returning to bass, need more sound

test dude · #1 10-05-2010, 11:30 AM

Hey, well im not really returning (like i ever left pshh) But id been playing my acoustic guitar for a few months and just brought my bass stuff back from my other home in PA. I audtioned for a band and they told me to come back this saturday. My gear is great for me now, Ampeg 410 hlf with a b2re head, but I feel like i could use a little more sound. I was looking at some used gear to possibly pair with my existing cab and head. Should I do possibly another 4x10 or maybe 2x10. I just wanted to know if adding a few more speakers will give me louder sound... maybe i could sell my cab or trade for a 6 or 8x10 hmmm. any input guys.

ThrashMaster · #2 10-05-2010, 11:56 AM

that b2re doesnt exactly have alot of wattage, and hauling another speaker cabinet would certainly be much more of a pain that getting a more powerful head.

Why not sell the b2 and get something with some more balls?

RickenBoogie · #3 10-05-2010, 12:35 PM

The amp you have now will not support any more speakers than what you already have. 4 ohm min head, 4 ohm cab. Your options are: sell both and start fresh, or swap either/or. You cannot "add to" what you've got.

MrRumble · #4 10-05-2010, 12:43 PM

Eden WT405 and a Bergantino NV610, shook a pitcher of beer right off the bar table. All I will ever need for "more sound" power.

test dude · #5 10-06-2010, 12:28 PM

Well I do have a gk 800 rb but all of a sudden it started smoking, I had it repaired and now I think it's happening again. I love the head but it's becoming an expensive thing. Maybe I should put money into it again?

Grizzly700 · #6 10-06-2010, 03:30 PM

I say start fresh. Can't go wrong with some nice used GK stuff.. or Markbass gear, but I'm biased towards Markbass.

ga_edwards · #7 10-06-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The amp you have now will not support any more speakers than what you already have. 4 ohm min head, 4 ohm cab. Your options are: sell both and start fresh, or swap either/or. You cannot "add to" what you've got.

Just adding to this. I'm quite surprised that this combination isn't enough. Admittedly, I don't have any experience with either the head or cab, but I thought a 450w @ 4ohm head, into a 4ohm 400w 4x10 would be ample.

Is there something inherently bad in the design that makes really inefficient use of that power?

What are you playing up against in the band? ie, what are the guitarists using?

georgestrings · #8 10-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashMaster

that b2re doesnt exactly have alot of wattage, and hauling another speaker cabinet would certainly be much more of a pain that getting a more powerful head.

Why not sell the b2 and get something with some more balls?

This - the B2RE is very weak for it's rating... If you paired that 410 up with a 700rb-II, it would get VERY loud...

- georgestrings

georgestrings · #9 10-06-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

Just adding to this. I'm quite surprised that this combination isn't enough. Admittedly, I don't have any experience with either the head or cab, but I thought a 450w @ 4ohm head, into a 4ohm 400w 4x10 would be ample.

Is there something inherently bad in the design that makes really inefficient use of that power?

What are you playing up against in the band? ie, what are the guitarists using?

That head is woefully underpowered for it's rating - the cab isn't the problem...

- georgestrings

BassmanPaul · #10 10-06-2010, 04:42 PM

Threads like this are just an opportunity for folks to post THEIR favourite amplifiers. Their tone goals may well be polar opposites of yours. The only way you can get where you want to go is to try everything you can plug your bass into. Only you will know when you find what you are looking for.

ThrashMaster · #11 10-06-2010, 06:06 PM

why not just buy a big ass poweramp for cheap off ebay and run it from the preamp output of the b2re...keep the sound youre pleased with, but with more oomph. Also the cheapest option anyone has mentioned. for quiter situations leave the outboard power at home.

test dude · #12 10-06-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

What are you playing up against in the band? ie, what are the guitarists using?

The band consists of a guitar, he used a small amp, looked like a line 6 with the two 12 inch speakers, but it wasnt his nomal setup, I think its one of those larger 4 speaker cabs + a head. Basic drum setup cymbals, kick, 3 toms, snare. Singer was going through a pa setup, but i could barely make out the words clearly.
I may just end up bringing my GK 800rb back to life or try and buy another used 800 or something around the same price with the same performance.
Im not worried about these big bars/clubs because they usually mic up everything, its just the smaller places around town and I feel like im on the cusp of pushing the amp too much using the head. I would think I'd be okay with my 4x10

Munjibunga · #13 10-06-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly700

I say start fresh. Can't go wrong with some nice used GK stuff.. or Markbass gear, but I'm biased towards Markbass.

Apparently he went wrong with that GK 800 RB.

test dude · #14 10-07-2010, 10:28 PM

Found one option. Possible trade my 410 Hlf for ampeg 6x10 I add 150. What do you think?

LF Drivers: 6 x 10”
Voice Coil: 2”
Magnet Weight (each): 30 oz
HF Drivers: Horn/Driver
Voice Coil: 1”
Magnet Weight (each): 8 oz
RMS Power Handling: 600-Watts
Frequency Response (-3dB): 53Hz-18kHz
Usable Low Frequency (-10dB): 42Hz
Nominal Impedance: 4-Ohms
Sensitivity: 98dB
Maximum SPL: 125dB
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 24 x 40 x 16
Shipping Weight: 135 Pounds
Handling Weight: 110 Pounds

LF Drivers: 4 x 10”
Voice Coil: 2”
Magnet Weight (each): 30 oz
HF Drivers: Horn/Driver
Voice Coil: 1”
Magnet Weight (each): 8 oz
RMS Power Handling: 500-Watts
Frequency Response (-3dB): 48Hz-18kHz
Usable Low Frequency (-10dB): 28Hz
Nominal Impedance: 4-Ohms
Sensitivity: 98dB
Maximum SPL: 125dB
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 24 x 30 x 19
Shipping Weight: 110 Pounds
Handling Weight: 85 Pounds
Don't know if there's a big difference between the two. I'm not gonna do anything till I get my gk head home and see whatsup with it.

ga_edwards · #15 10-08-2010, 05:29 AM

Well going by mine and other subsequent comments in this thread I don't think the number of speakers you currently have is the issue. Plus if you're playing against a single guitarist with a half stack at most, your current cab should be fine.

You need a more powerful amp to drive it.

test dude · #16 10-12-2010, 11:00 AM

So, I cant hear my bass good at all at practice the other day. its too low not punchy at all and Im looking at my Head and the red peak button flashes and so does the yellow clip light. I enjoy playing with my fingers and not having to use a pick to cut through! What do i do!?!? I need something quick. SHould i buy something to pair with my 410? I dont like that the speakers are growling at me because im pushing this thing so much. Hopefully buying a 700rb within the week.

Jim Campbell · #17 10-12-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by test dude

Well I do have a gk 800 rb but all of a sudden it started smoking, I had it repaired and now I think it's happening again. I love the head but it's becoming an expensive thing. Maybe I should put money into it again?

at least find out what it will cost to bring it up to gig worthy reliability.....it may give you enough clout on it's own ,or it could be used in conjunction with the ampeg and a second cab....

Ric5 · #18 10-12-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by test dude

Hey, well im not really returning (like i ever left pshh) But id been playing my acoustic guitar for a few months and just brought my bass stuff back from my other home in PA. I audtioned for a band and they told me to come back this saturday. My gear is great for me now, Ampeg 410 hlf with a b2re head, but I feel like i could use a little more sound. I was looking at some used gear to possibly pair with my existing cab and head. Should I do possibly another 4x10 or maybe 2x10. I just wanted to know if adding a few more speakers will give me louder sound... maybe i could sell my cab or trade for a 6 or 8x10 hmmm. any input guys.

That rig is more than enough to play any venue ... if you simply get pa support.

test dude · #19 10-16-2010, 11:32 PM

So, I upgraded to the 610 this past week, and I do admit i'd given my b2re a little sh"$ talk, but after practice today with the band everything sounded much nicer. Definetly a little more headroom with the 610 and i barely saw the peak light come on, maybe once when I hit the strings wierd. But so far decent pair, I bought a little markbass 2 which I cant wait to hear how that sounds, and I think im in need of a pedal. Sansamp is nice but way to expensive for me right now with all this new stuff.

will33 · #20 10-17-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by test dude

So, I upgraded to the 610 this past week, and I do admit i'd given my b2re a little sh"$ talk, but after practice today with the band everything sounded much nicer.

The speakers in that 610, at least the top 4 of them are voiced different than the 410hlf. Likely more mids and less low woof. That and the fact that it's taller/speakers closer to ear level makes it easier to hear yourself. Some like the low boom of the hlf, to me they're muddy. There's also a ton of cancellations to deal with when you pile a bunch of gear in a practice room or on a small stage at the local bar.