First Live Rig

[j0hnbane]

Hello TB!

I'm a long time guitarist/keyboardist and am making the move to bass. I've read several topics in this forum and have really enjoyed the community's responses and general feel. I would like to pose a couple questions. But first, the info. I'm looking for a more lightweight rig that can handle small to medium gigs. I can't afford to drop a large sum on a rig from the top. I've read a lot on the BX500 from Carvin and I think this may work for me. I think I'd run a 2x10 with a 1x15 stacked. I'm not necessarily stuck on Carvin cabinets, if there is something of value and lighter weight to get into. I'm planning on getting into an experimental/progressive/post-metal/hard rock type mixture of styles. I plan to be using a 5 string tuned possibly down a whole step.

So I guess my questions would be:

1) Would you suggest the Carvin BX500 in a hard rock/metal situation (For volume reasons)?

2) Would the cabs I suggest work well to pull a good tone out of the BX500 (or your suggested amp)?

3) Do you have any other suggestions than the cabinets I'm thinking of?

I'm looking for a good price point verses value. I appreciate any responses and suggestions. I'll do my best to answer your questions, should you pose any.

 

[Warwick Qc418]

I'd go with the Genz Benz focus line lightweight and good quality for cheap. The bx500 should work or a used Genz 6.0 could be more reliable.

 

[Luckie]

Consider acquiring a greenboy or Bill Fitzmaurice designed cabinet. Cab efficiency is just as important for volume as amp wattage is.
As far as amps go, I hear great things about GK gear. Maybe an 800RB would suit you?

 

[CL400Peavey]

1) Would you suggest the Carvin BX500 in a hard rock/metal situation (For volume reasons)?

Depending on the cab('s) you end up with this could be a good choice. I recommend looking for something use first if you are on a tight budget.

2) Would the cabs I suggest work well to pull a good tone out of the BX500 (or your suggested amp)?

This could open a big can of worms, as this topic has been beaten to death twice.

I would recommend you find one cab that you like the sound of, then get two if the amp you are using supports it. You will have more consistent results using matching cabs. The idea that you need a 15" driver for lows and 10's for highs is a big pile of $hit. There are tens that go low and fifteens that go high. Its about the design of the speaker and the cabinet around it.

3) Do you have any other suggestions than the cabinets I'm thinking of?

I'm looking for a good price point verses value. I appreciate any responses and suggestions. I'll do my best to answer your questions, should you pose any.

...I plan to be using a 5 string tuned possibly down a whole step.

For down tuned 5er the only widely available commercial cab I would recommend is the ampeg svt410hlf. That said I dont care for the tone one of the older ones one bit. They have a mid scoop that I found hard to work with. They are also heavy as sin.

For light/loud/low you are going to have to pick two, or expand your budget ideas a bit.

 

[jlepre]

What is your budget exactly? Used would get you the most for your money, if you can go that route. Lots of great stuff in the TB classifieds.

I would try to match drivers and not mix 210 and 15. For metal I would think a nice 210 stack would be perfect. As far as Carvin, I have no idea. I have used Genz Benz and Ampeg gear, and would recommend either. Look at getting 300-500 watts to send the right message.

 

[Vintage Guy]

Make a road trip and buy my two new Carvin cabinets for sale here. If you decide on that,I will sell you a practically new BX 500 also for $200 to go with them!

 

[j0hnbane]

What is your budget exactly?

I'm looking to spend around 1k on a rig. I don't mind used gear at all. I don't mind just getting one cabinet now and picking up a second.

I would try to match drivers and not mix 210 and 15. For metal I would think a nice 210 stack would be perfect.

I would choose a 2x10 setup over a 1x15.

Make a road trip and buy my two new Carvin cabinets for sale here. If you decide on that,I will sell you a practically new BX 500 also for $200 to go with them!

What cabinets do you have VintageGuy?

 

[j0hnbane]

I saw your cabs in the classifieds. If you had 2x10s I'd go for it for sure. I don't mind a drive.

 

[Vintage Guy]

The 4X10 with the neo's is the way to go. Perfect for small to mid size gigs. Add the 1x15 for a larger room and that drops the ohms down to 4 which gives the Bx500 great output. I'll make you a hell of a deal on the whole rig!

 

[jlepre]

If you're going the 210s route I would buy BOTH cabs now. I don't think one 210 cab would cut it. Again I wouldn't mix drivers.

 

[christw]

For what it's worth, I would look for an amp with at least one parametric mid control to let you tailor your overdrive tone. The Carvin has two.

If I were doing what you're doing, I would probably be using my 300 Pro into a very loud cabinet. My old favorites from first hand experience were a Genz Benz 610T XB2 and a Bag End D10BX-D and Q10BX-D 210/410 stack. Both rigs ate SVT610HLF's for breakfast as far as loudness goes without skimping on the low end or maximum output.

 

[CL400Peavey]

The 4X10 with the neo's is the way to go. Perfect for small to mid size gigs. Add the 1x15 for a larger room and that drops the ohms down to 4 which gives the Bx500 great output. I'll make you a hell of a deal on the whole rig!

just no.

Sorry to torpedo your sale, but mixing a 410 and 115 is not a good recommendation to any player, let alone a new one.

To the OP:

What is your budget?

 

[jlepre]

CL scroll back.

 

[Vintage Guy]

Never had an issue using a 4x10,and a 1X15 ever. As long as you have the right amp head this combo has been killer for me,especially using a 5 string!

 

[CL400Peavey]

Never had an issue using a 4x10,and a 1X15 ever. As long as you have the right amp head this combo has been killer for me,especially using a 5 string!

Do a little lite reading on this site. Better results will be had with matching speakers.

CL scroll back.

Ok so $1,000.

That is a decent amount to work with. What amps are available to you used and at what price? This will help narrow down what you have left to spend on a cab.

 

[jlepre]

+1

 

[Gab124]

Another +10 for not mixing cabs. I used to do that with good results as well - good results only; but once I started matching cabs it was much, much better. Lots of really good advice on TB to keep from making all the little learning mistakes as you go along.

 

[eriky4003]

I'm sure the Carvin BX500 would be fine for hard rock/metal/prog.
I read the specs and it delivers 300 W at 8 ohms and 500W at 4 or 2 ohms. At these levels, a 2x10 may not give you enough umph or may run out of umph and you blow the speakers. Agree that you probably want to go with 2 2x10s which gives you the full 500 watts being delivered to two cabs and you gain additional volume and portability if needed.

 

[punisher911]

I have a Acoustic B300H and 2 4x10mkII cabs. Volume is not an issue. lol I like the tone as well. Haven't played anything lower than standard tune/DropD though, so I can't comment on B or even A tuned sounds. However, with all the GC coupons from the internet, you can get this set up well below 1k. And you can go to a GC to try it out first.

 

[j0hnbane]

Going through my craigslist offerings here. I see a package deal on Ampeg SVT 3 Pro bass rack amp, with a DOD 431 series EQ rack mount, with a Korg DTR-2 rack mount tuner for $500, but the amp weighs like 26lbs or so. There is a GK MB500 for $300, seems alright, but the specs say it only can go down to 4 ohms.

I guess another question would be if there is any good lightweight power amps in an affordable range. Supposing I have a decent preamp going into it, perhaps a line 6 bass pro xt or what not.