New band, new cab(s)! Input please!!

jonesn4bass · #1 01-27-2011, 02:55 PM

I joined a hard rock/metal band a little while ago and my 2 Carvin BRX 2x10's just weren't quite keeping up with the volume or lows I now need. I sold both of those and am now looking to replace them. I play a 5 string music man (using the B a fair amount so far wiu this project) and like fat, deep sounding cabs. Not really a hi-fi guy. As seems to be a common complaint in these parts - my drummer is too damn loud, and the guitars aren't much quieter!

I'm mostly shopping used and my main considerations right now are:

* Mesa Diesel 2x15 - 400W, 4 ohm
* Eden 212XLT + 210XLT - combined 750W, 4 ohm
* Genz Benz Uber 410 - 1000W, 4 ohm

I will be using a Carvin B1500 and I worry that I might have to be too careful with volume and power with the Mesa. Eden's and GB should both be ok.

Any input, thoughts, or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm currently without cabs so I'm looking to move fairly quickly, but there's WAY to much out there to choose all by myself!!!

Calaverasgrande · #2 01-27-2011, 03:08 PM

only the really old mesa 2x15 are 400w, most of them are 800w and I think the current ones are 1200w or something insane like that.
I would be looking at something like a nice ported pair of 4x10 or a piar of mesa 2x12. (or their 4x12!). I like 2x15" cabs a lot, in fact I use an 8 ohm 2x15 and an 8 ohm 1x15 mesa right now. But a pair of 4x10 at 8 ohms is really great efficiency. Only older 4x10's have any problem delivering the lows.
What kind of ohms does the B1500 do? I am not familiar with that amp.

Burlington · #3 01-27-2011, 03:10 PM

Have you considered bigger cabs, like 6x10 or 8x10? SWR cabs can be had for cheap, my 6x10 was like $450.

jonesn4bass · #4 01-27-2011, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the input so far! I'd be down for a 6x10, I just haven't found anything in this area that fits the bill. 8x10 is starting to get a bit large for the car.

Yeah, that Mesa is an old one. I thought it would be 800W as well, but I double checked with the guy selling it - who then called Mesa this afternoon to verify. It is, definitely, 400W.

The B1500 puts out 800w at 8 ohms, 1250W at 4 ohms, and 1900W at 2 ohms.

Thanks again!

robertusf · #5 01-27-2011, 03:19 PM

Mesa or Amepg for metal

Marton · #6 01-27-2011, 03:20 PM

Bergantino 610 (I don't remember the exact model, but the one that is sealed) is probably a great idea.

I'm pretty happy with my Aguilar GS212 for rock, and they're not to expensive used.

jonesn4bass · #7 01-27-2011, 03:27 PM

I love 2x12 and 2x15 cabs, my concern about a solitary 2x12 is that it may not be loud enough to punch through the band.

The Genz Uber 212 was originally at the top of my list but I've gotten a lot of feedback from that camp telling me one may not cut it. ....hence the Eden 212 + 210.

StuartV · #8 01-27-2011, 03:34 PM

So, you've been using 4 10s.

If you change to 2 15s, that's going to be 12.5% more surface area. If the cabs are the same sensitivity, then 2 15s isn't going to be a whole lot louder.

If you change to 2 12s and 2 10s, that's going to be 22% more surface area. Again, assuming the sensitivities are the same, that would be louder than either 4 10s or 2 15s.

I may be viewing this too simplistically, but, it seems to me you need to check the sensitivity of what you have now as well as what you're looking at. Then, factor in the above size comparisons as well as the sensitivity to have an idea of whether you're going to gain enough volume over your current setup.

Or, you could just go from your 4 10 setup to 2 410 setups and double your output. :-)

Calaverasgrande · #9 01-27-2011, 03:35 PM

The old mesa are really graet sounding cabs, thats what my 2x15 is. The way they are tuned and the way the EV speakers respond they actually are more of a midbass/midrange kind of rig. They wont put out super sub low if that is what you are looking for. I find I have to dial up the bass knob quite a bit actually. They were well known back in the day for being easy to toast if you poured on the bass too much. If that Carvin is a 1000w amp than it might be somethign you could blow if you arent careful. Though you could just roll with it and budget for replacing the drivers with higher wattage ones down the road.
The Mesa and Berg 6x10's cabs are great sounding loud as balls cabs.
A pair of 4x10 is still my go to for volume wars though. And they load very well!
Again, if you have the scratch check out Mesa's 2x12's. They cut through very well.
SWR I am skeptical of. I have seen too many of those cabs have construction issues in the last 5 years. Thought the "hi-fi" profile of SWR stuff seems to cut pretty well.

rogypop · #10 01-27-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartV

So, you've been using 4 10s.

If you change to 2 15s, that's going to be 12.5% more surface area. If the cabs are the same sensitivity, then 2 15s isn't going to be a whole lot louder.

If you change to 2 12s and 2 10s, that's going to be 22% more surface area. Again, assuming the sensitivities are the same, that would be louder than either 4 10s or 2 15s.

I may be viewing this too simplistically, but, it seems to me you need to check the sensitivity of what you have now as well as what you're looking at. Then, factor in the above size comparisons as well as the sensitivity to have an idea of whether you're going to gain enough volume over your current setup.

Or, you could just go from your 4 10 setup to 2 410 setups and double your output. :-)

a good 2x15 can mega wump any 4x10

eastcoasteddie · #11 01-27-2011, 05:08 PM

I've been thinking of going 2x12 + 2x10...I play viking doom metal.
right now iuse a 4x10 + 2x10 as a faux 6x10. It's a pretty sweet rig with my SVT 2pro.

MyMusic · #12 01-27-2011, 05:28 PM

Why not get a Carvin BR810N?

jonesn4bass · #13 01-27-2011, 05:48 PM

Yeah, given my history, you would assume I would just go for the next larger Carvin. ....before my BRX's was a Carvin Redeye 4x10 and 1x15. And before that was my first combo amp - a Carvin PB200.

I love Carvin gear. It has always done me right. I just want something different this time I think. The 8x10 is tempting, but as previously mentioned, an 8x10 could be a bit difficult for transporting.

.....so far we've had no love for the Eden setup or the Genz Benz. I'm actually surprised by that. Would that be a mistake?

**butchblack** · #14 01-27-2011, 06:09 PM

Don't know what your budget is but 2 Avatar Sb410's neo 4 Ω would be something to consider. Also. loud drummers and guitarists are pretty much a universal problem, Western Ma doesn't have a lock on them. Don't know how small a car you have but 2 410's are easier to deal with then 1 810.

jonesn4bass · #15 01-27-2011, 06:12 PM

Agreed! By "these parts" I meant the Talkbass community, not Western MA....but that seems to be true as well!!

jonesn4bass · #16 01-28-2011, 05:35 AM

Also in the running locally, there is a guy selling a Berg NV425. Thoughts on this cab for B-tuned rock/metal? I have no experience with the Berg products (only what I read here from other users) and its a bit on the high side of my budget. I don't want to waste the sellers time if the cab isn't well matched for what I'm aiming to do! Thoughts?!