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Amp & Cab Suggestion for Lower End

B

backer_bassist

May 3, 2008
22
0
Western Australia
#1
Ok, so for years i've more or less just played the bass... but never really had the interest to learn about amps and cabs.. so i really just go for what the pros are using because i really don't know what else to do..

Currently i own an Ampeg SVT15" cab with an Ampeg B2REU Head..

Both run at 200watt at 8ohms... Lately I'm playing with bigger bands... and its not cutting it for raw rehearsals and i need something bigger... but i dont know where to start... i don't want to spend alot of money, but i want something descent that would compliment the sound of my Jazz bass... HELP!
 
#2
So do you just have the one cabinet with your amp? That's an 8ohm cab, right? Doesn't the B2REU put out over 400 watts? What about just getting another cab, maybe a 4x10 to access the full 400 watts at 4ohms?

Otherwise, there are many options. For larger stuff, I like to use a larger rig, even with backline support, just so I can feel myself play. I was previously using my AMP BH420, use the crossover and run the high freq and low freq into a stupid loud Yorkville 1200w 2 channel amp that feeds the lows into a 1000w 1x18 sub and the highs into a 1000w 4x10. This gave me plenty of headroom even against the guitarist's marshall full stack.

Rackmountable stuff is certainly flexible...
 
#3
yeah

getting another cab is exactly what i was thinking and then using the parallell speaker to run at 4ohms therefore giving me more power... except im not sure what cab... any suggestions?? brands etc.. as i sed i want something descent with my money but i dont want to spend too much!
 
#4
You're not giving us anything to go on. What exactly is your budget? "Too much" can be a drastically different number for different people. E.g. if you want to keep a open mind but there's no way in heck you could pay $1K USD for a cab, then state what the realistic upper limit really is for you. And BTW where are you? If you're in Australia or Ghana the options and price ranges may be a bit different than if you're in NYC. What kinds of music do you play? Would it be more important to have a clear hi-fi tone, or a more colored vintage tone? Slap, fingerstyle, dark, bright?

If all that is a bit too much for you to know/state right now, and you're just looking for something reliable, then I would say go to your local shops and try out any used cabs they may have. See which ones you like, and see if the store will guarantee them for say 90 days or w/ever so you have a chance to hear if they work well for you.

There are loads of good brands, too many to list. The only brands I would avoid would be "generic" beginner products (which typically are way cheaper than the "real" brands); I'm personally biased against Behringer and Crate, but others will disagree. If you find a cab that sounds good and you can afford it but you aren't sure of the quality, come back on here and ask "What do you guys think of the brand XYZ model 1234 cab?"

Good luck.
 
#6
bongomania said:
You're not giving us anything to go on. What exactly is your budget? "Too much" can be a drastically different number for different people. E.g. if you want to keep a open mind but there's no way in heck you could pay $1K USD for a cab, then state what the realistic upper limit really is for you. And BTW where are you? If you're in Australia or Ghana the options and price ranges may be a bit different than if you're in NYC. What kinds of music do you play? Would it be more important to have a clear hi-fi tone, or a more colored vintage tone? Slap, fingerstyle, dark, bright?

If all that is a bit too much for you to know/state right now, and you're just looking for something reliable, then I would say go to your local shops and try out any used cabs they may have. See which ones you like, and see if the store will guarantee them for say 90 days or w/ever so you have a chance to hear if they work well for you.

There are loads of good brands, too many to list. The only brands I would avoid would be "generic" beginner products (which typically are way cheaper than the "real" brands); I'm personally biased against Behringer and Crate, but others will disagree. If you find a cab that sounds good and you can afford it but you aren't sure of the quality, come back on here and ask "What do you guys think of the brand XYZ model 1234 cab?"

Good luck.
Click to expand...


ahaha... dont get so frustrated... As for Location im in Australia... my budget is around $1k.. yES I would like something reliable. There isnt a particular style of music i play... its pretty much well rounded though excluding metal.. so pop/Motown..RnB type stuff/rock/indie/alt rock/blues/jazz...all fingerstyle..
so i'm after something versatile. My bass has a very bright tone... so i want something to compliment that... i am also a little biased towards Behringer and Crate lol...

is that a better idea?
 
#8
Personally I'd be tempted to stick with the 'peg if that's what your setup is already. They don't make 2x10s anymore but I'm sure you could find one 2nd hand.

Dunno about the 2x10s but I've loved the Ashdown cabs I've played through, my friend has an 8x10 made by them and it sounds emmense, nice and full compared to an "average" 10 (if you can call it that, don't want Bill coming in here and telling me off). Avoid the MAG range like the plague, maybe it's just me but they seem to be of MUCH worse quality then the EVOs, and in terms of difference quality not too much more pricey.
 
#9
Apparently, Markbass cabs don't live up to the hype their amps created. But, like Swamirob said, why not stick with Ampeg at this point, keep it all matching. It's too bad they discontinued the SVT210HE, it's a good cab. I have one paired with an SVT15E, and thet go well together. Find a used one if you can. Otherwise, you'll have to look around and find something else you like. Of course, you could also just get another 15, a 215 setup can be pretty cool too.
 

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