I think I need more power, recommendations?
 

So, I think I'm going to finally move on from the old 400RB I have. I wouldn't mind having some more headroom, and power on tap. I was thinking of getting something that's 500 or so watts at 4 ohms, and preferably less than $500. I don't mind buying used. And the simpler the controls are on the amp, the better.

Thanks for any recommendations.:)

What kind of cab are you using?

Recommend a louder cab.

GK 700 RBII seems like the obvious choice. Used shouldn't set you back much more than $350 (were talking realistic prices here) and its the loudest 480 watts you'll ever find.

Right but what cab? If he is running a 210 the added power isn't going to get him louder.

As far as a cab recommendation, a Greenboy Dually with 3015's. Will be very loud with any amp.

He asked about having more headroom, I foolishly assumed he's smart enough to know how much cab he needs to handle it. Silly me. Wonder why he logged off? ha ha.

keep the 400RB and use the "pre-out" or "EFX send" into a 1000w mono block PA amp! those amps are relatively cheap in a watts per dollar sense.

Right now, I own an Avatar B212 Neo (which I have been having issues with, but I contacted them and they said the crossover is probably all jacked so they're sending me a new one blah,blah,blah that's another story).

And I understand more speaker area=more air pushed=more volume, but doesn't watts come into play with headroom?

I mean in my experience with playing guitar, I could definitely tell a difference with playing a 20 watt head vs a 100 just through a 1x12 cab. Wasn't necessarily more volume, but there was more low end as well as more cleans. Although, that may just come down to the fact they're different heads.

I understand that. GK heads ain't as loud as some others, and don't have as much headroom at rated power.

They do sound pretty good though.

??
G-K's are most always found "louder" than the ratings and in fact found more capable than the rating. The 400RB is a low power head (very old design) at 8 ohms only rated for 140 watts at rated distortion continuous.
The used 700RB II is a good option, you could also use the MB500 for a power amp by using the effects send of the 400RB to the effects return of the MB500 if you prefer the 400RB's preamp voice.

Comes down to bigger output transformer.

I really like the voicing of the 400rb. The 700rb is a good option but it's not going to sound like the 400rb. My 400rb sounds massive through an 810. Ya might want to try a larger cab with .ore speakers if you really like the tone of the 400rb. Using the effects return of an mb500 is an interesting idea if you dont mind using two amps. Fortunately the mb500 has a very small footprint.

In tube amps, but of course you knew that...just putting it out there in case any confusion might arise...SS amps almost never have output transformers except maybe those little Jensens or the like. Not quite the same as what's on an SVT ;)

Anyway, with a 212, I think you're justified in wanting to bounce up to a 500w amp. The volume gains won't be huge over the 400rb, but you do get a bump and more clean headroom for sure.

Approved.

:D

So, I decided I will drop the coin for a 1001RB. Since it has speakon connectors (as does the cab I own), I would like to take advantage of this.

I'm not using a biampable cab, so the 1001RB manual says that if I want to use the speakons in fullrange then I need to use a 2 conductor speakon cable.
Is this the right cable I need?
http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-12AW...=speakon+cable

That will do it. You can use a 4 conductor, just with a non-G-K cab the other pair does nothing.

If you are running a 2x12, that is probably way too much power. You will have plenty of headroom, but you will also have to be super vigilant about volume and low end EQ to not push the speakers too hard.

If your 2x12 is messed up right now, how do you know that you need more power? You shouldn't make any purchase decisions until you get the cab fixed and see how it is then.

And you would be wrong most times. Statistically, I think you would find that most people that ask for more powerful amp recommendations don't understand that it won't do any good if their cabs can't handle it. The people who HAVE already gotten their cab situation squared away are probably smart and experienced enough to figure out what amp they want, so they tend to "self select" out of the sample set.

Sounds to me more like he knows what he's doing and just has a jacked cab for other reasons besides blowing it. And if his 212 is the 8 ohm version, then the 1001rb is a little bit of overkill but can still be used just fine if the volume is kept reasonable. And even if it's the 4 ohm version, same deal. I was thinking he had an 8 ohm 212, but I just saw that they offer it in both.

However, the 1001RB is quite a bit more power than 500w at 4 ohms and can easily take out that 212 if one doesn't watch it. I think the 700rb is a more suitable head, but again, keep that itchy trigger finger off the volume knob and all is well.

I've used a 400RB off and on for quite a while, and if you look at my profile you can see that I've used many cabs before (all of which were used with a 400RB, and some cabs I had 2 of at the same time). And in my other thread I have updated my problem with the cab. The crossover was messed up for whatever reason or another, and I have since replaced it and it sounds much better. BUT, that isn't to say that I feel the amp breaks up sooner than I would like (something I have always felt).

I see where you're coming from, though. It seems like I was putting the cart before the horse.

And you're right, haha. A 480W rating against 500w rating is pretty dang close (my cab is the 8 ohm version). My thinking was that I would be wary of the volume knob, and just have the extra power if I ever got different cabs.

But, now I'm wondering if I'll actually need that much headroom and if I should just save myself some money with the 700rb....

IMHO the 700RB II would be a better fit coming from the 400RB. It would be easier to get the tone quality you are liking now.

I'm sensing a 'I think I blew my cab' post coming soon.