New Rig-Ohms, Watts... Arghhhhh!

[KxLowender]

I run a 500 watt class D amp that handles a 4 ohm load that I can lift with one finger. I have a 4 ohm 210 cab that I like to have turned vertical about 76 cm off the floor. I'm playing rock in similar situations, and volumes, with a medium drummer, and it works great. I played a larger venue once where the sound guy turned under the stage into some big folded horn sub-wolfer thing, when he turned on the subs, my bass just disappeared. I'm thinking about the next time we play there, what to do, what to do.

Could I ask what the setup is & what size venues you're using it for regularly?

Thank you.

 

[monsterthompson]

Financing gear. Hope you're gigs bring pay checks.

Consider just swapping the head for a used class D head, if you're looking to shave weight without going into debt. Then swap out the cab when you can afford it.

Unless you go with something like a Barefaced, you'll shave off more lugging weight with a lighter head than a different cab.

I get the desire for better tone. Just don't buy new and finance if your budget is tight with wedding finances.

 

[kat888]

Looking at the Thomann website, the TC Electronic K212 and BH800 would be nearly within your price range. At 8Ω the BH800 would give you around 500W and as long as you were sensible that shouldn't be a problem ... and you could add a second cab later. That head has a built in tuner and two toneprint slots. If you have the gift of the gab, you may be able to charm your way to a BH550 and a pair of K cabs.

I don't own any TC kit apart from a tuner and a chorus, but the amps look like fantastic value if you are into the solid state class D thing.

 

[monsterthompson]

might be worth considering.

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Plan to save for a new cab down the road. Get a folding hand-cart, dolly in the meantime to help with your cab.

 

[KxLowender]

Financing gear. Hope you're gigs bring pay checks.

Consider just swapping the head for a used class D head, if you're looking to shave weight without going into debt. Then swap out the cab when you can afford it.

Unless you go with something like a Barefaced, you'll shave off more lugging weight with a lighter head than a different cab.

I get the desire for better tone. Just don't buy new and finance if your budget is tight with wedding finances.

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately original bands get paid very little (if anything) here in England

To be honest, even though the head weighs more, the cabs more of an issue (a mix of the weight & size). I may look into lightweight cabs that could safely handle the 700w head.

Tone wise, I get by. Majority comes from the guitar and the firebass does what it can. So yeah, like you say, maybe I should consider less drastic measures.

Thank you.

 

[KxLowender]

Looking at the Thomann website, the TC Electronic K212 and BH800 would be nearly within your price range. At 8Ω the BH800 would give you around 500W and as long as you were sensible that shouldn't be a problem ... and you could add a second cab later. That head has a built in tuner and two toneprint slots. If you have the gift of the gab, you may be able to charm your way to a BH550 and a pair of K cabs.

I don't own any TC kit apart from a tuner and a chorus, but the amps look like fantastic value if you are into the solid state class D thing.

Thanks.

I'll do some searching on the TC gear. I think the place I'm going tomorrow has one of the TC heads on the website.

 

[KxLowender]

might be worth considering.

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Plan to save for a new cab down the road. Get a folding hand-cart, dolly in the meantime to help with your cab.

Thanks.

How is the new Peavey gear rated? I know the older amps (like the firebass) were generally known for lack of tone, but complete workhorses.

 

[kat888]

Thanks.

I'll do some searching on the TC gear. I think the place I'm going tomorrow has one of the TC heads on the website.

I just looked up the specs on your head = 475W @ 4Ω. A PF500 or BH550 is giving you roughly the same power. Not easy to find a 4Ω 115, in fact when I was looking it wasn't that easy to find an acceptable 4Ω 212. Now I have a geet big heavy valve head, impedance is no longer a consideration.

 

[monsterthompson]

Thanks.

How is the new Peavey gear rated? I know the older amps (like the firebass) were generally known for lack of tone, but complete workhorses.

Not sure how well they perform. I've got no direct experience. But there are some involved threads on TB about them.

Actually, I know several people who love Peavey gear, including that head you've got.

 

[monsterthompson]

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately original bands get paid very little (if anything) here in England

To be honest, even though the head weighs more, the cabs more of an issue (a mix of the weight & size). I may look into lightweight cabs that could safely handle the 700w head.

Tone wise, I get by. Majority comes from the guitar and the firebass does what it can. So yeah, like you say, maybe I should consider less drastic measures.

Thank you.

If you're looking for lightweight cabs, and in England, Barefaced might be worth a shot.

At £520 the Two10 should handle your head output. It's relatively small and an easy carry. The only issue is it comes in 4 or 12 ohm wiring. If one is enough, a 4 ohm would be ideal. If you're crew is silly loud a second one would be needed, so a 12 ohm would be a better option. If you're getting by on your 115, the single 4ohm 210 could do the job. I've owned one, and it is very nice and light.

For £569, you could step up to the Super Compact, which is similar in output to the 210, but voiced a little differently. It will take the output from the head you've got, and it's a silly light one-handed carry. If you don't need massive low end extension not the tweeter of their BB2 cab, then it's a great combination of size, weight, and output. It will most likely be a big step up from your current 115. I only sold mine to move up to the BB2 from them, because I use it as a full-range PA style monitor, for some gigs. The Super Compact is an 8ohm cab, so you could add a second one for a 4ohm rig which would be silly loud.

In my experience, the bulky lugging is the hardest. Downsizing to a smaller, lighter cab might be beneficial to your lugging.

You also get a one-month trial/return period on your side of The Atlantic.

 

[BogeyBass]

Just get a matching pair of 8ohm neo 12's or single 212.

Firebass is reliable and 2ohm stable
So keep it for backup for sure

 

[chris_b]

I'd suggest a 500 watt D class amp and either 2 210 cabs or 1 212 cab.

Oh, and try to put the wedding back a year so you can buy the best gear.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Notice you have only 400 watts of speaker capacity and a 500 watt amp.

You must never do this. Your rig will explode with the force of a billion nuclear warheads, sending the earth spiralling uncontrollably into the sun. On the other hand if you run your cabs in series to give a 16 ohm load rather than the 4 ohms you would get in parallel, your amp will be putting out fewer watts into that greater load and all will be well.

 

[monsterthompson]

You must never do this. Your rig will explode with the force of a billion nuclear warheads, sending the earth spiralling uncontrollably into the sun. On the other hand if you run your cabs in series to give a 16 ohm load rather than the 4 ohms you would get in parallel, your amp will be putting out fewer watts into that greater load and all will be well.

He did say to listen to the cabs and be careful with the volume knob. Totally reasonable advice.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

He did say to listen to the cabs and be careful with the volume knob. Totally reasonable advice.

My response was intended to be humorous. Or ironic. Or maybe facetious. Probably one of those anyway.

 

[KxLowender]

If you're looking for lightweight cabs, and in England, Barefaced might be worth a shot.

At £520 the Two10 should handle your head output. It's relatively small and an easy carry. The only issue is it comes in 4 or 12 ohm wiring. If one is enough, a 4 ohm would be ideal. If you're crew is silly loud a second one would be needed, so a 12 ohm would be a better option. If you're getting by on your 115, the single 4ohm 210 could do the job. I've owned one, and it is very nice and light.

For £569, you could step up to the Super Compact, which is similar in output to the 210, but voiced a little differently. It will take the output from the head you've got, and it's a silly light one-handed carry. If you don't need massive low end extension not the tweeter of their BB2 cab, then it's a great combination of size, weight, and output. It will most likely be a big step up from your current 115. I only sold mine to move up to the BB2 from them, because I use it as a full-range PA style monitor, for some gigs. The Super Compact is an 8ohm cab, so you could add a second one for a 4ohm rig which would be silly loud.

In my experience, the bulky lugging is the hardest. Downsizing to a smaller, lighter cab might be beneficial to your lugging.

You also get a one-month trial/return period on your side of The Atlantic.

Thank you.

Someone mentioned about giving Barefaced a ring. I'all do that tomorrow. Seems like the logical option and may improve my tone slightly(?).

I could keep the peavey 115, given it works out ohms wise, for emergency, big venue with no PA support, situations.

Thanks.

 

[KxLowender]

I'd suggest a 500 watt D class amp and either 2 210 cabs or 1 212 cab.

Oh, and try to put the wedding back a year so you can buy the best gear.

Haha it's seriously tempting! My savings account has never looked so healthy. Knowing it's to be spent on chair covers & a 3 course meal for 80 relatives/friends is a real kick in the teeth!!!

 

[KxLowender]

Just get a matching pair of 8ohm neo 12's or single 212.

Firebass is reliable and 2ohm stable
So keep it for backup for sure

Yeah the Firebass is a cracker. 10 years, 1000 gigs & a few trips down the stairs, and nothing but 1 blown fuse!

Definitely considering the new cab route.

Thank you.

 

[chris_b]

If your amp is still good I'd keep it and get a new cab first.

In 10 years I've only owned Bergantino and now 2 Barefaced Super Compacts cabs. I'd be checking the classifieds for either of those makes.

 

[KxLowender]

If your amp is still good I'd keep it and get a new cab first.

In 10 years I've only owned Bergantino and now 2 Barefaced Super Compacts cabs. I'd be checking the classifieds for either of those makes.

Will keep my eye out, thank you.