Replacing my rig already? Measure once, cut twice

[scottfeldstein]

After a long absence from being a gigging musician, I bought some bass gear on a whim. I am now, only several weeks later, seriously thinking about going in a different direction with my rig.

First I bought a bass: a Soundgear SR300, which I am mostly satisfied with. It's an entry level instrument, but I find the Ibanez neck to be extremely playable and the "tone sweeper" knob to be pretty useful. True, it could have better pickups, but short of dropping $500 on an entry level Warwick or a higher end Ibanez, I think I'll stick with it a while yet.

Before I'd even left the store, the salesman suggested I needed an amp. I knew he was right. When he offered me $100 off the GK MB210 combo amp I'd been playing, my ability to say no was pretty much gone. I left the store with bass and amp.

I returned two days later to order a GK 210MBE cab to compliment the combo. This rig is easily transportable (amp is about 32 pounds, external cab is 30). It has a decent amount of wattage (350w by itself and 500w with the external cab).

Problem is, I'm now lusting after a rig which can drive two 4x10 cabs or similar. Right now no matter what cab I plug into the combo, I'm still limited by how far I can push 250w into its 2x10 internal speakers.

So. I'm thinking of the GK MB500. With it, I could power the 8 ohm 210MBE for practice at home. And my bands rehearsal space is equipped with an old Ampeg 8x10 cab that I can use. And if in the future I wanted to expand my rig to accommodate two 4x10s or a 4x10 and 2x15, I could do so.

Am I crazy? Have I contracted Gear Acquisition Syndrome? Is there a cure? Should I consider other factors before embarking on this new line of equipment?

At the very least, an expression of sympathy for the afflicted would be most welcome

[AdamJames306]

Congratulations. You have horrible G.A.S.

I think what you really need to consider is- WHY do you want so much power? From what you said, I'm assuming you haven't been gigging in years? Why all of the sudden do you think you'll need to be powering two 4x10's?

If you really think you're gonna need it down the road, then screw it. Pull the trigger. But I don't think that's the case. It definitely sounds like you're putting your cart before your horse. Work with what you've got now, and if you find yourself in a situation where you are struggling because of the gear you have, then move forward with the more powerful rig. But until then, save your money.

That being said, congrats on getting back on the horse. Enjoy

[scottfeldstein]

I'm kind of already in that situation, rehearsing with a very loud band. There's another band that uses this space and the other bass player has agreed to let me use his old Peavey Mark VI head to power the 8x10, but still. These guys do have the occasional gig and will get more once the personnel and repertoire has been achieved.

I guess it's also that I've realized that I've limited myself unintentionally, and I happen to have some disposable income right now. (I'm a photographer on the side and have made good money this summer.) So I'm feeling like I should cut my losses and go for it rather than dragging it out.

[Mirios]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

(I'm a photographer on the side and have made good money this summer.) So I'm feeling like I should cut my losses and go for it rather than dragging it out.

Less talk more rock then

If you have the money, need and desire I have a hard time seeing why you shouldn't do it.

[AdamJames306]

Well, like I said, if you're gonna need it, then why not? Go for it. You've got the money. And if this band is gonna start gigging out, and they're as loud as you say, then your current rig just may not cut it.

I was just playing devil's advocate. It's very easy to confuse "need" and "want," especially for us musicians who have so many cool toys to choose from.

[MEKer]

Go for it while you know it is low-impact for you financially and you will not regret the money spent. Make your gear expandable right off. And if you can--do not...say again..do not store your gig at the rehearsal space unless you wanna spend insurance money too. I'm telling you...

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by MEKer

do not...say again..do not store your gig at the rehearsal space unless you wanna spend insurance money too. I'm telling you...

Good call. Luckily, there's a monster cab there for me to use once I get an appropriate head to drive it.

[Marko5657]

Spotted this in a "Hot Deals" thread...

GK 410MBE for $299.00

Amazon.com: Gallien-Krueger 410MBE /400, 400W 8 OHM, 4x10 bass cabinet: Musical Instruments

Music123 has them in stock and will price match.

http://www.music123.com/Bass/Bass-Am...&CJPID=4169693

[scottfeldstein]

Well spotted! How does one go about getting the price matching?

[Mirios]

Should be able to call them and give them the website. They look it up and done deal.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Well spotted! How does one go about getting the price matching?

or go to the Music123 website, the second link I posted, and above the image of the product it says “Seen a better price? We’ll beat it.”

Hit that, fill it out and you’ll get an email with a special code or something. It might happen right away or even take a couple days.

I’ve never done it myself, but that’s my understanding.

[scottfeldstein]

Submitted!

[scottfeldstein]

Wow, they already came through for me. $284 for a Gallien-Krueger 410MBE 800w 8ohm cab! Looks like free shipping, too. That's a terrific deal.

[T. Alan Smith]

How inspired are you with your current setup? Once you acquire a rig that gets the job done, the only time to allow GAS into your life is when you flat-out no longer get truly inspired by your setup. Sometimes, it's a new rig. Oft times, simply changing strings(for example, going from stainless rounds to nickel grounds) does the job.

[scottfeldstein]

My current rig is a beautiful thing in and of itself. But every time I look at it, I think about how it does not cut it with this very loud band I've hooked up with--and it never will. The 210 combo optimally should be paired with another identical 210 cab. But four 10" speakers ain't cutting it with these monsters of volume, even with 500w behind them.

And I can't plug the 8x10 cab into the combo because it's rated at 4 ohms! Stumped, stalemate, game over. I bought myself into a corner. Hence the gear change.

[T. Alan Smith]

Wow. Even on a large outdoor stage, if 500W behind 4 tens isn't enough, I wouldn't do that to my ears. I'd find another group of players.
H earing
I s
P recious

[TrevorOfDoom]

can you unplug the internal speaker to use the combo head with the 8x10?

where you're at, more speakers will do a better job of making you louder, not more power.
500 watts is pretty good, and it'll drive an 8x10, or a 6x10.
Ah, there's an idea: get a 4x10 and use it with your combo. see how that floats your boat.

[scottfeldstein]

I hear you (pun!). But you have to remember, this isn't a 4x10 cab. It's two separate 2x10 cabs, built with an emphasis on weight reduction not output. If I pushed 500w into a 90 pound Ampeg 4x10, it might be a different story. But these cabs are not that.

I am kind of looking for another project to be involved in. And I always, always, always wear ear protection.

UPDATE: I pulled the trigger on the MB500. I'm shocked to find that it hasn't been reviewed here at TB. Looks like I might be the first, as I'll have it in my sweaty hands by tomorrow night.

[gmarcus]

That 410MBE is a seriously great sounding cabinet. If it is too boomy, just pull one of the speakers and stuff ~ 2 lbs of Acousta-stuf in there and the bass will tighten right up. I used 3 lbs in mine and it sounds superb, but I think a little bit less will make the sound just a little beefier.

Amazon.com: Acousta-Stuf Polyfill 1 lb. Bag: Electronics

Killer price on that cab, I'm trying to see if I can get the price match too.

[scottfeldstein]

You should write a review for it! There's nothing here about the 410mbe. Nor the MB500 amp I just ordered...