- Jun 6, 2012
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Need help choosing new rig!
- Thread starter brandorando0129
- Start date
All of these fall well short in terms of speaker surface area. Consider at least two 1x15 cabs or other configurations with equivalent or greater displacement. You won’t get very loud with a single 1x15, 2x10, or 2x12 cabinet, although some 2x12 bass cabs will get you close but without much headroom.
Thanks for the insight everyone!!! I'm going to make the couple's hours trek to try out some different rigs. The only one I wouldn't be able to try is the mesa, which I am most curious about. Unfortunately, there isn't a mesa dealer close to me
In my opinion..... I think speakers are very important. I tried running a single 15 but then had to add another 15 and was never happy. Over the past couple decades I have had everything from a full stack (4 x 10 on top of a single 18 used in the 80's during my hairband rock and roll days) and finally decided my 4 x 10 cab sounds the best for what I am playing. My rig is a GK and the 4 x 10 with no effects.
Everybody does tons of research on amps and then plugs into any available cab. i think a good cab is very important.
Everybody does tons of research on amps and then plugs into any available cab. i think a good cab is very important.
First, welcome!!
Second .. Easy ... Mesa D800 and Subway 15, add a second later ..
Go play, have fun
Well, for those who say you can't get loud with a 2X12, my Shroeder 1212l is 700 watts. GOBS of headroom and 38 pounds. Most club/bar players around here have a single 4X10 or 2X12.
Mesa d800 and 2 12s,
GK Fusion 800 with a Neo 212
These would be my choices, depending on your budget. I'm still kinda thinking about going for the Quilter BB800 head, but I'm pretty happy with my GK Fusion 550... Except for the weight
Mesa d800 and 2 12s,
GK Fusion 800 with a Neo 212
These would be my choices, depending on your budget. I'm still kinda thinking about going for the Quilter BB800 head, but I'm pretty happy with my GK Fusion 550... Except for the weight
I will second this. I'm running a GK 1001RBII into a Headliner 410 and it sounds great, especially considering how cost effective the rig was. Bought it all used. Total rig probably cost under $500. I like the Headliner 410 enough that I'm likely to pick up a second one. Peavey isn't a "glory" brand, but they are usually consistent workhorses for a good price.
I am loving my Mesa 800+ paired with a Barefaced SuperTwin. It's everything I want, with none of the weight.
For what my opinion is worth (it and a quarter still won't buy a cup of coffee, but I digress...) you need to go to some local stores and try out everything you can to get a feel for what you really like and what works for you, your style and your environment you'll be playing in. Second, those saying you will likely need more than a single 15" are probably right.
To keep up with the environment you're talking about you're likely going to be needing to move some serious speaker surface area. I went into a similar situation a little over a year ago with a 2x12 Avatar cab and 600 watts going up against a hard hitting drummer and a Marshall DSL 100 halfstack. I could almost hang. Almost. Changed to my GK1001RB and sealed 410 Peavey Headliner (while my guitarist changed to a Mesa Triple Rec and Oversized 412) and now no sweat. A ported cabinet would be even louder than a sealed cab. Available speaker surface area makes a difference. If your guitar player has a 2x12 combo, then he's rolling 24" of speaker movement versus your 15" which is also at a less audible frequency. 2 15s would probably be ok, but as soon as your guitar player upgrades you'll be right back where you are now.
To keep up with the environment you're talking about you're likely going to be needing to move some serious speaker surface area. I went into a similar situation a little over a year ago with a 2x12 Avatar cab and 600 watts going up against a hard hitting drummer and a Marshall DSL 100 halfstack. I could almost hang. Almost. Changed to my GK1001RB and sealed 410 Peavey Headliner (while my guitarist changed to a Mesa Triple Rec and Oversized 412) and now no sweat. A ported cabinet would be even louder than a sealed cab. Available speaker surface area makes a difference. If your guitar player has a 2x12 combo, then he's rolling 24" of speaker movement versus your 15" which is also at a less audible frequency. 2 15s would probably be ok, but as soon as your guitar player upgrades you'll be right back where you are now.
you should break your thread into two parts first and foremost cabs, then amps. Does not mean the amp is irrelevant, but speakers and amount there of speakers, cone area are probably most important. A single, or double 15 can sound wonderful, but the amount of out put is limited.
I have Mesa D800+ awesome head. I use Genzler BA 12-3 cab again owe some. Use one for practice, two for gig. Genzler also has a new kick butt array cab called 410-3. Will probably be an option cab for as well. Hope this helps.
I'd also really consider an Aguilar TH500 paired with 2 DB112 cabinets. If your genre will be the reggae/dub variety - the lows and fundamentals you get from the TH and DB cabs may be right up your alley. This is the rig I use and I couldn't recommend it enough.
I had the Mesa PH 2x12, and I stand by my statement that 2x12 is borderline when it comes to loud. Maybe not for a bar cover band, but certainly for reggae/rock/rage with a loud drummer.
One cheap fix is run the Orange as a pre-through the loop of the Peavey. ... Then you get the better pre-signal through the power and 15" of the Peavey. ... Then try borrowing a 12" and chain that into the system. ... The draw back could be the Peavey is already at 4-ohms. ... Another speaker might bring that down to 2-ohms, which mean it'll sound pretty good till it cooks and dies.
well..when you mention the super bassman..I assume you are talking about the 300 watt all tube head..if you had the big fender tube head in mind..did you not consider an ampeg tube head..or even a reeves custom 225 tube head ..it doesnt get any better than a reeves..?..and if you are considering the mesa d800..how about the glockenklang blue rock..or a non tube ampeg head (the 800)..or the ampeg SVT pro 4 with 3 tubes in the preamp and mosfet ss output..lots of choices since you have mentioned both tube and non tube amps in your selection.....and as others have said..you will want to go with something more than just a single 15..4x10 moves more air..so does a 2x12..two 4x10's are nice..thats what I use..and two 2x12's are also nice..just keep in mind the difference between the 8 ohm and the 4 ohm cabs if you are thinking of using more than one cab..
Heya... Welcome to TB... I play in a 3-piece (sometimes with keys) that features a loud drummer and a guitarist who lights things up with a Fender Twin. I haven't tried all the amps you mentioned, but I have been happily using the Mesa Boogie D-800 with a Subway 115 & 112.
In the past, I've run an Eden 4x10" and an SWR 2x10" -- both great (but heavy) cabinets... And I've played through many 15" speakers and various backlines... IMO, for playing rock with a pick or fingers, the Mesa just kills. There's something about the 115 with the 112 speaker that gives you a killer combo of bottom and mids.
You will be able to support a 3-piece -- and you will be heard!
In the past, I've run an Eden 4x10" and an SWR 2x10" -- both great (but heavy) cabinets... And I've played through many 15" speakers and various backlines... IMO, for playing rock with a pick or fingers, the Mesa just kills. There's something about the 115 with the 112 speaker that gives you a killer combo of bottom and mids.
You will be able to support a 3-piece -- and you will be heard!
