Mixing Brands

[Russell L]

Ok, before I go and drop $600 on a new Markbass Traveler 151P cab in the next month, whaddayas think of this? I've been running the 151P with my Little Mark III head. It's a great rig, of course, and now I want an additional cab. Naturally, I've planned on another 151P cab. However, I have looked at an Ampeg PF 115HE cab also. Weighs about the same, 450w at 8 ohms, similar frequency response stated, only 1 db less in sensitivity (99 instead of 100), and costs $200 less. Hm.

So, would it tear a hole in the universe to stack it between my 151P and LMIII head? Are there any pros and cons to the idea? I wonder what kind of sound my LMIII would produce through it? Of course, another 151P would do just fine, and would keep the look coherent, too.

Anyway, just wondering. What ya'll think? Thanks.

[fenderhutz]

I actually prefer the sound of MarkBass heads through other cabs. They sound warmer and more alive to my ears.

I couldn't stand my Little Mark II through a MarkBass cab, I got an Avatar 212 and it was like a tone valve opened up.

Might be worth a try and if you don't like it just use the return policy. I own 2 of the PF115HE cabs right now and they kill.

You might just sell your MarkBass cab and grab a second PF115HE

[cchorney]

If you can afford it, but both and try them with your existing rig at home. Assuming everything is 8 ohms each you shouldn't be solely responsible for ending life as we know it.

Personally, I like the idea of my cabs matching. More orderly. Nothing to do with the sound, I know, but it looks nice. :-)

[HolmeBass]

Try it out in the store if possible- drag your 151p and amp down there and hook them both up. Run loud, maybe not full gig loud, but loud enough to determine if the multi-brand stack suffers from comb filtering or other signs of phase cancellation. You might not be able to tell how it will sound in a band, but you should be able to easily tell if they just won't work together.

[Russell L]

I know. It would look good to have matching cabs. This is a hair-brain idea of the moment, but I couldn't resist hearing what someone else might say. I know I'm gonna sound good either way.

And yes, I need to look in the local shops.

Thanks, fellers.

[Road Bull]

Take your head to the store and plug it in to the cab you are looking at. See how that sounds, and go from there.

[BassMan4Him]

Contrary to popular belief, it will NOT tear a hole in the universe as long as the specs match up..

[pfschim]

+1 to the comment above.

spec matching is the key argument to going with the same maker. So if you go with 2 MB cabs, you know the specs will match and there are no worries, as long as you like the sound they make.

Of course, players are always mixing cabs without massive universe swallowing black holes developing, it's just a matter of finding a good combination. If you do want to mix/match, just try to match general specs like driver sizes, Ohms, cab dimensions/volume, freq ranges (although these are sometimes hard to find or of questionable honesty from the makers).

good luck

[slap5string]

If you like the tone - go for it! Im running a GK 700rbII through a Mesa PH610 and love it! ....Justin Chancellor of Tool runs his (2) GK2001rb's through a Mesa PH810 and PH412 cabs.

[LarryO]

sometimes you just have to mix brands.......Bacardi doesn't make a cola

[Sartori]

People mix brands all the time. I've been doing so for years. With my first serious rig, one of my cabs was an Ashdown, while the head was an Ampeg. Now with my big rig, the head is a Mesa, the cab is a Sunn. Sounds good to me. One of my guitarists uses a Peavey head into a Marshall cab. Also sounds good.

A really common one you see is GK head into an Ampeg cab.

As for cab mixing... it's best to use two of the same thing. However, if the cabs are at least voiced similarly, it can work fine. The universe won't explode or anything.

[Downunderwonder]

I can't claim to understand it but that Bill Fitzmaurice can: Phase cancellation, what's the skinny?

Going by that the only course of action is a direct comparison of the sound of two of the same to the mixed pair. Apparently the identical pair beats the mixed pair hands down almost every time.

I read a post of JimmyM's where he claimed to unplug the lesser of the cabs every time he's presented with a mixed cab backline.

[sad_katz]

For cab matching it is recommended to get identical cabs to ensure the best results. In theory any two cabs with matching or similar phase can work together just fine. Unfortunately that information is scarce on mass produced cabs.

Try the combination by yourself and see if it suits you. Mixing cabs does not automatically means bad sound Just be sure to try it before dropping any money.

[Russell L]

Thanks for all the talk, guys. I think I'll just stay with identical cabs. I can't find the other one to try anyway. There are just too many variables, and too many chances to take. At least with two absolutely identical ones I have no doubts.

I'll be ordering in early Feb., I hope. (I'll make the dough on the 2nd). I may hang onto the cash for a bit to wait for a sale to come up. But, I won't wait too long because my calendar is filling up fast. Those outdoor gigs aren't far off, and I wanna be ready. It's gonna sound awesome, I know. Woohoo!