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Bass cab issues

Hi everyone, this is my first post on TB and I'm just looking for some advice.

I've been using my Ampeg PF 500 head into the Ampeg 210he which sounds sweet but it doesn't seem to be enough. It doesn't fill my school hall or even small function rooms. On top of this I can't really hear myself when I'm playing gigs either.

So my question is do I add another cab, possibly a 1x15?

I was looking into the Kustom deep end series to both replace my 2x10 and add a 1x15.

Thanks in advance,
Sass.
 
Hi,

Add another 2x10 and go vertical.

This is not my rig but this is the concept. It's pretty killer.

JazzSibs02.jpg


Be sure to check the ohm ratings on the cabinets and total load on your amp.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
I agree with the posters above, a second 210 will add a lot to your volume. Try to stay with matched cabs if possible. That said I have a GK 210RBH that will absolutely carry most small/mid size rooms I play. At one time I owned three of them (one stayed at rehearsal) but I found I almost never used two for a small room. Check the EQ settings on your amp or if you're new to bass have someone experienced do it for you. You may be losing it there, like by scooping out all your mids or something. Also if its an older cab make sure it's still wired correctly. Sometimes the "creative" types get into those things and screw 'me up.
 
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Hi everyone, this is my first post on TB and I'm just looking for some advice.

I've been using my Ampeg PF 500 head into the Ampeg 210he which sounds sweet but it doesn't seem to be enough. It doesn't fill my school hall or even small function rooms. On top of this I can't really hear myself when I'm playing gigs either.

So my question is do I add another cab, possibly a 1x15?

I was looking into the Kustom deep end series to both replace my 2x10 and add a 1x15.

Thanks in advance,
Sass.

I'm gonna join the "Add another 210" train. I believe your Ampeg setup is probably superior to a Kustom 210 and 115. If you bought another Ampeg 210he and vertically stacked like others mentioned, you'd probably be pleasantly surprised!
 
Thanks for the feedback!

I've just ordered my first five string and I heard somewhere that 10 inch speakers can't really handle it, Is this true? If so would a Ampeg 115he be a better option?

Also this may be a stupid question but how does scooping mids create an issue?

Thanks again :)
 
Thanks for the feedback!

I've just ordered my first five string and I heard somewhere that 10 inch speakers can't really handle it, Is this true? If so would a Ampeg 115he be a better option?

Also this may be a stupid question but how does scooping mids create an issue?

Thanks again :)

Not true !

Speaker size tells you nothing more then how big it is.

Scooping mids sounds good for bedroom playing, but gets lost quickly in a band situation. Want to be heard ? - Up the mids.
 
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Ohh I see! Thanks very much!
All of this has defiantly helped a lot and I think I'm gonna add another 210he

Here's a shot of my rig from a gig this evening for a small folk band.

Thanks again everyone!
 

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Thanks for the feedback!

I've just ordered my first five string and I heard somewhere that 10 inch speakers can't really handle it, Is this true? If so would a Ampeg 115he be a better option?

Also this may be a stupid question but how does scooping mids create an issue?

Thanks again :)

No, that's not true about the 10's not being able to handle the low B. The size of the speaker doesn't mean anything, it depends on other parameters concerning the speaker design, the tuning and size of the cabinet, a whole bunch of crazy scientific things, but the size of the speaker does NOT matter.

As an example the 10's in an Acme 2x10 can handle a low B with ease while there are many popular 15 cabs that struggle with this

"Scooping" or cutting mids can make for problems sometimes because the bass can get "lost" in the mix. But it usually sounds somewhat better if it's just you playing in your living room or in a VERY low-volume gig (likje no drummer just a guy w/spoons), that's why people do it. But the louder you get, the more mids start to matter. At very loud volumes the same scooped mid sound that sounded cool when it was just you playing will tendto make your notes un-defined, or start to sound like a mush of super -high "Ting!!" of the attack, and and undefined "Mahhhhh" of lows. (This is if your bass amp is the only source of bass, meaning no PA, otherwise this starts not to matter as much.

Adding mids back (a little more and more the louder you go) will tend to sound harsh and unpleasant when standing in front of the amp, but do it right and the audience will still be hearing the cool bass sound you like.

Just lurk around here and experiment

This is all very general advice from a dude who plays alot and knows nothing about science
 
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Good choice with the second 210he. It'll be plenty low for a 5-string. You can design a cab to go super low with 10"s as easily as 15"s, and the PF210he doesn't go super low but it does go lower than most 210's.
 
If it hasn't happened already, there's about to be a severe influx of people trying to stop you from destroying the universe by mixing speaker sizes. If you want 15's though I'd go with 215 peavey black widows and call it a day. It's mostly about speaker surface area. If you're in the DFW area I've got an 810 for sale. Guarantee you that it is louder :D
 
Yup add the second 210. It'll sound awesome with a 5 string. I've played many 5 strings through many different combinations of 10's. 1x10 combos all the way up to 2 - 8x10 cabs. Besides volume, nothing changed. Your 2 - 2x10s will BOOM.

And IMO, I actually found a 5er through 15's too muddy. I thought I'd get low end and punch, but I'll take a 10 inch over the 15 any day.
 
If it hasn't happened already, there's about to be a severe influx of people trying to stop you from destroying the universe by mixing speaker sizes. If you want 15's though I'd go with 215 peavey black widows and call it a day. It's mostly about speaker surface area. If you're in the DFW area I've got an 810 for sale. Guarantee you that it is louder :D

I second Bass Pounder's opinion. Posts like this just promote ignorance which is not what this site is all about. You end up agreeing with the "don't mix speakers sizes" crowd by advertizing your 8x10.

If someone mixes dissimilar cabinets it might very well sound great. It might just as well sound terrible. The only way to find out is to buy the cabinets and try it. That costs money, stuff that's hard to come by for many of our brothers and sisters. Identical cabinets always work well with each other so that's the safest route for someone to follow.
 
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