Odering cabs in the stack.

Atrueledgend07 · #1 05-15-2010, 12:26 PM

Can anyone please tell me, if there is an order I have to put my cabs in?
Do I have to have my 4x10 on top on my 1x15 etc, or does it really make no difference?

Thanks.

BassmanPaul · #2 05-15-2010, 12:37 PM

I'd put the 1x15 on the top. It's the weakest link in your system and you'll need to listen for any signs of distress as it valiantly tries to keep up with the 4x10.

Paul

Atrueledgend07 · #3 05-15-2010, 12:42 PM

Thank you very much Paul.

RickenBoogie · #4 05-15-2010, 02:29 PM

+1, all personal preference, but Paul is spot on, the 15 is your "weak link", being on top will make it much easier to hear if it's straining.

rpsands · #5 05-15-2010, 02:50 PM

I'd set the 1x15 up on craigslist.

Sundogue · #6 05-15-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

I'd set the 1x15 up on craigslist.

That made me laugh! Spot on advice, but funny,

Generally speaking a 115 is a better match for a 210, and a 215 is better matched to a 410, so IMO get rid of the 115 and get another 410. Or depending on what you like, or works, better...keep the 115 and get another 115 to match it.

Before the moths come to fan the flames, I mean generally. Some 115's are plenty powerful and some 410's are weak.

For now, I agree...put the 115 on top to hear if it can keep up with the 410.

In short...it depends.

rpsands · #7 05-15-2010, 04:14 PM

There is basically one situation where you need to get louder than a 4x10 unless someone in your band is doing something stupid and you haven't invested enough in your PA.

That situation is where your 4x10 isn't capable of reproducing enough low end for your music (e.g. drop tuning below D).

Never played with a drummer I couldn't get over with a good quality 4x10. Doubt I ever will.

"Q" · #8 05-15-2010, 04:19 PM

Isn't this assuming a lot? What if he has a really nice 15 and a cheapo 4x10? Also what if he's bi-amping? Wouldn't that change the equation?

grifff · #9 05-15-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

I'd set the 1x15 up on craigslist.

That's funny!

rpsands · #10 05-15-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Q"

Isn't this assuming a lot? What if he has a really nice 15 and a cheapo 4x10? Also what if he's bi-amping? Wouldn't that change the equation?

If he's biamping it's even worse. Total waste if they're both bass cabs and the 15 is not a subwoofer (1 in a million chance:P).

The advice can change if he gives us more details but in general it is VERY VERY RARE that there's a 15 capable of outpacing a 4x10 on the mass market. I can't think of many examples

"Q" · #11 05-15-2010, 04:32 PM

I've never used dissimilar cabs before but it seems odd to put your cabs with the better high end response on the floor. Also, if the 15 is getting stressed wouldn't that be in the bass region thus kind of negating the benefit of being closer to you? (nag nag nag.... I know)

rpsands · #12 05-15-2010, 04:35 PM

The 15 will have worse bass response than the 4x10 unless something is really unusual.

I'd get the louder cab up by your ears (the 4x10) myself, but to be perfectly honest you will get roughly the same apparent volume increase putting a milk crate under the 4x10 unless the 1x15 is spectacular.

RickenBoogie · #13 05-15-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Q"

I've never used dissimilar cabs before but it seems odd to put your cabs with the better high end response on the floor. Also, if the 15 is getting stressed wouldn't that be in the bass region thus kind of negating the benefit of being closer to you? (nag nag nag.... I know)

Most 410's have deeper low end response than most 115's. And, most ALL common bass cabs are "full range". Since this thread is all about generalizations, this advice thus far is solid.

"Q" · #14 05-15-2010, 04:49 PM

SO you could run into the same problem if you were to power 2 4x10 cabs with dissimilar amounts of power? i.e. one with 100watts and one with 200? (given that ratings vary so much this seems very easy to do)

maevinj · #15 05-15-2010, 04:54 PM

Don't the these people talk you into selling your gear so that you can get what they want you to have. If you like your gear and it works, then experiment around. My personal experience is to put the 15 on top. I tried this after seening Superchunck play one night, and the bass player had this configuration. I had always been under the impression that the 15 should be on bottom.

geezerjpj · #16 05-15-2010, 05:07 PM

Does playing with a SWR Big Ben 18" cab and a Avatar NEO 212 cab change the equation ie should I put my 212 on the bottom w Big Ben on top?
Apologies to the OP ie Atrueledgend07 if this is hijacking your thread but I wanted to know if changing the parameters shifted the wisdom.

Gearhead17 · #17 05-15-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maevinj

Don't the these people talk you into selling your gear so that you can get what they want you to have. If you like your gear and it works, then experiment around..

One of the bass god's, John Paul Jones, currently uses an SWR 15 and 410 on stage with Them Crooked Vultures. I don't know how they are stacked, but the volume/tone mismatch between the cabs obviously sounds good to him. Not sure where his hearing is at after playing with Led Zeppelin for so many years....but hey, it works for him! I highly suggest you mess with 15 on top and bottom and do whatever sounds best to you.

rpsands · #18 05-15-2010, 10:08 PM

Wow hang on, you mean someone can be good at playing and not use an optimal rig?

JimmyM · #19 05-16-2010, 05:05 AM

being a musician means nothing about knowing about how audio works. however, jpj does know a little something, and he uses different amps for each cab. that makes it a lot easier to correct potential phasing problems and volume imbalance issues.

Gaolee · #20 05-16-2010, 10:42 PM

I put the 115 on the bottom, mostly because it is much bigger than the 410. It's a folded horn, and the whole point is to make the floor vibrate so people in the room don't so much hear the 15 as feel it. The 410 is what they hear in the room. The folded horn is what they hear down the block.