Amp options... so confusing!!

[Deleted member 79588]

OK Well I play for a cover band and sometimes we have P.A. support but most of the time we don't, which means my amp has to provide. I thought the lack of "punchiness and tone" was due to my bass (ESP LTD F-204), and the lack of tone WAS due to the bass (Picked up a new Fender Jazz Marcus Miller), but my rig still does not have the punch I'm looking for.

Here's what I've got -
Ampeg B2RE Head - 250w @ 8ohm, 450w @ 4ohm.
Ampeg BSE410HS Cabinet - 400W RMS, 8ohm (non SVT cab)

So you see, my system is only putting out 250w max due to the impedance being 8ohm. I've been toying with a few different options -

1) Rewire my cabinet (is that possible?) to make it 4ohm and get more power

2) Sell the cabinet and get a Ampeg SVT 610 or 810 (I hear the 610's are boomy rather than punchy though)

3) Sell the cabinet and get a higher end SVT 4x10 and a SVT 1x15

4) Sell both the cabinet and amp and buy a stronger amp and any of the above options

What do you guys think? Any input is much appreciated, I love my new bass I just hate my amp!!!

Thanks

 

[superblues]

quickest way to add volume is to add a cabinet. doubling your number of speakers doubles your output given a constant signal. (its actually more complicated than this, but you get the idea)

quickest way to add instant "tone" is to adjust your eq. for your bass, for the room, etc

 

[monkeyfinger]

We really need a sticky that talks about the real difference between running a 8 ohm cab versus a 4 ohm. Bottom line is there really is not a lot of increase in volume. Generally less than 3 db. (Translation: slightly louder.)

Adding another cab spreads the sound more which creates the sense of more volume. On the other hand it tends to have less focus. Still it is generally a good idea.

 

[62bass]

If what you have doesn't cut it, I'd say go with option #4, but look into another brand of cabinets. Option one is not possible and won't give you much of an increase in volume even if it was. Adding speakers gives a much more noticeable improvement in almost all cases, but makes it a lot harder to lug around.

The general consensus is that many of the solid state Ampeg amps are a bit optimistic in their power ratings. A different amp head and a more efficient speaker cabinet would probably do the trick. Of course, if you like the sound you get and feel only Ampeg will provide it, then double the power and add more cabinets, like another 4X10.