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Amp Rig Help

Ben Berd

Ben Berd

Guest
Dec 8, 2011
148
38
28
Nottingham Pa
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#1
I currently have an Ampeg B2r running through a Hartke vx 410 cab and I find it to be under powered for playing large rock gigs. I found this -->[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] tuck n roll in my price range and was wondering if it would work for what I need. I've played through a similar amp and liked the sound but I never got to turn it up. Any opinions on if I should just get a new head for the Hartke or buy the entire tuck n roll set up?:help:
 
#4
^^^ +1 to Steve and smogg's advise - if your Hartke VX 410 cab is 8ohms - add a second one.

Hmm, I don’t know if you’d like that Kustom bass rig or not - it’s not for me. But if your interested in that Kustom rig make sure the 12” drivers that were recently replaced were replaced with the correct drivers.
 
#5
Do you like the sound of the Ampeg? If so, I agree with Steveaux, get another cabinet.

Also, just because the seller of the Kustom amp says it's super loud doesn't mean it is.

My $.02: I don't care for them, but Ampeg is pretty well-respected and has a lot of fans here on TB. Before you spend your money, take your time and try a few different used setups from different manufacturers. There's a lot out there on CL and elsewhere in that price range (or a little higher)
 
#12
ledzep5296 said:
I don't know very much about ohms or anything but while I'm playing, the limiter light flashes almost constantly and the peak light flashes, do you thing adding another cab would fix that?
Click to expand...

Your cab is an 8ohm cab. Your amp can safely push two(2) 8ohm cabs. Adding a second identical cab is the best way to get the most out of your amp.
Would also recommend you re-read the Ampeg manual to properly set up your gain & eq structures. Sounds like you are driving the amp too hard to get volume or over eqing or both.

Have fun and don't forget your earplugs when you hook up the second cab. ;)
 
#13
A lot of guys on here will swear against mixing cabs. I've done it, in most cases I've found any cancellation to be minor to my non-professional ear.

However, i used to play a b2r in punk / hardcore settings through a 410. much like yourself I had trouble cutting through and hearing myself if I wasn't being Di'd. I added a 15 cab and got a little louder... then I got a free peavey with a black widow 15 which was 4 ohms, so I got a B2 from a buddy. At this point I was running a B2R-> 410 and the B2 -> 15... This was a little bit better than before, but still not enough to hang with a 100w laney and a 5150...

This is what I learned throughout the process:
1: more speakers will add volume, but not necessarily. You can be louder playing less speakers if they're more efficient (sonic range, cancellation.. etc)

2: 2 250 watt amps no not equal 500w of output. even when I was using both heads it wasn't enough.

I think you may want to look at a head with more wattage as opposed to an additional cab. I ended up selling both heads and cabs and picking up a 500w markbass r500, and an ampeg svt 410hlf both used. I've never had to turn the head up past 5 when previously I was cranking the B2 / B2r and being left wanting more. It's also way easier to lug or roll 1 cab around than 2 or more... as awesome at it may look.

hope this helps
 
#15
Doubling watts will not gain as big a volume increase as doubling speakers. (I do agree with the option of more efficient cabs though) By allowing the amp to go from an 8ohm load to a 4ohm you are allowing the amp to run at its max safe wattage (which is in fact almost double the wattage). Now combine that with doubling the amount of paper with an identical second cab to eliminate potential phase & cancellation issues it will in fact be louder. (Adding a 115 to a 410 does not double the amount of paper pushing air.)

Adding the second identical cab combined with letting the amp run a max efficiency would be the most cost effective route in this case. It is not the only option by any means, just the simplest, safest, and most cost effective. Now if the OP has the means to buy a more powerful and expensive head and a more efficient and expensive cab and does not like the tone of the current set up then make the upgrade but, if tone is not an issue and volume and budget take precedence the the second identical cab is the logical choice.

I rest my case your honor. :D
 
#16
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Don't grab that Kustom. I had a 200 with a 3x15 and I couldn't WAIT to get rid of it. Not that loud, and what you do get has the tone of a pile of something that's wet and steaming. Ugh. It benched clean to 30-something watts after a tech checked it out and gave it a clean bill of health.
 
#18
ledzep5296 said:
I was also considering selling my b2r and buying a b5r. would that help? I also don't want to be lugging two giant cabs but if that's the best thing to do I could manage.
Click to expand...

Adding more power wont matter if you cab cant do anything with that power. 500 watts will sound the same as 10,000 through a 210 as you will be able to drive the cab to its mechanical limits with either amp. This is why adding speakers is the best way to add volume.
 
#19
ledzep5296 said:
I was also considering selling my b2r and buying a b5r. would that help? I also don't want to be lugging two giant cabs but if that's the best thing to do I could manage.
Click to expand...

The B5r puts out the same wattage at 4ohms as the B2r. So no real power gain there. The cheapest option is pick up another vx 410 (go used).

ps - big bass rig is the price you pay to be in a loud rock band. Embrace it :bassist: and don't forget your Ear Plugs. :D no really, seriously...don't forget your earplugs.
 

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