I think I might need more power...

shaolinwhat · #1 03-23-2010, 09:45 PM

I play a GK 400RB through an SWR Bigfoot 2x12. I absolutely adore the sound, but I'm currently playing some heavier music, and feel like it probably wouldn't hurt to have a bit more power. I'm getting by just fine as it is, but it seems like it might be worth checking out.

This is just hypothetical, but I'm feeling I should explore the options that are out there as far as more powerful heads. I don't have much cash to put into this, so any info on budget higher power heads would be a great help (my cab can handle 500w at 4ohms). Any suggestions?

Rick Auricchio · #2 03-23-2010, 09:50 PM

You will get far more volume by adding another cabinet. Wattage isn't the answer...your cab probably won't take much more anyway.

shaolinwhat · #3 03-23-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

You will get far more volume by adding another cabinet. Wattage isn't the answer...your cab probably won't take much more anyway.

That's a no go. The bigfoot is 4 ohms, and thats the lowest the head can go. Also, the head is rated at 200 watts, the cab is rated at 500. By my math that means it can handle more power...?

livinglow · #4 03-23-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

You will get far more volume by adding another cabinet. Wattage isn't the answer...your cab probably won't take much more anyway.

His cab is 500w@4ohms his GK 400rb is not 2ohm stable, so another cab is out unless he sells it and picks up two 8ohm cabs.

Pick up a GK 700rb.

Rick Auricchio · #5 03-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Sorry, I missed the impedance. Never mind.

shaolinwhat · #6 03-23-2010, 09:59 PM

It's all good, thanks for the input anyway!

M0ses · #7 03-23-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livinglow

His cab is 500w@4ohms his GK 400rb is not 2ohm stable, so another cab is out unless he sells it and picks up two 8ohm cabs.

That's exactly what he SHOULD do. More speakers, more sensitivity, more volume. Who cares about watts? If you've got 200, you've got plenty.

shaolinwhat · #8 03-23-2010, 10:05 PM

Yea you might be right...I'm just hesitant about that, because for one; the bigfoot is not easy to come by, so if I regret my decision i'll be in bad shape, and two; I doubt i can fund two cabinets just from selling the one i have now. options would sure be nice though, one cab or two depending on the situation. blegh...

dmusic148 · #9 03-23-2010, 10:14 PM

Any decent 4x10 or 6x10 cab connected to that amp will blow you away. My buddy has an Ampeg 6x10 and powers it with a 400RB like yours, and it's very, very loud. The folks who say 'more speakers!' are correct- those little GK amps are quite a bit louder than the specs would lead you to believe, and, yes, it probably actually delivers the max that the Bigfoot can reliably handle, in spite of 'the numbers.' The numbers are misleading.

M0ses · #10 03-23-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

The numbers are misleading.

+1

Well, yeah you won't be able to buy two cabs for the selling price of one, but you aren't going to be able to buy a bigger amp with the selling price of what you have now, either, and I'm fairly confident that volume-wise a 500W amp won't satisfy any more, through the cab you have now. If you read up a bit on here, you'll find that watts have much less to do with volume than you think. And speakers have much more.

shaolinwhat · #11 03-23-2010, 10:21 PM

I will have to try my head through a 4 ohm 4x10 cabinet. I have played it through an 8x10 and the difference was obvious, so I know you guys are correct. I'm just not sure if the difference will be that noticeable from 2x12's to 4x10's...

dmusic148 · #12 03-23-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaolinwhat

I'm just not sure if the difference will be that noticeable from 2x12's to 4x10's...

It'll be huge. Try an SWR Golight 4ohm 4x10. I use one with an 800RB, which is only 100 watts more. Massive sound. Way more than adequate for any club gig that I do, which are usually fairly loud. Try it and believe. Besides, the little GK's have great tone, unlike anything else out there.

shaolinwhat · #13 03-23-2010, 10:26 PM

Yea the tone from my 400RB is glorious, def stoked to try it out through a more powerful cab. How do you think an Avatar 4 ohm 410 would stack up?

dmusic148 · #14 03-23-2010, 10:39 PM

Dunno anything about Avatar cabs. I'm sure someone else will chime in.