I am playing in front of an audience for the first time in a couple of months, and maybe a battle of the bands sometime sooner. My Rumble 15 won't suffice so I am looking for a real rig. My local stores don't sell anything but 100 watt combos so I can't try anything. But I will probably get a Carvin Bx1500 head. I am looking for a lot of versatility because my rock band plays everything from Creedence to Rush. Now, my question is, should I get (also from Carvin) a 210 and 115 or save money and get a 410 and maybe pick up a 118 in the future. The 210 and 115 really push it in terms of budget so would I be fine with just a 410, which is more ideal money wise? I have tried and like different things about 210s and 115s but haven't tried a 410. Am I going in the right direction with Carvin cabs. I don't need a lot of volume and weight isn't a factor? Sorry for the long question but I am really not familiar with the world of amps!
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First Real Rig
- Thread starter Shally
- Start date
Many threads about mixing cabs. Save yourself the disappointment and crappy resale value when you sell it later ( and you will) and just get a decent 410
For the record. Some guys here like Carvin cabs. I used them for a long time. I also blew a bunch of them up. If I were you, I would get a $500 Ampeg 810 used and be done with it. Before I'd fork over the cash for a new Carvin ss head, I'd get a SansAmp and any power amp too.
For the record. Some guys here like Carvin cabs. I used them for a long time. I also blew a bunch of them up. If I were you, I would get a $500 Ampeg 810 used and be done with it. Before I'd fork over the cash for a new Carvin ss head, I'd get a SansAmp and any power amp too.
Ugh, here we go with the "cab mixing" conversation. Such a tired subject. For everyone that claims it's a no-no, there's someone who's done it for years and swears by it.
OP: as far as 15's and 18's go, they aren't as efficient as 12's or 10's. A multi 10 or 12 cabinet (410, 212, 412) would suit you just fine. The larger speakers have no "low-end" benefit. I say this because it seems like a lot of folks think 15's and 18's go "lower" or "push more bass". This is not necessarily true. All you need is a cabinet with a good efficiency rating.
OP: as far as 15's and 18's go, they aren't as efficient as 12's or 10's. A multi 10 or 12 cabinet (410, 212, 412) would suit you just fine. The larger speakers have no "low-end" benefit. I say this because it seems like a lot of folks think 15's and 18's go "lower" or "push more bass". This is not necessarily true. All you need is a cabinet with a good efficiency rating.
Going from a 15W 1x8 combo to a 1500W multi cab rig is a huge jump for your first rig, especially if you're buying without playing first.
If you don't need a lot of volume 1500W is overkill. I'd look for something in the 200-600W range with a good XLR out and either a 4x10, 2x12 or two 2x10's.
If you don't need a lot of volume 1500W is overkill. I'd look for something in the 200-600W range with a good XLR out and either a 4x10, 2x12 or two 2x10's.
Or 215's.
But a 410 is a relatively small and loud and big sounding cab for bass, and you can find them all over the place used for dirt cheap. That and 300w-500w worth of amp is a pretty good place to start for a rig that can cover a lot of ground. You might prefer a different form factor for cabs, like two small 210's or 115's instead of a 410 or 215. It's all good. But all cabs sound different no matter what the speaker size. None of them have a "signature sound" based on speaker size alone.
But a 410 is a relatively small and loud and big sounding cab for bass, and you can find them all over the place used for dirt cheap. That and 300w-500w worth of amp is a pretty good place to start for a rig that can cover a lot of ground. You might prefer a different form factor for cabs, like two small 210's or 115's instead of a 410 or 215. It's all good. But all cabs sound different no matter what the speaker size. None of them have a "signature sound" based on speaker size alone.
Hi,
I'll admit it. I'm a Carvin fanboy.
I played a Carvin stack with 1x15 and 2x10 for over 15 years. I still have it and it's never given my any trouble. Depending on the size of the gig, sometimes I would use only one of the cabs.
But I gotta tell you, I really like my GK Neo 410 with my old GK 800RB. You do get a big sound out of a relatively smaller and lighter package. I would not shy away from the Carvin 410 cab. It's not super high-end stuff but you get a lot of bang for your buck. It's decent.
But take as much time as you can, shop around a little, and check out all of your choices. Two 410 cabs (8 ohms each) would give you choices. You could bring one or both cabs depending on the size of the venue and sound accommodations, whether or not there is a sound company with full PA support.
And big congratulations on your first gigs! I wish you all the best. Be careful. Once you get started playing in front of people sometimes you just can't stop.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
I'll admit it. I'm a Carvin fanboy.
I played a Carvin stack with 1x15 and 2x10 for over 15 years. I still have it and it's never given my any trouble. Depending on the size of the gig, sometimes I would use only one of the cabs.
But I gotta tell you, I really like my GK Neo 410 with my old GK 800RB. You do get a big sound out of a relatively smaller and lighter package. I would not shy away from the Carvin 410 cab. It's not super high-end stuff but you get a lot of bang for your buck. It's decent.
But take as much time as you can, shop around a little, and check out all of your choices. Two 410 cabs (8 ohms each) would give you choices. You could bring one or both cabs depending on the size of the venue and sound accommodations, whether or not there is a sound company with full PA support.
And big congratulations on your first gigs! I wish you all the best. Be careful. Once you get started playing in front of people sometimes you just can't stop.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
If you'd like a 2 cab setup, stick with 2 of the same cabs.
That's simply not true. Way too many factors to get into, but there are plenty of uber efficient 15's and tons more unefficient 10's & 12's.
That's simply not true. Way too many factors to get into, but there are plenty of uber efficient 15's and tons more unefficient 10's & 12's.
I say get a 410 look and at your options not just carvin. i got my ampeg 410he cab with a 15% off deal musicians friend had, the sale more than made up for shipping costs. So look for deals like that with all the online dealers. Ampeg would work better for the style your playing. But not wanting to sound like a ampeg fanboy there are plenty of cabs i would use over the carvin. Swr golight cabs, avatar cabs(which you can custom order btw), GK, Mesa, the list goes on and on and all of them except maybe the avatar would have a better redial value.
The thing with cabs is there's a bit of a debate about whats easier to move. If you live in a 3rd floor of an apartment building and have to take the stairs a couple 210 or 112 cabs might be better for you. As i live in a house and my gear stays in the ground level it's actually easier for me to have a 410 cab with 4 wheels as I can roll it around with my amp on top. I tried doing the multiple small cab deal and in my opinion it was actually harder to deadlift the cabs and the head then to stack the amp on a 410 cab and roll it around. You could use a luggage rack type deal to help move the smalle cabs easier. Price wise though paying more money for two small cabs as opposed to the costs of a single bigger cab ussually isn't worth it IMO
The thing with cabs is there's a bit of a debate about whats easier to move. If you live in a 3rd floor of an apartment building and have to take the stairs a couple 210 or 112 cabs might be better for you. As i live in a house and my gear stays in the ground level it's actually easier for me to have a 410 cab with 4 wheels as I can roll it around with my amp on top. I tried doing the multiple small cab deal and in my opinion it was actually harder to deadlift the cabs and the head then to stack the amp on a 410 cab and roll it around. You could use a luggage rack type deal to help move the smalle cabs easier. Price wise though paying more money for two small cabs as opposed to the costs of a single bigger cab ussually isn't worth it IMO
I agree, i still use my sans amp RBI, used an ampeg 810 for a decade until we downsized and i went to the ampeg 410he which is closest sounding cab to the 810 as far as tone i could find. The sans amps blend function makes it super versityle. I basically never adjust my eq everything is between 11 and 1 o'clock. The blend is the only thing i actually touch on the sans amp. If I want a round rock/metal tone i put the blend at about 1 oclock, if i want a cleaner more modern sound (say something like victor Wooten) for slapping or what have you i just turn the blend knob down. So i basically use the blend knob as a "style selector"
Start with a head like the BX500 or BX1500 plus one cabinet. If you are going with Carvin cabs then I would get a single 115 or 210. See if that is enough for your needs. If not add a second cabinet.
Personally, I like 12's so I would look at the GK Neo 112 or similar. They are reasonably priced and a pair of 112's plus a compact head makes a great modular rig that is easy to transport.
Personally, I like 12's so I would look at the GK Neo 112 or similar. They are reasonably priced and a pair of 112's plus a compact head makes a great modular rig that is easy to transport.
Originally posted by SunnBass
"All you need is a cabinet with a good efficiency rating."
What would be an ideal efficiency rating?
lz4005: I guess you're right, 1500 watts probably is overkill, I really don't need that much. Thanks for knocking some sense into me!
I think I might continue to look around. I saw an Avatar 212 last night and that looks nice.
P.S. Floyd Eye and Bass Cliff, thanks for the encouragement, it's nice to know that your among supportive people!
"All you need is a cabinet with a good efficiency rating."
What would be an ideal efficiency rating?
lz4005: I guess you're right, 1500 watts probably is overkill, I really don't need that much. Thanks for knocking some sense into me!
I think I might continue to look around. I saw an Avatar 212 last night and that looks nice.
P.S. Floyd Eye and Bass Cliff, thanks for the encouragement, it's nice to know that your among supportive people!
500w micro head
+ 2x10
+ 2x10
= DONE!
I'd stack the 2x10s vertically, personally.
That Avatar 212 sounds enticing, add a micro head and, again, DONE!
+ 2x10
+ 2x10
= DONE!
I'd stack the 2x10s vertically, personally.
That Avatar 212 sounds enticing, add a micro head and, again, DONE!
One thing that could help you is going to see several other bands play that are somewhat similar to yours. Check out what the bass players in those bands are using, in terms of number of cabs, watts, are they lining out to the PA, etc.
And good luck!
