terror bass + mismatched cabs

Ginsly · #1 07-25-2010, 10:37 AM

Hi all - I recently got an Orange Terror Bass 500, but I'm still using my old cabs for the time being. I'm using a 400w handling SWR 4x10 and a no-name 15 cab with a 600w handling Eminence KAPPA PRO-15LF in it. Problem is, the 15 gets kind of farty at the lowest bass notes, even though it is supposed to handle more watts than the 4x10. I realize I need new cabs, but does anybody have advice as to why I would be farting out? The drivers look fine, so I don't think anything is blown. I keep my gain at around one, so I realize there's going to be some fuzz, but this farting is driving me crazy. I'm running my TB at 4ohms with both cabs, and a Jazz Bass in passive mode. Please help an amp moron!

JimmyM · #2 07-25-2010, 10:39 AM

probably because your cab isn't designed to optimize the operation of that speaker.

tony_clifton · #3 07-25-2010, 10:42 AM

Both cabs make a 800 watt 4 ohm cab only when they both are 8 ohms.

800 watts is the combined thermal rating, but dialing in too much bass can cause cone excursion, which is another way to damage your cabs, indicated by the farting out. This really is the only thing you can say about it.

Solution: dial in less bass on the EQ to make your cones move less far, or use other cabs...

diechris · #4 07-25-2010, 10:42 AM

yeah sounds like what JimmyM said... you(or whoever made the cab..) cant just drop a driver in a cab and expect it to work fine... bass cabs need to be tuned to the driver that its going to house.

Jaco who? · #5 07-25-2010, 10:54 AM

You probably hear it farting because the 4x10 is so much louder.

BassmanPaul · #6 07-25-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

You probably hear it farting because the 4x10 is so much louder.

Yes the 15 will always be your weak link. A 4x10 plus 2x15 is a better match. Best would be a pair of identical 4x10s.

Paul

Marko5657 · #7 07-25-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Yes the 15 will always be your weak link. A 4x10 plus 2x15 is a better match. Best would be a pair of identical 4x10s.

Paul

+1

Mr. Foxen · #8 07-25-2010, 11:44 AM

If the 15 has a tube port, roll up some stiff card and put it in the tube to make it longer, this should lower the port tuning and possibly make the cab smoother in the lows to avoid farting it out. Not super likely to go well, but a 0 cost option to try.

Ginsly · #9 07-25-2010, 11:53 AM

Wow, fast replies - thanks guys!! It looks like I'll have to ditch that 15. It's a Frankenstein cab, and I shouldn't expect much out of it. I'll try rolling off the bass and the cardboard trick for the time being. You guys rock, I don't know who else I'd turn to!

rogypop · #10 07-25-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Yes the 15 will always be your weak link. A 4x10 plus 2x15 is a better match. Best would be a pair of identical 4x10s.

Paul

or single kappalite 3015LF

billfitzmaurice · #11 07-25-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginsly

Problem is, the 15 gets kind of farty at the lowest bass notes, even though it is supposed to handle more watts than the 4x10.

Watts mean nothing. Driver displacement determines how much it will take before farting out. At only 274cc the KPro 15 has considerably less displacement than the average 4x10.

Ginsly · #12 07-26-2010, 01:17 PM

Okay, so I have two questions: If I were to swap out the driver for a kappalite 3015LF that would lessen the farting? Also, I'm not really sure what driver displacement is all about. Just starting to learn about all of this stuff. I think I'm going to get a second 4x10 instead of fussing with the "Frankenstein" 15, but should it have the same exact power handling as my other 4x10 (400w SWR)? Thanks!!

M0ses · #13 07-26-2010, 01:23 PM

It would be best for it to be the exact same cab.

stflbn · #14 07-26-2010, 01:24 PM

You're asking "1" speaker to keep up with "4" that have a much larger overall speaker area. The single 15 is going to lose especially in a missmatched cabinet.

christw · #15 07-26-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginsly

Okay, so I have two questions: If I were to swap out the driver for a kappalite 3015LF that would lessen the farting?

Not necessarily. The tuning / size of the cab are important factors. You need to know your dimensions and pick the right speaker for them. (Or pick your speaker and build to the right dimensions...)

Quote:

Also, I'm not really sure what driver displacement is all about. Just starting to learn about all of this stuff. I think I'm going to get a second 4x10 instead of fussing with the "Frankenstein" 15, but should it have the same exact power handling as my other 4x10 (400w SWR)? Thanks!!

Nope. It can have more or less. Just make sure that cab can handle 250 watts. I don't think there's a 410 on the market that doesn't do that though... Just make sure you add one that's voiced similar (or the same cab) or otherwise you can have some funked up sound that you can't EQ out. Y'know, Hifi cab + boomy old school cab = !?!??!?!??!!

As for the technical aspects, there's plenty of tech reading about enclosures, speakers, tuning, etc. Just do some searches in this forum.