Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
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Bass amp wattage for 3pc. gig?
- Thread starter timh28
- Start date
212 does sound fearful indeedThe 410 format works fine, as long as you are in front of it. Once you, or more significantly your audience, are off the the side a bit, known as "off-axis," the mid-range frequencies from the speakers are lost. In effect, the 410 is a very directional cabinet, with poor mid-range dispersion. From off-axis, they are muddy.
However, they can be loud, are unwieldy, often heavy, and thus can be found quite cheap. If you find an Eden, SWR, Ampeg, etc. for under $300, grab it.
Much better would be a pair of 112 or 115 cabinets. For me, I love my 212 that has tilt back wheels. Of course it is a fEARful, and that is a whole 'nuther topic.
In general, a pair of identical 8 ohm cabinets is the way to go. Of course you can start with a head and a cab, and then add the second cab if you need ("want ") it.
Definitely a set up for me to investigate
However there are some retailers not to far from me who are selling some on clearance so with a bit of luck I can snatch one soon!
I use a 100w Tube amp. Used it with a very efficient 2x12 (4 ohms) to play smaller bar gigs, medium stage gigs (usually with a PA support so not a ton of watts necessary) and even outdoor gigs. For solid state, I'd go at least 300 watts.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
fEARful is a name for (some of) the cabinets designed by Dave "greenboy" Green. Plans are free. The cabs are not built by a factory. They are either DIY or built by "authorized builders." Sometimes they are sold used on Talkbass classified.212 does sound fearful indeed
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I might also add there are kits: fEARful DIY Speaker Kits for Bass Guitar
For just about any "what head / cab should I buy?" thread, I'll almost always recommend a 500W head with an 8ohm cab and you can add a second identical cab to to get more oomph should you need it. Particular cab / heads all depend on your budget. If the budget is on the lower side, always go used.
I know, but I'm one step ahead of them. I got an 800H too.
It sounds very nice in the same 2 210s. I thought I'd sell off the 500 but can't bring myself to do so.
Cool! My band used a PA that just couldn't support bass so I was dragging two 410s in an SUV to every gig. Sounded awesome but a lot of work.
We got a bigger PA with a subwoofer and now I use a GK 212 combo that fits in my sedan's trunk. Way easier and the sound out front is great, especially considering we are a bunch of weekend warrior knuckleheads
Make sure to tell us how the gig goes!
each band members age X number of members = gigging watts needed
ex.
25yo drummer
48yo bass player
36yo guitar player
25x3 = 75
48x3 = 144
36x3 = 108
75 + 108 + 144 = roughly 300 watts = 100w per member
enjoy!
ex.
25yo drummer
48yo bass player
36yo guitar player
25x3 = 75
48x3 = 144
36x3 = 108
75 + 108 + 144 = roughly 300 watts = 100w per member
enjoy!
The Blues Jr. is an all tube amp. Don't let the 15w rating fool you, through the 12" speaker it can get really loud and sounds awesome cranked. IMHO you really need to go all tube to match his sound. A V4b with almost any cab will do it.
I play one place that has that kind of power in its subs. I bring a pedalboard. I like the combination of a one trip load in and earth shaking power reserve. When that place opened, I was there the first week when we were getting things dialed in - there was a lot of over the top low end happening, to explore the limits of the system. It was...awesome.
Ah that’s such an ordeal but I bet it did sound great!Cool! My band used a PA that just couldn't support bass so I was dragging two 410s in an SUV to every gig. Sounded awesome but a lot of work.
We got a bigger PA with a subwoofer and now I use a GK 212 combo that fits in my sedan's trunk. Way easier and the sound out front is great, especially considering we are a bunch of weekend warrior knuckleheads
Make sure to tell us how the gig goes!
And yes I will let you all know how it goes and show you the rig I finally decide and of course how it sounds on the night!
Ah this is one thing I’d also been wondering, as I didn’t know if it was all tube or hybrid, thank you!
The old standard was 300 W and a 15" cab.
Still works but the gear is better.
Still works but the gear is better.
That guy I was talking about drowned me with a Tonehammer 500 and a GS212 cab.
Adding a second 212 helped, though.
I think a 500 to 600 watt @ 4 ohm solid state amp is a good sweet spot. If it works with a 112 or 115, awesome. If you need more volume you may need a 210, or a 212, or for really loud a 410 or 215.
Of course amp and cab quality factor into this. Using high performance cabs definitely changes the equation. A Hathor/Barefaced/FF 112 is worth at least a production 210, and maybe even a 212 or even a 410.
Of course amp and cab quality factor into this. Using high performance cabs definitely changes the equation. A Hathor/Barefaced/FF 112 is worth at least a production 210, and maybe even a 212 or even a 410.
If you want to use four 10s, a more modular approach--with the benefit of much better dispersion than the old 410 of yore--is two 210 cabinets stacked vertically. (But old 410s can be had pretty cheaply, so that's a point for them.)
Start with a head and an 8 Ohm 210 (vertical orientation). For more volume, stack a matching 8 Ohm 210 on top.
Or go for a 112 with the option of adding a matching 112, if needed.
But with PA support, a good 112 or 210 should be enough for stage coverage--and even for plenty of gigs without PA--provided your band isn't into volume wars, which is bad for the ears and poor musicianship.
Also, sensible EQing does wonders: if the bass isn't coming through, try a little boost to your mids and a cut to the guitarist's lows; that can negate the need for more volume. And if your bass EQ is flat or even slightly cut, you'll leave more room for the kick drum. A band's EQ is like a puzzle, and it's very satisfying when all the pieces fit. Plus, lower stage volume means you sound better through the PA; you don't want stage wash to compete with the house mix.
Start with a head and an 8 Ohm 210 (vertical orientation). For more volume, stack a matching 8 Ohm 210 on top.
Or go for a 112 with the option of adding a matching 112, if needed.
But with PA support, a good 112 or 210 should be enough for stage coverage--and even for plenty of gigs without PA--provided your band isn't into volume wars, which is bad for the ears and poor musicianship.
Also, sensible EQing does wonders: if the bass isn't coming through, try a little boost to your mids and a cut to the guitarist's lows; that can negate the need for more volume. And if your bass EQ is flat or even slightly cut, you'll leave more room for the kick drum. A band's EQ is like a puzzle, and it's very satisfying when all the pieces fit. Plus, lower stage volume means you sound better through the PA; you don't want stage wash to compete with the house mix.
I played a long time in a loud classic rock band with a horn section, two guitars, keys, the whole deal. I used a 600 watt class D head into a 2x12 and never even pushed it hard.
I can get by pretty easily with my old Fender 250/115 combo as well. Wouldn't want to go less than that.
I can get by pretty easily with my old Fender 250/115 combo as well. Wouldn't want to go less than that.
I sat in a rehearsal studio with Motorhead, and they also played a studio party (small room) later that night. They played full tilt all the time. Ear, and chest crushing. Do not do that....
