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CAB DILEMMA

MYTANGOS

MYTANGOS

Jul 28, 2014
19
0
76
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#1
I'm new to TALKBASS, but have played bass on and off for nearly 50 years. Need advice on a single 15" bass cab for my new Fender fretless Jazz Bass and Ampeg PF-350 - an amp that I REALLY like. Simple controls, good power rating and fits my "old school" blues, soul and jazz playing. I'm using the amp temporarily with a large ported home-made cabinet with an Eminence 300 watt Beta15.
Tried the PF-350 amp with an Ampeg SVT15E - perfect FAT sound, but a little too expensive and heavy.
My selected cabinets are: 1st. Traynor TC115 8 ohm ported 400 watt cab. 2nd: the Ampeg PF-115LF bass enclosure 400w - 8 ohm with rear shelf porting. 3rd: The new Fender Rumble 115 version 3 - a 300 RMS watt 8 ohm front ported cab with a tweeter.
All are similar prices, weight and portability.
Just can't make a final decision.
ANY ADVICE ?????
Thanks BRYAN
 
#2
First of all, are you planning on adding a second cab at some point? If so, an 8 ohm cab is the way to go. If not, I would definitely get a 4 ohm cab - you need 4 ohms to get the full 350 watts. Also, it's not that of a big deal if you stay around 400 watts, but ideally you'd like to match the watts of your cab with your head or "overpower" your cab (go with less watts than your head).

Now onto your choices - I don't care much for Traynor cabs. I like their heads, but their cabs - not so much. I also don't care for Fender Rumble gear in general. I find they "fart out" if you push them (if you're lucky - I had a Rumble 350 Combo completely melt down on me with the volume turned up to noon). I think a used Ampeg cab would be a great fit, but.....I'm an old school Peavey man. I LOVE old 115 Black Widow cabs. I run two 4ohm BW cabs and for me, it just doesn't get much better. AND you usually find them used for around $100 to $150 (I have two and I picked them up on CL for $200 total). Granted, these cabs are pretty heavy, but you could add casters or get a dolly cart (that's how I move mine around).

I hope this helps. But whatever cab you choose I would definitely go with a 4 ohm cab if you don't plan on adding another in the future. Good luck!
 
#5
I've been very happy with my EA Wizzy 12 cabinet. It's light enough to pick up with one hand, it's 4 ohms and it sounds great. I actually bought two of them, thinking I would need the second cab but I've never needed more than one.
 
#7
bcoomes said:
First of all, are you planning on adding a second cab at some point? If so, an 8 ohm cab is the way to go. If not, I would definitely get a 4 ohm cab - you need 4 ohms to get the full 350 watts. Also, it's not that of a big deal if you stay around 400 watts, but ideally you'd like to match the watts of your cab with your head or "overpower" your cab (go with less watts than your head).

Now onto your choices - I don't care much for Traynor cabs. I like their heads, but their cabs - not so much. I also don't care for Fender Rumble gear in general. I find they "fart out" if you push them (if you're lucky - I had a Rumble 350 Combo completely melt down on me with the volume turned up to noon). I think a used Ampeg cab would be a great fit, but.....I'm an old school Peavey man. I LOVE old 115 Black Widow cabs. I run two 4ohm BW cabs and for me, it just doesn't get much better. AND you usually find them used for around $100 to $150 (I have two and I picked them up on CL for $200 total). Granted, these cabs are pretty heavy, but you could add casters or get a dolly cart (that's how I move mine around).

I hope this helps. But whatever cab you choose I would definitely go with a 4 ohm cab if you don't plan on adding another in the future. Good luck!
Click to expand...
THANKS for your information. Really appreciated. Having been a HIFI audio and electrics addict for a long time - I totally understand power, impedance, current, etc. I'm also an old school Peavey fan, but I do like the signature Ampeg tone.
 
#10
REV said:
I've been very happy with my EA Wizzy 12 cabinet. It's light enough to pick up with one hand, it's 4 ohms and it sounds great. I actually bought two of them, thinking I would need the second cab but I've never needed more than one.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12 - never know of or thought of one. LOOKS FINE. $720 here in Toronto.
Thanks for your response.
 

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