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2 heads better than one?

#81
I would definitely try it out at home or, even better, at one rehearsal ahead of time to see exactly how you want to do this. I used to do this, and I used "effect out" into another amp's "power amp in" so that I had coherent control of eq and pre-amp gain from one amp. The master volumes on both amps worked independently though, which allowed balancing the different cabinets. Running into the line out into the instrument input on the second amp never worked that well for me, but it might be just the ticket for you. It's definitely something you want ironed out before you get to the gig.

Also, check that all of your cabinets are phase coherent, using the 9-volt battery test. You can search for that test if you are unfamiliar with it.
 
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#82
I've switched amps and speaker cabinets a lot over the years, from huge biamped stacks of speakers, 4X10 stacks, 15 stacks, mixed driver stacks, and now my two pretty compact 12's (with mids and horn). I've found no one cares what my speakers look like, including the members of my band. Big or small, complicated or simple, not one audience member has commented since I started playing bass in 1969. I care...no one else does.
 
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#83
Munjibunga said:
At this point, I will share a thought I had today at the band rehearsal of my classic rock band. I am SO happy that I play with a group of mature, accomplished musicians who don't have to be louder than anyone else. Every member of the band can and does make suggestions about how the songs are played, including the other instruments' parts. If the mix gets out of balance, all someone has to do is mention it and the appropriate adjustments are made. Every member has one objective: make the band sound as good as possible. Of course, we're so old that testosterone is at a premium and needs to be saved for more important things.
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Awesome!! Cant wait till my band gets to this point.
 
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#84
2 heads better than one?

I have 3 Ampeg bass heads ... and I have 6 8 ohm cabs ... I can daisy chain them together ... 3 heads each running 2 cabs for a 4 ohm load on each head and one head will be the master and 2 will be slaves using just the power amp section of the head. A true wall of sound ... the problem is I never play any venues where I need that much power ... and if I do play a venue that big they will probably have a big PA for support and all I will need will be one amp and 2 cabs.
 
#88
BassmanPaul said:
Jimmy mate it would still have differing amplifiers driving the cabinets., I think the OP would be better served by selling the gear he has and bringing in a more matched set up.
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The different amps part is the cool part :D Plenty of folks use different amps and cabs. Chris Squire made his bones combining Ampeg and Marshall, for example. Stanley Clarke has been known to use a Fender guitar combo along with all his Ampeg gear, and hardly any of it matches.
 
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#92
different, perhaps a better answer (IMHO) would be to use the one head, with the 2x10's hooked up via a series speaker cable. this result
Total Impedance = 5.33333333333 Ω

OR open up the cabs (8 ohm 2x10's) and see if they have 16 ohm drivers wired parallel. If this is the case, then rewire the speakers to series, netting a 32 ohm cab whn combined with the 4x10 in parallel (normal cabling) would be Total Impedance = 5.33333333333 Ω

the 2 2x10's paired without the 4x10 would be, 16 ohms

OR even more simple would be to get a "amp switch" a/b/a+b capable, if you are hell bent on using 2 heads. this would allow more tone shaping options.

neat site:
Speaker Impedance
 
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#97
One of these days, I want to see what happens if I run a signal into every large piece of amplification equipment I have. That's down a little from where it was before, but it would still be an aggregate of about 1400 watts into 9 15s and an 18. That doesn't sound like all that much wattage by modern standards, but these are 1970s watts into 1970s style efficient cabinets. Including a couple folded horns. I'm guessing it would move a little air. If it ever happens, I'll be sure to let you all know what happens.

I will be sure to be standing BEHIND the rig when it happens. I like being able to hear. It might be fun to crack concrete and make people puke a block away. I just don't want to be in the line of fire when it happens.
 
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