BA-210SP combo amp 220 watts, Extra cab?

[Satsark]

OK I've been playing bass for about 9 years
I usually end up in a group that all ready has some beautiful, ginormous Bass amp I can play on.
I have a tiny amp of my own and it's time to get something decent.
If I play bass it's probably going to be for a post-rock, post-metal, post-whatever instrumental style group
Though I play other styles, this will be the only one where I really have to worry about my amp.
I know I'm going to need more wattage to keep up after a while,
would it be some terrible sin to just hook up another cab to the BA-210SP combo amp?

 

[Gearhead17]

Definitely not a sin, but I think your money better spent on a good amp head and speaker cab. You will be able to get more volume, better tone, and save money in the long run than buying another combo amp. If you have no need for the combo amp, sell it and use it towards some louder equipment.

 

[bassmeknik]

Ampeg and most amp manufacturers use the most efficient speaker available in the combo amps and therefore you won't get more volume from an extension cabinet

I own a BA-115 and it is great but has a limited volume potential, if your BA-210 won't cut it you need a larger amp.

If you do decide to try the extension cab route you will have to custom wire the amp for it as SS power amps need the same impedance to obtain the full power. This usually requires some fancy thinking and a series parallel wiring set-up so the combination will have the same total load as the combo does without the extra cab. You will probably need to incorporate a switch in the back of the amp to enable you to use it either way (with or without the extension cabinet)

The BA210SP is designed for 4 ohm loads so an extension cab with 3-4 ohm or 6-8 ohm speakers would allow you the series parallel arrangement required to match the load requirements of the amp