Looking for counsel for an additional cab

[correapa]

I currently own a Mesa Bass 400+ paired with a US made Ampeg SVT410HLF cab. I have amp outputs for 8-4 and 2 ohms. I play a German Hofner beatle bass and a US Fender Jazzbass. I play in a cover band, mainly Beatles, Elvis, REM, U2.
Although sound is VERY good, eventually I'm short in volume, while playing in large halls. If I go up beyond 6 in Master, cab starts distorting. The story is that we have two guitars thru a couple of twin reverbs, a heavy handed drummer and a Peavey powered keyboard.
I've been considering a line out to PA, another slave amp or an additional cab to add for large venues.
I'm good woodworking, so the chance to build another cab is a good choice, since I live in Chile and have no access to the used market you have in the US. I can get almost all the components locally or thru the internet.
Any advise, experience or good counsel will be appreciated.
Regards

[MuzikMan]

If you have the option of going to the PA for your larger shows and you can already hear yourself on stage then I would go through the PA. If you decide you want to build a cab I would make an exact copy of your Ampeg HLF and load it with the same speakers.

[murphy]

Or make an SVT 810

[JimmyM]

A second 410HLF or an 810e is what you need for more volume. However, as long as your PA can handle bass, you should be running it through the PA on all your gigs.

And I'd also suggest that you learn to like that distortion A little bit of distortion sounds pretty excellent with music like what you're playing, and in a mix it doesn't come across as distortion unless there's a lot of it.

[correapa]

Thanks a lot for all your input and wise counsel.
Any other idea worth to mention?
Regards

Plinio Correa

[billfitzmaurice]

You're always best off with identical cabs. But keep in mind that your cabs job is to drive the stage and a small to medium room. It's the job of the PA to drive large rooms.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

And I'd also suggest that you learn to like that distortion A little bit of distortion sounds pretty excellent with music like what you're playing, and in a mix it doesn't come across as distortion unless there's a lot of it.

Well, for the REM and U2 tunes, yeah. And for the more rockin' tunes from the White Album (i.e. Birthday, Helter Skelter, Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey, etc.)

MM

[Zoa]

If you are itching to build a cab maybe take a look at fEARful?

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by correapa

Any other idea worth to mention?

To get the most clean volume out of a 400+, make sure your amps Effects Level knob is set to 0, unless you have outboard gear patched into the effects loop.