I need an upgrade

[CityEscape]

On Friday, I played my FIRST SHOW EVER! And I couldn't even hear myself.

My Fender BXR 100 failed to be loud enough to be heard amidst a guitarist and drummer in a high school gym. I'm a bit of an idiot about amps, I suppose. So, we're pretty much officially a band now (the three of us), and it looks like we'll be playing shows. It's clear that my amp just isn't gonna cut it, so I need some recommendations.

We're not going to be playing any huge gigs, so I don't think an Ampeg 8x10 is necessary, but I just need to be heard.

I'm most likely looking to buy used for the sake of saving money, but if anyone has strong feelings about a new product then I'm all ears, of course.

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

[Cirk]

It really depends on your budget and what you're after tone-wise. What kind of music are you playing? Tube, hybrid or solid state? Transportation can be an issue as well, as some cabs are difficult to wrestle into a small car. Buying used is a good way to get more bang for your buck, but you have to be careful so you're not buying someone else's problems. If you're not sure what to look for, have someone you trust look it over with you.
What size amps are the other band members playing? A good rule of thumb is to have at least triple their combined power for bass. More speakers are also a big boost for volume.

[Gearhead17]

Cheap combos typically do not have the fire power to compete with a band. Some do if the speaker enclosure and the speakers themselves were designed to be loud enough.

I highly suggest you get a separate head and 410 cabinet to compete with your band mates. Do you have transportation for the 410?

If you get two cabs, make sure they are identical. Check craigslist for used gear and let us know what you find. We can guide you towards the best deal. Let us know your budget too.

[CityEscape]

Here's something I've found.
Bass Amp, Cabinet and Pedal Board

I probably wouldn't want to spend much more than that ($300).
A 4x10 shouldn't be a problem transportation-wise.

Tone-wise, it's hard to say at this point, we're still "finding our sound," so to speak. But most of the songs we've written have their roots in rock.

My guitarist uses a 50-watt Johnson amp, which completely drowned out my BXR 100, which has a single 15" driver. He said he had it at 3, if I remember correctly, whereas my amp was at 10, for volume and gain.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by CityEscape

Here's something I've found.
Bass Amp, Cabinet and Pedal Board

I probably wouldn't want to spend much more than that ($300).
A 4x10 shouldn't be a problem transportation-wise.

Tone-wise, it's hard to say at this point, we're still "finding our sound," so to speak. But most of the songs we've written have their roots in rock.

My guitarist uses a 50-watt Johnson amp, which completely drowned out my BXR 100, which has a single 15" driver. He said he had it at 3, if I remember correctly, whereas my amp was at 10, for volume and gain.

Don't go by what the knobs are saying for how much volume that puts out. The way you play and the tone settings you have will determine that more often than the knob settings.

That setup is decent and will be a big improvement over what you currently have. I would pass on the pedal board though, the head and cab are more important.

[Gearhead17]

If you could swing this (offer $250)
genz benz gb215b bass cab

Gallien Krueger 400rb

or go for that Hartke head - 250 watts into that 215 cab will do the trick. Keep the low end NOT BOOSTED. You should be fine in that situation. Seriously though, spending a little more now will ensure a better product and something more useful for a longer period of time.

[paganjack]

Yeah honestly that CL ad looks like a good choice for what you need right now.

Read up on EQ settings too. Sometimes all you need is the right EQ for the band.

[scottfeldstein]

You need at least the power of a 410 cab. (Or possibly a 2x15.)

I got a used Gallien-Krueger 410 MBX cab from Guitar Center a couple of weeks ago for $199.

After having a separate head/cab rig and matching your cabs identically, there's no better advice than to cut the bass and treb while boosting your mids. Big bass = you won't be able to turn up loud enough to be heard. Period. Getting a bass guitar to cut through a band is all about mids.

[CityEscape]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I hadn't even thought of the EQ's importance in this. But anyway, from what I'm gathering, 2x15's will naturally be louder than 4x10's, right? But won't the 2x15 have more bottom end? Would that impede its ability to cut through the mix?

I also need to talk to my parents about a budget, what they're willing to let me spend and whatnot. So I'll fill you all in on a more realistic budget after that.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by CityEscape

2x15's will naturally be louder than 4x10's, right? But won't the 2x15 have more bottom end?

No and no.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

No and no.

^ +1
I would not go for the BLX cab (and I am a G-K user). The Genz cab and the 400RB would be a sweet rig.

[CityEscape]

Originally Posted by B-string

^ +1
I would not go for the BLX cab (and I am a G-K user).

Could you tell me why? I ask because it is half the asking price of the Genz Benz.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by CityEscape

Could you tell me why? I ask because it is half the asking price of the Genz Benz.

Sure the BLX were/are entry level cabs. They sound OK but not the most efficient at producing "volume" for the wattage going into them. You gets what you pay for most times. The Genz 215 will likely kick the BLX410's *** and sound better doing it.

[RickenBoogie]

Yup, all true.

[Gearhead17]

That is why I suggested the Genz Benz cab - it's loud, well-built and not entry level gear. It would solve your problem immediately with the right bass head.

[Cirk]

The number and size or speakers can be misleading. How loud a cabinet is depends on design. You can't just cut a hole in any box, drop in a driver and expect great results. Look over the specs carefully. 3db's difference means twice as loud.
Most importantly, audition multiple cabinets if possible so you can tell the differences between them, and decide for yourself what sound best suits you.

[CityEscape]

Peavey Mark IV 300w Bass/Acoustic Head

What do you guys think of this?

[B-string]

Originally Posted by CityEscape

Peavey Mark IV 300w Bass/Acoustic Head

What do you guys think of this?

Good workhorse (heavy though). Would also sound loud and great through the GB 215!

[CityEscape]

Additionally, I discovered a used gear store in LA. They have a GK 410 SBX Plus for $150.
They also have an Eden 2x10 cab for $150. Their site doesn't have specifics about that cab though.

Anyone have experience with these?

(As for the GB Cab, it does seem really great from what you're all saying and what I've read online, I think it's just a little too much $$$, and I'll be leaving for college in a year, most likely leaving my amp behind.)

EDIT: http://www.killerusedgear.com/index
^That's the store. It seems a little...sketchy. They won't list their address online, and they say that transactions are cash-only. Has anyone heard of this place?

EDIT #2: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...683636209.html
Here's one more thing I've found. I'm sorry I throw so much stuff out here! Thanks for all your help!

[B-string]

The G-K SBX 410 plus is a very good sealed cab, good alternative to the Genz 215 (though not quite as "loud" but smoother in response).
Dang if I lived in the area I would buy it!