What stages do you play? Medium venues, festivals....
I'm asking as I mostly play festivals stages and I really wonder if two SW115 could really compete with some 810 provided as backline
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4x12 or 6x10 cab
- Thread starter Mortbass
- Start date
I'm asking as I mostly play festivals stages and I really wonder if two SW115 could really compete with some 810 provided as backline
I prefer my 610 because it's easier to transport than my 2 single 15s, or my 4x10 cabs.
I see it as a good compromise. I picked up my Ampeg 610 hlf for 200 bucks at an auction. A bit of a gamble buying gear without testing it, but in this case It was a big win. I just hate the low quality Ampeg tolex. I'm just looking forward to the day when Roadworn becomes the in thing for Speaker Cabs.
I see it as a good compromise. I picked up my Ampeg 610 hlf for 200 bucks at an auction. A bit of a gamble buying gear without testing it, but in this case It was a big win. I just hate the low quality Ampeg tolex. I'm just looking forward to the day when Roadworn becomes the in thing for Speaker Cabs.
Beyond (legitimate) preferences for brand, native voicing, and such, I think the amount of cone area pushing air may be the most important factor.
If I'm doing my math right, a 610 cabinet has 1884 square inches of cone area. A 412 cabinet has 1809. Pretty close to a wash there.
But the 412 has only four magnets in it, while the 610 has six. That's where a lot of the weight is. So all else constant I'd pick the 412, which is probably a little smaller and lighter. Ignoring the physics of box size and whatever effect on sound that may have.
I'd still recommend two Audiokinesis 112 Hathor or Changeling cabinets. They can create a freakish amount of output with the right amp, sound fantastic, and each weighs under 30 pounds.
From the office:
If I'm doing my math right, a 610 cabinet has 1884 square inches of cone area. A 412 cabinet has 1809. Pretty close to a wash there.
But the 412 has only four magnets in it, while the 610 has six. That's where a lot of the weight is. So all else constant I'd pick the 412, which is probably a little smaller and lighter. Ignoring the physics of box size and whatever effect on sound that may have.
I'd still recommend two Audiokinesis 112 Hathor or Changeling cabinets. They can create a freakish amount of output with the right amp, sound fantastic, and each weighs under 30 pounds.
From the office:
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My bass playing life started with a V4B and V2, with a Traynor 215.
I'll probably end my life with my current BB800 and SVT810 (pending adding anything else!)!
So overall, both rigs (heads and cabs in total) probably weigh in about the same! LOL
GK all day, every day. I play through 2 NEO 212s (effectively a 4x12) and it is just earth shaking.
Rock on.
Rock on.
The 12 has something very pleasing but personally, once I go back to 10's I feel it's the way to go
I play everything from small bars to large halls(1k capacity) to huge outdoor concerts... Bands I'm in opened up for Travis Tritt and Rodney Adkins this past year - both were huge outdoor concerts...
IME, a huge rig isn't usually necessary to play outdoor festivals - for example, I didn't use ANY amp at this one:
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At least to my way of thinking, the bigger the gig the less likely you'll need a lot of volume. There seems to be a relatively small sweet spot of shows that are large enough to require high stage volume to carry the room but so small (or underfunded) that they don't have adequate PA support. Presuming you're not playing something like doom where the gigs are small but the SPL is large.
Great feedback. Thanks.
We don't really play the same kind of music, that's the only difference. I'm still a bit afraid two SW115 might not be abe to compete with my two SWR GIII 410 cabs. I love to hear ADN feel my massive tone onstage. Do you really think two SW115 could provide me this?
Stages I play with my rig behind me behind the guitar player on the right:
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That you keep using the word "compete" regarding this tells me that we're not on the same level experience-wise... For those type of gigs, the PA does the heavy lifting, and my rig is there as a monitor for myself and my bandmates... In those cases, as long as everyone can hear what they need to, and I'm sending a quality signal to the board, it's all good...
I also play in a classic rock trio that gets quite loud, and know from experience that the SW115 x 2 rig will easily handle that, as well... Here's a stage shot from an opener for the rock band Jackyl:
Edited to add: I most definitely can hear AND feel the low end from my SW115 cabs... also, they very well could "compete" with those SWR cabs, since my experience with them includes a Goliath Sr being smoked by a PH610, a Goliath III cab being smoked by a PH410, and a Goliath Jr cab being absolutely smoked by a PH210... In short, those SWR cabs may not be as great as you think - you should try some Mesa cabs, to be honest...
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Many are not realizing that the Subway Cabs are in the Supper Cabs category and are not your standard 15's or like the 15's of old. They are full range monsters.
While that is true, IME a pair of PH115s stacked will also cover any reasonable gig, including the hard and heavy stuff...
Same for me. My rig is also here as monitor for my self. The heavy lifting is the PA. Not my rig.
I owned a PH410 a little while but kept my SWR. The PH sounded great but way too heavy However I felt it was pretty close to my SWR. Except the SWR were a bit cleaner without being too harsh.
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I have to say I tend to believe this too. But I never tried any Mesa Subway stuff, so it's hard to talk about something I haven't tried.
In my case, I could make the SWR cabs I mentioned fart out by pushing them hard - I can't say the same for any of the Mesa Powerhouse cabs... So, if you're concerned about volume and low end output, Mesa is definitely a step above SWR, IME...
"Except the SWR were a bit cleaner without being too harsh."
That hasn't been my experience at all - I've found Mesa cabs to be extremely clear voiced, with some of the best horns in a commercial cab - to each their own, I suppose...
