overpower/underpower?

[Agustin]

is it really possible to overpower or underpower a cab?
because i want to buy the Fender Rumble 410 bass cab ( 1000 watt program / 500 watt rms @ 4 ohms) and i'm thinking of matching it up with the peavey tour 700 bass amp head ( 700 watt rms @ 4 ohms ) but im not sure if that will mess up my cab. or if i go with the peavey tour 450, will that underpower it and mess up the amp head? i need help

 

[GrowlerBox]

Overpower - fo' shizzle.
Underpower - no such thang.

Easiest way to avoid overpowering is to control your volume and bass EQ knob. Ignore power ratings on cabs -- they don't refer to anything useful. Get the cab you like the sound of, listen to it so you know when it starts to complain, and back off. If you can't get loud enough, add another cab, ideally another of the same.

BTW, are you going to keep starting threads on the same topic until someone tells you what you want to hear?

 

[billfitzmaurice]

i need help

Read the 2nd post down at the top of the first page.

 

[Agustin]

so i should go with the 450 then? since its rms wattage is closeer to the cab?

 

[steveksux]

Nope, go with the 700.

Randy

 

[JimmyM]

ya, i'd say 700 too. best matches up with your cab. however, you could get the 450 as well.

 

[Agustin]

cool. thx i'll get that 700 then

 

[Munjibunga]

I'd go with the 700, too, but if it starts to fart, you've maxed out the capability of the cab and you need to turn it down. You can not run that amp full volume through that cab continuously without blowing something. Just be mature and judicious in the application of all that power.

 

[Agustin]

awsm thanks for all the help

 

[Downunderwonder]

Even the little one can destroy the cab if you're not listening when you crank low bass. Get the big one and it'll make you twice as paranoid about not overdriving.

 

[spaz21387]

another thread on the same topic?

 

[Downunderwonder]

He's entitled to an opinion on getting the big one or the little one, never mind there is very little difference in the loudness he could get from the one cabinet with the bigger amp.

 

[Korladis]

I'd get the 700 watt one but get an 8 ohm cab.

 

[spaz21387]

But he wants the fender because its cheap

 

[Korladis]

All the more reason to get a different cab. You can cheap out on amps, but a crummy cab will turn everything that comes out of it to garbage.

 

[Electricblue]

Ignore the wattage figures to a point.

Just use your ears to decide if your setup is farting or not.

Dont ever think "well my head is 200w and my cab is 300w. My cab is farting out and on fire but that's fine because the figures add up"

Your ears are your most valuable tools in your career as a musician. Make good use of them.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

another thread on the same topic?

Two requirements for newbies seem to be not reading the FAQ and posting the weekly 'underpowering' question.

 

[Jayhawk]

From yesterday's thread

sweet thx man. and after looking at some heads i think ima go with the peavey tour 450 bass amp head.

If you're going to buy the Peavey new, spend the extra $80 and get the Tour 700 - I think you'll be happier with a little more head room in the long run.

but wouldent i risk overpowering the fender cab? the continuous wattage on it is only 500

Only if you played it at ridiculous volumes for an extended period of time. Many people have heads or power amps that have more power than their speakers can handle (including me) ... it's a situation that is easily regulated with the volume knob.

Still not sure (found using search):

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/overpowering-your-cabinets-415227/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f203/underpowering-speakers-491671/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/overpower-underpower-hypothetical-227451/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/amp-question-654059/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/why-better-overpower-than-underpower-speaker-320085/

I understand your concerns and hesitancy, but I think you have your answer.