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Is 200w enough?

E

eoinwalsh

Jun 10, 2011
136
5
#1
I have a GK MB500 head. 500w at 4ohms or 350w at 8ohms. I don't have a cab.

I'm playing in a ten piece band. Bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, horns, 3 singers.


My friend said he'll let me use his 200w 8ohm cab for a gig.


I'm worried that 200w won't be powerful enough for me to hear myself with this band. Is this ridiculous? Is 200w plenty.

Im also worried that if 200w is not getting me enough volume on stage, I'll end up using more power from the head and damage the cab.

Or is 200w plenty power?

Thanks
 
#3
The head would still be 350 watts going into that cab. You would have to be VERY careful not to damage it. I would just use your head as a DI and have them give you your bass back in your monitor if that cab is your only other option.

A 200 watt cab on a 350 watt head is eventually gonna blow. I would hate to damage a friend's gear
 
#4
#6
there is no way to tell besides to try it. it is hard for us to guess how loud the band is onstage to give you an accurate guess. how did u do the gig so far with no cabinet? you could test it at rehearsal.
 
#7
billfitzmaurice said:
Only if the amp has no volume control, or if it has one but the user doesn't understand how it functions. Suggest you, and the OP, spend some time here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/a...overunderpowercabs-diy-techtalk-links-166225/
Click to expand...

I understand that with some control and care - it would be ok, but from the OP's original post, I figured it was also a question of experience and concern for being able to hear. That usually leads to volumes being turned up to a point that would be bad for a cab that is undersized

Yes, I assumed, and that's probably bad on my part
 
#8
staindbass said:
there is no way to tell besides to try it. it is hard for us to guess how loud the band is onstage to give you an accurate guess. how did u do the gig so far with no cabinet? you could test it at rehearsal.
Click to expand...

The owner of the cab always gigs with it using a 450w 4ohm head and he said he has never had any of the problems I'm worried about.
 
#10
billfitzmaurice said:
Only if the amp has no volume control, or if it has one but the user doesn't understand how it functions. Suggest you, and the OP, spend some time here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/a...overunderpowercabs-diy-techtalk-links-166225/
Click to expand...

Gig is in a few hours so I don't really have time to read this. I had a combo I was going to use but it died a while ago so I've got to use the head and cab.


So, how would you suggest controlling the amp? It has gain, master, 'boost' and 'master b' (both specific to gallien krueger), eq, -10db button.
 
#12
Common sense is the best remedy for amp/speaker combinations. Power ratings mean next to nothing. If you cannot tell when a speaker cab is straining or an amp is inadequate, then you need to train yourself better. Cabinet efficiency is a major consideration in volume. The only absolute in amp/speaker combinations is resistance ratings. Most everything else is subject to personal taste.
 
#14
200 w at 8 ohm won't be enough for your head, probably it will be better with a 210 at 8 ohm, usally that cab is made from different producers with a power of 350 w. That will be ok, usally is better to have a cab that handle more power of the head, 4 or 8 ohm.
You can use a cab less powerful than you head and you can use it with low volume, but usually you can do it with a cab no more that 50 w less. For example head 400w 8 ohm and cab 350w 8 ohm, but keep in mind to play in that way with low volume and dynamics or you will damage your speaker. The best thing is just cab with more power of your head.
Cheers. Enrico
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#15
I gig with a 2x10 every week but it's a quiet gig and it's barely stretching its legs.

I play it with a thirteen piece bigband and it's working but nowhere near capacity. So it really depends on how loud your gig is.

To carry a whole room, with everything else blasting, I agree you would be undergunned. But DI'd into FOH rig it should be fine. In fact, the soundman would love you.

Wail on the bass with a low E and gradually increase the volume until you hear the speaker complaining, back off the volume and never go that high again. Test out a scale in case the cab resonates at higher than E, (quite likely). Rinse and repeat.
 

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