new to head/cab arena - looking for entry level

ack · #1 05-02-2011, 07:42 AM

All,
I'm looking to help my son's band out a bit - they have a chance to play some outdoor gigs this Spring/Summer. Some gigs will have PA support, but some will not. The venues will not be huge - maybe a couple hundred people.

I let their bassist use my TNT130 for their shows (mostly small clubs) and it's been fine for those venues.

I have a chance to get a Peavey Mark VIII w/ BX115-BW cab along with a 210TVX for around $440. All three pieces are in excellent shape. I need to make a decision today and I know very little (other than what I've read here) about matching power handling from head to cab.

The VIII puts out 350W@4 Ohms/600W@2 Ohms.
The BW115-BW is a 4 Ohm cab (rated at 700W "Program")
The 210TVX is a 4 Ohm cabinet rated at 350W.

Questions:
- Does this mean that if I run the Mark VIII simultaneously into both the 115 & 210 I'll be running the head at 2 Ohms?
- As long as they're not running at full throttle, we should be able to run the VIII/210 together for practice, correct?
- What does Program refer to (in layman terms)?

Sorry for the elementary questions - I've downloaded the manuals and have been trying read up on head/cab wattage matching, but if I can get some expert advice on TB, that will confirm some of the assumptions I've made.

Thanks.

MuzikMan · #2 05-02-2011, 07:59 AM

The Peavey Mark VIII puts out 350 watts@4ohms and 600 watts@2ohms. You are correct that the two cabs would present a 2 ohm load to the amp and in this case the amp can handle it. Not many amps can handle a 2 ohm load so keep that in mind for future reference. "Program" handling means a lot of different things to different companies but I usually see it as double "rms" handling which would probably mean the BW115-BW is a 350 watt cab when comparing apples to apples. Don't quote me on that last sentence though!

Awesomenaut · #3 05-02-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

The VIII puts out 350W@4 Ohms/600W@2 Ohms.
The BW115-BW is a 4 Ohm cab (rated at 700W "Program")
The 210TX is a 4 Ohm cabinet rated at 350W.

Questions:
- Does this mean that if I run the Mark VIII simultaneously into both the 115 & 210 I'll be running the head at 2 Ohms?

According to the specs you've supplied, yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

- As long as they're not running at full throttle, we should be able to run the VIII/210 together for practice, correct?

Each cab at very best would be getting 300 watts a peice (600 watts at 2 ohms, divided by two). You will be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

- What does Program refer to (in layman terms)?

Program is what the manufacturer estimates as the maximum average amount of watts the cabinet can take. It's almost interchangeable with the word "peak." In reality they're both just marketing terms and should only be used as guidelines and not regarded as fact.

ack · #4 05-02-2011, 11:02 AM

Thanks for the responses. Greatly appreciated.

Bassdirty · #5 05-02-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awesomenaut

According to the specs you've supplied, yes....

Each cab at very best would be getting 300 watts a peice (600 watts at 2 ohms, divided by two). You will be fine.

+1

I have that head too.Rock solid Peavey goodness.
I only run it with an 8 ohm 410, and I've never had to turn in up past halfway.

ack · #6 05-02-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

+1

I have that head too.Rock solid Peavey goodness.
I only run it with an 8 ohm 410, and I've never had to turn in up past halfway.

I love Peavey as well - I'm a huge fan of their mid-80's US basses.

Excuse my ignorance, but your statement confuses me.
If the Mark VIII head is rated for 350W@4 Ohms & 600W@2 Ohms, I was under the assumption that I could only use 4 Ohm cabs (either solo or as tandem cabs).

I wasn't aware that you can run an 8 Ohm cabinet off of it.

I've been reading sticky's all morning, and I may be over-thinking this head-to-cab match-up.

Thanks.

Downunderwonder · #7 05-02-2011, 12:16 PM

Que? Of course you can run an 8 ohm cab. It'll make the amp work twice as hard as a 4 ohm cab to get the same volume but the amp won't mind one little bit.

BigOldHarry · #8 05-02-2011, 12:19 PM

There is a GK400RB on Ebay for $125, right now.

Match that with a *good* 2x12 cab and you'd be SET. I just sold my Aguilar GS2x12 for what... $375? That's a fine setup for $500!

Downunderwonder · #9 05-02-2011, 12:25 PM

When you present less than the minimum rated load to the amp it could go "magic smoke" on you but otherwise the speaker is the only thing to worry about.

Downunderwonder · #10 05-02-2011, 12:27 PM

I just re read the OP and it seems I've missed something in the narrative.

ThudThudThud · #11 05-02-2011, 12:32 PM

Those Mark VIII heads are bullet proof, but weigh about the same as a small tank...

Downunderwonder · #12 05-02-2011, 12:34 PM

Ok gone through it. Here's the deal. Peavey work with a 4ohm single cab being the standard.

They have a bulletproof reputation. I think that is down to their DDT compression being friendly to the ear and cabs at the same time.

They rate their amps down to 2ohm and I've never heard anyone call that out as BS. So the OP is good to go.

ack · #13 05-02-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

There is a GK400RB on Ebay for $125, right now.

Match that with a *good* 2x12 cab and you'd be SET. I just sold my Aguilar GS2x12 for what... $375? That's a fine setup for $500!

so, you'd prefer that 400RB over a Mark VIII?
I don't have any experience with GK stuff.

Downunderwonder · #14 05-02-2011, 12:38 PM

http://www.peavey.com/media/pdf/manuals/BassMKVIII.pdf

Downunderwonder · #15 05-02-2011, 12:44 PM

Awesomenaught basically told you all you needed to know. If the price right on the Peavey rig, and it hasn't been beat on, it will do you proud for sure.

ack · #16 05-02-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Ok gone through it. Here's the deal. Peavey work with a 4ohm single cab being the standard.

They have a bulletproof reputation. I think that is down to their DDT compression being friendly to the ear and cabs at the same time.

They rate their amps down to 2ohm and I've never heard anyone call that out as BS. So the OP is good to go.

Thanks for the explanation and for looking into that.
I'm getting a quick education, but it's confusing.

Downunderwonder · #17 05-02-2011, 01:01 PM

Read the ohms stickies. I got firewood turning up on my doorstep in a few hours so I'm out very soon unless you have a specific question.

ack · #18 05-03-2011, 07:20 PM

Well, I got it home today - for less $ than what I first posted.
I like it. A lot. The kids are juiced.

Thanks for all the help and information.

Awesomenaut · #19 05-03-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

Well, I got it home today - for less $ than what I first posted.
I like it. A lot. The kids are juiced.

Thanks for all the help and information.

:O :O :O

That T40 is my dream bass right now.

Sounds like you got a good deal on the rig, and it's in great condition! Congrats.

Downunderwonder · #20 05-03-2011, 10:03 PM

Score! Of course thoes kids are stoked.

Get the kids to read the manual. Pay close attention to the DDT instructions. It'll save the amp from getting overly hot when running it hard on both cabs.

Earplugs!