Need it louder. Guitar players super loud.

[Wasnex]

If you already have a matching cab, IMHO put in the extra effort to use it.

Going from an 8 ohm 112 to a 4 ohm 112 is unlikely to give you what you need.

Something you may not know, if you have two drivers that are the same except one is 4 ohm and one is 8 ohm...often the 4 ohm driver will have a lower sensitivity rating. AFAIK this is usually in the range of 1 to 2dB

The TH700 is rated for 350W at 4 ohms and 700W at 8 ohms. Since the power doubles, this represents +3dB. We generally consider 3dB about the smallest decibel change you can clearly hear.

But if you select a 4 ohm cab with a 1 or 2dB lower sensitivity rating, the SPL only goes of 1 or 2dB, which is not generally enough to make a difference.

If you have a matching cab and the amp doubles the available power, you get about +6dB, which is definitely a noticeable improvement. Half of this comes from +3dB of increased efficiency and the second +3dB comes from doubling the power handling.

I don't know which cabs you have. The SL112 is rated 99.9 1W/1m and has a 250W power rating. The DB112 is rated 95dB 1W/1m and has 300W power rating.

Calculated SPL​

Single Cabs at Rated Power

SL112 at 250W = ~123.9dB
DB112 at 300W = ~119.9dB

Make sure you notice that the cab with the lower power rating is actually capable of playing significantly louder. SPL comes from both usable power and the cabs sensitivity rating. Usable power is the lower of the cabs power rating and how much power the amp can deliver into the given load. Your amp can deliver more power than either of these speakers can handle, so be careful; especially if you are struggling to hear.

I find that I generally feel satisfied with a rig that can produce at least 124dB calculated. The SL112 would probably work for me in most situations, but I would elevate it and tilt it back to aim at my head. It may not carry the room very well like this, especially if you want solid lows.

Double Cabs at Rated Power

SL112 at 500W = ~129.9dB
DB112 at 600W = ~125.8dB

Pretty sure either of these options would do the job for me, with a bit of headroom to spare. I doubt I would be willing to run a pair of SL112s full out. I am only willing to play so loud.

For the record, I almost always wear ear plugs when perform.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Turn down instead. When the guitar players and drummer say they can't hear you, tell them they are too loud and to turn down their rig instead.

That's been my approach as well. The behavior of your band mates will tell you all you need to know.

 

[HolmeBass]

A 4-ohm 112 is not going to make a huge difference. Doubling the amp’s output wattage, all else equal, is only about 3dB higher SPL. Noticeable for sure, but not a drastic difference.

To really fill it out you need more speakers AND more wattage.

 

[kmon]

Any reason to think the guitar player won’t turn up even more once you bring your big rig? I’m not sure that a conversation isn’t the answer here.

I totally support you buying more gear though dude this is talkbass after all

 

[Marko 1]

You do you...

but when I decided that being the underdog, at the mercy of someone else SUCKS, I developed a very simple formula for rig size.

Overkill.

Then when I inevitably slip up in rehearsal and the guitar player's like

“Damn bro, can ya turn that down a bit!”...

correct balance has been achieved.

 

[_Some Dude]

IMO, while using a milk crate to raise an amp will help you hear it better, a second 112 makes a more aesthetically pleasing amp stand.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Love these threads. Once I was in a band that practiced in a 10x10 lockout. Guitarist was too loud. Keyboardist was too loud. Drummer was too loud. Couldn't hear a thing. I left them to wallow in their noisy misery.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Love these threads. Once I was in a band that practiced in a 10x10 lockout. Guitarist was too loud. Keyboardist was too loud. Drummer was too loud. Couldn't hear a thing. I left them to wallow in their noisy misery.

Oh, you enjoy playing music with responsible, considerate, professionals too??

 

[Marko 1]

Any reason to think the guitar player won’t turn up even more once you bring your big rig? I’m not sure that a conversation isn’t the answer here.

I totally support you buying more gear though dude this is talkbass after all

One thing I learned the hard way in life, is that you can't converse an inconsiderate person into being considerate.

He turns up more, you have enough rig to make it a total goddam catastrophe...

then witness how attitudes will miraculously adjust.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Will a single 4 ohm cab make a big difference? Would a front port vs rear Port make a big difference.
Suggestions welcome.

More cone area rather than tricking the amp into putting out more watts. You are still running through a single 12, so more speakers is the answer, sorry that isn't the answer you want, but it's the answer you need.

 

[Marko 1]

OP here.
First thank you to everyone for the suggestions.
All the guys in the band are great guys. No one's being a jerk. When I asked him to turn down they do, but then the volume creeps back up.
A few more details that might help. It's not a rock band, it is blues primarily however that doesn't make it any less loud.
From a physics standpoint, assuming similar sensitivity and the same amplifier, would a 2*12 4ohm cab put out more sound than to 112 8-ohm cabs. Either way the amp sees four ohms and it's the same surface area.
Maybe 2 8 ohm 2*10 cabs?
This band has not started making money yet, so I don't want to spend ridiculous money.

May I ask what the guitar player's rig is?

 

[Sparkl]

I run an Aguilar tone hammer 700 and a single 112 Aguilar 8ohm cab.
This band that I just joined practices at such a high volume but I can't hear the detail in my playing that I would prefer.
The Aguilar cab is rear ported.
I'm considering a new 4ohm cab so that I can get the full 700 Watts out of the amp.
I do own a second 112 8ohm cab but I hate to have to schlep two cabs and an amp to every rehearsal.
Will a single 4 ohm cab make a big difference? Would a front port vs rear Port make a big difference.
Suggestions welcome.

The solution is simple. Forget about the 112 idea and start using something louder. A 4x10 will get you through most of the venues, even the very big ones. I'm able to do shows with 15-20.000+ people with a single 410 and an ampeg svt3pro. Obviously, when I decide to lug my 810 it's an even more amazing feeling. I never go below 2x10 for even the smaller gigs, a 112 simply doesn't do enough for me, not enough air from it.

 

[Doug Bright]

May I ask what the guitar player's rig is?

I dont know guitar amps. Looks like a big tube head on a 2*10 or a 2*12.
The head looks like an SVT.

 

[icefly]

Ask them to play at lower volumes.

 

[DaveParker39]

I think you will end up in a volume war if you just keep adding decibels. This might be a problem better remedied with a dialogue than more gear.

 

[bherman]

Two simple answers, repeating others but will keep it simple:

1) Either a second 8 ohm 112 or a 4 ohm 212.
2) unless you are Metallica or Led Zeppelin reincarnated, any band with a guitar player and drummer that play too loud and know nothing about dynamics, will go nowhere.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I think you will end up in a volume war if you just keep adding decibels. This might be a problem better remedied with a dialogue than more gear.

Dialogue?

 

[DaveParker39]

Dialogue?

View attachment 4979859

WOULD EVERYBODY STOP YELLING?!!?!?

 

[Topkat13]

Here’s one. Tell him to turn down.

 

[the baint]

The one thing I would add to the wisdom of the first page regarding volume, hearing, hearing loss:

Get a high pass filter and be aggressive with it so you can optimize your volume/power to audible frequencies.