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Extended range bass amps..

AL!EN BA$$

AL!EN BA$$

Nov 12, 2006
211
0
Hudson Falls NY 12839
www.myspace.com
#1
What are any ERB's on TB using for amp/cab? I have a hard time finding equipment that can handle the low F#0. I've blown two speakers in two different cabinets. It sounds amazing until that happens. I'm getting none to very, very limited clipping, power amp isn't getting hot. It seems okay then will crap out. I'm running out of cabinets, Haha! I have a Hartke HyDrive 8 10" and an Acme Low B 4 series ll that both need repairing. I've been using a rack compressor, power conditioner, BBE BMAX and a Carvin DCM 2000L. I can't get it right for some reason.
 
#2
Hi.

Funny, sort of, I haven't had any problems with my cheapo rig (Fame BVH300 + Laney 410 + HK 115).

Are You sure that a part of the "It sounds amazing until that happens" isn't related to speaker break-up?


It's virtually impossible to reproduce anything below 50Hz with any significant SPL using regular MI rigs, not that it matters in this case mind You, so perhaps you're just demanding too much from your rig.

Roll of the lows (or use a HPF), and consentrate on the second and third harmonic reproduction.

IME/IMHO anyway.

Regards
Sam
 
#4
Alien,

Unbenownst to you, you have become yet another victim of the devious ploy by bass cab marketers who tout the capacity of their wares using the thermal rating rather than the mechanical rating.

T-Bird's comment about "regular MI rigs" is spot on.

Mass produced bass cabs are advertised based on their thermal wattage rating (the wattage at which can cause the voice coil to melt) instead of the mechanical wattage rating (the wattage at which can cause over excursion of the driver). The mechanical limit of a cab is usually around half of the thermal rating (very generally speaking, as it varies depending on the driver). Since the thermal rating is so much higher, the plaid-jacket-wearing marketing dweebs always advertise that number because it sounds so much better.

What happens then?......the unsuspecting bass player thinks that the cab can handle the wattage rating, and ends up blowing the drivers due to overexcursion. They then log onto TB and say "what the hell!" just like you did. You are not alone, my friend.

The Eminence Kappalite 3015LF is one of the few drivers I am aware of that can actually handle its wattage rating. That driver is used in fEARful cabs, LDS nEARful cabs, and a few others. You might want to check into fEARful cabs.
 
#5
The overwhelming majority of cabinets out there can't even produce the 2nd harmonic of a low F# well. If the Acme B4 won't handle it... Besides, you'll need a horrendous amount of wattage. Concentrate on getting clear tone instead of the proverbial brown note. It can work and is much less expensive.
 
#9
Hi.

RobJ said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't F#0 23.12 Hz?
Click to expand...

Well, since we are not vintage single waveform synth players, the fundamental of "our" F#0 is 23.12Hz. That doesn't mean there isn't any other frequencies involved. Frequencies that define the timbre of that said note.

RobJ said:
That's asking a lot out of a traditional bass rig.
Click to expand...

No, it's asking something a traditional bass rig flat out can't do in any practical sense.

But, it really doesn't matter in the real world, any rig can be used with low F#0 tuning. I sometimes play my low tuned 6er through a SWR WM10 (acted as my personal monitor on some gigs as well), one just has to watch the volume and must not expect miracles.

Regards
Sam
 
#12
To the OP, as others have said, if you're looking to reproduce the fundamental of the super low F# some basses have... you're out of luck. There isn't a bass cab on the market that can do it especially well, as far as I know.

That said, a fEarful might get you stronger and clearer low end than most. With low F# though, you'd still be hearing more of the higher frequencies than the fundamental.
 
#15
Back a while, I ran my six string detuned to Bb (guitar players!!!!). The bass is equipped with a drop key which allowed me to drop to Ab. My pair of Acme B2 cabinets handled this without a problem. My bass control was set flat at the time.

I would have thought that a B4 would be able to do what you ask unless you boosted the bass too much.
 
#17
AL!EN BA$$ said:
What are any ERB's on TB using for amp/cab? I have a hard time finding equipment that can handle the low F#0. I've blown two speakers in two different cabinets. It sounds amazing until that happens. I'm getting none to very, very limited clipping, power amp isn't getting hot. It seems okay then will crap out. I'm running out of cabinets, Haha! I have a Hartke HyDrive 8 10" and an Acme Low B 4 series ll that both need repairing. I've been using a rack compressor, power conditioner, BBE BMAX and a Carvin DCM 2000L. I can't get it right for some reason.
Click to expand...
2000 watts of speakers at 23.12 Hz is a job for 4 minimum danley labs:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
not a bass guitar cabinet manufacturer.

Try setting a sensible sharp high pass filter at say 45 hz and seeing how long stuff lasts then.
There is no point in feeding huge power at frequencies you really cant hear and your speakers simply cant reproduce.
Its the harmonics you need not the fundamental.
Oh and throw the BBE in the garbage where it belongs.
:bassist:
 
#18
Consider your EQ, maybe you are pushing lows. I'd cut below 100Hz for clarity and reduced speaker blowing.

If you are playing modern metal (aka djent) where the guitars are using low F#, I wouldn't stress about even having an F# on bass. Mudfest live, inaudible on recording.
 
#19
Bassmec said:
Try setting a sensible sharp high pass filter at say 45 hz and seeing how long stuff lasts then.
There is no point in feeding huge power at frequencies you really cant hear and your speakers simply cant reproduce.
Its the harmonics you need not the fundamental.
Oh and throw the BBE in the garbage where it belongs.
:bassist:
Click to expand...

+1
use a rumble filter
You don't need to amplify the fundamental to hear it or feel it.

I'm surprised if the Carvin doesn't have one built in.
 
#20
iammr2 said:
The overwhelming majority of cabinets out there can't even produce the 2nd harmonic of a low F# well. If the Acme B4 won't handle it... Besides, you'll need a horrendous amount of wattage. Concentrate on getting clear tone instead of the proverbial brown note. It can work and is much less expensive.
Click to expand...

That's the thing, I'm using the Carvin DCM2000L, and just using one channel, so 1,000 watts. I have the gain and everything set right, no clipping. And the sound was amazing! I'm more of a Mids and Highs guy anyways, so I tend to roll off on the Lows. I don't know if I should switch to a name brand head, something like Genz Benz, rather than finding the right cabinet for the amp I have.
 

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