New head or new cab?

[Electricblue]

Ok, here is yet another one of my many threads...

After a thread about my current rig (Ashdown MAG300 head, MAG115 cab, MAG410 cab) being dull and lifeless, it's time to have a look for a new setup.

As I don't have enough money to replace the whole lot at the moment, what should I replace first?

I was thinking of replacing the 115 for a decent 410 such as a Hartke or GK. Then either replace the old 410 or the head next.

How should I go about my swap?

[JHAz]

take your head somewhere that sells cabs. Play through different cabs and see if it sounds better. If so, speakers are the thing to change.

[BassmanPaul]

You been real busy lately Blue!

As I see it you are somewhere between a rock and a hard place. You have an amp and a cabinet that you are not happy with. Problem is you don't know which part is causing your woes and, to top it off, you ain't got too much money to splash around. We've ALL been there at one time or another.

Jhaz's advice is very valid. You have to diagnose where your problems lie. If you try other cabinets and they all sound similar with your amp then change the amp for something that works for you.

If it's your cabinet then again you have to find one you like. Unfortunately you are the only one who can identify what you are looking for. You're going to have to go and try everything you can find.

Did you try the test I advised earlier? If your cabinets are out of polarity they will never sound good.

If you are going to go with a pair of 4x10s it's ALWAYS better to use matching cabinets. Disparate speakers often don't play nice with each other. BUT, that takes us back to paragraph three. If the cabinet is the problem two of the same will get you nowhere.

If you have any bass playing friends in your area maybe they'd let you play though their systems to give you some ideas.

What sort of gigs are you playing in the old country that need this kind of firepower?? I'm really curious. Back in my day a 4x12 and a 50W amp would do it all!

[Electricblue]

Thanks Paul, I have no idea which is the weak link in my rig. I know my guitar head sounds very clear and bright through my bass cabs, but would that be a fair test? My bass through my guitar head into my cabs sounds not-too-bad.

Not many people in my area play bass, and the local guitar centre only stocks Crashdown bass stuff, which sucks.

I know I'm not polishing a turd, as my Jazz sounds nice when plugged straight into my pc. I just need to find which part of my rig is letting me down the most.

I was thinking of selling the 115 and getting a better 410, which would get me well on my way (getting rid of the dreaded 115) to a better rig. I might even be happy with the mismatched 410's. Is mixing different 410's a good idea?

[rockstarbassist]

I like to get my head situated first. That's where I get my FOH signal (Post-DI) and I can settle on that amp's EQ flavor or whatnot. Unfortunately my cabs are just my monitors so as long as my line to the house is 100% solid, I'm good.

[mikeddd]

"Dull and lifeless." How old are your strings? Is that head a tube head? Maybe it needs new tubes? Just throwing some things to consider out there.

[Electricblue]

My strings are a few weeks old, they are DR Neons. No toobs, just solid state.

[mikeddd]

Ah, I see. Well, sounds like you've got some testing stuff out in your near future. Good luck.