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Hate to bore you....

T

the_dasonator

Oct 19, 2006
24
0
Toronto
#1
But will a head rated at 250 W at 4 Ohms with a 4 Ohm 212 cabinet be enough for a small/medium bar gig?

I'd be playing with drums and one slightly to no distorted guitar.



EDIT:
I pretty much know exactly what I am looking for now:

I want an amplifier that has around 400W at 4 Ohms. I looked at the BOSS GEB-7 and figured that if I use that with a power amp, then that's all I would need. I rarely ever change my tone, so I don't need all the fancy EQ's. I figure I really only need the pedal for breakdowns, etc. So the questions is...

What power amplifier should I be looking at for around $500 CAD / $400 USD that has around 400W output at 4 ohm. ANY help will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
#2
It depends on the efficiency/sensitivity of the cab.

Basically, unless the cab is pretty inefficient, you're probably going to be OK.

I don't know about a medium sized club -- maybe 50 to 75 person range, you might be OK, if the drummer does hit really hard.

To get the most coverage out of your amp/cab, forget about how you EQ it to sound good when you're home alone (or even practicing with the band if it's a small room).

Cut the low end just enough to keep it from getting boomy/muddy and boost the mids -- that should let your amp work harder where it won't be straining to pump out the lows.
If you have any movement room on the stage, put your cab closer to a back wall if you don't think you're putting out enough low end (without boosting the EQ) or move it farther from the back wall (or put something like a milk crate under your cab) if you're sounding too boomy (even with some EQ bass cut).

Try to have someone you trust about your sound, walk around out in the audience and tell you how balanced and audible your bass is.

Good luck.
 
#5
the_dasonator said:
Thanks, but it sounds like I would be safer for going for a 300 or above.

All I would really be contesting with is the drums, but from your description and reading other posts it definitely sounds like I would be safer with more power.
Click to expand...
You already have a 250W head and you'll upgrade just to 300W to be heard better? Sorry.. there will be NO decernable differance in sound pressure with just a 50Watt increase of power. Better to take it up to 500W so you'll have the 3db increase... that probably will do it for ya :cool:
 
#6
Sorry if I confused....

I don't have anything YET. I am just doing some research.

All I really know is that I want a small/medium rig under $1000. So I'm (now) looking for something 300W to 400W head. I'm also interesting in a Graphic EQ.

Can anyone help?

EDIT: I see this alot so before anyone asks: I mainly play reggae/R&B with my band.
 
#11
can't go wrong with a boss bass eq. you can get em on ebay for around 50-60 american in great condition.

have you thought about going for a combo? you can get some great 2x12 combo's for under a 1,000, and they are much easier to move around for gigs if that's a factor.

I have an swr 2x10 @ 260w. it cover 90% of the gigs I do, playing mostly rock/alt, and I picked that up for 550 about a year ago.

hope that helps....


mark
 
#12
Thanks Mark,
but I'm pretty intent on getting a rig so I can upgrade later on.

I'm a bit naive when it comes to amplifiers, but can I get an amplifier that has NO EQ or any of that stuff. I mean something that JUST boosts my signal to go to the cab.
 
#16
the_dasonator said:
Do manufactures' websites tell you about efficiency? If so what am I looking for....
Click to expand...

Some do; some don't:

look for around 103dB @ 1W @ 1m
more dB is better, less is not.

the decibel level will go up approx. 3dB with each doubling of the wattage.

if the cab had the above specs, at 2W @ 1m you'd get 106dB out of the cab;
at 4W @ 1m = 109dB
8W @ 1m = 112dB
etc...

[I gotta go to bed...]
 
#17
MadMark5 said:
I wish I could be as set as your are with what your looking for lol




mark
Click to expand...


I pretty much know exactly what I am looking for now:

I want an amplifier that has around 400W at 4 Ohms. I looked at the BOSS GEB-7 and figured that if I use that with a power amp, then that's all I would need. I rarely ever change my tone, so I don't need all the fancy EQ's. I figure I really only need the pedal for breakdowns, etc. So the questions is...

What power amplifier should I be looking at for around $500 CAD / $400 USD that has around 400W output at 4 ohm. ANY help will be appreciated. Thanks.
 

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