• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gallien Krueger just blew, need some advice.

S

Scrappersa

Jan 12, 2009
96
1
www.pancakeshouserecords.com
#1
Hey guys, I've been using the same Gallien Krueger 115sbx II and 410sbx for the last six years. I've been planning to upgrade anyways but now I'm kind of being forced to. On the 115, the speaker coil came unwound. My precision runs through my MXR M80 into my Backline 600. The send channel on my Backline 600 goes into a PLX1202 in bridged mono (1200 watts) which then powers my cabs. I'm planning on upgrading my preamp at some point, but now that the 115 is basically out of commission, I'm being forced to upgrade my cab first since I only have the cash to do one right now.

I'm looking for a 4 ohm cab that can handle about 800 - 1000 watts or an 8 ohm cab that I can pair with my GK 410sbx (400 watts). I would really prefer to move away from GK at this point and opt for a 4 ohm cab. One thing that I really like about the GK cabs is the clarity, but I feel that they're too sterile sounding. I want a little bit of grit to go with my punch. The Ampeg 810 is too dark or muddy for what I'm going for. I can post some clips later of the sound that I had with my current setup if that helps. I would love something with a 15 in it if possible. Maybe somebody can recommend a specific fEARful or something. Just looking for some advice.
 
#5
mikeddd said:
From reading your posts, you have a 410 left, correct? Assuming that 410 is in good working order, you either need to get another one of those or sell the one you've got and start over.

Mixing cabs with different drivers is not a good idea.. I.E. 410 + 115 = not a good idea.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I still have a 410 that works fine. Why is it a problem to have a 410 and a 115 working together? Plenty of other bass players do it and you get a nice sub from the 115 and great mids from the 410.
 
#8
Scrappersa said:
Yeah, I still have a 410 that works fine. Why is it a problem to have a 410 and a 115 working together? Plenty of other bass players do it and you get a nice sub from the 115 and great mids from the 410.
Click to expand...

The "sub effect" from the 15 is not exactly what you think. You hear the 115's low end below 150hz because the midrange and high end are shooting past your knees. Below 150hz, sound moves omnidirectional. So you hear mostly low end and not much definition. When you turn up the rig, the 115 will give out before the 410 breaks a sweat. At lower volumes the 115 and the 410 can work ok, but with two of them same cabs, you will get a rig that can go much louder and something that will sound a lot better.
 
#9
Feel like a broken record, but +1 a 410/15 pairing is plain awful. Bigger spkrs do NOT produce more low end, and matching cabs ALWAYS work out better than mixed cabs. 410/15 is popular, but for no good reason. It's a common misconception that the 10's have punch and 15's have beef, but it is NOT TRUE.
 
#10
I have said it a number of times:
My 1x10 and 1x15 cabs sound great together. When I use a 2x10 with the 1x15, they sound great together. I have not used a 4x10 and 1x15 together in a very long time, but if I remember correctly, together they just sounded louder than either alone. There was not much change in tonal qualities.
A big thing to consider with this is that a 4x10 will move far more air than a 1x15. I think that is why people feel they don't play well together. A 2x10 on the other hand is much closer to the 1x15, so you can hear the different tonal qualities of each.
-P
 
#11
patrickbrose said:
A big thing to consider with this is that a 4x10 will move far more air than a 1x15. I think that is why people feel they don't play well together. A 2x10 on the other hand is much closer to the 1x15, so you can hear the different tonal qualities of each.
-P
Click to expand...

Good point. It gets more difficult to change tones with mismatched cabs. Boosting the low end through a 410 usually works out ok, while the 115 will not be able to handle as much boost. Boosting the 500hz region may sound great while the 115 will sound quite nasally. Honestly though, if a 115 and a 410 sound good to you, then play it. I have done the mismatched cabs in the past and never will again.
 
#12
Informational:
Cone Surface Area:
1x12= 113 sq. in.
2x12= 226 sq. in.
1x15= 177 sq. in.
1x10= 78 sq. in.
2x10= 157 sq. in.
4x10= 314 sq. in.

A 1x15 and 2x10 have similar cone area, while the 4x10 has almost 2x that of the 1x15.

There are of course many other factors that go into this including driver sensitivity, but it gives some ideas.
 
#13
Thanks guys. I did a bunch of research today and I ended up getting the voice coil replaced on my existing speaker. I'm going to get a power condition for my amp. I realized that this starting happening right after the power went out a gig I played last week. Hopefully the power conditioner will prevent it from happening again the future.
 
#14
A power conditioner is nothing more than a rackmount powerstrip/surge protector. It's paying $99 for something you could get for $9 and it's not your problem. Your problem is running half of that big amp into a single speaker cab that can not handle it, the result is blown drivers. If you must do the 115/410 thing at least stack the 15 on top so you can hear when it's straining and back off. As others have said, it's a bad combination.
 
#15
Nothing about the power going out at the gig did that to your cab or amp...you say you have had those cabs for six years with that set up? I am surprised the 15 didn't die sooner. It was it's time, it fought valiantly. The power conditioner won't change anything, though after a month of playing and no blown 15 you will probably think "I've fixed the problem." Give it another six years and that 15 will be long gone again, it just can't handle the power from your amp.
 
#16
As far as I'm concerned the 410sbx is one of the best cabs GK has ever made. I would try and find another one if I were you.

I have a 410sbx plus, I couldn't find another one to pair with it. I got a 410 neo for a steal and they work really well together. I was worried about phasing issues because the neo is a ported cab and the sbx is sealed, but I haven't had any problems. That being said I am on the look out for another sbx plus.
 
#17
Hopkins said:
As far as I'm concerned the 410sbx is one of the best cabs GK has ever made. I would try and find another one if I were you.

I have a 410sbx plus, I couldn't find another one to pair with it. I got a 410 neo for a steal and they work really well together. I was worried about phasing issues because the neo is a ported cab and the sbx is sealed, but I haven't had any problems. That being said I am on the look out for another sbx plus.
Click to expand...


Hmmm..... Sounds like I %$#@#$-up my rig too.

I'm using a G-K 1001RB, 410SBX, & a Carvin 18" front-load bin. And, well... it sounds terrible. Plus I just blew 3 speakers in the SBX. Just today I installed a pair of Eminence Legend B102's and realized I need a third. I was also re-thinking my speaker needs. Then I saw this thread.

I'm playing in a heavy-handed project that's hard, but with groove. I need in-your-face punch, which I don't have. I thought the 18" would add bottom, but it seems like I made some bad choices.

So.... considering I'm in small to medium sized venues, what cabinet should I look for? I'm not happy with the SBX on several levels ( I roll it across carpet and the casters self-destruct) especially now that it needs speakers. Should I look into the ported G-K RBH's?
 
#18
JVA said:


Hmmm..... Sounds like I %$#@#$-up my rig too.

I'm using a G-K 1001RB, 410SBX, & a Carvin 18" front-load bin. And, well... it sounds terrible. Plus I just blew 3 speakers in the SBX. Just today I installed a pair of Eminence Legend B102's and realized I need a third. I was also re-thinking my speaker needs. Then I saw this thread.

I'm playing in a heavy-handed project that's hard, but with groove. I need in-your-face punch, which I don't have. I thought the 18" would add bottom, but it seems like I made some bad choices.

So.... considering I'm in small to medium sized venues, what cabinet should I look for? I'm not happy with the SBX on several levels ( I roll it across carpet and the casters self-destruct) especially now that it needs speakers. Should I look into the ported G-K RBH's?
Click to expand...

Well, thats a WHOLE lot of amp you threw at those cabs. I'm surprised you killed the 410 before the 118.

You would have been better off having the GK speakers reconed instead of mismatching different speakers in the same cab.

If I were you I would look for an 810 or two good 410s.
 
#20
JVA said:


Hmmm..... Sounds like I %$#@#$-up my rig too.

I'm using a G-K 1001RB, 410SBX, & a Carvin 18" front-load bin. And, well... it sounds terrible. Plus I just blew 3 speakers in the SBX. Just today I installed a pair of Eminence Legend B102's and realized I need a third. I was also re-thinking my speaker needs. Then I saw this thread.

I'm playing in a heavy-handed project that's hard, but with groove. I need in-your-face punch, which I don't have. I thought the 18" would add bottom, but it seems like I made some bad choices.

So.... considering I'm in small to medium sized venues, what cabinet should I look for? I'm not happy with the SBX on several levels ( I roll it across carpet and the casters self-destruct) especially now that it needs speakers. Should I look into the ported G-K RBH's?
Click to expand...

RBH are the Lincoln line for G-K, but may I suggest the NEO412!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back