I play for a band and we are worship band, our venues mostly consist of medium- large size churches, out door events and some auditoriums. I currently am playing a traben array attack 5 string, through a fender rumble 100. I got it for a good deal I very happy with the volume, it gets the job done. However I will need to be upgrading soon, I've been thinking about a 2x10, most likely a 4x10. What are good cabinets and amps for worship bass?
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Looking for new bass gear
- Thread starter Trabenman
- Start date
One of your considerations really needs to be power. One question you should ask yourself is how powerful are the sound systems in the venues on average. If they are usually quite powerful I would say the 2x10 will do you fine. I play a Mesa Boogie M6 Carbine through and Eden 1x15 cab I love the low end and you can get a lot of different sounds out of the Mesa. They aren't cheap though.
People are loving the T.C Electronics stuff they have a bunch of different models. Also, I have been using a friends Orange gear a bit lately and I am really impressed, especially with the Bass tiny Terror.
Hope that helps.
People are loving the T.C Electronics stuff they have a bunch of different models. Also, I have been using a friends Orange gear a bit lately and I am really impressed, especially with the Bass tiny Terror.
Hope that helps.
I've seen lots of 4x10's that can handle 1000w. I've had a single 1x15 that was rated at 600 watts by itself, so it's not out of the ordinary. But honestly, I don't see any application for quite that much power. I have a GK1001 rb which is rated at like 700w or something along those lines...not sure on that. Anyway it is simply punishingly loud set to 3. I couldn't imagine what it would be like pushing it beyond that. I've never tried it in an auditorium or at an outdoor event though.
The biggest question is if you have a need that requires that much power. If most of the places have a PA, I don't think you'd ever use it. If you do need it for outdoor stuff, then maybe. You'll need some headroom in that application. Some extra headroom is always a plus, unless you get in a situation where the power is too far beyond what you're using to drive the amp.
I have no experience with the extension capabilities of the Fender Rumbles...never had one. But the 2x10's I have are rated at 350 watts, and one seems more than sufficient.
The biggest question is if you have a need that requires that much power. If most of the places have a PA, I don't think you'd ever use it. If you do need it for outdoor stuff, then maybe. You'll need some headroom in that application. Some extra headroom is always a plus, unless you get in a situation where the power is too far beyond what you're using to drive the amp.
I have no experience with the extension capabilities of the Fender Rumbles...never had one. But the 2x10's I have are rated at 350 watts, and one seems more than sufficient.
I'm also not seeing a jack for an additional extension cabinet from the combo rumble 350's. They seem to have an effects loop, D.I. out, and headphones.
At my church and another one I frequently fill in on, we just run a direct line to the PA. i also have a nice Carvin MB15 with a 15 " ext cab. If I needed it, it would be plenty of power and volume for small to medium gigs, and possibly large also. Has a direct line out and each cab weighs 30 lbs. 250 watts total. Sounds fantastic and they have a 210 version of the same amp as well as 110 and 112 versions. I recently sold my Fender Rumble 100 and this amp blows it out of the water. Doesn't even come close to volume and sound.
If I were to get a combo, I really want one that I have the option to put an extension on if need be. Otherwise I'd go amp/cab, I've been looking at the T.C. electronics bh250 and bc210, also been looking at hartke xl series, would anyone recommend hartke? I know they use aluminum cones, I'm not sure if they Change the sound or not?
No, and those ratings dont really mean much.
Most 410's that use standard "fullrange drivers" are mechanically limited to about 500-600 watts or so. After that the cabs are either farting out, or not getting any louder.
I believe that the Rumble 350 is 4 Ohm stable. So if you have two 8 ohm cabs you can use both of them with the amp. If the cab you are looking at is 4 Ohms, then you can only use one with that amp.
I am using a GK1001RB II and the GK Neo 4X10 4 ohm cabinet. I have all kinds of headroom.I don't ever have to play past 3 O'Clock. I am usually at 1 1/2 to 2 on the volume. Incredible!
If you are always going thru the PA, then you only need stage volume, and if you like your current Fender Rumble 100's tone, you might just want to stick with it.
If upgrading is necessary, my personal preference would be to dual cabs, either 210s or 15's. A single 410 is too bulky, heavy, and sometimes way more than needed. One of the cabs can be a combo (as long as it allows a satellite cab of course). There is a value to a separate amp and 2 cabs over a combo amp and a satellite, but that value comes at a financial cost.
The usual "300watts at 8ohms minimum" and "try to buy used" advice apply. I'd also add that you should get a direct box like a BDDI or similar so the sound guys stay happy.
If upgrading is necessary, my personal preference would be to dual cabs, either 210s or 15's. A single 410 is too bulky, heavy, and sometimes way more than needed. One of the cabs can be a combo (as long as it allows a satellite cab of course). There is a value to a separate amp and 2 cabs over a combo amp and a satellite, but that value comes at a financial cost.
The usual "300watts at 8ohms minimum" and "try to buy used" advice apply. I'd also add that you should get a direct box like a BDDI or similar so the sound guys stay happy.
In my experience, church soundguys mix to very low levels compared to your typical concert. This is mostly due to having to please a wide range of age groups and typically quieter turns off fewer people than too loud. It is because of this that I would also recommend not getting a 410. Any time I've tried using a 410, it was always too loud out front and I kept having to turn down to the point where there wasn't a real point in hauling in the monster to begin with.
What has always treated me well in worship band settings, and most any setting where the house wants almost all of the control over volume, are 15s and 210s. In particular, sealed cabs are desirable. Back when I was using the Ampeg SVT210AV cab, all the sound guys raved over how much they loved it. Very mid present so they never have to struggle to find your mids to mix with, the were hornless so they never had to worry about my highs clashing with other people's and they don't pour loads of low end off the front of the stage, which interferes with their mix. As a matter of fact, if you know you're going to be playing in a room for the foreseeable future that has subs in it, I'd recommend the Ampeg SVT210AV cabs, maybe even with the micro SVT on top, but they sound good with anything.
The reason I switched from those sealed 210s is because I started playing in some church plants and different rooms where there were no subs, so my cabs have to push low end. For this reason, I really like the Avatar TB153 cabs. The sweet big sub speaker comined with a ported design can give low end for days. However, low end discipline is still key when playing for churches of course. Most days, when I play with them in the main sanctuary, my bass knob is at 11, sometimes lower,the stop low end billowing out of control.
What has always treated me well in worship band settings, and most any setting where the house wants almost all of the control over volume, are 15s and 210s. In particular, sealed cabs are desirable. Back when I was using the Ampeg SVT210AV cab, all the sound guys raved over how much they loved it. Very mid present so they never have to struggle to find your mids to mix with, the were hornless so they never had to worry about my highs clashing with other people's and they don't pour loads of low end off the front of the stage, which interferes with their mix. As a matter of fact, if you know you're going to be playing in a room for the foreseeable future that has subs in it, I'd recommend the Ampeg SVT210AV cabs, maybe even with the micro SVT on top, but they sound good with anything.
The reason I switched from those sealed 210s is because I started playing in some church plants and different rooms where there were no subs, so my cabs have to push low end. For this reason, I really like the Avatar TB153 cabs. The sweet big sub speaker comined with a ported design can give low end for days. However, low end discipline is still key when playing for churches of course. Most days, when I play with them in the main sanctuary, my bass knob is at 11, sometimes lower,the stop low end billowing out of control.
The band carries a system to every show, we have plenty of power. One thing I forgot to mention in my original post, which is what sparked my looking for a new rig. I think my amp is powerful enough, but my sound gets lost, it doesn't really break through past the pa, the low end is defiantly there, but you can't really tell what the bass is playing.
Then that may be more of a mixing/eq issue than a volume one. They might have you boosted in frequencies that are encroaching in the territory of the other instruments, making you disappear in the mix. I know there are threads abound on that exact issue.
Of course, new gear is always fun too tho
It's my understanding that those ratings are more of a sales pitch than anything else, the whole more is more rubbish, and that they are set to just before the cab packs its bags and buys a bus ticket to Cincinnati. Sort of a 'peak, but not real world application' rating. Is that they way you see it? My cabs are rated at 350, and they've never left me feeling like I needed more.
If you think your amp is powerful enough but is unclear (I think that's what you're saying), then you would be better served with a Greenboy cab, IMO. The fEARful range you can DIY if you're able, or any of the Greenboy ABs (Authorised Builders) can deliver from the full Greenboy range, including fEARful & fEARless cabs.
Peter
Love my GB shuttle and Streamliner. Plenty of power, great DI and very light/mobile. Shuttle in particular is very versatile
I'll second that. I love mine, and at $335 it was an absolute steal. Mine is version one, but I've never had an issue. I've never even driven it hard enough for the fan to turn on. I don't see myself getting rid of it any time soon. I have other amps too, but this one is ol' faithful.
