Need some advise on bass amps

[Thrill-House]

Hey there everyone. Im looking into building up a decent bass rig for a gigs and jams. Right now, i have my new Ibanez BTB776 (6 string), and a GK Backline 600 with the matching 4x10 cab. Id like to first invest in a more portable rig, somethats easier to carry up and down stairs and can be done with one person. Im not to familiar with the sound qualities of different speaker configs, but i will be playing metal and rock type music, if that helps. Id prefer not to break my wallet, maybe $600 at most per cab (if you think 2 cabs is required). Ive had my eye on a few of those GK NEO cabs, though im not sure which speaker config is best. little help?

[JimmyM]

if you want to play metal, i think a 410 is a bare minimum. for a small metal rig that won't break the bank, i'd go two matching 210's in a vertical formation, like this:

O
O
O
O

that way you get all the kick of a 410 with a more efficient stack you can hear a lot better. i might also consider neos since they tend to have a little extra air moving capabilities.

[darkstorm]

You could also seperate the two tens cabs for greater sound coverage to.

If you can find the older Eden Nemesis 1x15 ext cab that had compression tweeter with total weight of around 30 pounds. Its be great choice for used. From around 2005 and before. To me they had better more balanced sound lows thru highs then the 2x10 cab with comp tweeter which was more bassy sounding in comparrison.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

if you want to play metal, i think a 410 is a bare minimum. for a small metal rig that won't break the bank, i'd go two matching 210's in a vertical formation, like this:

O
O
O
O

that way you get all the kick of a 410 with a more efficient stack you can hear a lot better. i might also consider neos since they tend to have a little extra air moving capabilities.

You could also use a single 210 for rehearsal to save lugging a full rig around.

I would also consider neos because of the weight.

[philtoler]

I have just bought a new Orange SP210 to go with my Orange Bass Terror head. I am so pleased. It sounds awesome, and at 600W rating, it can take the full 500W from the head when set to 8 ohms (amp is switchable between 4 ohm and 8 ohm). The SP210 is one of the smallest and lightest high power cabs available. Two of those would make an awesome rig. Also worth considering is the SP212.

[countrybassist]

I agree with Jimmy. I'd do 2 210's. Not only for ease of moving it and and option for rehearsals in using just 1 cab, but it will sound better. Actually the Ampeg 810 is really 4 210's in one large cab. There is a reason they do that.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by countrybassist

I agree with Jimmy. I'd do 2 210's. Not only for ease of moving it and and option for rehearsals in using just 1 cab, but it will sound better. Actually the Ampeg 810 is really 4 210's in one large cab. There is a reason they do that.

I wonder why noone makes a vertical 4x10 cab. (Or does someone makes this?)

[Thrill-House]

Thanx for the help guys. I was wondering if a 2x10 cab and a 1x15 cab would work well, what would the difference in tone be from say 2 2x10 cabs?

Also, theres a 2x12 cab in the GK neo series. Are those any good. Im interested in them because i may upgrade my bass head later on, and the 2x12 can handle 600 watts, where as the others seem to only handle around 300 watts.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by Thrill-House

Thanx for the help guys. I was wondering if a 2x10 cab and a 1x15 cab would work well, what would the difference in tone be from say 2 2x10 cabs?

Also, theres a 2x12 cab in the GK neo series. Are those any good. Im interested in them because i may upgrade my bass head later on, and the 2x12 can handle 600 watts, where as the others seem to only handle around 300 watts.

There is a lot of discussion about mixing different cabs. (like 2x10 + 1x15, 4x10 + 1x15,...)
I still don't know which side is right. In short: several of the respected audio engineers around here say it's better not to, while on the other hand many well seasoned bassists are doing this for years without any problems.

I prefer having 2 identical cabs. For modularity volume-wise.
And have the same sound when I add the second cab to my rig.
But I don't believe one certain cab configuration is better than an other just because of number and diameter of speaker(s).


Don't be so quick to get rid of your Backline 600 amp.
That one is awesome.
I first got the Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II, then got the Backline 600. (I play metal too.)
I'm thinking of getting rid of the 1001RB-II and keeping the BL600. I love the sound more. It's cheap, but it's not cheap junk.
Get some decent cabinets first.

Or experiment with some preamp/modelling pedals before going to another amp.

[M0ses]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

You could also seperate the two tens cabs for greater sound coverage to.

NO.

[rhopper]

Originally Posted by M0ses

NO.

Agreed.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by René_Julien

I wonder why noone makes a vertical 4x10 cab. (Or does someone makes this?)

I used to have a pair of old 60s WEM 4x10 column PA cabs. I so regret selling them, they sounded fantastic. I must admit though, they were a PITA to lug around.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I used to have a pair of old 60s WEM 4x10 column PA cabs. I so regret selling them, they sounded fantastic. I must admit though, they were a PITA to lug around.

Sounds cool.


An inline 4x10 would be a little lighter than a square 4x10. (if built with the same depth)
Wouldn't a thinner cab be easier to carry around?
My problem is the width of my 4x10 cab when I move it: manoevering it on narrow stairwells.

[Thrill-House]

Originally Posted by René_Julien

There is a lot of discussion about mixing different cabs. (like 2x10 + 1x15, 4x10 + 1x15,...)
I still don't know which side is right. In short: several of the respected audio engineers around here say it's better not to, while on the other hand many well seasoned bassists are doing this for years without any problems.

I prefer having 2 identical cabs. For modularity volume-wise.
And have the same sound when I add the second cab to my rig.
But I don't believe one certain cab configuration is better than an other just because of number and diameter of speaker(s).


Don't be so quick to get rid of your Backline 600 amp.
That one is awesome.
I first got the Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II, then got the Backline 600. (I play metal too.)
I'm thinking of getting rid of the 1001RB-II and keeping the BL600. I love the sound more. It's cheap, but it's not cheap junk.
Get some decent cabinets first.

Or experiment with some preamp/modelling pedals before going to another amp.

Yeah i intend to keep my backline for a while. It sounds pretty good for what i payed for it. Im more interest in replacing the cabs right now because the 4x10 that came with bit is heavy and awkward to carry down stairs and such.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by René_Julien

Sounds cool.


An inline 4x10 would be a little lighter than a square 4x10. (if built with the same depth)
Wouldn't a thinner cab be easier to carry around?
My problem is the width of my 4x10 cab when I move it: manoevering it on narrow stairwells.

You'd think that. But the length made them a sod to transport, and a bugger carrying up and down dark, wet fire escapes at the back of certain venues.

[Thrill-House]

After looking at a bunch of different cabs, im a little confused about something. Many of the 115 or 210 cabs are rated for between 200 and 450 watts. But i see many amp heads sold exceed this number. Would running a 600 watt head into 2 300 watt cabs work ok without damaging them? Or is this out of the question? Sorry my ignorance, im trying to learn