New bassist looking for cab setup advice

[SactoBass]

Do you think 2 2x10's would do the trick & have enough low end?

If you are thinking that the bigger the speaker diameter, the more low end, please don't think that. The only thing speaker diameter tells you is how big around the speaker is. It tells you nothing about frequency response. For example, Acme cabs with 10" speakers provide much more low end than most other 10's, 12's, 15's, or 18's. I'm not suggesting you go with Acme cabs, I'm only using that as an example to demonstrate that speaker diameter is irrelevant when it comes to frequency response. It's all in how the speakers are designed and how they work in tandem with the cab design. Besides, those Acme cabs might not produce enough SPL (sound pressure level....i.e., volume) for your needs.

I agree with the posters in this thread that recommend a 4x10 cab. I recommend going with an 8-ohm 4x10. That way, you can add another 8-ohm 4x10 cab if you ever need that extra SPL. Running a pair of 8-ohm cabs would provide a 4-ohm speaker load to your amp. Even if your amp can run a speaker load that is less than 4-ohms, I don't recommend it because it makes the amp work harder and run hotter.

One more thing: you'll always get more SPL by adding more speakers rather than increasing amp wattage.

And one more thing again: I'm a fan of Ampeg products, but I recommend staying away from any of their "HLF" cabs (such as the 410HLF for example). In my opinion, those cabs get completely lost in the mix as they are way too boomy.

Hope that info helps!

 

[pepj]

You have a 700/4 amp.

Even if you run at 8ohms...I don't think the 115 would be a safe option in a loud punky band.
A 212 should easily run 600w...but you'll have no headroom..
A 410 should be good for 700w plus.
Both cabs might have 4ohm options but then you can't add another cab with that amp.

 

[pepj]

Get away from.the idea that you need a lot of bass in your sound.. You really dont, imv
Too much mud is a tone killer..

 

[Element Zero]

I didn’t see if budget was an issue…

Try and find a used Mesa Subway 115. Or pony up for a new one. It’s an incredible cab.

 

[brianrost]

I would search out two Acme b2(2-10) 8ohm cabs and call it a day.

-faust,

I would definitely NOT recommend Acme for punk rock! They are very low efficiency cabinets which means the volume output per watt will be much lower than other cabs. Acme cabs are NOT designed for your application. I owned a single B2 cabinet and it was nowhere near as loud as the other cabinets I was using at the time, I had to sell it.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Hey friends!

I have been playing bass for about two years now & I'm looking to upgrade. My current setup is a used BA-115 Combo & the cheapest used Squire P Bass I could find ($100 each). A month ago I joined my first band & we play rock & roll, punk, metal, indie, funk, & reggae. As much as I enjoy my 100W Ampeg, it is no longer cutting it in the rehearsal space with loud punk drumming. This week I bought an Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 for my amp after listening to quite a few sound demos & reading reviews. Now I'm losing my mind trying to decide on a single cab to pair with it (1x15, 2x12, 4x10). I'm leaning towards an Aguilar DB 115 as it is 8 ohms & 400 watts plus that old-school tone. This will give me room to add a 2x10 or 4x10 as needed later on. I listened to a few of their SL models & wasn't blown away by the sound. I went to Guitar Center last week & they kept pushing the MarkBass but I wasn't crazy about their lightweight series either. I was open to Ampeg but I have read that some of their recent cabs aren't made like they used to be. Buying a used cab online worries me a bit because I can't really listen to it prior unless its local.

To sum up: I'm looking for a new single cab that I can build off of down the line. Also something to play bars, clubs, and small to medium venues. As a single cab should I buy a 1x15, 2x12, or 4x10? I play mainly metal, punk, indie, and reggae.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

What’s your budget?

 

[salmon256]

What are your wants and budget?

I like lightweight small, and there are things that can work in your genres but it would cost a bit something like Barefaced for example - but again probably not what you may need or want at the moment.
I saw a local punk band with a friend and the bassist was rocking two 1x12 Markbass and he was loud and I honestly think one would of done.

However if size, weight isn't an issue, also if you are driving then a 4x10 is probably the smartest - I don't like big cabs but I understand sometimes you got to do it. 4x10 can be found everywhere - I see a lot of used ones in GC, employees tell me 9 out 10 times it is someone getting rid them moving since they have zero time to sell it or realize it was way too big to move with - meaning they work awesome.

Just study up your amp and what works best - your first cab won't be your last so always remember that thought if you ain't digging it.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hey friends!

I have been playing bass for about two years now & I'm looking to upgrade. My current setup is a used BA-115 Combo & the cheapest used Squire P Bass I could find ($100 each). A month ago I joined my first band & we play rock & roll, punk, metal, indie, funk, & reggae. As much as I enjoy my 100W Ampeg, it is no longer cutting it in the rehearsal space with loud punk drumming. This week I bought an Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 for my amp after listening to quite a few sound demos & reading reviews. Now I'm losing my mind trying to decide on a single cab to pair with it (1x15, 2x12, 4x10). I'm leaning towards an Aguilar DB 115 as it is 8 ohms & 400 watts plus that old-school tone. This will give me room to add a 2x10 or 4x10 as needed later on. I listened to a few of their SL models & wasn't blown away by the sound. I went to Guitar Center last week & they kept pushing the MarkBass but I wasn't crazy about their lightweight series either. I was open to Ampeg but I have read that some of their recent cabs aren't made like they used to be. Buying a used cab online worries me a bit because I can't really listen to it prior unless its local.

To sum up: I'm looking for a new single cab that I can build off of down the line. Also something to play bars, clubs, and small to medium venues. As a single cab should I buy a 1x15, 2x12, or 4x10? I play mainly metal, punk, indie, and reggae.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

In general I’m not a big fan of 410 cabs, the Aggie 8 ohm 115 rated at 400 would mate well with your amp power wise and almost certainly cover most situations you would be in with FOH support. As for a second cab, adding a 2nd 800 8 ohm Aggie 115 cab would cover just about anything you’re likely to run into. I’m not sure adding a 210-212 cab will do much for you sound wise or volume wise once the notes start flying in the band.

 

[bwoodman]

(How much low-end you get will depend upon which manufacturers 210 cabinets you choose to use and how they are built and tuned.)

I prefer the modular-rig approach of using two, 210 cabs to a single 410 cabinet.
Easier to transport, use one for rehearsals/small jobs, both when more coverage and volume is needed, can be stacked vertical or down low, having two drivers in a cab the power handling is usually better than single driver loaded cabinet.

I've been gigging with two, 8 ohm, 210 cabinets in a working, loud, country/rock group since 2008.

When my ears are wanting to hear more highs, mids, with clarity and with the SPL of having the top driver up near ear level, I'll stack the two, 210's as a vertical 410.
(The low-end is still present when vertical but you can now hear the mids and highs.)

When I want to percieve more low-end, I'll position the cabs set down low, side by side for alittle better boundary coupling effect.
(You'll percieve more low-end because the highs and mids are now blowing past your knees.)

+1 ! Pair of 210 cabs stacked vertically = small footprint + taller so you can hear it vs 410 is heavier / too low / bigger footprint

 

[JohnnyChatter]

So I have been playing bass in metal and punk bands for about 25 years or so. I can tell you I have never said man I need less decibels or head room. The Aguilar head is a great head and a good choice for that style. Most venues will have you D.I. Which you can always turn down for but when you are in a field or at a house party you need power. Being this is your first purchase I would go with a 410. Now as far as the sound that’s completely how the cab was built. I currently use my Neo 2x12 cabs for most gigs (just one 2x12 at a time). One of my bands has 1 guitar player who plays through a Vox and my other band has 2 guitar players that play 2x12’s. It took me about 2-3 years of teaching them less can be more until I could drop down to that smaller size from my larger cabs. While your young I would grab a used 410 for 300 bucks because at some point in time your gonna gas for one anyhow so you may as well get it out of your system(some of us never do). While you’re rocking that try other cabs out when you get the chance and don’t be in a mad rush.
Good used options
Most ampeg 410’s.
Fender pro cabs,
SWR Goliath series cabs.
Hartke and Eden make some good stuff also but I don’t have an eye for that tone.

 

[pbass2]

I voted 2x12 because I think it's the sweet spot weight and volume-wise, and especially good for any kind of guitar-driven genre. Brand wise, can't go wrong with a GK for that stuff.

 

[FretRiff]

Hey friends!

I have been playing bass for about two years now & I'm looking to upgrade. My current setup is a used BA-115 Combo & the cheapest used Squire P Bass I could find ($100 each). A month ago I joined my first band & we play rock & roll, punk, metal, indie, funk, & reggae. As much as I enjoy my 100W Ampeg, it is no longer cutting it in the rehearsal space with loud punk drumming. This week I bought an Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 for my amp after listening to quite a few sound demos & reading reviews. Now I'm losing my mind trying to decide on a single cab to pair with it (1x15, 2x12, 4x10). I'm leaning towards an Aguilar DB 115 as it is 8 ohms & 400 watts plus that old-school tone.

The Aguilar you're looking at goes for $1300 new, maybe $900-$100 used. Got a tight budget range? Any other considerations like a preferred size limit or weight range? (The DB 115 weighs 70 lbs, the Aguilar SVT 810e is a $1500 warhorse and weighs 165 lbs).

 

[_faust]

Thanks for all the great replies everyone! I'm reading everything & learning a lot.

Budget is flexible (but obviously don't want to waste money). I have listened to a number of lightweight cabs & something sounds a bit "unfocused" to them. A lot of them lack clarity as well. I would love an Ampeg 4x10 or Aguilar DB 4x10 but the real deal big boy ones are close to 100 lbs I know I made a thread about single cabs but my gut is now leaning towards 2 2x10s for ease of loading & unloading. I'm not entirely sure how much tone I'd be sacrificing instead of getting a single 4x10 & not sure if one 2x10 would be too little to show up with for smaller gigs.

 

[Sid the Kid]

I’d grab [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and if I needed more volume I’d look for another! Great price, killer power handling, great tone, very durable and sturdy. I have several Genz Benz Uber cabs and they are all wonderful sounding. If anything is wrong with the cab you can return it for a full refund within 45 days.

 

[Pings Bass]

I voted 4x10 because that's what everybody uses in these scenarios. In reality it's overkill and people should learn how to play to the room, where "the room" = a small bar or just the stage for larger venues with PA support. And when I say "people should learn" I mean guitarists, primarily.

If you're stuck playing with loud guitars, a 4x10 is the base line weapon of choice, but I recommend seeking out opportunities to play with musicians who understand dynamics and don't feel the need to play everything at eleven. Your ears will thank you as you get older.

 

[AccursedBass]

2x12 is all I need and I'm only using it for stage sound. I run DI right from my pedal board to FOH even in smaller venues

 

[JFlo]

2 2x10s is potentially better because you can get the drivers up closer to your ears. I only recommended a 4x10 because they can be found cheap. 4x10s are harder to schlep than almost any other size. I found even 8x10s are easier to move with tilt back wheels and slide rails.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I voted 4x10 because that's what everybody uses in these scenarios. In reality it's overkill and people should learn how to play to the room, where "the room" = a small bar or just the stage for larger venues with PA support. And when I say "people should learn" I mean guitarists, primarily.

If you're stuck playing with loud guitars, a 4x10 is the base line weapon of choice, but I recommend seeking out opportunities to play with musicians who understand dynamics and don't feel the need to play everything at eleven. Your ears will thank you as you get older.

I quite like the "bass line weapon" approach.

 

[NocoLaw]

No kidding!!! I just had to get hearing aids at 45 because of hearing loss! The audiologist said, “I’m guessing you are a musician or go to a lot of loud concerts”

I agree with the 410 being the hardest to move - worse than 810 with wheels. 212 is plenty for big stages for me, but we use IEMs and always have PA if the gig is bigger than a 212 would carry.

 

[Pings Bass]

I quite like the "bass line weapon" approach.

The bass player with a band I was on the bill with last Saturday brought a 4x10 to the smallish club. It felt like a weapon when he played it. Completely overkill for the space, but the two guitars were way too loud and he was just keeping up. I'm really not encouraging volume wars with guitars, I'm opposed to these situations in general, but a 4x10 is formidable if needed.