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Least efficient small cab around?

JonathanD

JonathanD

Dec 13, 2006
3,068
22
Atlanta, GA
#1
I'm looking for a small cab that can handle a 400 watt tube head cranked. I also need the cab to provide a 4 ohm load. However, I do not want it to be efficient. i.e. I want to be able to get distortion from the power amp section but at lower volumes. I am not interested in modifying the amps power section to use less tubes. I have not had any luck finding a power soak for a 400 watt amp either.

I am thinking an acme 210 is the best bet. Any other suggestions?
 
#5
I think that the OP will be unhappy with the result. If you can try the Acme before you buy, do. Although you don't want all of the volume, you do want to work the cab somewhat in order to get a decent (IMO) tone. I guess I'd suggest a four ohm 2x10, but not necessarily an Acme. Probably nothing Neo based because they demagnetize with excessive heat and that's probably where the excess energy is going to go. 200 - 400 watt rated capability, probably in a sealed (less efficient) cab.

Unfortunately, nothing springs to mind.

On a lot of tube amps you can pop out pairs power tubes to lower the output. This sounds like a Mesa 400 or 400+. Lots of power tubes that could be pulled. Given this situation I'd research that first. The tone will probably be pretty similar to having all of the tubes, but without all of the output. If nothing else, it's free.

KO
 
#7
kraigo said:
I think that the OP will be unhappy with the result. If you can try the Acme before you buy, do. Although you don't want all of the volume, you do want to work the cab somewhat in order to get a decent (IMO) tone. I guess I'd suggest a four ohm 2x10, but not necessarily an Acme.
Click to expand...

This is all pretty nebulous reasoning.

Probably nothing Neo based because they demagnetize with excessive heat and that's probably where the excess energy is going to go.
Click to expand...

He'll need to know this if he plays it in a blast furnace - otherwise, it's pretty much moot ; }
 
#11
I dont know a whole wit about tube amps.

IF (if) you were talking about a solid state amp, I'd suggest replacing the drivers in cab X with some 16 ohm drivers, or series wiring some 8 ohm's. This owuld result in lower current and less wattage (then less volume).

Does it work the same way with tube amps, or are they constant current sources? (I'm asking, but maybe the answer lies in this line of thought).
 
#12
jsingles said:
i tend to think having an inefficient cab may have other unwanted consequences. maybe poorer tone? less usable volume?
Click to expand...

Uh, he's looking for less volume. Poorer tone? Acmes sound great and because of their relatively flat response react well to even subtle EQ.

Admittedly they aren't going to do the type of speaker breakup distortion something with a 1" voicecoil would do, though ; }
 
#13
While I've never seen a cab spec'd lower than a b2 in sensitivity, anecdotaly I don't think they do all that well with tube amps or distortion.

You may want to shoot Andy an Email.
 
#15
I would suggest building your own cab with an Eminence Legend BP-102. It is a nice speaker with good low end but not too loud. 92db.
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You can then either build a 2x10 or a 1x10, as i think that speaker is available in 4 or 8 ohms.
 
#17
I recall reading posts from a few TB'ers who have paired Acme cabs with a tube amp. Results were pretty much exactly what you're looking for - the tone of an all-tube amp driven to distortion, but at less deafening volume levels.

I think Oddio and TomBowlus have done this, might try PMing them.

The one drawback to using an Acme cab in this manner is that it's a three way cab, so it can be difficult to capture your sound via microphone. For recording, you can possibly place the microphone further away to capture the woofer, midrange and tweeter, but for live sound to send to PA, you need to be able to place the mic very close to avoid excessive bleed and feedback problems. I suppose if you've got the channels available and a very cooperative soundman (good luck on that one) you could use three mics........... but even for recording, standard practice is to close-mic bass cabs; you usually only use distant mic placement to capture a little room ambience for drums, acoustic guitar, maybe electric guitar, along with a close mic for your "main" recording signal.
 
#18
Yep, three-ways normally aren't something to worry about for micing, because they are usually used for their relative flatness. But a tube rig pretty much says "mic - not DI" if you want the output section represented. Live, could be a problem - but one could get by great with two mics. Which is at least one mic more than some soundmen want to deal with ; }
 
#19
I should have said....I have owned 4 acme cabs. I love them. I have used 2 acme B2s with an SVT2 non pro and it sounded fantastic.
You guys that say acmes don't sound good, have you ever used one?

Distortion does not sound good with flat tone? So, how do studio monitors deal with distortion?

Live I know I am going DI, no problem there.
I will be recording my self so 2 mics is not a problem.
I am looking for something to practice with mainly.
Thank you Greenboy and everyone else. I am going to go ahead with an acme 210. There is one for sale and I will soon have the money to buy it:)

I could just tell the band to turn up as Roflol says:D

Also, I like acmes because my stage sound is probably going to be like my FOH sound...or at least kind of like it with a post EQ DI.
 

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