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Ampeg PF-350 with GK CX410 Cabinet

Jay Corwin

Jay Corwin

Supporting Member
Jan 29, 2008
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Sanborn, NY
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#1
I've gotten back into the big, loud rock thing again after years of playing acoustic music and mostly upright. I need a real rig.

There's is a GK CX410 4ohm version cabinet for sale locally I'm thinking of. My biggest head is an Ampeg PF350. The cabinet is rated for 800 watts. The head will put out 350 at 4ohms. Is this too little power to pair with the GK? I only plan on using the power section of the head as I have a VT Bass and for my preamp.
 
#6
Jay Corwin said:
I'm more concerned with the idea of underpowering it.
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"Too little power" only matters if you're trying to get more power out of the amp than it's capable of.

There's no such thing as underpowering speakers. If the speakers are rated for 800 Watts at 4 Ohms and the amp has a max RMS rating of 350 Watts at 4 Ohms, you're fine. Don't worry about it.
 
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#7
Jay Corwin said:
I've gotten back into the big, loud rock thing again after years of playing acoustic music and mostly upright. I need a real rig.

There's is a GK CX410 4ohm version cabinet for sale locally I'm thinking of. My biggest head is an Ampeg PF350. The cabinet is rated for 800 watts. The head will put out 350 at 4ohms. Is this too little power to pair with the GK? I only plan on using the power section of the head as I have a VT Bass and for my preamp.
Click to expand...

Power wise it'll definitely work and sound good doing it.

Will it be enough wattage through four 10" drivers for the playing situation your presently playing in?
Depends on the group your with, the type of material they play, the levels they (usually the drummer) play at, the area your trying to cover, the sound your going for (clean or overdrive), and will it still have enough power to maintain it's composure at higher levels if needed...only your ears can decide.

(Pic is from last night.)
5 pcs., loud, outlaw biker country/rock group with very loud drummer, large outdoor event, big dancing and listening crowd.

Last night's chain was: old passive 4 string Jazz = SansAmp BDDI V1 = GK MB Fusion 800 with line to FOH = two, 8 ohm, 500 watt cap., 210 cabinets.
I go for a clean and clear sound.
In this situation, (and with this overly loud drummer), I had the wattage to stay clean but not enough drivers.
I didn't have enough rig for the gig.

Later this week I'm working with same band, different drummer. From experience 800 watts into four
10's is always more than adequate with him behind the kit.

In a couple of weeks I'm doing a fill-in gig with a low volume group in a small bar. I'll use one 8 ohm 210 cab. My 800 watt head drops down to 500 watts at 8 ohms and will be perfect for this job. Clear, clean and capable for this situation.

For alot of players 800 watts are overkill. I work with 800 watters for their versatility and the clean headroom they provide for any situation I've encountered.

20250927_204117.jpg


(Don't know why, but recently the pics I've posted on TB are now coming out sideways.)
 
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#9
Pulverizor said:
Used to be 300watts into a 410 would be enough for nearly anything, is that not the case anymore? Even with FOH support??
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Agree. IMHO you should be fine.
In the cases where you are not, it would be reasonable to expect FOH to do the heavy lifting and our 4x10 would just be a stage monitor.

Sending 300 watts into that cab will be just fine.

One additional thing worth noticing: being it a 4Ohm cab means most likely you won't be able to pair it with a second cab (most amps don't go below 4 ohms, even though there are few exceptions).
But again: a 4x10 should be all you need on stage.
 
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#10
Plenty of amp. But a 4x10 (only) is good as long as you are far enough away from it (aiming at your bottom half) If you are right up against it in a rehearsal space or tiny stage, loud drummer, guitarist with low mids, it helps to have a 2x10 on top more at ear level.
 
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#12
Pulverizor said:
Used to be 300watts into a 410 would be enough for nearly anything, is that not the case anymore? Even with FOH support??
Click to expand...

300 watts into a 410, even with FOH support, is still a very viable option...if your playing in a situation where that combination works for you.

What I was trying to say to the OP, (but maybe not worded very well), that every bassist has different situations they encounter and different solutions, that only the OP's ears can tell him if 350 watts are sufficient into that particular 410.

For some players 350 watts are overkill, for others it won't be sufficient. I guess that's why manufacturers make 100, 200, 500, 800, 900, 1200, ect. watt amps available?

I chose to go with 800 watt class D heads because I play everything from small bars, pubs and animal clubs to large stage outdoor fairs, festivals and large bike events.
I've a amp that sounds great at low volume level, small cabinet, intimate jobs, but is also more than capable of maintaining it's composure for large or multi small cabinet, high volume level jobs.
 
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#13
Pulverizor said:
Used to be 300watts into a 410 would be enough for nearly anything, is that not the case anymore? Even with FOH support??
Click to expand...
Well, there are factors such as how the watts are rated and such. Also, I had a PF-500, and out of all the 500 watt amps I have had or have, it sounded more like it should have been labeled a 350 compared to all of the others.

If it's not loud enough, then I would start looking for a new head. If it is loud enough, good to go
 
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#14
This quote from another thread is interesting.
nonfatmatt said:
Just checking in with some info. I've played my CX410 at a couple of full volume band practices now. Musicians Friend initially sent me an MBE 410-II in error so I have a rough idea of the A/B. I play a MTD Jazz style bass into a Musicman HD 500 head and into the CX410. My thoughts are that it is a much "rock-ier" cabinet than the MBE, probably because it's ported and uses ceramic drivers. Also, it has more bass response (as is to be expected). This really works for me because I play in a fairly loud and aggressive 3 piece rock band. I was looking for a 1 cabinet solution and the CX410 works pretty well. With the MBE 410-II I had to daisy chain an extra 1x15 I had laying around for a gig because it just didn't put out enough lows. The CX410 has a very forward sound (others might call it punch) but also retains some of the woof of a ported cab because of the ports. I wouldn't call it hi-fi, but then again I'm not a hi-fi player, and never slap. I turn off the horn, push the low mids and bass a bit and roll off the treble.

As far as it compares to other non-GK cabs, I feel it has a more 'in your face' sound that some. I have owned an Ampeg HLF 410 and did a fairly long demo of a recent Fender Rumble 410. The HLF 410 is a much less sensitive cab, has that Ampeg voicing, and is tuned lower. The difference between the CX410 and the HLF 410 is kind of like apples and oranges, and I prefer the CX410. However, you might like the HLF 410 more depending on where you like your bass to sit in the mix. I'm not competing with a 2nd guitarist so the higher voicing of the CX410 is better for me. The Rumble 410 is pretty close to the CX410 in sound, but I think the CX410 has an edge, it puts out more bass and generally sounds more polished. Overall, I think the CX410 is a good cab if you want to play rock and roll. When pushed with 350 watts it stacks up favorably against my guitarist's 4x12 / 100 watt Super Lead. That said, I'd pick a GK Neo cab if you want the really detailed hi-fi sound, or like the sound of neo speakers. I like the sound of ceramic drivers and play loud, punkish music, so the CX410 is/was a good choice for me.
Click to expand...
Have you decided either way?
 
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#15
Pulverizor said:
This quote from another thread is interesting.

Have you decided either way?
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Thank you for this BTW. Lots of good information that lines up for me in there.

I'm pretty well decided, but I'm waiting on the seller to send me more detailed pictures. It's a haul for me to drive out to get it, so I want to know what I'm looking at before I commit to a price and drive about an hour.
 
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#17
FMBassist said:
Get another SVT210AV cab to go with the one you have. If you have a PF350 head driving one 210AV, then you are putting 200 watts into an 8ohm load. By adding another cab and daisy-chaining the two of them, then you 350 watts into a 4ohm load. Plenty of rumble.
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I do have that setup as well and have tried it. It still doesn't have enough oomph for me in this band. I think it may be the sealed cabs, I'm not sure. I just know I have to push into limiting on a regular basis.
 
#18
Jay Corwin said:
I do have that setup as well and have tried it. It still doesn't have enough oomph for me in this band. I think it may be the sealed cabs, I'm not sure. I just know I have to push into limiting on a regular basis.
Click to expand...
Then make sure you don't have the -15 DB pad pushed in. It should be out unless you are using an active bass. If that is not the case, then the band you are in is L-O-U-D. I have worked at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Madison Wisc. with two B15 cabs and a PF350 in a 100-piece orchestra and 50 vocalists with no issue. My work was clearly heard in the recording.
 

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