Are your cab and amp the same brand?

[kevbassman]

I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!

I use a Mesa TT 800 with a Barefaced Super Compact bass cab, which is my best time in years. I own the Mesa Subway 2x10 cab, and a Mesa 15. They sound great, but my Bareface cab easily matched both cab. I own another BF SC if I need it for bigger shows. But with PA support, I doubt it.

I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!

 

[ChemDave]

Since late 2019 I've been using a 2019 G-K 115 Legacy 800 W Combo amp, and when I need an additional speaker I have a G-K 300 W cabinet w/ceramic magnet speaker. The GK's were purchased due to their low weights. Prior to two years ago I used a variety of amp heads (2 Peaveys and a bunch of different AMP heads...KB 400 used the most) usually with two vintage matching 1970's Peavey 115 cabinets (one purchased in 1974, other in 2016) that currently have Black Widow 8 ohm speakers. The older stuff is really heavy but have proved rock solid reliable and are in the wings ready to get out there again if the new stuff acts up.

 

[K Altavilla]

Depends on what you got.

I have a nice Eden WT-800 I run with their D410T on top of a D115T. Looks and sounds great!

But some other favorites of mine are:

-My '72 Traynor YBA1 on top of a SWR Henry the 8x8.

-'71 Sunn Coliseum on top of a '69 Ampeg Squareback 810 that I lay on its side.

-Demeter Bass Pre into a Bryston 3BST run as a 'Class A' 400W monoblock into the SWR 8x8.

-An '79 Orange SuperBass into the Ampeg 8x10,

-'72 Ampeg V4B into a Sunn 6x12 and a Sunn 1x18.

And back to all matchy-matchy with an Acoustic 360 Pre into an Acoustic 300 Slave into an Acoustic 406 2x15 loaded with an EVM 12L and an EM12B.

Just go with what sounds good. Cheers !

 

[Fuzzbass]

I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!

I have a few amp heads and a few speaker cabs. Sometimes head and cab(s) match (Reiner), but sometimes not. I never worry about it. Hell, I've mismatched cabs in the past (Ampeg 2x10 plus Mesa 2x10) and gotten a nice result.

 

[Pep]

No, not at all. I have (2) Acme Low-B2s and an Ampeg SVT 7 Pro.
Best rig I’ve ever owned and extremely portable.

 

[Harley Pruett]

1998 Ampeg SVT CL on a 1994 “road ready” Mesa Powerhouse 1000

 

[bgavin]

No.

 

[rholler]

I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo?

I'd have to go all the way back to the 80's for a time when my cabinet matched my head - both Peaveys, and in various combinations of heads and cabinets. I even ran a monsterous bi-amp'd Peavey rig with 2x15 and 2x10 cabinets and a Peavey head that supported bi-amping... tho I did use a non-Peavey amp to drive the low end thru the 2x15 cabinet (an old Sunn slave amp).

I spend the early 90's working in the house band at a country music concert hall, and I watched all the high-dollar national touring acts come thru each Saturday. I began to notice that roughly 75% of the bass players were using a GK 800RB head, combined with a Hartke 410XL cabinet, and they *all* sounded spectacular! So in the mid-90's, I abandoned my trusty Peavey rig and replaced it with a GK/Hartke rig just like the pro players were using!

I've always stuck with the GK heads (bouncing between a 400RB and an 800RB), while switching between the Hartke 410, an SWR 210, and an Eden 210 cabinet. Ironically, for as much of a fas as I am about GK, I've never actually owned a GK cabinet.

 

[gtlover]

I ran my SVT3Pro and PF500 into vintage Peavey 115 cabs for years, but recently switched to Portaflex cabs.
I don’t think there’s any major problem with mixing brands, but there may be some trial and error getting best results.
OTOH my vintage Yamaha amp collection is all about matching heads, cabs, and combos.

 

[Old School P-Bass]

I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!

I have an Ampeg 1,000 watt SVT 7 Pro and various cabs to include my favorite pair of GK 2X12's 600 watt each. I also pair the Ampeg with a Big Bertha 2x15 cab. I did try the 2x10's with this amp but ultimately settled into the 2x12's . Good luck with your selection.

 

[bronzdragon]

Yes. My rig matches. In the past I have varying combinations of cabs and amps, however when I bought this one, I just liked how it all matched. I don't believe that I will have to buy another and I'm happy with that. I have gotten rid of amp GAS. /cheers.

 

[shrigg]

I would love to match an amp with my cabs but unfortunately, there is no Audiokinesis bass amp to be had. However if @DukeLeJeune ever decided to make one, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
So I went the opposite way with my amp. @juledude ‘s fantastic Simone and Simone 500. Coincidentally, Jule doesn’t make bass cabs so it’s a match made in heaven.

I’m in the same boat, I have an Audiokinesis Hathor 15 and once I heard that would never use anything else. Absolutely amazing cab that enhances a driven tone to pure wonderment. I’ve switched from a neutral sounding Kustom KXB500 to a more voiced Aguilar TH500 and am even happier with my sound now.

 

[nonohmic]

GK Head, RevSound Cab. Killer.

 

[Keith wayne]

Peavey Mark 7, 18" black widow speaker for the last 20 years.

 

[bassclef112]

j My amps = Thunderfunk B-550 (primary), Mesa M-Pulse 600, GK 800RB.

My Cabs = Baer ML-112 (primary), Aguilar 212

Good luck finding something suitable!

My main rig:

 

[DLESSING]

Genzler Magellan head on Barefaced Big Baby II. Maybe not a match, but a good pairing.

 

[jnottoli]

After 10 pages of eye candy, who asked the question again?

Y'all have some sweet rigs!

Get whatever you want. Matched, unmatched. It's about the sound.

I think you have "choice angst"!

Manufacturers design their components to compliment each other, but there is no law that says what you have to use!

Check impedance and voicing for your particular use & tastes. Required wattage handling - all that good stuff, & GO.

Mine is below:

- An SWR 900, both sides bridged into an Acme Low B2.
- An old Alesis Quadraverb (I re-programed a range of patches to be "bass-centric"). I never go really heavy with effects, but there are some useful utility sounds at my disposal. I usually use them lightly - adjusted with the effects blend on the amp. It's often bypassed altogether.

This dude can whisper or punch holes in the back wall!

No. headroom. issues. EVER!

Why this?: I needed a good, power-capable used rig that was somewhat cost-effective & this was available online. Head and cab both had a good reputation & the head could power the hungry cab. OK.

The head looks goofy overhanging the cab. So what.

The fan can come on a lot, depending....

I need to get the caps and heatsink grease professionally checked over, probably.

(I can get into a gig in one trip. Cab, head & cable bag on luggage cart. Bass slung on my back.)

Now, who can tell me if and what kind of light, powerful Class-D combo rig I should get?

(In addition.)

 

[Ron Berenato]

Always. When I see mismatched rigs I think that the guy just bought whatever was on hand at the music store. I know that's not always the case. I just love Bag End cabinets and if I end up with some it will be with another name on the amp.

I've always been all Peavey or all Mesa Boogie.

 

[McTred]

Nope:
Darkglass microtubes amp
2x Acme B2 cabs

 

[dspellman]

I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!

I have a Carvin BX1500 head and fEARless cabinets; an F112 and an F115.

 

[Roger M]

[/QUOTE]

Yep - only two, an old 1964 Fender Bassman & cab, and an Aguilar rig