Dual 18’s

[dramatwist]

Why would you haul around that stuff these days?

 

[StereoPlayer]

Been there, done that, hated it.

I love 18’s, my original 301 cab I bought in ‘73. I used a 212 cab with an 18” speaker stuffed in it all through the 80’s...I got many compliments from other bass players.
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Really?.. I’m just here for the naysayers. You’ll see...I won’t name names.
It’s kind of ridiculous though, we’re all bassists, can’t we all get along.

 

[GrapeBass]

Anyone out there running 2 18” speakers? I recently picked up an Ampeg SVT-18 and liked it so I found another one to pair with it. Should be arriving next week. These are the newer 4 ohm SVT-18’s and not the older, lower power handling SVT-18E’s. I’m wondering if anyone has experience running dual 18’s as a main rig.

Personally I find the feel/response of larger drivers to lag and lack the snappy percussiveness I prefer.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Why would you haul around that stuff these days?

I love 18’s, my original 301 cab I bought in ‘73. I used a 212 cab with an 18” speaker stuffed in it all through the 80’s...I got many compliments from other bass players.
View attachment 3709442 View attachment 3709443

Really?.. I’m just here for the naysayers. You’ll see...I won’t name names.
It’s kind of ridiculous though, we’re all bassists, can’t we all get along.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Not sure where you are going with this?

 

[StereoPlayer]

I like 18’s, you don’t.

 

[cableguy]

Back in the early 70s I had a Kustom 250 with a folded horn 18. Those poor folks at the back of the room...

^^^^This^^^^^^^

 

[cableguy]

View attachment 3709776
last century I ran a peavey 3620 (2x18 + 2x10) for many years. Liked the 18s better than the 10s, so would place it upside down (see pic)

I thought it sounded fat and warm. But honestly, I now am a ported 12’s believer, as they seem just as fat and warm, yet more responsive. And smaller. And lighter. But obviously that’s a very subjective opinion based on a really narrow range of cab experiments.

Also had an SWR Big Ben 18”, but that was surprisingly mid-focused, to my ears.

Anyway, as a former 18 lover, I think 18’s became less popular (if they ever were popular) for a reason.

Imo, they are a bit unnecessary, for all their bulk. But if you love ‘em, that’s all that matters!

I had that same cab in the late 80's, early 90's. I never thought of turning it upside down.....It would definitely thump. But from what I was told it buried the room about 20ft from the stage. But I was young, not very gear savvy and liked to be as loud as our guitarist. If I remember right I even bi amped it. For the OP, Nowadays, 18's are a bit much for me to haul around, but if they sound good to you & your band, that's all that matters.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Dis guy:
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I run a single 18 in my bi-amp set up with a Carvin BX1500
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Wow! That Eden stack has a D-118 and a D-410XLT in each of those two stacks and two WT800 amps giving each stack 800-watts to work with. That's like a stadium set-up! I'd hate to move it around, but I sure would like to hear it!

 

[vvvmmm]

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OT, but is that a VT60 in the corner?

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Oh, my goodness. I remember a band, way back in the dim midsts of time, with an Acoustic bass amp and a folded 18 inch cabinet. Everybody in the room had their bones shaken with each note he played. They should have been considered weapons of mass destruction.

 

[FugaziBomb]

OT, but is that a VT60 in the corner?

It's an 1980s Ampeg SS-150 guitar amp. A rare gem. The drive channel is a dead ringer for a TS-9 Tube Screamer

 

[zon6c-f]

Anyone out there running 2 18” speakers? I recently picked up an Ampeg SVT-18 and liked it so I found another one to pair with it. Should be arriving next week. These are the newer 4 ohm SVT-18’s and not the older, lower power handling SVT-18E’s. I’m wondering if anyone has experience running dual 18’s as a main rig.

Only thing better than 1Sunn 1-18VH is running 2 cabs @ 2 ohms

 

[Basshappi]

Back in the day I ran 18s quite often.
Had a tri-amped rig with two Peavey 1516s and two 1x18s. Glorious!
Still have one of the 1x18 Black Widow cabs.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Yeah I’m using a Mesa D800

Should be a killer rig then

 

[BassmanPaul]

I like 18’s, you don’t.

I was replying to the OP's post #1. He asked for opinions on a 2x18 cabinet. I gave him my thoughts based on my experience with one. If you like 18s good for you go forth and multiply!

Just after I married I moved to a different area of the country and sold all my amplification. I joined a band in the new area that owned a bass amp with a 2x18 cabinet. I detested the mud that came through the cabinat.They also owned an Orange PA with a 4x12 + a 2x12 and three horns on each side of the stage. It was too much gear and I got them to rethink the systems. We ended up just using the 2x12/horn cabinets for PA and sold the 2x18 and other extra stuff they owned. The Guitar player ended up with an H&H IC100.through an Orage 4x12. I used a VOX SS 100W amp they owned though the other 4x12. Load in was much reduced and the band sounded way better. The clarity of the bass was more in line with what I wanted.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Anyone out there running 2 18” speakers? I recently picked up an Ampeg SVT-18 and liked it so I found another one to pair with it. Should be arriving next week. These are the newer 4 ohm SVT-18’s and not the older, lower power handling SVT-18E’s. I’m wondering if anyone has experience running dual 18’s as a main rig.

About 50 years ago I did. Glad you found something you’re happy with.

 

[zon6c-f]

Only thing better than 1Sunn 1-18VH is running 2 cabs @ 2 ohms

Richest lows and long throw.
I could easily play open E to highest D# with no loss of highs .
Very efficient ; no need to Ever turn my ACC 370 head above 2.5
Tone analogy: Hershey bar to Chocolate truffles ... too delicious ....

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]