New Gig, Need New Rig (Advice Needed)

[John D Harris]

Ok team, I returned the HD500, mainly due to it not having an extension cab option. Also, it wasn't quite loud enough for my needs.

I exchanged for an Ampeg RB210. It "seems" a bit louder than the HD500. But, I'm running it at almost 75% up the volume knob. If this one doesn't work out, I'm just going to bite the bullet and get a head/cab option (which I probably should have started with from the beginning).

Looking at either the Orange Terror Bass or Little Bass thing with the 4 ohm SVT 212AV cab. "Should" be more power in that setup.

Don't worry about where the volume knob is set until it won't turn any more or it starts sounding too ugly.

More speaker cone area if you need it - Ampeg PF-115HE or PF-210HE run about $500.

 

[John D Harris]

Ok team, I returned the HD500, mainly due to it not having an extension cab option. Also, it wasn't quite loud enough for my needs.

I exchanged for an Ampeg RB210. It "seems" a bit louder than the HD500. But, I'm running it at almost 75% up the volume knob. If this one doesn't work out, I'm just going to bite the bullet and get a head/cab option (which I probably should have started with from the beginning).

Looking at either the Orange Terror Bass or Little Bass thing with the 4 ohm SVT 212AV cab. "Should" be more power in that setup.

If you are not plugged into the "0dB" Input, try that also make sure you turn the volume on your bass guitar all the way up.

If you don't get enough SPL that way, if you have a boost pedal or a pedal that can provide a boosted signal, I would try that.

I play with a rather light touch and I have an issue hitting that first gain stage with a hot enough level to get the amp to close to its full output sometimes.
When I play with a pick or do slap, I have to back the volume way back to match my fingerstyle playing.

Most people get plenty of volume out of that combo, so it is possible that you have a wonky unit.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Make sure you even need an amp first. You may be able to get away with in-ears and a Sansamp.

 

[getBAK]

Keep in mind - this is a backup system. You're going to use this when the primary system fails.

 

[b80]

As an update, I found a decent deal on an Orange Terror Bass 500 and it rips. I don't have a cab, yet. Just playing it through the PA. It's shaking the whole room and not even turned up halfway.

And yeah, as mentioned, we are running in ears. So, I don't need a crazy large cab or anything. This is just for stage volume and to try to be even with the drums so the audience directly in front of the stage aren't only hearing cymbals.

The Ampeg SVT 2x12 seems like it's perfect. Not too big, not too small. And it runs at 4ohms so I'm getting the full 500w load. Can't imagine I'd need the whole 500w, but it's nice to have if I do!