Getting a new cab soon

[dukeisdog]

I'm not sure about the "thinness" you're referring to, but I've played through some high-dollar cabs and I own the B212 and mine keeps up with anything else I've tried. I constantly get comments about how good my tone and range is using a GB Shuttle 9.0 through the ceramic version of the B212. It handles the B string really damn well also. That said, we all have our own opinions on this stuff and I'll have to say that just because Avatar is inexpensive doesn't make them cheap.

Oh no, they're not at all cheap. The Avatar was part of my first rig. I was looking for something inexpensive that I could use jamming with my buddies, and it worked perfectly. Handled tons of power, handles the low B of my 5 string very well, but with the same EQ settings it just doesn't have the tone that the Mesa has. Granted, the Mesa I was playing through was 410's and a 15 so I'm sure it was moving a lot more air. I don't think you could go wrong with Avatar on a budget, but if you can squeeze a little bit more out of your wallet, stepping up to a pro-grade cab is worth it IMO.

 

[klejst]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would really like to get another Mesa cab because I loved the tone. I owned the PH 610 before and had to sell it for money reasons. I have just been unable to find another that is priced right for me. And since that 215 sold I am out cold with any Mesa's I have found. Someone once told me the SWR Goliath Sr. 610 is similar to the PH 610. There is that one I mentioned, however the top left speaker is blown. Anyone off the top of your head know what a speaker replacement would cost? It is a newer SWR with the shiny aluminum grill and rat fur tolex, not the black grill "older?" model. Also anyone have to say about the 610hlf from AMpeg? I have not been able to find a 810 in my price range. I am normally turned off by non metal grills...funny I know.

 

[dukeisdog]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would really like to get another Mesa cab because I loved the tone. I owned the PH 610 before and had to sell it for money reasons. I have just been unable to find another that is priced right for me. And since that 215 sold I am out cold with any Mesa's I have found. Someone once told me the SWR Goliath Sr. 610 is similar to the PH 610. There is that one I mentioned, however the top left speaker is blown. Anyone off the top of your head know what a speaker replacement would cost? It is a newer SWR with the shiny aluminum grill and rat fur tolex, not the black grill "older?" model.

That would've been Georgestrings, he's a long time Mesa user and has lots of good things to say about the Goliath SR. cab. I would say that a recone on a blown speaker would cost anywhere up to around $100 or a whole new speaker could cost up to $130 or so, it would be best to find a direct replacement then just throwing a random speaker in the box.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Spend the money and get a good cab now, don't get something throw away, I won't, mention brands because I don't want to start that debate here.

My best advice is to not buy an 8x10, they are big, heavy, and completely overkill for 99.9% of bassists that use them. If this is your first rig, go rent something smaller to gig with and see how you like it.

Rock bands pretty much always have P.A. support in my experience, so you really won't need an 8x10 to fill any venue, unless your planning on jumping into the 3000-5000 man shows right off the hop. Even then, you'll have P.A. support so you can just run monitor mixes anyways.

And 2 4x10's? If you showed up to one of my gigs with 2 4x10's you would probably get upset when I yell at you and ask *** are you doing. 1 4x10 can MORE than handle any bar gigs, 2 will be uncomfortably loud and have to be turned to 3.

There is one bassist on my local scene, nice guy who works at a music store but obviously gets a lot of credit there, will occasionally show up with 2 4x10's and about 10,000 worth of rack gear rolled in behind it. All for a gig that sees 1 hour play time and maybe $100... It might be worth your effort to overkill a room but not mine...

 

[CL400Peavey]

I think it depends on where you play. In the town where I live there are a lot of bars that either only have enough PA for vocals, or none. Either way I bring the big cab. If we are bringing our own PA I still dont run my rig through it.

If the venue has a decent PA, then I bring my little cab. The fact is depending on the room, my little cab could carry most of the rooms if it needed to.

 

[klejst]

Spend the money and get a good cab now, don't get something throw away, I won't, mention brands because I don't want to start that debate here.

My best advice is to not buy an 8x10, they are big, heavy, and completely overkill for 99.9% of bassists that use them. If this is your first rig, go rent something smaller to gig with and see how you like it.

Rock bands pretty much always have P.A. support in my experience, so you really won't need an 8x10 to fill any venue, unless your planning on jumping into the 3000-5000 man shows right off the hop. Even then, you'll have P.A. support so you can just run monitor mixes anyways.

And 2 4x10's? If you showed up to one of my gigs with 2 4x10's you would probably get upset when I yell at you and ask *** are you doing. 1 4x10 can MORE than handle any bar gigs, 2 will be uncomfortably loud and have to be turned to 3.

There is one bassist on my local scene, nice guy who works at a music store but obviously gets a lot of credit there, will occasionally show up with 2 4x10's and about 10,000 worth of rack gear rolled in behind it. All for a gig that sees 1 hour play time and maybe $100... It might be worth your effort to overkill a room but not mine...

Thank you for the insight. I was just throwing around ideas. I can appreciate the 610 because it is smaller than the 810 and is a nice middle man between the 410 and 810. A 215 is a nice middle sized cab as well, but I have no experience with one. A single 410 would be perfect for pretty much any bassist, especially with PA support. Without PA support I get the need for a elaborate cab setup, however with PA support I get what your saying that a 810 is just more hassle. Do a degree I agree with you that most bass players have the 810 just for looks and such, like those who have 6 810's on stage but we know they only use one.

Yes it was georgestrings talking about the SWR. At that price I just as well look for something else to come along. If a decent 610 comes around again great, but perhaps I should just look into a great 215 or 410 cab. I would still love to go Mesa because it's the tone I have come to know the most, but most of the cabs are priced over what I can/am willing to spend.