Markbass LMIII + 102HF? 4 or 8 ohms?

[Arvin]

Hi, all,

I went into GC the other day and played a Little Mark III into a 102HF 8-ohm cab, and I was very impressed with the tones I was able to dial in, but a little underwhelmed by the volume output. As an FYI, it was a pretty quiet day by GC standards -- there weren't a dozen kids playing Crazy Train at the time, but it wasn't dead quiet in there, either.

When I gig, it's mostly small clubs, with the occasional larger club gig, but I have something in the works that potentially could lead to some outdooor gigs this year.

My needs, in order of importance, are:

1) reliability
2) great tone
3) portability (I'm not getting any younger...)
4) volume (but this could become more important later)

So, I'm kind of torn between getting the 102HF in the 8-ohm version and the 4-ohm version. If I'm playing small clubs, the 8-ohm cab would probably do just fine; and if I needed more air moved, I could always drag out a second 8-ohm cab and run them in parallel (I've got a couple of Acoustic B410's).

Or, maybe I should just get the 4-ohm cab and call it good? My concern is that the 2 10's won't cut it for bigger clubs and/or outdoor work, but then maybe I should be running direct into the PA anyway(?).

What would y'all do in my circumstance? Thanks for the input!

[Arvin]

-bump-

[jmattbassplaya]

I'd go for an 8 ohm and by an exstension cab... Or even better, buy a seperate lm head and a 4 ohm 4x10!

[KJung]

If you were talking about a 410, I would say 4ohm all the way. An LMII or III into a relatively high SPL 410 is capable of handling almost any gig.

With a 210, especially the 210 you are talking about, which can handle a bit of power, yes, you will get a touch more open low end and a 'less compressed' feel with those extra watts at 4ohms, but it won't get much louder (it will get a bit louder, but not enough to turn a 210 into a 410 or whatever). You will still be at '210' volume, which is often not enough.

If you are sold on a 210, I would get the 8ohm version, and add a second 8ohm cab for your bigger gigs. IMO!

Edit: Of course, if you are one who would never carry 2 cabs, and also would never consider a cab larger than a 210, then by all means get the 4ohm version... free watts and more headroom... but only if you know you will never add a second cab.

[Arvin]

Originally Posted by KJung

If you are sold on a 210, I would get the 8ohm version, and add a second 8ohm cab for your bigger gigs. IMO!

Thanks for the input.

If I had a roadie, or a younger back, I'd be all over a 4x10.

I really like the idea of a smaller, lighter rig for 85% of what I do, and that makes a 2x10 really appealing.

What do you think of my idea of dragging out one of my Acoustic B410's (4x10, at 8 ohms) and using it in parallel with the 102HF for the bigger gigs? That would, in essence, give me a 6x10 at 4 ohms. Good idea? or no?

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by pseudocat

Thanks for the input.

If I had a roadie, or a younger back, I'd be all over a 4x10.

I really like the idea of a smaller, lighter rig for 85% of what I do, and that makes a 2x10 really appealing.

What do you think of my idea of dragging out one of my Acoustic B410's (4x10, at 8 ohms) and using it in parallel with the 102HF for the bigger gigs? That would, in essence, give me a 6x10 at 4 ohms. Good idea? or no?

I`m not sure about the Markbass 4x10, but my MB 6x10 only weighs 70lbs.