Multiple Cabinet Question

[Groovespectrum]

I have a Gallien-Krueger 1001RB-II head (700W, 4&#937 and a Gallien-Krueger 410RBH Cabinet (800W, 4&#937. I bought this setup as a replacement for my old combo amp that eventually stopped working. I've since turned the combo amp into what is essentially another speaker cabinet that consists of a 15", 300W speaker at 8Ω. My question is, can I use both of these cabinets at the same time?

 

[Slevage]

NO

4 ohms in parallel with anything is less than 4 ohms.

If you put the speakers in series with a special cord--OK,
but not optimum.

 

[B-string]

Yep that is the trouble with 4 ohm cabs, you're done! Can't add another cab.

 

[Groovespectrum]

So it's really that black and white then? I just can't do it? What's this about running them in series with a special cord?

 

[B-string]

You could make a series cord but adding a 115 to a 410 won't add much to the sound output with the drop in amp power? If you were adding a second 410 I could see it being a good move.

 

[Groovespectrum]

Well that sucks. What's the purpose of 4Ω cabinet if you can never add a second cabinet?

 

[B-string]

Well that sucks. What's the purpose of 4Ω cabinet if you can never add a second cabinet?

That is the point many try to get across to people EVERY day

 

[JimmyM]

Well that sucks. What's the purpose of 4Ω cabinet if you can never add a second cabinet?

Exactly. However, some don't want to add a second cab but want the extra wattage. That's the market for 4 ohm medium size cabs.

 

[mbelue]

Well that sucks. What's the purpose of 4Ω cabinet if you can never add a second cabinet?

2 ohm stable head, there aren't many but they do exist.

 

[BassmanPaul]

2 ohm stable head, there aren't many but they do exist.

Virtually every stereo power amp is capable of handling a 2Ω load per channel. The fact that the bass amp community has failed to keep up is a different story. All my cabinets are 4Ω because I never planned to use them with a regular bass amplifier.

 

[mbelue]

Virtually every stereo power amp is capable of handling a 2Ω load per channel. The fact that the bass amp community has faile to keep up is a different story. All my cabinets are 4Ω because I never planned to use them with a regular bass amplifier.

Very true, but the whole pre/power thing is a while new can of worms for the OP.

 

[Jaco who?]

Well that sucks. What's the purpose of 4Ω cabinet if you can never add a second cabinet?

Well, if your cab produces enough volume on it's own, handles the power of your head, you play with sane musicians and you don't like hauling around stuff you don't need, 4Ω cabs are fine.

Compared to your 4x10, the 15" would provide no noticeable improvement in volume anyway, so use your 15" for practice and just play.

 

[Minussss3db]

2 ohm stable and pretty good sounding for the usual $200 for the SWR350 or $300 for SWR350X on epay....

(I would get the SWR350x actually a little more reliable, and a little better sounding)

thanks, and good music to you...
-3db

 

[BassmanPaul]

Very true, but the whole pre/power thing is a whole new can of worms for the OP.

Also very true however it was a whole new can of worms for every one of us who went the pre-power route.

It really is a lot simpler than many folk fear. I get to a gig, place my cabinets where i want them, plug in my cabinets and AC power cable. I plug in my instrument and switch on. That's it!

Seriously, unless you are running a combo, what do you do that is any different???

 

[B-string]

Think about it Paul, half or better of the folks can't grasp input gain and master on an amp head. Now you throw not only input gain and output level into a power amp with attenuators at them?

 

[iualum]

Yep that is the trouble with 4 ohm cabs, you're done! Can't add another cab.

Yes, unless you use a 2 ohm capable amp or a power amp w/two 4 ohm taps.

 

[B-string]

Yes I let the first time pass. When you have a 4 ohm stable amp and you buy one 4 ohm cab isn't it TOO late to rethink the wheel? You can also buy a second amp head or power amp and slave from you first unit, again rethinking the wheel after the fact at hand.

 

[mbelue]

Think about it Paul, half or better of the folks can't grasp input gain and master on an amp head. Now you throw not only input gain and output level into a power amp with attenuators at them?

You forgot power amp input sensitivity, damping factor, preamp output, tube rolling, high pass filters/ slope. The list goes on, pre/power is really Pandora's box.