questions about new 4x12 bass cab

[marcopollo]

I recently purchased a "vintage" ampeg 4x12 model b42x off craigslist for a good price. the cab has new peavy black widow 350watt 12" speakers that run @ 8ohms that the seller had put in. He said that he ran an ampeg svt cl 300w (tube) amp through this rig and never had an issue...(said head had been sold already the guy was clearing out a ton of gear) This point I am not entirely too sure about, though the man did seem genuinely nice and honest.

I currently own all new acoustic gear (4x10/1x15 running through a b200head). I play a mexican p-bass and I am about to purchase a rack bbe sonic maximizer similar to if not this one --->
http://www.amazon.com/Brand-BBE-Moun.../dp/B005JGZ35C

I am wanting to get a new head for my new cab and have been debating on getting solid state or tube. Im pretty new to how amps work and dont want to over/underpower my new cab.

I guess i am just trying to get a gauge on what all i could be in the market for...i am more interested in specs than acutally gear because i can find stuff that fit the specs and my budget....all suggestions are welcome if anyone could help me out that would be great!

[Mr. Foxen]

Start here: AMPS FAQ!! Info on OHMS, Allsize RIGS-OverUnderPowerCabs DIY TechTalk-Links

[staindbass]

if you already have a solid state, go for a tube head? i use 1000w speakers with a 2000w rms amp. just gotta be more careful with the volume control. never blown a speaker.

[wonderjosh]

Why do you think you need a sonic maximizer? 0_o

[Big Joe]

Svt's are not rated to run at 8 ohms.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by marcopollo

I recently purchased a "vintage" ampeg 4x12 model b42x off craigslist for a good price. the cab has new peavy black widow 350watt 12" speakers that run @ 8ohms that the seller had put in. He said that he ran an ampeg svt cl 300w (tube) amp through this rig and never had an issue...(said head had been sold already the guy was clearing out a ton of gear) This point I am not entirely too sure about, though the man did seem genuinely nice and honest.

I currently own all new acoustic gear (4x10/1x15 running through a b200head). I play a mexican p-bass and I am about to purchase a rack bbe sonic maximizer similar to if not this one --->
http://www.amazon.com/Brand-BBE-Moun.../dp/B005JGZ35C

I am wanting to get a new head for my new cab and have been debating on getting solid state or tube. Im pretty new to how amps work and dont want to over/underpower my new cab.

I guess i am just trying to get a gauge on what all i could be in the market for...i am more interested in specs than acutally gear because i can find stuff that fit the specs and my budget....all suggestions are welcome if anyone could help me out that would be great!

I like the Acoustic gear I have - old school and lots of boom, but I have drawn the line at using a 410 and a 115 together.

Now - I DO use the B-450 cab with 2-10s and a B-115, and it sounds very good. But I tend to not use the 410s with the 115 since the 115 will suck the same power (at 8Ω each cab) and not have what I call 'capacity to work well' with the 410s at the same time.

When I mix cabs, I try to stay with either ALL 10s or all 15s at one time.

You might get away with it at smaller settings, but when you crank it up the 15s will distort faster-easier-consistently than the 10s at the same power.

Maybe I spoke that all wrong, lacking some technical jargon, but that's what works for me.

[marcopollo]

Originally Posted by wonderjosh

Why do you think you need a sonic maximizer? 0_o

I have been messing around with the pedal at a local guitar shop and like what it does for my tone...i want to get the rack model, "set it and forget it" not cranked just to always be on and at the level i like..

[marcopollo]

Im thinking of going with an orange head....i recorded some demos a while ago with an old band where i used an orange guitar tube amp (not sure on wattage and such) but i liked the tone...any suggestions/advice on orange?

[FanOfAlice]

Sounds like your new cab may be 2 ohms as 4 8 ohm speakers in that cab would be either 2 or 32 ohms so this limits your choices in heads quite a bit.

[VisualShock]

Originally Posted by FanOfAlice

Sounds like your new cab may be 2 ohms as 4 8 ohm speakers in that cab would be either 2 or 32 ohms so this limits your choices in heads quite a bit.

Or series paralel for an 8 ohm load.

[marcopollo]

the cab is rated for 8 ohm as are the new speakers

[FanOfAlice]

I don't belive its possible for the cab and speakers to be rated at 8 ohms. Either the speakers are 8 ohm and the cab is then 2 ohm or, the speakers are rated at 32 ohms and the cab is 8 ohm. Being that they are aftermarket speakers the ratings listed on the jack plate may be inaccurate.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by FanOfAlice

I don't belive its possible for the cab and speakers to be rated at 8 ohms. Either the speakers are 8 ohm and the cab is then 2 ohm or, the speakers are rated at 32 ohms and the cab is 8 ohm. Being that they are aftermarket speakers the ratings listed on the jack plate may be inaccurate.

It is possible, if they are wired series/parallel as said above the total impedance will be 8 ohms. Two parallel pairs of two speakers in series.

[FanOfAlice]

Didn't see that post and didn't think of that. But the guy he got it from was using a svt cl which I don't think is suppose to run at 8 ohms. Either way sounds like a good score on a cool cab.

[DBCrocky]

Almost every 8 ohm cab with 4 speakers runs 8 ohm speakers in series-parallel...