PLEASE help me, what to buy?!!!!

[krstko]

Hi,
I am using my 100w Ampeg, but after last gig, which was not even a big one, I finded out i need a bit more power. With 1000eu in my pocket I am ready to get a new rig. And here the problems starts. I live in middle of nowhere, that means no music-stores where I could try anything. So please help me.

Head isn't a problem. I am thinking about BH500. With that EQ, tubetone, tweetertone,... I will probably get any sound I want. Also I once played on tc classic which have same amp unit, and i like that sound and 500w @ 4ohms is probably enough for any gig i will play

Bigger problems are cabs. I have no experience with cabs. That's why i need you pros to tell me what stack do i need. Is that 8x10? 410+115? 610 +212 (that's what i was looking at)?... Please help me.

And few informations that will help you: I play 5 string bass in two bands: one is hard rock band (need lots of punch and lots of low end, I also slap sometimes) and other is jazz (lots of ballades, need clear low sound). Also we're driving around with cars. That means big cabs like 810 won't work for me (only like 2x 410). One of my problems is also that we use our own PA which is a bit small, so I need to cover alot of ground

That is all, excuse me for my bad english and please help me, I really need you

[GrowlerBox]

Bottom line -- if you can't try them out first, and you want multiple cabs, get an identical pair (or triplet, if you're looking at the TCE cabs to go with your head). Mixing driver sizes between full-range cabs is chancy at best (different ballgame if you're crossing over different frequency-ranges to different drivers).

Can't tell from your profile where in the world you are, and therefore what might be available within reasonable freight range. If you're handy (or are within striking distance of an authorised builder) check out a fEARful or a BFM design.

[rustymoped]

A classic setup is a 4X10 with a 1X15. You should be able to cover a lot of ground with this type of setup. If you're playing a 5 string, you'll need the bigger driver to help reproduce the low end and the 4X10 will help with the punch and clarity.

Then at your jazz gigs you might be able to get away with just the 4X10, depending on the tone you're wanting.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by rustymoped

A classic setup is a 4X10 with a 1X15. You should be able to cover a lot of ground with this type of setup. If you're playing a 5 string, you'll need the bigger driver to help reproduce the low end and the 4X10 will help with the punch and clarity.

Probably one of the worst combination of drivers, and the worst reasoning.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by rustymoped

If you're playing a 5 string, you'll need the bigger driver to help reproduce the low end and the 4X10 will help with the punch and clarity.

This is about as wrong as it gets.

[krstko]

Lately people are telling me to get identical cabs (also, bh500 have 1 output and I dont have money for crosscovers), so i was thinking of 2x TCE BC 410. That should shake ground alot, but i am afraid that I'll not hear my B string.

Sorry for my ''empty'' profile, but i am new here I live in Slovenia and we don't have much here :/ That's why I'm just ordering on internet..

[rustymoped]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Probably one of the worst combination of drivers, and the worst reasoning.

Hmmm, have used, heard other use this type of set up many times. One of the most coveted heads, the GK RB800 was used in this type of setup almost always (sometimes with a 1X18 instead of the 15).

So, help the guy out with a usable suggestion rather than just talk ****.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by rustymoped

Hmmm, have used, heard other use this type of set up many times. One of the most coveted heads, the GK RB800 was used in this type of setup almost always (sometimes with a 1X18 instead of the 15).

So, help the guy out with a usable suggestion rather than just talk ****.

Oh, so because you have used this combo, and more importantly SEEN it used by others, that makes it a great choice ?

Apparently you know nothing of phasing issues, and speaker displacement..........but yeah, I'm the one talking ****

[rustymoped]

Nope, I know nothing at all about your fancy words. I'm speaking with 20yrs and first hand experience with this set up. I've seen it used by several pros (Flea, Victor Wooten, etc.). It sounds good when done right.

So, we can continue with our pissing match or maybe you could help the guy out with suggestions.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by krstko

Lately people are telling me to get identical cabs (also, bh500 have 1 output and I dont have money for crosscovers), so i was thinking of 2x TCE BC 410. That should shake ground alot, but i am afraid that I'll not hear my B string.

Sorry for my ''empty'' profile, but i am new here I live in Slovenia and we don't have much here :/ That's why I'm just ordering on internet..

The single speaker output isn't the issue here, and it's a side one at best .

If I were going for the TCE cabs, I'd look at a pair of the 212s -- likely louder than the 210s, and can be stacked vertically in order to avoid the severe narrowing of dispersion inherent in the standard 410 design. Unfortunately, like almost every other commercial cabinet manufacturer, TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by krstko

Lately people are telling me to get identical cabs (also, bh500 have 1 output and I dont have money for crosscovers), so i was thinking of 2x TCE BC 410. That should shake ground alot, but i am afraid that I'll not hear my B string.

Sorry for my ''empty'' profile, but i am new here I live in Slovenia and we don't have much here :/ That's why I'm just ordering on internet..

From your other threads, I think you are on the right track by looking at the TC cabs. Just stick to matching cabs instead of looking to get one of each.

Having no idea about whats available where you live, perhaps you can toss out a couple of brands and cab types that you do have in your area.

Also, don't get hung up about the "hearing the B string". Almost no commercially available cab can reproduce the fundemental anyway. Additionally, when hearing notes, you are not really hearing the lowest frequency - instead you are hearing the second harmonics.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Also, don't get hung up about the "hearing the B string". Almost no commercially available cab can reproduce the fundemental anyway. Additionally, when hearing notes, you are not really hearing the lowest frequency - instead you are hearing the second harmonics.

This is a fascinating thread on the topic of hearing the fundamental in the harmonics.

[Bass_Pounder]

Thanks Growler - couldn't remember the thread name

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by krstko

Hi,
I am using my 100w Ampeg, but after last gig, which was not even a big one, I finded out i need a bit more power.

You may not need more power. Be specific as to what amp and speaker you have now.

[krstko]

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

Unfortunately, like almost every other commercial cabinet manufacturer, TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier.

sorry, my english is not exactly best, so please explain: TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

From your other threads, I think you are on the right track by looking at the TC cabs. Just stick to matching cabs instead of looking to get one of each.

Having no idea about whats available where you live, perhaps you can toss out a couple of brands and cab types that you do have in your area.

I know that TCE have some special cab connections which make 4Ohms even with more cabs Lately i was thinking about 3x212 or 2x410, but also about 410+2x212 (that would give equal power to all speakers and would move lots of air)

Only cab I tryed was 210 from my friend (TCE expencive versoin). Nothing else here :/

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

You may not need more power. Be specific as to what amp and speaker you have now.

I have Ampeg BA115, a 100w combo with 15'' speaker. At gigs i'm pushing it to its limits and i get that farting sound

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by krstko

sorry, my english is not exactly best, so please explain: TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier

That's because TC, like almost every manufacturer, panders to the uninformed average consumer, who doesn't know how speakers work, and tells them what they want/expect to be told. In the battle between integrity and marketing the marketeers always win.

I have Ampeg BA115, a 100w combo with 15'' speaker. At gigs i'm pushing it to its limits and i get that farting sound

Adding a second 1x15, preferably also Ampeg using the same driver, would be the equivalent of quadrupling your power. If you like the tone of the rig but it's not loud enough that's what I recommend. If you don't like the tone it's time to move on. And ignore the marketeers and comments from left field (you'll have to google that one).

[krstko]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

That's because TC, like almost every manufacturer, panders to the uninformed average consumer, who doesn't know how speakers work, and tells them what they want/expect to be told. In the battle between integrity and marketing the marketeers always win.

Adding a second 1x15, preferably also Ampeg using the same driver, would be the equivalent of quadrupling your power. If you like the tone of the rig but it's not loud enough that's what I recommend. If you don't like the tone it's time to move on. And ignore the marketeers and comments from left field (you'll have to google that one).

ow, i get it xD ..and no, I'm not falling for anything, I always ask pros

I'm not staying with that small combo anymore, maybe four of them would do It is 100w, but it's damn quiet 100w.. Also the tone is not ok for my ears, it's kind of low + bit of farting + transistor buzz, :/ It would be ok for maybe punk, but defenetly not for me..
And no need for google, I think I know what you're pointing at

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by krstko

sorry, my english is not exactly best, so please explain: TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier

Looks like you got a translation from Bill, so all good there

I know that TCE have some special cab connections which make 4Ohms even with more cabs Lately i was thinking about 3x212 or 2x410, but also about 410+2x212 (that would give equal power to all speakers and would move lots of air)

Only cab I tryed was 210 from my friend (TCE expencive versoin). Nothing else here :/

If you were going to stack the 3 x 212s on their sides, you might be just as well getting the 2 x 410s, to which you could later add a third () if you needed it. Best to avoid mixing driver sizes, especially if you can't audition them.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by krstko

sorry, my english is not exactly best, so please explain: TCE peddles the same tripe concerning driver size and tonal characteristics that "inform" rustymoped's suggestion earlier



I know that TCE have some special cab connections which make 4Ohms even with more cabs Lately i was thinking about 3x212 or 2x410, but also about 410+2x212 (that would give equal power to all speakers and would move lots of air)

Only cab I tryed was 210 from my friend (TCE expencive versoin). Nothing else here :/



I have Ampeg BA115, a 100w combo with 15'' speaker. At gigs i'm pushing it to its limits and i get that farting sound

Just because TC says it, it doesn't mean it's true. That's a loaded statement. Really loaded.

Now, on to the 'special TC speaker connections'. There aren't any. The cabs that TC tells you are 8ohm cabs that you can use 3 of with their RH heads are indeed 8ohm cabs. No magic there. The newest stuff they've put into print shows that the RH heads run safely down to 2.66ohms, meaning that you can use 3 8ohm cabs with them. Nothing fancy there. Of course, there's the very real question of if you do buy a TC head, what is your REAL wattage gain?

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Just because TC says it, it doesn't mean it's true. That's a loaded statement. Really loaded.

Now, on to the 'special TC speaker connections'. There aren't any. The cabs that TC tells you are 8ohm cabs that you can use 3 of with their RH heads are indeed 8ohm cabs. No magic there. The newest stuff they've put into print shows that the RH heads run safely down to 2.66ohms, meaning that you can use 3 8ohm cabs with them. Nothing fancy there. Of course, there's the very real question of if you do buy a TC head, what is your REAL wattage gain?

I think with the BH500, it's safe to go to 2 ohms, if their latest update on the whole APM thing is to be believed.

In the interests of having complete information, it may be worth your while having a look at this thread. Lots of heat, just a little light, but if nothing else, it appears to have triggered this attempt at explanation of their Active Power Management system from TCE.

I have the RH450/236, and despite the controversy, I like it. The BH500 appears to be well-liked as well.