What's the best cab to run with a low watt tube head?

[phishaholik]

I just picked up my dream amp, a Marshall Lemmy, and I'm looking for the right cab to pair with it. I've read a lot about how to get the most volume out of a low watt tube head, especially in the Ampeg V-4 threads. I would like some advice on the right cab to go with my Lemmy. I definitely can't afford the 4x12 and 4x15 to go with it right now. Everything I've read says a lot speakers and high efficiency. Can someone recommend a cab like that please?

Right now I'm looking at the Berg NV610 or an Aguilar DB 212. I'm a little worried about the efficiency of the Berg, since it's sealed. A lot of the V-4 threads says they are plenty loud to gig with using the right cab. I'm looking for vintage tone and I know I won't get any clean headroom.

Thanks,

Michael

[zachoff]

I can tell you that my Bassman 135/215 was not loud enough to keep up w/ my guitarist's V4/412 rig. I've also plugged my Ampeg 810 into the Bassman and it was barely loud enough and I had to pretty much crank it.

So, hopefully your guitar player doesn't have a super loud rig because running a head cranked all the time will blow through tubes.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by phishaholik

I just picked up my dream amp, a Marshall Lemmy, and I'm looking for the right cab to pair with it. I've read a lot about how to get the most volume out of a low watt tube head, especially in the Ampeg V-4 threads. I would like some advice on the right cab to go with my Lemmy. I definitely can't afford the 4x12 and 4x15 to go with it right now. Everything I've read says a lot speakers and high efficiency. Can someone recommend a cab like that please?

Right now I'm looking at the Berg NV610 or an Aguilar DB 212. I'm a little worried about the efficiency of the Berg, since it's sealed. A lot of the V-4 threads says they are plenty loud to gig with using the right cab. I'm looking for vintage tone and I know I won't get any clean headroom.

Thanks,

Michael

a noted ampeg guy here has spoken of great results with a hundred watter (v4b) and a fridge...i'd tend to agree that the speaker area in one of those would be a good option for the marshall too.....

[bongomania]

FWIW, the Bassman 215 and the Ampeg 810 are both very inefficient. I would not expect much "loudness" from either of those, given a low-wattage head.

Here are your best bets, off the top of my head:

fEarful
Bill Fitzmaurice
Barefaced
...and certain high-efficiency PA cabs. For example my "research" suggests a few products from EV that could be good:
QRx 153/75, QRx 212/75, TX1152, TX2152. I think this one looks the best "on paper": http://www.electrovoice.com/product.php?id=193 But of course that tells us nothing about tone.

[phishaholik]

Yeah, I heard the ampeg fridges aren't especially efficient too. I'm planning on cranking the amp and getting some wonderful distortion. My guitar player only uses a 5 watt valve jr. on stage, so I don't need to worry about being blown away, and we usually have full PA support including monitors.

Thanks for the advice Bongo, where can I get a fEarful or Barefaced cab? I don't see any retailers when I do a google search.


Thanks

Michael

[gillento]

I use my 200 watts SA200 with a db212 and it is enough for medium indoor stages.
But that's 200 watt, not 100....

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by phishaholik

Yeah, I heard the ampeg fridges aren't especially efficient too. I'm planning on cranking the amp and getting some wonderful distortion. My guitar player only uses a 5 watt valve jr. on stage, so I don't need to worry about being blown away, and we usually have full PA support including monitors.

Thanks for the advice Bongo, where can I get a fEarful or Barefaced cab? I don't see any retailers when I do a google search.


Thanks

Michael

i know my v4b gets plenty loud with my ph 610.....i'd haul your head down to gc and try a few cabs,and if you know someone with a fridge try it for sure....

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by phishaholik

Thanks for the advice Bongo, where can I get a fEarful or Barefaced cab? I don't see any retailers when I do a google search.

There's a reason for that! fEarful is a DIY design by a TB'er named greenboy. He does not make or sell the cabs, he just gives away the design for free. Search here in the Amps forum for details. In that search you will find references to the builders (pro and hobbyist) that can build a fEarful for you. Barefaced is also designed by a TB'er, named alexclaber; however he does make and sell his cabs, and they are available direct from him. He's in the UK, so postage may be high--but I believe I saw a recent thread where he is working out a USA distributor. There are also threads here about Barefaced cabs and purchasing them.

[dmusic148]

I recently plugged my A.M.P 260, which would be considered a low-ish wattage head, into a friends Ampeg 6x10HLF, and I gotta say- it was really, really loud. I was frankly stunned. Sounded great, too.

[DukeLeJeune]

The Barefaced "Vintage" looks like a very strong candidate to me:

http://barefacedbass.com/index.php?page=vintage