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Does the peavey max 208 have enough headroom?

Bass4bros

Bass4bros

Dec 16, 2019
16
9
#1
Anyone own the Peavey max 208? Is it loud enough to at least be a stage monitor with a drummer? I don't (and won't) play with drummers who are super load, but I want an amp with enough headroom to keep up with moderate stage volumes when the band gets excited.

Sometime in the next few years I hope to join a blues or jazz band. I am thinking with pandemic it might be a good time to buy gear, but I am in no rush to buy anytime soon. No gigs with the lock down.

I got an upright bass last winter and have been practicing. I read good reviews about the Peavey max 208 for upright. I am just concerned it might not be loud enough.
 
#2
The 8" seems to be a popular thing these days. Likewise 200 watt class D's. Such as the popular TE ELF

For stage monitor at moderate levels with a DI to mains. I'm sure it could work.

the efficiency of a 2x8 is not very good and just a single higher quality 12" would be more or equal sensitivity. Possible more SPL with less watts.

Personally for a amplifier I'd be looking at ridiculous overhead from a amp. The
" 500" watt class D thing is so we'll done these days. Seems like way to much power for acoustic. But guarantees clean room and a healthy power supply

I'm not up on Acoustic type preamps. But the real trick seems to be more advanced pre amps. Mainly EQ for cutting to help with difficult rooms. Likewise high pass for reducing feed back or blooming bass.

Likewise I'll assume dedicated piezo pickup system. Passive electric bass usually needs 1 Meg input impedance. Piezo pickups tend to like 10 Meg or higher. And I've seen a few dedicated pickup preamps with only 1 to 2 Meg. Never understood the market or if they know what their doing lol.

Personally I'd prefer a 12" in a larger box and go with a manufacturer that uses the very well known Eminence Kappalite Neos.
Good power handling and nice full range with high end.
 
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#3
I already bought a preamp with a low pass filter for the piezo pickup on my upright. The Fender Rumble 500 is the other amp I like. It more money, but having all that extra headroom is probably worth it. Just hope someone who uses the peavey max 208 could share there experience.
 
#4
Bass4bros said:
moderate stage volumes when the band gets excited.
Click to expand...
I think that's a great description of volume needs. It still can't help determine if your moderately excited moderately not loud band is louder than anyone else's.

You might be able to infer from various peoples experiences with other cabs and situations. The Elf 2x8 is supposed to get as loud as a middle of the road old 210. I don't know about the Peavey. SWR 210 with 'sensitive' drummer and 7w tube guitarist was plenty with 250 Trace watts.
 
#5
Bass4bros said:
I already bought a preamp with a low pass filter for the piezo pickup on my upright. The Fender Rumble 500 is the other amp I like. It more money, but having all that extra headroom is probably worth it. Just hope someone who uses the peavey max 208 could share there experience.
Click to expand...
I've only expierenced the ELF 2x8
But very familiar with a whole range of pro sound 8" drivers. 2x8 is what it is.
At moderate to high levels. SPL is limited, low end limited. Basically the descriptions of being close but less than typical 2x10 is accurate. Sorry I don't have specific with the Peavey. Unfortunately I know what 180/200 watts sounds like into a 2x8. It works for some. As you figured as well. A head and ability to change cabinets is more pleasant. As a Acoustic player you'll find yourself most likely expiermenting with multiple drivers, before you find your flavor.
 
#6
BogeyBass said:
I've only expierenced the ELF 2x8
But very familiar with a whole range of pro sound 8" drivers. 2x8 is what it is.
At moderate to high levels. SPL is limited, low end limited. Basically the descriptions of being close but less than typical 2x10 is accurate. Sorry I don't have specific with the Peavey. Unfortunately I know what 180/200 watts sounds like into a 2x8. It works for some. As you figured as well. A head and ability to change cabinets is more pleasant. As a Acoustic player you'll find yourself most likely expiermenting with multiple drivers, before you find your flavor.
Click to expand...


Thank you, this is sound advice (pun intended)
 
#8
I've played the 208 in a store with a guitarist and drummer. And briefly owned the 1x12 Max 250 (?). In no blues band I ever played in would either one keep up. The 300 watt 210 seemed to be the bare minimum, as near as I could tell.

Upright acoustic jazz? Sure. Electric blues? Not a chance. Unless, of course, your blues band is far more mature than any I have ever played with. LOL.

YMMV
 

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