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help me figure out an upgrade path for my rig?

K

kjd

Aug 12, 2008
20
0
#1
Hello Everyone, I read this forum pretty regularly and have decided to make a new thread about my current rig dilemma. Right now I have a GK Backline 600 and 115 BLX cab. Its pretty budget, but works well enough for the small gigs that I play with FOH support.

My main problem right now is the 115 cab. For one, the sound doesnt really cut through the band I play in. Furthermore the cab huge, and barely fits into the backseat of my civic. The obvious solution here is to buy a bigger car so that I can get a 4x10 setup, but since I'm a student on a limited budget...

I'm thinking about an Avatar SB112. So here's my question. 4ohm or 8ohm?

-If I got the 4ohm model I could do away with the 115 altogether, and get the full 300W out of my head. Also, I'd be able to hear myself a little better since that cab has the tweeter. Lastly, I'd have the added benefit of lighter gear to haul around.

- If I got the 8ohm model I could just put that on top of the 115 and have a menacing 3/4 stack with crazy SPL. I imagine it would sound okay, but I'd still have to lug around the 115 to get the most wattage. A plus to getting the 8ohm is that i could use it in conjunction with another 8ohm cab in the future, whereas with only the 4ohm model, I wouldn't be able to expand the rig anymore than just the 4ohm cab with the BL600 head...

I play mainly jazz/pop/blues in a trio with keys/bass/drums, so volume isn't a huge concern for me. Thanks for reading, I'm looking forward to your thoughts and opinions.
 
#3
People use 2 cabs full range all the time, it might not be ideal, but you don't need a crossover.

4 ohm 112 cabs are pretty limited in versatility. I'd get the 8 ohm version. Even if you wound up with a 2 ohm capable head down the road, you could always run two 8 ohm SB112's with another 4 ohm cab.
 
#5
If you get the single 12 definitely get the 8 ohm. If you get the 4 ohm you're stuck using it alone (I assume your head won't go below 4 ohms), and it may be no louder than your 15.

You DON'T need a crossover.

Using 2 different cabs is a crapshoot, but not necessarily a bad thing. It may be a wash anyway - have you played through an SB12? If not, you don't know what it will sound like, and who knows what the two cabs will sound like together.

I say go ahead an get the SB12. Also, I work in the auto industry, so I would highly recommend you get a new car too. :)
 
#6
if your goal is a 410, why not get an avatar 210 8ohms. Use it on top of the 15 for now, and then when you have some more money get another avatar 210.

since you would have identical cabs you wouldnt need to worry about phasing. It would be lighter and easier to fit both the cabs into cars and such.

If your set on the sb12 get 8ohm, and consider getting a second identical one later.
 
#7
mrjim123 said:
If you get the single 12 definitely get the 8 ohm. If you get the 4 ohm you're stuck using it alone (I assume your head won't go below 4 ohms), and it may be no louder than your 15.

You DON'T need a crossover.

Using 2 different cabs is a crapshoot, but not necessarily a bad thing. It may be a wash anyway - have you played through an SB12? If not, you don't know what it will sound like, and who knows what the two cabs will sound like together.

I say go ahead an get the SB12. Also, I work in the auto industry, so I would highly recommend you get a new car too. :)
Click to expand...

You raise a good point. I've never played through an SB112, and it might not give me the exact tone I'm looking for. Probably best to get that, (or 210) and just use it on top of the 115.
 
#8
brettf said:
if your goal is a 410, why not get an avatar 210 8ohms. Use it on top of the 15 for now, and then when you have some more money get another avatar 210.

since you would have identical cabs you wouldnt need to worry about phasing. It would be lighter and easier to fit both the cabs into cars and such.

If your set on the sb12 get 8ohm, and consider getting a second identical one later.
Click to expand...

Getting a 210 on top of the 115 is a great idea. It never even crossed my mind. If I used that configuration I'd certainly have a full range of tones, and I could even use the 210 by itself for smaller gigs.
 
#11
When I got a Corolla a while ago, I couldn't lug my 4x10 anymore. The easy solution was to replace it with a pair of 2x10's that could fit in the smaller car just fine and I haven't missed that larger cab one bit. This pair of cabs together makes better sound and my stage layout is more flexible - I recommend it.
 
#14
ScottB. said:
Can someone explain to me what a crossover is and what they do?
Click to expand...

real simply a crossover splits the lows and highs and sends them to different speakers. In a typical speaker tweeter combo, the highs would go to the tweeter and the lower notes go to the speaker or as in Hifi gear called a woofer. Most crossovers have a volume knob that controls the tweeter and the highs that are heard. You see posts on this forum that talk about the members turning down the tweeter because it is to bright.

The speaker techies on this forum could give you a much more detailed explanation.


Also I would second the 2x10 as the extra cab.
 
#15
On the subject of "Full Range":- if 15" drivers do the same frequencies as 10", why do players have a preference for one or the other? One is better at bass. The other is better at mids and highs. If is usually best to let each do what its good it.

The thing for turning down a speaker is called an Lpad.
 
#16
On the subject of "Full Range":- if 15" drivers do the same frequencies as 10", why do players have a preference for one or the other? One is better at bass. The other is better at mids and highs. If is usually best to let each do what its good it.
The thing for turning down a speaker is called an Lpad.
HOWEVER! as I mentioned earlier:-
The difference between 8ohm and 4 ohm is about 2db.
Click to expand...
In any case the OP already said that volume isn't a problem. So get the cab that sounds right rather than attempting to find work for redundant speakers.
 
#17
kjd wrote: "My main problem right now is the 115 cab. For one, the sound doesnt really cut through the band I play in."

Volume IS the problem - well that & toting around that speaker. I don't know the GK.
I use a Peavey 1810 (won't fit in a car) I bring it up for this reason: Plug 1 channel
into the 10s & the other into the 18. Voila, all 300 Watts in use! What we need here
is a speaker that will fit in a car & make full use of the GK.

I'm kinda tired of lugging big stuff too.
 
#18
ROCKWOOD said:
kjd wrote: "My main problem right now is the 115 cab. For one, the sound doesnt really cut through the band I play in."

Volume IS the problem - well that & toting around that speaker. I don't know the GK.
I use a Peavey 1810 (won't fit in a car) I bring it up for this reason: Plug 1 channel
into the 10s & the other into the 18. Voila, all 300 Watts in use! What we need here
is a speaker that will fit in a car & make full use of the GK.

I'm kinda tired of lugging big stuff too.
Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure how to explain it, maybe posters who have done more gigging have more knowledge on the subject. Volume-wise, the cab is fine. I can hear/feel what the notes I'm playing, but the 15" lacks definition. When I've played gigs in places with a real strong FOH system and stood next to one of the house speakers, I've heard my playing a little more clearly. When I've gigged in places where the PA speakers are set up a little differently, I have a hard time hearing the mids and high-end. :hmm:

So I think the issue here is that the rig sounds different when I play at home by myself vs. playing out at different venues, does that make sense?

I'm thinking that adding the 2x10 should fix the mid/treble response and serve as the foundation for my future double 2x10 setup.
 
#20
SpamBot said:
You could also try different EQs, either instead of getting a new cab or in conjunction with a new cab. Try tuning out some lows, and pushing your mids up on the amp.
Lows eat up watts, so your amp might cut through more.
Click to expand...

ha! this sounds like the simplest and cheapest solution.

does nothing for my GAS, though. :hmm:
 

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