• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Disappointed with my rig

I took my Littlemark II, epi PS112 and my G&L SB2 to rehearsal tonight and I could not seem to get enough volume out of it. I tweaked and tweaked the head and I was getting great tones but overall, I was struggling to hear myself.

What, besides adding another cab, can I do? Should I look for another cab? I had Schroeder Mini 12 that was loud but I did not like the tone.

If I look for another cab, what specs cAN I look for to find something louder.

On the plus side, I played through the PS 112 coupled with an Eden 410 cab and that was really nice. Loud with nice tone.
 
I concur with the previous posts, more speakers. I use an LMII into an SWR Goliath 4x10 for rehearsal in one of my bands and never push the volume past the halfway point. Add another 12", a 2x10, etc. or whatever's to your taste/budget.
 
Well you have some options... I assume you are trying to get a portable, single cab solution.

bag end s15d - loud as hell, more low-mid focused, not deep lows.
thunderchild - 4 ohm, apparently almost as loud as 2 112s.
fEarful 12/6 - needs a powerful amp, but can really deliver the volume in a portable package and sound great doing it.
 
One "normal" 12 isn't going to have the volume. Fearful or the Thunderchild are different animals.

The lowest cost (and darn good sounding) option is to hunt down a second PS 112.

Figure a used PS 112 is $300. Building a Fearful is going to be in the area of $500. Then you'll want more power - by the time your done selling the LMII and getting something bigger, you're in for at least $200 more. A Thunderchild is around $700.

Jim
 
What about a 210? Would a good 210 be louder?

I know I'm asking very elementary questions about volume but I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to keep buying things to try and find that I don't like.

I gig and practice with a Markbass CMD102P... that's the 2-10 tilt back combo with the built in LMII head. It works fantastic for me; never any volume/headroom issues.

I can't believe that 300 watts isn't enough for you in a practice setting, regardless of speaker size.

Try tilting it back and standing across the room from it.

Or, save some money and tell everyone to turn down.
 
IME, (before spending some hard earned cash) try getting the speaker box to your ear level, not just tilt back.
Actually, get all the band's cabs to ear level. And have each member stand in front of their own cab. Maybe they can all turn down a bit. Also, put some sound board around the drummer to bring down his SPL. Works wonders!

Also, the LMII has a effects send...try plugging in some headphones.

Two stacked, vertical 2x10's may do the trick if you're going to change/add cabs.
 
What about a 210? Would a good 210 be louder?
It probably depends on the 210. The additional 12 is a great idea IMO. You don't always have to take them both.

I also second the idea of raising up the guitarists' cabs. I love it when I can convince everyone to do this, it does wonder for the stage sound. Even if I'm drumming I tend to hear the guitars better and don't have to hit as hard.
 
+100 on another 12.

I've been using a 1x12 with a BX500 and it was pretty good. I recently got another 1x12 and it just sounds out of this world. It is so loud, I think I can play just like this in any band situation. It's almost too loud. When playing at home, I'd either have to use one cab or dial in a lot of compression to try and tame it using both cabs.