Retooling

Dejablue · #1 03-08-2011, 11:27 AM

Greetings Bassists everywhere!
New contributor here, and happy to find this site.

My new project, as my band's recording schedule comes to a close for a while, is to retool a new stage setup.

My initial target was an SVT with 2 4X10 cabs.
But yesterday that path took a left turn.
I was able to find 2 cabs on Craigslist:

1) Eden D-115
2) Carvin RL-118

$40.00 each!

Both need to be reconed, and the Carvin is in the fold only due to the very affordable price...and because I want to be able to play my 5 string at volume, and my current Peavey can't cut it without rattles and quakes...and not the good kind...and maybe adding an 18 will help with that.
Not a really big Carvin fan though.

Anyway, now I am shopping for an Eden WT800.
The crew can do without the weight of the SVT, and the Eden, with it's extended options seems like a good option.
I haven't played through one yet, but from the multitude of reviews I've searched out, it seems like a good alternative to the SVT.
Opinions?

I hope that the addition of the Eden D-410XLT will allow me to part ways with the Carvin 18 cab, so that Eden cab is in the future mix as well.

So, if I end up with an Eden WT800, the new Eden D-115, and the proposed Eden 410XLT, that would be very cool.

I like the WT800 because it's stereo, and I can (I assume) seperate the two cabs and be able to blend the highs and lows.
Now, here's a question...the D-115 is an 8 ohm...I'm not sure what the D-410XLT is, but if it's 8 ohms, will I start a fire or what!?!

funkinbottom · #2 03-08-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejablue

Now, here's a question...the D-115 is an 8 ohm...I'm not sure what the D-410XLT is, but if it's 8 ohms, will I start a fire or what!?!

No fire. Two 8 ohm cabs will result in a 4 ohm load. The WT800 will push that no problem. And a 2 ohm load (two 4 ohm cabs) is no problem as long as you don't run the amp in the bridged mode. Minimum load in stereo mode is two ohms, and minimum load in bridged mode is 4 ohms.
Power output is 300 watts RMS @ 8 Ohms, 440 watts @ 4
Ohms and 550 watts @ 2 Ohms (per channel). In Bridge Mode, it delivers 880 Watts @ 8 Ohms and 1100 Watts @ 4 Ohms. So, you have plenty of options.

Dejablue · #3 03-09-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkinbottom

No fire. Two 8 ohm cabs will result in a 4 ohm load. The WT800 will push that no problem. And a 2 ohm load (two 4 ohm cabs) is no problem as long as you don't run the amp in the bridged mode. Minimum load in stereo mode is two ohms, and minimum load in bridged mode is 4 ohms.
Power output is 300 watts RMS @ 8 Ohms, 440 watts @ 4
Ohms and 550 watts @ 2 Ohms (per channel). In Bridge Mode, it delivers 880 Watts @ 8 Ohms and 1100 Watts @ 4 Ohms. So, you have plenty of options.

Thanks for your response Funkinbottom.
I appreciate the insight, and the technical stats.

It's really about the ears at this point, and just so happens that Joe Bonamassa at the Royal Albert Hall was broadcast last night, and his bass player was playing the WT800, and it sounded excellent to me.

BassmanPaul · #4 03-09-2011, 10:51 AM

Do a search on the pairing of a 115 and a 4x10. It is not a good match any way you look at it.

Dejablue · #5 03-09-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Do a search on the pairing of a 115 and a 4x10. It is not a good match any way you look at it.

See...this is why I asked the question Paul!
As I had said in my original post, my initial plan was 2- 4X10's. But as fate would have it, the Eden D-115 fell into my lap. The speaker is at the reconing shop now.
Having said that, I am not married to any of the equipment I have.
My thought process was get the WT800, it's stereo, and I could direct power seperately to each cabinet, so if the 4x10 was that overpowering, I could balance the two using the WT800.
No?

Bass_Pounder · #6 03-09-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejablue

My thought process was get the WT800, it's stereo, and I could direct power seperately to each cabinet, so if the 4x10 was that overpowering, I could balance the two using the WT800.
No?

Yes, you could..............

However, the 1X15 will still be the "weak link" in your chain, and will dictate overall loudness of your rig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejablue

It's really about the ears at this point, and just so happens that Joe Bonamassa at the Royal Albert Hall was broadcast last night, and his bass player was playing the WT800, and it sounded excellent to me.

The WT800 is only one small part of the overall sound which includes the bass, the pickups, the strings, the playing style, the cabinets, etc..................

Don't convince yourself that by getting a WT800, that you will automatically have his tone.

Dejablue · #7 03-09-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Yes, you could..............

However, the 1X15 will still be the "weak link" in your chain, and will dictate overall loudness of your rig.

That seems reasonable.
Again, I am trying to weigh out the options.

The WT800 is only one small part of the overall sound which includes the bass, the pickups, the strings, the playing style, the cabinets, etc..................

Don't convince yourself that by getting a WT800, that you will automatically have his tone.

Knew that.
In fact, I am convinced that your fingers will be a huge determining tone factor as well.
I will have my own tone no matter what equipment I use, and another player will have a somewhat different sound even with the same rig.
I have to start somewhere to make an amplification decision, and hearing other players using the amp is something that has some value to me.

JimmyM · #8 03-09-2011, 02:07 PM

as an svt owner and lover, i agree that it's almost all in the fingers. but it's a glorious and wonderful sound that you just can't find in non-tube amps, and quite honestly, i can't stand eden gear, so getting the svt would be a no-brainer for me. otoh, my micro vr is getting a hell of a lot of play because i just don't always feel like moving the svt, and it sounds very close to me. and a lot of people love eden as much as i dislike it, so you can't really go by opinions.

but for cabs, i'd match them because of the reasons mentioned. i'm sure the eden 115 will sound great once you get a speaker for it as long as you get one that works well with it, but i have to have matching cabs because i've never heard a mixed rig that sounds as good as a matched rig.

ButtUglyJeff · #9 03-09-2011, 02:22 PM

Would you consider two Eden 115 cabs? Now I'd like that over the 410/115 combo...

Dejablue · #10 03-09-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

as an svt owner and lover, i agree that it's almost all in the fingers. but it's a glorious and wonderful sound that you just can't find in non-tube amps, and quite honestly, i can't stand eden gear, so getting the svt would be a no-brainer for me. otoh, my micro vr is getting a hell of a lot of play because i just don't always feel like moving the svt, and it sounds very close to me. and a lot of people love eden as much as i dislike it, so you can't really go by opinions.

but for cabs, i'd match them because of the reasons mentioned. i'm sure the eden 115 will sound great once you get a speaker for it as long as you get one that works well with it, but i have to have matching cabs because i've never heard a mixed rig that sounds as good as a matched rig.

I'm happy to hear your slant Jimmy.
Up until very recently, it was going to be the SVT for me.
To be honest, I am still undecided, because all of the amps that i am considering are great choices...even though everyone has their favs.

The guitar player in my band reminds me that I am really only shopping for my personal stage sound, because we will both be direct into a pretty formidable house system.

Guitar players generally don't "get" the SVT thing.

What I do like best in both the SVT and the WT800 is that they are pretty much plug 'n play amps not requiring a whole lot of dicking around to get a great tone, and that speaks loudly to me.

Dejablue · #11 03-09-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

Would you consider two Eden 115 cabs? Now I'd like that over the 410/115 combo...

At this point everything is an option, but it's hard to expect the tone to be what I'm hoping for without a 4x10 in the mix.

JimmyM · #12 03-09-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejablue

Guitar players generally don't "get" the SVT thing.

yeah, because they can't stand the thought their your rig might look cooler than theirs

but for a system where you're just going direct, you could use a little tilt back combo as a monitor. me, i can't do that. i like big speaker rigs, and i just got a second 210av for my micro vr rig. plus i mic and never di unless i have no other choice on the road using rental gear.

Bass_Pounder · #13 03-09-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejablue

At this point everything is an option, but it's hard to expect the tone to be what I'm hoping for without a 4x10 in the mix.

But see, that is where you are wrong.............

You are under the preconcieved notion that certain size speakers have certain sounds.

There are cabs loaded with 10" speakers that go lower than a 15" or an 18"

There are 15" speakers that have a hard time handling bass, and are better suited for vocal only PA use.

You have to listen to them to find out what their tonal range is.

Dejablue · #14 03-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

yeah, because they can't stand the thought their your rig might look cooler than theirs

but for a system where you're just going direct, you could use a little tilt back combo as a monitor. me, i can't do that. i like big speaker rigs, and i just got a second 210av for my micro vr rig. plus i mic and never di unless i have no other choice on the road using rental gear.

Ha!
You said it, Jimmy.
No way I'm on stage, with a three piece band, with a tilt back amp.
No.

Dejablue · #15 03-09-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

But see, that is where you are wrong.............

You are under the preconcieved notion that certain size speakers have certain sounds.

There are cabs loaded with 10" speakers that go lower than a 15" or an 18"

There are 15" speakers that have a hard time handling bass, and are better suited for vocal only PA use.

You have to listen to them to find out what their tonal range is.

Ok...I can see that.
I'll never depict myself as some sort of audiophile.
That's why I'm here asking questions.
I have a whole basement full of 15's and 18's now!!

Peavey 2x15 Black Widow
Peavey Combo 300 w/ 15 BW
Old EUCO 15' ported behemouth from Wurlitzer Sound in Boston...probably from a PA originally, used it for a while as part of a stage set...couldn't even HEAR it unless you were 100 feet away!
Carvin RL-118 that needs reconing.
And now the Eden D-115.

It's ridiculous!