• 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.

I Hate My 15 inch cab

#62
Go to a music store and try out some stuff and get what makes you happy. My bandleaders "don't give a rats ass how high end my equipment is"(that is a quote btw) and that you're on the gigs because you can play the music the right way with groove. Sometimes, and I am guilty of it too, we as bassists get way too caught up in our tone versus the rest of the band yet our frequency range is maybe the most limited.
 
#64
Of course the 115 sounds terrible alone! I don't know if they were ever intended to be used on their own. Too muddy! Adding it to a 410 augments the versatility of your sound though. Before getting rid of it, just play it with your 410 again and then compare that to the sound of the 410 alone. In the case that adding it to the 410 worsens your sound, I'd check on the cone. It could just be a worn out speaker.
 
#65
I have an old 65 VOX 15 cab with a Black Widow speaker. It's a great sounding thing. But it is very sensitive to over-modulation of bass frequencies. I have to dial the low end back a bit to get the best sound out of it. And it's not ideal if I have to do a lot of high-end solos or thumping. It's more mellow.

For more high end intensive stuff, I have a GK 2 x 10 cab. It's actually an RB-400III with the amp taken out. The pots on the thing need to be cleaned, and the cab, for its size, weights a ton even without the amp in it, and I'm going lighter weight to save the strain on my almost 50 year old back.
 
#66
jeff7bass said:
15" cabs sound good in band situations, not so good at home practicing. 10" practice combos are good for home use, hence their popularity.
Click to expand...

Seriously?
Ron Johnson said:
Of course the 115 sounds terrible alone! I don't know if they were ever intended to be used on their own. Too muddy! Adding it to a 410 augments the versatility of your sound though. Before getting rid of it, just play it with your 410 again and then compare that to the sound of the 410 alone. In the case that adding it to the 410 worsens your sound, I'd check on the cone. It could just be a worn out speaker.
Click to expand...
Using a 1x15 with a 4x10 was what got the OP into their problem in the first place.

Also, again. Seriously?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moosehead1966
#68
cfsporn said:
Seriously?

Using a 1x15 with a 4x10 was what got the OP into their problem in the first place.

Also, again. Seriously?
Click to expand...

You have a point then make it. I've been practicing for 40 years and 15" cabs require wall-shaking volume to get proper tone. Pissing off the family and/or neighbors is a silly way to practice. Heck Ampeg's little 8" combo can rattle the walls.
 
#69
Same thing happened to me. I had a Mesa 15" Powerhouse cab that I used under a 2x12" combo for bigger gigs. It sounded awesome in that config, but when I took the 15" with the head (Carbine M6) to band practice, it was awful. The output was not good, I could not get good volume with it, and I ended up selling it.
Some cabs are made to be part of a system, rather than used on their own.
 
#70
jeff7bass said:
You have a point then make it. I've been practicing for 40 years and 15" cabs require wall-shaking volume to get proper tone. Pissing off the family and/or neighbors is a silly way to practice. Heck Ampeg's little 8" combo can rattle the walls.
Click to expand...
My point is that speaker size has no bearing on the tone it makes or the amount of power it can take.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rockchalkbass, FatBoutedGirls, Moosehead1966 and 1 other person
#71
Been stalking the forums for a while now so I thought I'd chime in. I used an old peavey 2x15 for years with a coliseum 880 and a jazz bass and was never completely happy with the tone. I've been using an old Peavey 4x12 with practically the same set up and have since re-fallen in love with my rig. 15 inch speakers can be great but they're not for everyone. I found that out the hard way.
 
#72
To all the people telling me to get a higher end cab I do not want to spend the extra money when I know that I like the Accoustic 10 inch speakers. If I didn't like the tone what so ever I would consider laying down the extra cash.

To the people telling me just to get a higher end 410, I don't like mixing brands with cabinets. Also the reason I am looking for the 810 by acoustic is not for volume. When ever i play with the 410 cab Ive been told I'm turned up too loud. I've found that this is the problem of my being tall and not being able to hear myself well. I'm 6 foot 3 and I'm able to turn myself down and still hear when the cab is on top of another cab.

Side not weight and size are not a problem with the cab i also like the way 810s look as opposed to stacked cabs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: S-Bigbottom
#73
novak7 said:
To all the people telling me to get a higher end cab I do not want to spend the extra money when I know that I like the Accoustic 10 inch speakers. If I didn't like the tone what so ever I would consider laying down the extra cash.

To the people telling me just to get a higher end 410, I don't like mixing brands with cabinets. Also the reason I am looking for the 810 by acoustic is not for volume. When ever i play with the 410 cab Ive been told I'm turned up too loud. I've found that this is the problem of my being tall and not being able to hear myself well. I'm 6 foot 3 and I'm able to turn myself down and still hear when the cab is on top of another cab.

Side not weight and size are not a problem with the cab i also like the way 810s look as opposed to stacked cabs.
Click to expand...

At risk of self aggrandizement, I think I solved this for you 7 hours ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 13lues
#75
better yet, if hearing yourself is the main reason you want a huge cab, you could simply put in ear plugs and that will block out a lot of higher frequencies and allow you to hear the bass and drums better. You can get a very good pair of "musician quality" earplugs for 15-30 dollars. A whole lot cheaper than buying additional gear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cfsporn
#77
cfsporn said:
You may also want to consider two 2x10s stacked vertically. But that brings you into the "new cab with different tone" problem."
Click to expand...

1st acoustic doesn't make any good 210s as far as i know. I also want the volume when i need it.

another thing is i can hang basses on the road case for the 810. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that on the 210,210 stack in fear of it toppling over i have some heavy basses
 
#78
novak7 said:
1st acoustic doesn't make any good 210s as far as i know. I also want the volume when i need it.

another thing is i can hang basses on the road case for the 810. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that on the 210,210 stack in fear of it toppling over i have some heavy basses
Click to expand...
Yeah. That post wasn't so much for you as it was for someone else who is having a similar problem. I still maintain your best bet is a used matching 4x10.
 
#79
cfsporn said:
Seriously?

Using a 1x15 with a 4x10 was what got the OP into their problem in the first place.

Also, again. Seriously?
Click to expand...

I use 2 15" cabs so, I sound super good in a band situation. Twice as good as someone only using a single 15 and so many times better than someone using a 4x10 that it can't even be computed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dukeorock and cfsporn
#80
i'm so confused, if the op means the old american 140 head, it came with a shallow and light awesome sounding lightweight 215 cab, just get one of those they can't be that expensive, we got ours head and cab in mint condition for 425 on cl, and it sounds a hell of a lot better than just about any other ss setup i've played through
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back