Power/Head/Cab Handleing Question - Please

[et141311]

I have this: Fender 400 PRO Combo

Invalid Link Removed

And this: Fender 115 PRO EXT Cab

Invalid Link Removed

My question is (because I am not the smartest guy in the world with power handling and ohms and watts and stuff)...Is would everything work right/not blow or over heat if I add 2 10s:

Invalid Link Removed

Thank You,

 

[62bass]

I have this: Fender 400 PRO Combo

Invalid Link Removed

And this: Fender 115 PRO EXT Cab

Invalid Link Removed

My question is (because I am not the smartest guy in the world with power handling and ohms and watts and stuff)...Is would everything work right/not blow or over heat if I add 2 10s:

Invalid Link Removed

Thank You,

According to Fender's specs, the 400 Pro will safely run at 2 ohms minimum. The internal speakers in the combo are 2- 8 ohm speakers giving a load of 4 ohms. The 1-15 extension cabinet is also 4 ohms. Plugging the extension cabinet into the combo and running both the combo's internal speakers and the extension results in a 2 ohm load which the amp will safely handle. You cannot add another cabinet of any impedance to this setup without going below 2 ohms total which could fry your amp. The only way would be not use the 1-15 and plug in the 2-10 instead. Or disconnect the internal speakers and use the 2-10 cabinet in its place. But not the internal speakers, the 1-15 and a 2-10 at the same time.

The internal speakers and the 1-15 should be able to handle the full output of the 400 Pro without too much trouble. That should be a pretty loud, decent sounding rig. Of course, if you really crank up your bass control and the volume, you could possibly damage the speakers or at least make them distort badly. If that rig doesn't give you enough volume to be heard, then you'll need more power and a better speaker setup, like an 800 watt amp head and a pair of good 4-10 cabinets. It all depends on how loud you intend to play. For me and anything I do these days your rig would be more than adequate.

 

[et141311]

According to Fender's specs, the 400 Pro will safely run at 2 ohms minimum. The internal speakers in the combo are 2- 8 ohm speakers giving a load of 4 ohms. The 1-15 extension cabinet is also 4 ohms. Plugging the extension cabinet into the combo and running both the combo's internal speakers and the extension results in a 2 ohm load which the amp will safely handle. You cannot add another cabinet of any impedance to this setup without going below 2 ohms total which could fry your amp. The only way would be not use the 1-15 and plug in the 2-10 instead. Or disconnect the internal speakers and use the 2-10 cabinet in its place. But not the internal speakers, the 1-15 and a 2-10 at the same time.

The internal speakers and the 1-15 should be able to handle the full output of the 400 Pro without too much trouble. That should be a pretty loud, decent sounding rig. Of course, if you really crank up your bass control and the volume, you could possibly damage the speakers or at least make them distort badly. If that rig doesn't give you enough volume to be heard, then you'll need more power and a better speaker setup, like an 800 watt amp head and a pair of good 4-10 cabinets. It all depends on how loud you intend to play. For me and anything I do these days your rig would be more than adequate.

Thanks a whole bunch for the advice mate. My amp is really nice and sounds really good. The only thing is that it doesnt get REALLY loud. I have to push it to about 85% to be up to par with my guitarist...So if I were to sell and upgrade in the future, what would you suggest with a price range around $1200 or so?

 

[62bass]

Thanks a whole bunch for the advice mate. My amp is really nice and sounds really good. The only thing is that it doesnt get REALLY loud. I have to push it to about 85% to be up to par with my guitarist...So if I were to sell and upgrade in the future, what would you suggest with a price range around $1200 or so?

You'd probably be best served by getting a separate high powered head and maybe one really good 4-10. if you want to upgrade. For a head I'd suggest the Yorkville Sound XS 800, if you can get one where you live. The Gallien Krueger 700 or 1000 RB are great too, but will be a bit more exoensive. You'd have to look hard for a good speaker cabinet that would be a good match for all that power to still keep it in the $1200 range. You could later add another cabinet for more projection.

But for now, with your combo, if you add the matching Fender 1-15, you'll notice quite an improvement over the combo alone. You shoiuld be able to compete with your guitarist unless he gets stupidly loud.

Tone just goes right out the window when you have to play that loud.

I'd suggest you take your combo into a music store, once you're familiar with how it works and try plugging in an extension cabinet to get an idea of how much of an improvement you'd get. I've always liked 15" speakers and the 2-10, 1-15 combination gives a nice balance of frequencies.

Edited after realizing my stupidity (still on my first cup of coffee)-You DO already have the 1-15 extension. Okay, that tells me your guitarist is playing stupidly loud. Usually, it's impossible to get them to turn down (which is why I only play with guitarists who use smaller amps and are concerned more with tone than volume) so, for now you'll have to make the most of the power you have. Don't crank your bass boost up at high volumes. It uses up an awful lot of amplifier power and forces your speakers to move beyond their safe limits. I can't quite remember if your Fender amp has a contour contol, but it probably has something along those lines. When you dial in a lot of the contour, what it does is boost bass and treble, while sucking out midrange. You need that midrange to be heard in the audience. The contour can make the sound fat and full at low volumes but if you crank it at higher volumes, you'll again be boosting too much bass. The result is mush, a rumble that wipes out everything else in the band like the vocals, and too much stress on the speakers.

Most of the young bands I've heard sound like that and it's too bad because some of them play pretty nicely and could sound good. Hopefully some of them will mature before they reach old age.