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finally getting a real amp... too many questions!

Lainie

Lainie

Guest
Nov 17, 2014
14
4
48
Michigan
www.facebook.com
Disclosures
none, duh.
#1
Hello! I am trying to learn all I can while buying a real amp finally. I play a 76 Musicmaster, have been playing at home forever with a practice amp but am joining a band for fun. I purchased online a 1970s Acoustic 150b, which has not arrived yet, fingers crossed it is perfect as described.
I thought "Oh I'll just get a 2x15 cab" but then my bass playing friends started asking me about ohms and watts and I realized AGAIN that I don't know what I'm doing.
As far as I can tell from researching online I need a 4ohm 150-200 watt to go with the head I have?
I also thought since I'm small and not that strong perhaps I should get 2 separate 15s so I can carry them... Is this going to cause an issue rather than one big cab?

ALSO, I found a fender 2x15 with sunn speakers from the early 1980... listed for 299$ Thoughts?

Thanks for the help!
 
#2
Are you deliberately aiming for vintage gear?

Anyway, what you need to know is

a) the watts your amp puts out at 8Ohms and at 4 Ohms. (like 100w @ 4 Ohms, 50w @ 8 Ohms)

b) the Ohm rating of your speaker cab(s). Like the 2x15 cab might be 4 Ohms. A single 15 might be 8 Ohms. A pair of 8 Ohm speakers add up to 4 Ohms.

c) Do not pair a 4 Ohm and an 8 Ohm speaker.

d) ignore the speaker cab's watt rating. No, really. Ignore it.
 
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#6
scottfeldstein said:
Are you deliberately aiming for vintage gear?

Anyway, what you need to know is

a) the watts your amp puts out at 8Ohms and at 4 Ohms. (like 100w @ 4 Ohms, 50w @ 8 Ohms)

b) the Ohm rating of your speaker cab(s). Like the 2x15 cab might be 4 Ohms. A single 15 might be 8 Ohms. A pair of 8 Ohm speakers add up to 4 Ohms.

c) Do not pair a 4 Ohm and an 8 Ohm speaker.

d) ignore the speaker cab's watt rating. No, really. Ignore it.
Click to expand...


^^^^^^^^This. All of this. Exactly this.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Let's drop back and find out more info (to be able to give you better insight).

What kind of guitar rigs are you competing with?
PA support?
Good monitor system?
Style of music?


And, of course, WELCOME TO TALKBASS! Glad to have you here.
 
#7
Thank You! Yeah I'm a little obsessed with vintage gear... But after I hear this head I might change :) I know I have committed a cardinal sin buying without playing first. My boyfriend has been eye rolling through this whole process because I bought on "gut instinct".
 
#11
Lainie said:
Hello! I am trying to learn all I can while buying a real amp finally. I play a 76 Musicmaster, have been playing at home forever with a practice amp but am joining a band for fun. I purchased online a 1970s Acoustic 150b, which has not arrived yet, fingers crossed it is perfect as described. I thought "Oh I'll just get a 2x15 cab" but then my bass playing friends started asking me about ohms and watts and I realized AGAIN that I don't know what I'm doing. As far as I can tell from researching online I need a 4ohm 150-200 watt to go with the head I have? I also thought since I'm small and not that strong perhaps I should get 2 separate 15s so I can carry them... Is this going to cause an issue rather than one big cab?

ALSO, I found a fender 2x15 with sunn speakers from the early 1980... listed for 299$ Thoughts?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
If you have space to haul the 215 & if it's 100% functional & decent (or better) cosmetically, I'd buy it. Of course, I'd always try to negotiate the price down. Just guessing, but I'd wager you could get it for $250 without trying too hard.

100 watts ain't much, at all, but the 215 will make it sound about as big as it can.

You can always get a hand truck for flat surfaces. The hand truck can help on stairs, too, but less of course. What is the weight? Separate 15s are easier to more, yeah, but they'll cost more.
 
#12
With the 100 watt amp you're not going to have to worry much about the power ratings on speakers.

What you would need to get really loud is lots of speakers, high spl speakers (lots of loud coming out per watt going in)...or both.

Really though, any decent quality large bass cab, like 215, 412, 610 or 810, etc will get loud enough with 100 watts to keep up with a drumkit being hit hard.

Ideally, once things get loud enough to put the drums in the PA, the bass should be put in there too. Problem is, we don't live in an ideal world, and that's where the small amp might come up short.

Don't worry though, those are '70's Acoustic watts, which are pretty loud watts. :D

Just play a few cabs. Find ones you like the sound of and can move around. Get them and have fun. A large 4ohm cab to play as your only cab, or 2 smaller 8ohm cabs you csn chain together to make a large stack.

The rig will handle the type of gigs you'd be playing in the near future anyway all by itself. And you'd (hopefully) get put in the PA at large places.
 
#13
2 things...

Assuming you're a girl a 2X15 might be a little bit much for you to lug around. Two 1X15's might be a better bet if you're looking for 15's.

If your guitarist plays loud with that JCM800 you very well might get buried, even with the 2X15. If he's loud I'd suggest getting something with a lot more speakers.
 
#16
Well, if guitar hero plays 100 tube watts through eight 12s, he can bury you no matter what you buy. You could have the best 810 and 1500 watts and he could still bury you without even trying--IF he wanted to.

It's weird to me the kind of gear overkill some guitar players engage in. If I could get away with a 30w 12" combo you bet your life I'd do it. Most guitar players probably could, but almost none do.
 
#19
monkeyfinger said:
Lainie -

I recommend you fill out your profile. It would help to know what other equipment you have and what your playing situation is.
Click to expand...
ok I will do that! i didn't even know i had a profile. So "guitar hero" actually needs that not go get buried in his other band! Definitely NOT a more me player. I am a novice having fun but he is the real thing and nice enough to agree to play with me! I am not even trying to compete with that rig! He won't use ALL THAT in practice with us.

The idea of a new lightweight 15 is something i've kicked around... need to play one. The GK I hear are good and light? Then I was told Avatars are less money and good too... Found a couple of reviews that were good but the thing is its custom made so I can't play that before buying which i don't like.
 

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