I'm looking for a light, inexpensive (used) cab to match with my Orange TB 500, and it looks like there is a Genz Benz Focus 112 available locally. I never turn the volume past 9 o clock and the Gain is always around noon, so would I be able to get away with a 200w power handling cab? I assume the answer is no, but considering I play smaller venues with PA support I was thinking I might be able to get away with it...
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Bad Idea? 200w cab w/ Orange TB 500
- Thread starter Ginsly
- Start date
Without playing a TB 500 I couldn't say. Assuming 9 o'clock is only a small fraction of available power that usually gets you by, and assuming that's not usually through a really efficient cab like 8x10, then yeah, should be fine.
At the end of the day, it's 1x12, you need PA unless it's a really small gig. Don't expect it to keep up with hard hit drums and guitar stacks!
At the end of the day, it's 1x12, you need PA unless it's a really small gig. Don't expect it to keep up with hard hit drums and guitar stacks!
4x10 makes much more noise for the same twist on the loud knob. Even so, it's plausible 1x12 can keep up if you're doing the low stage volume thing. The solid thump you get when you really lay into a note with your input gain set relatively low won't be there, could get you into harm's way.
Agree. (Please don't get me started on how so many think they'll thump a crowd with a cab that fits in a fannypack)
I'm running my TB500 w/ an Ampeg SVT210 right now & it's fine. Just be wary of the volume knob and you'll be alright.
Thanks for the input everybody. Yeah, I'd love to stick with the 410, but I have some back issues and live on the third floor of a walkup... Can't really swing that anymore. Might try to find a pair of lightweight 12s used, but finding a matched pair in the local used market seems nearly impossible. Guess I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'm borrowing a friend's Ampeg Portabass 210 and it's not bad... Decent sound, but great, great portability.
I missed the clarification comment about "almost always" PA support. It's a very quiet bar band where that would work.
With my TB's stock tubes I only put the gain that high to get some serious crush, no matter the volume. And even at 9 o'clock that pushes some serious volume, so I would be wary of an "inexpensive, lightweight" single cab driver at those levels.
BTW, my roommate swapped the two stock 12ax7 pre-tubes for 2 vintage ones with less output, and hot DAMN. So much more headroom now. A really big improvement to me as I play G&L L-2000s in active mode and all dials dimed. I'll try to do a comparison video soon.
I guess it depends on the particular cabinet.
I can get by with a single 12/6 for most of my work...in a resonably loud rock-oriented band...with or without PA support.
Looks like the guy with the Genz Benz Focus 112 has two, and I think that should probably do the trick and be light enough for me to carry one at a time. Seems like people like them..? He's asking $250 obo for the one, but now I might be taking both of his. I would just be picking them up, so shipping isn't a concern. Really don't know what to offer him. I looked in the emporium to get an idea, but shipping/paypal costs kind of make it hard to figure out what pickup would be. I'm obviously inexperienced when it comes to this - I've been using the same cab for over ten years.
Good to know... I've been wondering the same thing because I think it gets too dirty too fast w/ the stock tubes.
I'd love to try this, but don't know what to look for when it comes to vintage tubes...
Not really a function of vintage vs new. More a function of gain & noise... Look at this page for an illustration:
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Not saying it's the be all, end all for preamp tubes, but it should give you an idea.
Very true. He tried two others first and they were even more "gainy" than the stock tubes, which is the last thing I wanted. The second pair did the trick and I love the amp even more now.
I'll take a look at them when I'm at the studio later and fill in the details.
So.. If I decide to pick up the two 12s, would powering two 8ohm 200 watt cabs with a 500 watt head make sense? My understanding is that two 8ohm cabs would equal a 4ohm load, and my head has a switch for 8ohm/4ohm - but would having two 200 watt cabs actually handle 400 watts? Sorry, this is basic stuff but I just don't have a lot of experience with it..
Probably not the best combo for metal *cough*, but as long as you pay attention to how the speakers handle it you shouldn't have any issues. My Bag End 2x12 never breaks a sweat, even when pushed. The TB is nothing if not loud for its rating.
