What cabinet w/Ibanez Promethean 1X10 Combo

[m2466d]

I'm trying to do as much research as I can but there's no better resource for bass players than the talkbass community. I traded for an Ibanez Promethean 1X10 combo because I want to use a portable but still pretty loud bass rig. My problem is I'm not sure what cabinet to pair it with. Should I use a 1x10 extension or can I get away with maybe a 1x12? The advantage of a 1x12 is they are so much more available, the only 1x10's I see are new and 500 dollars or more after shipping, tax, etc...I like a deep, vintage (motowny) sound (I know why'd you buy a 1x10 combo-but it's portable and does a really good job of getting that sound). Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!

[RickenBoogie]

Yes, a "matched" 1x10 is the best option, but if you're able to, take the combo out cab shopping, and see what you think.

[jeff7bass]

I have a Carvin MB10 combo (which is similar to yours) and my Avatar SB112 cab sounds great with it. I think it’s a matter of a 12” speaker not being that much different than a 10” speaker, as compared to say stacking a 410 on top of a 115. Now a 210 cab underneath yours will be more of a problem because the internal speaker (in your combo) will see 150w and the 210 will see 150w, or 75w per speaker. There are some good single 10” cabs out there but a 12” speaker will still work. With mine, the internal 10” speaker/tweeter sees 125w and so does the SB112. The SB112 is slightly larger than most 112’s and is ported for extra girth.

[m2466d]

Thanks for the replies. I guess that is the best way to do it, Rick. The problem is I can't find a 1x10 bass cab anywhere near me to try out with it. Let me ask you, Jeff, I understand what you're saying about the even distribution of watts to each speaker but does the uneven wattage of the your Carvin and Avatar cabs have any negative effect? Or that doesn't matter that much?

[RickenBoogie]

If you were to pair a 2x ? with a 1x10, the 2x splits the power between the 2, while the 1x gets all of it. This puts the 1x at risk of overexcursion, while the 2x is barely breaking a sweat. A 1x12 may very well work, but without trying it out first, you'll never know.

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by m2466d

Thanks for the replies. I guess that is the best way to do it, Rick. The problem is I can't find a 1x10 bass cab anywhere near me to try out with it. Let me ask you, Jeff, I understand what you're saying about the even distribution of watts to each speaker but does the uneven wattage of the your Carvin and Avatar cabs have any negative effect? Or that doesn't matter that much?

Nope. The Avatar SB112 and the Carvin 110 split the watts evenly (125w per enclosure). They blend nicely, neither overpowers the other. They're both Blue Tolex too so they look cool together. You might want to shoot Ibanez an email and ask them if they are coming out with matching extension cabs.

[StuartV]

Orrr.... you could get a nice 210 cab and just use the Promethean head with the 210 cab, for the times when the 110 combo is not enough.

That said, I have run my Promethean 110 combo before with my Aguilar GS210 (8 ohm)cab hooked to it (for a total of 3 10s). People can say it's dangerous all they want. But, it's not as bad for the 110 as it would be if you try to get the same volume using just the 110 by itself or even by adding just 1 more 10.

In other words, if you're trying to get to a certain level of volume and the 110 by itself won't get there (cleanly), it's going to by less dangerous to get there by adding 1 8 ohm 10. But, it will be even less dangerous to add 1 8 ohm 2x10 cab. Now, whether it sounds good or not is a different question. Adding a non-identical cab to the 110 combo always runs the risk of having phasing issues between the 2 cabs, at which point it's just down to luck whether it all works well or not.

[StuartV]

To be more clear, say you dial the Volume to 10, just using the 110 combo, and it's not quite loud enough. At that point, you're putting the full 250W through that one 10" speaker.

If you add a 210 cab (8 ohm) to it, and leave the amp on 10, you'll still be putting 250W to the speaker in the combo, but you'll also be putting 250W into the 210 cab (i.e. 125W for each of the speakers in there). How can that be harder on the 110 combo than running the 110 by itself?

And, in reality, after you add the 210, you will probably have more volume than you need, so you'll turn the Volume knob down, and then it will actually be easier on the 110 combo speaker.

[TheRealKong]

Last year I was invited to a session, and one of the bassmen had his Promethean on stage. Everybody used it. It was the head, screwed behind a 115-cab that is available by Ibanez as extenion cab. A second 115-Promethean-cab was there as extention-cab.

So it is possible to get a 215' - stack which is super-sweet. I loved the sound and punch of this little stack.

BTW, I have a Promethean 5110, for bigger stages I use my SWR Workingman - cab, loadet with Beyma neo-speakers, 4 Ohm. This really nails the tone!

As the speaker in the 5110 has a ferrit-magnet it is not easy to match it with the extension-cabs besides the 110-cab. They all are loadet with neo-drivers. The best thing would be going 2 x 115 Promethean cabs.

[m2466d]

I see the 1x15 are over 60 pounds and I'm trying to get away from that kind of thing. But a 4 ohm 2x10 cab when a bigger cab is needed is an interesting option, Stuart-or really you could go any size cab if you're going that way.

[jeff7bass]

You can use a 4 ohm 210 as an alternative cab, because the head pops out, but you can’t use in in conjunction with the combo’s internal speaker! Do what Rickenboogie says, drag the little bugger to a GC and try it on some 8 ohm extensions. If you pick a 4 ohm cab, you’re limited as to your options (mixing + matching). I would try it on a GK 115 and GK 112, if they have them. Very light.

[jeff7bass]

THIS. Good price too.

Gallien-Krueger Neo 112-II 1x12 300W Bass Cabinet | Musician's Friend

[m2466d]

I'll take a trip to GC and check it out. I know someone looking to get rid of an Ampeg 15" Classic Series Bass Cabinet, 8 ohms, 200 watts;-now this thread has reminded me how much I love 15" cabs-any thoughts on whether it would match up well with the Promethean?

[StraightSix]

Difficult to say but if it's rated at 200W it may be borderline.

I use a 112 extension with my Promethean P5110 - I would try and check out the GK linked above with your combo in tow.

Should sound great I reckon and it's nice and light.

Another alternative is to pick up a Neo 212 rated at 4 ohms - then you could use the 110 combo for smaller gigs and the 212 with the amp head only for 500W and bigger shows.

[m2466d]

Thanks for the advice, Six. I'm following your thread w/ interest.

[itsmedunc]

I'm sure this article says its safe to use the 10" with a 15" extension http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.ph...articleid/1824

[RickenBoogie]

Zombie thread, but the linked article was written by the advertising dept, and full of bad information. I wouldn't read too much into that.

[BugZaney]

I just bought a promethean p5210 from GC (for $169!!) this afternoon. Cant pick it up until the 28th but im wondering if and how Ill be able to hook up an extension cab to it so it can get louder.


EDIT: perfect timing for a zombie thread!!