Looking for thoughts on rig change

luvpbass · #1 10-01-2010, 05:47 PM

I'm very happy with my current rig consisting of a Sansamp RBI to a Carvin DCMc1510 power amp to an Ampeg SVT 4x10 cab -- except the weight.
The pre and amp are racked in a shallow Carvin 5u ATA case along with a Furman strip and a rack shelf holding my wireless receiver and a cigar box for the belt pack, pics and other little bits.
I gig pretty frequently and while I workout regularly to maintain a high energy level on stage and am quite fit, I'm a small guy and at 52 am beginning to loath the weight of my rig.
The rig has great, flexible tone but lacks a little oomph in very large halls or outdoors, so I've got my eye on adding a gk neo 112 cab to pop the amp's output up from 700w bridged, to 1,000w. At 30 lbs, I'd probably use the second cab for all but the smallest venues, so I can point it at my drummer, or just enjoy the headroom it will provide.
So, long story short. Can I get the sound -deep, yet punchy tone, chest pumping volume on stage - from a 4x10 and 1x12 neo cabs and a lighter amp? I've noticed that unless you spend a minor fortune, most of the small heads I see out there are around 450w at 4 ohms. My only other requirement is that it not be covered in rat fur, which traps bar smoke, and that it not cost a fortune for me to sell/trade out for the new rig. Am I dreaming or is this possible?

**butchblack** · #2 10-01-2010, 06:14 PM

I'd be leary of a 410/112 combo as half of the power would be going into the 112. I'd shoot for a 212, the speaker area would be closer. I'm including a chart of speaker area. While cab design will have a significant impact on tone and volume this will give you an idea of the various speaker area. The closer together, the more the volume output should be similar. These are in sq. inches.

210 157.08
112 113.09
212 226.19
115 176.71

210+112 270.17
210+212 383.27
410 314.16
210+410 471.24

countrybass007 · #3 10-01-2010, 06:29 PM

I have an Orange Tiny Terror bass that shakes the rafters at 10 lbs and 500 watts. I use an OBC115 and/or a SP212 with it, but it works great with my Boogie 118 or my GK Neo212 too.

**butchblack** · #4 10-01-2010, 06:42 PM

As far as equipment choices, if you're happy with your Carvin amp I'd stay with it as you won't find much out there lighter putting out that much power.

Cabs I'd go with 2 410 neo cabs from Avatar in Line-X. 65 lbs each which is about 45 lbs less then your Ampeg cab each rated for 1000W.

luvpbass · #5 10-01-2010, 07:11 PM

I've wondered about them. I like that you can add vinyl and piping and cloth grill - there's no reason gear has to look ugly. So would a 4 ohm 1x12 avatar work any better paired with a 4x10 cab, or is there still a problem with mismatched speaker surface?

**butchblack** · #6 10-04-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvpbass

I've wondered about them. I like that you can add vinyl and piping and cloth grill - there's no reason gear has to look ugly. So would a 4 ohm 1x12 avatar work any better paired with a 4x10 cab, or is there still a problem with mismatched speaker surface?

Yeah, the surface area is still the same and the 112 with the neo speaker is only rated at 250W. If you went with the Delta (non neo) speaker the power rating would go up to 500W but you'd still have the problem of half your power going through 1 12" speaker and the other half going through 4 10" speakers so the 410 is going to be able to move a lot more air. This means that when your 112 is near it's limit for loudness before it starts to sound bad your 410 won't be breathing hard. The general recommendation is to keep the speaker area as close to possible if you're not using 2 of the same configuration cabs. However YMMV