Will my 4x10's handle the low B on a 5 string?

dbase · #1 05-02-2011, 06:41 PM

Thinking of jumping up to a 5 string bass. I really like the lows of the B string. Will my 4x10 cabs handle the lows?

twinfallsbass · #2 05-02-2011, 06:43 PM

You need to tell us what you have

BigOldHarry · #3 05-02-2011, 06:43 PM

Depends on the cab. My Epifani 2s10s handled low B's no problem; But I've heard some 4x10's that can't (GK leaps to mind).

And I · #4 05-02-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

You need to tell us what you have

i'm guessing it's the 2 hartke 2x10s pictured in the OPs avatar and mentioned in his signature.

i've not played a 5 string through a hartke, but i think almost any amp/speaker combo will handle a low B. the question is how loud to do you need it to be? it's probably going to sound great up until a certain volume level at which point the speakers will fart and you will be unhappy.

dbase · #5 05-03-2011, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

You need to tell us what you have

Its pictured in the avatar.. Hartke 500 watt LH500 and two Hartke xl2x10's. I was thinking of getting a Mesa 600 watt with with 2x12's. but the wife nixed that.. Cheaper to get a 5 string. I found a friend with a 5 string to try on my rig.

Downunderwonder · #6 05-03-2011, 07:10 AM

Very few cabs will make a loud low B. It's nothing to worry about, EQ out the lowest lows.

stflbn · #7 05-03-2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Very few cabs will make a loud low B. It's nothing to worry about, EQ out the lowest lows.

huh?

Downunderwonder · #8 05-03-2011, 07:14 AM

Btw, did you make yourself a tiedown platform for the cab stack yet?

Downunderwonder · #9 05-03-2011, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

huh?

eq out fundemental frequencies of B to E and pound away with no flabbing speakers.

Mushroo · #10 05-03-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

huh?

If you cut the lowest lows from your EQ, you can play louder before the cab farts out.

I also recommend using a compressor or limiter if you are approaching the limits of what your cab can handle.

pedulla1 · #11 05-03-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Depends on the cab. My Epifani 2s10s handled low B's no problem; But I've heard some 4x10's that can't (GK leaps to mind).

I had a GK 410 Neo briefly and it handled the low B of my Smith BSR5GN with no problems. I only returned it to get 2 GK 210 Neos (they each handle the low B with no probs). I haven't tried other GK 410's but I can't imagine why they would not do well.

The only 410 I had that did not handle well was a Carvin 410 (I forgot which model).

aguacateojos · #12 05-03-2011, 07:25 AM

My Eden 4x10 XLT handles that low B like a champ. My drummers SWR Redhead 2x10 combo sounds great at low volume but can't handle it when I turn up past 6.

stflbn · #13 05-03-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

eq out fundemental frequencies of B to E and pound away with no flabbing speakers.

I'll lighten up my attack and 'keep' the frequencies rather than eq'ing out. If that's your goal, then don't play a 5-string. IMHO.

I've had no problems with my 210's or 410's handling a Low B string. YMMV.

Mushroo · #14 05-03-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

I'll lighten up my attack and 'keep' the frequencies rather than eq'ing out. If that's your goal, then don't play a 5-string. IMHO.

I've had no problems with my 210's or 410's handling a Low B string. YMMV.

The point is, most people can't/don't hear those lowest fundamental frequencies... If cut the sub-bass EQ, you can send more power to your cab and play at a louder volume, while still sounding quite good. I respect your opinion, but I also happen to know that most pro sound systems have a shelving sub-bass filter somewhere in the signal chain for exactly this reason.

All depending on your personal preferences and the style of music you play, of course. If flat-to-30hz-low-B frequencies are an important part of your sound that's OK with me.

Fuzzbass · #15 05-03-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbase

Thinking of jumping up to a 5 string bass. I really like the lows of the B string. Will my 4x10 cabs handle the lows?

In short: you'll hear your B string just fine through your 4x10 cabs.

The confusion comes in because full-range bass cabinets rarely if ever reproduce the 30Hz fundamental of the low B note. However there's a LOT more to each note than its fundamental, and the listener's brain fills the fundamental in when it's missing.

You probably don't want 30Hz information going through your bass rig anyway, even if they could be reproduced. As Mushroo said those frequencies needlessly eat up power. Also, they tend to collide with the kick drum, and will probably muddy things up in the mix overall. Mushroo was right to suggest cutting the lowest lows: it saves power, can tighten up the bottom end, give you better note definition.

I play BEADG five string -- usually detuned a half step! -- through a sealed 6x10 cab. It sounds freakin' awesome even when playing modern rock that uses the lowest notes.