Horribly confused on what cabs to buy.

lukelogandennis · #1 02-06-2011, 10:35 PM

I currently have a Carvin BX500 (in a 210 combo form). I'm looking for a new cab(s). However I was just reading a thread here on TB about phasing and problems with different speaker sizes, and now I'm horribly confused on what cabs to buy.

I was looking at some Avatar's but I soo afraid and confused now. Talkbass I need your wisdom!

JimmyM · #2 02-06-2011, 10:46 PM

get a second 210 just like yours and stack them vertically like this:

|O|
|O|
|O|
|O|

matching cabs in vertical stacks is where it's at.

lukelogandennis · #3 02-06-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

get a second 210 just like yours and stack them vertically like this:

|O|
|O|
|O|
|O|

matching cabs in vertical stacks is where it's at.

My 210 is actually in a diagonal format.

GrowlerBox · #4 02-06-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukelogandennis

My 210 is actually in a diagonal format.

Somewhat less than ideal, but if you turn one "upside down" so that the bottom speaker of the top cabinet is directly above the top speaker of the bottom cabinet, I think that might reduce the issues to a degree. There seems to be no good reason for a manufacturer to configure a cabinet this way.

JimmyM · #5 02-06-2011, 10:54 PM

weird...the picture at carvin.com shows a vertical 210 with that combo. hmm...well an identical cab would still be the way to go, but i must admit not digging the diagonal format as much of the vertical because dispersion of highs and mids is reduced. otoh, one of my favorite cabs in the world is the ampeg 810, and it also has reduced dispersion, so being technically correct isn't everything.

lukelogandennis · #6 02-06-2011, 11:03 PM

This is the one I have: http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...product=BR510N

willsellout · #7 02-06-2011, 11:07 PM

People have been stacking random speakers on top of eachother for decades. Take everything you read here and filter half of it as BS, 25% as hype, 15% as personal preference, and 10% as useful information

Don't overthink it my friend. Try before you buy, and buy what sounds good to you.

Dan

GrowlerBox · #8 02-06-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukelogandennis

This is the one I have: http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...product=BR510N

They've certainly done what they can to give you the worst of both worlds, haven't they?

At least the speakers are the same size

.

If you like how it sounds, you'll get more of it from a second one, but there may not be any way around the awkward dispersion problems. Of course, if you don't like how it sounds, it will probably still sound better with a second cab, just don't expect miracles.

GrowlerBox · #9 02-06-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

People have been stacking random speakers on top of eachother for decades. Take everything you read here and filter half of it as BS, 25% as hype, 15% as personal preference, and 10% as useful information

Don't overthink it my friend. Try before you buy, and buy what sounds good to you.

Dan

People have been doing a lot of crazy sh!t for a lot longer than that -- doesn't make it make sense.

SactoBass · #10 02-06-2011, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Take everything you read here and filter half of it as BS, 25% as hype, 15% as personal preference, and 10% as useful information.

That statement falls into that last 10% category, for sure!

JimmyM · #11 02-06-2011, 11:20 PM

ah, so you can't get an identical cab for it. hmmm....don't know what i'd do in that case.

JimmyM · #12 02-06-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

People have been stacking random speakers on top of eachother for decades. Take everything you read here and filter half of it as BS, 25% as hype, 15% as personal preference, and 10% as useful information

Don't overthink it my friend. Try before you buy, and buy what sounds good to you.

Dan

not that i disagree with that, but there are legit reasons for doing things by the book that are easily provable. whether they add up to a hill of beans is for the player to decide, but as for me, i'd rather know the science behind it so i can make a more informed decision about what matters to me and what doesn't.

lukelogandennis · #13 02-06-2011, 11:26 PM

Well, I'm perfect fine with not using that cab at all. It's alright, but I'm not a huge fan of the sound. It just sounds like there is something missing from it. However I love love love the BX500.

Anywho, those avatar cabs look tasty. I'm so very unsure of speaker sizes though.

willsellout · #14 02-06-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

People have been doing a lot of crazy sh!t for a lot longer than that -- doesn't make it make sense.

Listen....leeches work...THEY WORK I TELL YOU!!

willsellout · #15 02-06-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukelogandennis

Well, I'm perfect fine with not using that cab at all. It's alright, but I'm not a huge fan of the sound. It just sounds like there is something missing from it. However I love love love the BX500.

Anywho, those avatar cabs look tasty. I'm so very unsure of speaker sizes though.

Go to a GC (or any local shop) and test out some speakers with your bass. It isn't perfect but it might help. Some of this is simply experience and preference though. It took me a while to realize what I liked....and I guess that is the story with a lot of people. There is no right or wrong, there is only what you like and don't like.

zachoff · #16 02-06-2011, 11:33 PM

You know what's awesome? An 810... For reals.

lukelogandennis · #17 02-06-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

You know what's awesome? An 810... For reals.

But I live upstairs?

lukelogandennis · #18 02-06-2011, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Go to a GC (or any local shop) and test out some speakers with your bass. It isn't perfect but it might help. Some of this is simply experience and preference though. It took me a while to realize what I liked....and I guess that is the story with a lot of people. There is no right or wrong, there is only what you like and don't like.

I agree 100%, but I live in the middle of nowhere. Closest shop is an hour away.

I will try out some cabs when I have the chance, but I was hoping for some general opinions and advice for now.

willsellout · #19 02-06-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukelogandennis

But I live upstairs?

Zachoff lives for a band called "High on Fire". The bass player plays an 810 in that band...nevermind his recommendation. He is a big dummy

Seriously though, I think you need to do less research and more searching. Physical searching. Get out and play some gear and have some fun!

willsellout · #20 02-06-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukelogandennis

I agree 100%, but I live in the middle of nowhere. Closest shop is an hour away.

I will try out some cabs when I have the chance, but I was hoping for some general opinions and advice for now.

That's tough man, and I feel for you. personally I'd drive that hour, if they had enough gear to warrant the drive. It's important to get an idea of what you like and what works for you.

Given your situation, and the fact that you don't like your tone, I would write down what you don't like. What does it do and not do, both live and in practice.

Write all that down and write down what you want more of and less of (i.e. more bass, less treble, more modern, more vintage). If you want modern, there are a bunch of manufacturers who fall into that category. If you want vintage, there are equally as many manufacturers. There are also guys that span the gaps. Once you realize what you want, and what people have to offer, you can sort the list and narrow down your choices.

At that point though, seeming as how you are not close to many shops, it's going to be a little tough. It's basically buy before you try...but if you know what you like and what the manufacturer offers (as well as what reviews on here indicate), you are much more likely to wind up happy.

But honestly, half the fun is the search for your tone, right