to have better knowledge. i have a GK backline 600 head going into a GK BLXIII 115. this is fine for practice in my room, but my question is what would be a good pair for this head? doesn't have to be GK related. any help would be apreciated.

rpsands · #2 08-11-2010, 12:31 PM

The Backline 600 is a great little head and I know tons of guys who gig with them. The 115 is probably shy of gigging volume if you have a mic'd kick drum, or even a pretty loud drummer.

How much volume do you need and what's your budget? What style of music?

chrispunx · #3 08-11-2010, 12:40 PM

i'm in a punk band, think discharge or hardcore punk of the 8o's, guitarist has a full marshall jcm 800 stack. so i'm going to need a bass stack. i'm not looking to go overboard(i know that veries from player to player) but between $500-$1000. would like it to be on the lower spectrum, but i have no prob saving up.

HoosierDaddy · #4 08-11-2010, 12:43 PM

I've seen most of the GK 600 with the 115 and a 4-10 stacked. A good SWR 410 or Ampeg would do wonders for volume IMO.

rpsands · #5 08-11-2010, 12:48 PM

If you want to stick with the Backline 600 and your guitarist is really using a JCM800 full stack, you're going to need an 8x10.

I'd scour the Craigslist for an old SVT 8x10. They pop up all the time or ~400 or less.

christw · #6 08-11-2010, 12:53 PM

Just a couple of questions to help guide you...

What tone are you trying for? Bright treble? Low rumble? Scooped mids?
How much do you care about weight? How about size? (Will an 810 fit in your car?)
Are you image conscious? Do you mind mixing brands/looks? I've met a lot of those wannabe PUNX kids who buy studs from interpunk and spray on dirt from "punk stores" who are so image conscious it's incredible. (I sincerely hope no one you know is one of those.)

First off, look to getting a 410 (or two) or an 810. The 410 will outperform a 115 to begin with so I'd suggest that switch if nothing else. Plus there are a lot of good, cheap 410's with good sensitivity that alone would be a good upgrade from your 115 and could possibly hold their own in that environment. An 810 would look just plain mean and kick some serious ass. I love using BIG amps for BIG sound.

Burlington · #7 08-11-2010, 12:54 PM

I vote 6x10!

christw · #8 08-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

I vote 6x10!

I forgot to mention those. My Genz 610 is incredible! I'd put it up against my Ampeg 810 and it'd probably win. I got it used for $800 in as new condition at GC. It would be $1200 new.

chrispunx · #9 08-11-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

Just a couple of questions to help guide you...

What tone are you trying for? Bright treble? Low rumble? Scooped mids?
How much do you care about weight? How about size? (Will an 810 fit in your car?)
Are you image conscious? Do you mind mixing brands/looks? I've met a lot of those wannabe PUNX kids who buy studs from interpunk and spray on dirt from "punk stores" who are so image conscious it's incredible. (I sincerely hope no one you know is one of those.)

First off, look to getting a 410 (or two) or an 810. The 410 will outperform a 115 to begin with so I'd suggest that switch if nothing else. Plus there are a lot of good, cheap 410's with good sensitivity that alone would be a good upgrade from your 115 and could possibly hold their own in that environment. An 810 would look just plain mean and kick some serious ass. I love using BIG amps for BIG sound.

sound wise idk. i'd like it to be bassy with a mid punch. i'd like it to people in the chest when a note gets hit.(since i'm playing punk it'll be more of a beating haha) i'm looking for either 2 410's or an 810. the 115 is mainly for practice. no i'm not image conscious. if i have to mix brands to get a good sound then so be it. the only thing i have with studs in it is my jacket. other then that its just jeans and a shirt. i'm into punk for the music and agression...not the fashion.

christw · #10 08-11-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispunx

sound wise idk. i'd like it to be bassy with a mid punch. i'd like it to people in the chest when a note gets hit.(since i'm playing punk it'll be more of a beating haha) i'm looking for either 2 410's or an 810. the 115 is mainly for practice.

Look for a sealed/non-ported set of 4x10's or an 8x10. Ampeg SVT810's in road worn shape usually go for $300-$500 depending on the wear. I bought mine for $80 because it looked like total crap and all the speakers were punctured in one way or another. I replaced four with Jensen MOD10'50's for a better high end presence and repaired the 4 speakers I could. Total investment was $240.

If you go for two 4x10's, make sure they're both 8 ohms so that when run together they get full power from your head. My one concern is that the 300 watts might not give you all of the balls you want. I'm pushing my 170w tube head to distortion through my 8x10, so I'm probably asking ~200-220 watts from it to keep up with a punch your chest low / low mid bass tone in my band.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispunx

no i'm not image conscious. if i have to mix brands to get a good sound then so be it. the only thing i have with studs in it is my jacket. other then that its just jeans and a shirt. i'm into punk for the music and agression...not the fashion.

Hope I didn't sound condescending! I've been playing punk / hardcore / metal for years. I just have a beef with people who are so image conscious. My 810 looks like it was hit by a truck, and I love it.

Actually, so does my amp head.

chrispunx · #11 08-11-2010, 01:45 PM

yeah i don't mind going used. and if it needs a lil fixin theres a couple shops within driving distance to put it in running condition.

christw · #12 08-11-2010, 01:49 PM

Driver replacement is a lil fixin' you could do in your living room if you ever need to. All you need is a screwdriver or a drill with phillips bit and a new speaker. They're connected by little female connector tabs that fit right on to the speaker's lead tabs.

Definitely try to check your local craigslist and keep an eye out for things that you think you could use. Check the TB classifieds for "average" pricings of whatever you're looking at to see if it's a killer deal or not.

rpsands · #13 08-11-2010, 02:35 PM

For the punk scene, 99% of the people I see are running an SVT 8x10 of some sort. Definitely how I'd roll if you want to fit in, and the cab goes great with that sound.

chrispunx · #14 08-11-2010, 03:56 PM

not lookin to fit in. just get a good sound.

christw · #15 08-11-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispunx

not lookin to fit in. just get a good sound.

And the SVT810 is the cab to do that [sound good] with. That's why so many guys use it.

chrispunx · #16 08-11-2010, 04:14 PM

ok. thanks for the advice. guys.

rpsands · #17 08-11-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispunx

not lookin to fit in. just get a good sound.

Its probably the most affordable way to get the volume and type of sound you need for that genre as well as fitting the image very well.

If you wanted to build something custom, I would use a pair of Jack 112s with 3012HOs. For around a grand you could have Leland @ Speakerhardware build them for you.

If I were to join a punk band, I would absolutely bring out my Jack 12 stack.