• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Precarious situation?

#21
two fingers said:
My first thought is that the Rumble cab is way outclassed here. Are you even hearing it on the bottom with that Subway on top? I bet if you unplugged the Rumble cab you wouldn't notice a huge difference.

Either way, if you try to get the Rumble cab to hang with the Subway, you'll end up blowing it. I would put it on top so you can hear it begging for mercy before it gives up.

Short version. Your rig is now mismatched. Any "solution" will be a "precarious situation" in my view.
Click to expand...
Depends on the amp also. OP didn't say if it was an 800w monster, or a 50w tube. In the middle might be quite ok to split the watts evenly at full throttle, might not. You get the idea.

The newer Rumbles have some big numbers attached so all bets are off as to actual ability to hang with a Subway. Colour me suspicious of big numbers attached to single drivers, with the exception of Subway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: two fingers
#23
agedhorse said:
Just use a plywood spacer the thickness of the feet so that the bottom of the top cabinet rests on the top of the plywood and the top of the bottom cabinet rests on the plywood.

Pro audio guys deal with this sort of thing all the time, a workbox usually has a drawer full of various audio spacer devices (painted black)
Click to expand...

We still have a few black ones around, but most of them now are Canadian dark green...:roflmao::roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#24
I think I'll just end up putting the Rumble on top. If it falls off I lost $300 instead of $900. It kinda looks goofy but I need to play it wisely. I'll have to post a pic of that configuration and see what you guys think.

I have a Rumble 500 head. The Mesa is rated at 400 watts (8 ohms) and the Rumble at 300 (8 ohms). Do I really have to worry about blowing the Rumble's driver?
 
  • Like
Reactions: rollie 55
#25
two fingers said:
My first thought is that the Rumble cab is way outclassed here. Are you even hearing it on the bottom with that Subway on top? I bet if you unplugged the Rumble cab you wouldn't notice a huge difference.

Either way, if you try to get the Rumble cab to hang with the Subway, you'll end up blowing it. I would put it on top so you can hear it begging for mercy before it gives up.

Short version. Your rig is now mismatched. Any "solution" will be a "precarious situation" in my view.
Click to expand...
Well, I also have a Rumble 410 cab. Think I'm safe there? 500 continuous watts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rollie 55
#27
View attachment 3871804 View attachment 3871804
Peteyboy said:
You my good sir, are very welcome:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPFDQBH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HoW6EbHPK0Z4F
Click to expand...
Great idea! However, after reading all of the suggestions and advice, I went with putting the rumble on top of the Mesa. since it is an inferior amp, I probably have to pay attention to how it's handling the load. The Rumble isn't going anywhere, I am sure. I'm just going to have to deal with this situation until I can afford another Mesa cab. And finally a Subway head.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
  • Like
Reactions: AudioTaper, Peteyboy and rollie 55
#28
20200618_021140.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: rollie 55 and wave rider
#29
Kipp Harrington said:
I think I'll just end up putting the Rumble on top. If it falls off I lost $300 instead of $900. It kinda looks goofy but I need to play it wisely. I'll have to post a pic of that configuration and see what you guys think.

I have a Rumble 500 head. The Mesa is rated at 400 watts (8 ohms) and the Rumble at 300 (8 ohms). Do I really have to worry about blowing the Rumble's driver?
Click to expand...
250w into '300'w cab is too close to call safe. Too much low EQ backed up with too much thwack on the strings could likely smash it at high volume.

Best test it by itself, much easier to hear nasty distorted noises beginning as you crank it up.

Adding 2nd cab should then be a case of turning down.

Earplugs are required!
 
#31
Downunderwonder said:
250w into '300'w cab is too close to call safe. Too much low EQ backed up with too much thwack on the strings could likely smash it at high volume.

Best test it by itself, much easier to hear nasty distorted noises beginning as you crank it up.

Adding 2nd cab should then be a case of turning down.

Earplugs are required!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your input. I guess I'm not following you. You mean to test the Rumble by itself? I've played through it at a volume with the knob around 10 o'clock and it handled it well. Should that be my "red line" (10 o'clock) when using both cabs?
 
#32
Ok... now I'm feeling foolish and disenchanted with my situation. I really don't understand speaker impedance and how an amp delegates power to the cabs, so now I'm afraid to use my Mesa cab!

I'm thinking I should just put the cover on it and continue using my Rumble 410 with my Rumble 115 until I can afford another Mesa cab. I also use a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe preamp/DI with this rig.

I also use a Broughton HPF in my signal chain... will this help protect the speakers from overload?
 
Last edited:
#33
Kipp Harrington said:
Thanks for your input. I guess I'm not following you. You mean to test the Rumble by itself? I've played through it at a volume with the knob around 10 o'clock and it handled it well. Should that be my "red line" (10 o'clock) when using both cabs?
Click to expand...
At the same settings you are guaranteed safety, aside from your hearing, when adding the Subway. The ''red line'' is then somewhere past the 10 o'clock. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a whole lot louder.
 
#34
Kipp Harrington said:
Ok... now I'm feeling foolish and disenchanted with my situation. I really don't understand speaker impedance and how an amp delegates power to the cabs, so now I'm afraid to use my Mesa cab!

I'm thinking I should just put the cover on it and continue using my Rumble 410 with my Rumble 115 until I can afford another Mesa cab. I also use a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe preamp/DI with this rig.

I also use a Broughton HPF in my signal chain... will this help protect the speakers from overload?
Click to expand...
Amp sends power in inverse proportion to the cab impedances. Two 8 ohm cabs will get pretty much the same power going through them.
 
#38
Kipp Harrington said:
Got a new Mesa Subway 115 yesterday. I would like to pair it with my Rumble 115 cab.

I have the Mesa sitting on top of the Rumble. The feet on the Mesa are almost completely making contact with the Rumble cab. Maybe a millimeter or is/are peeking over the edge. I played this setup at Sweetwater before I left with it. I had it at a pretty loud level for a few minutes and I didn't notice any shifting.

I placed the Rumble on top of the Mesa and the feet of the Rumble hand over the sides of the Meds... But not by much at all. I was just thinking that the Mesa being on top (with it's feet contacting the Rumble) would be more secure than the Rumble "straddling" the Mesa with the feet not making contact at all.

I'd like your guys thoughts/suggestions.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...


Hey Kipp, what size venues are you playing? I have a MESA Subway D800+ with 115 and 112 ultra lite cabs. I play a variety of places, indoors and out, and frankly I rarely add the 115. I have an anvil-style road case for the 112, the head, and a pedal board, and the case top doubles as a stand for both the 112 pointed to stage front and a side-standing JBL monitor facing straight to the drummer, floor tom side. This case top stands around 2 feet tall, giving me better onstage projection from the 112.

Half of my gigs don’t even use FOH bass support. It’s just not needed. The MESA rig has the cojones without the 115 for most anything and it has a tight punchy thump that doesn’t sound loose and sloppy like an Ex-Lax aftermath. Simple, small, effective. Each member (four of us) has a monitor to up the bass signal independently just a bit as (if) needed. We want to keep the onstage volume controlled and low enough to talk over without shouting with somewhere around 95 dBm at roughly 40 ft from FOH, give or take. We leave our board settings as is from gig to gig, and the lead guitarist and me both do a quick walkabout for a < 1/2 a song, making relatively minor tweaks.

Now I don’t know if your Rumble 500 head can do the trick with your Subway cab alone, but it’s no problemo for the D800+. Raising the single cab as mentioned really gives me the projection I’m looking for and I’m not humping cabs unnecessarily. I play enough ( this week it’s three in a row and sometimes it’s more) that I’ve become really conscious of any additional wasted effort. We typically arrive on station one hour prior to start, take about 30 mins to set up, quickie sound check, then about 20 mins to chill before the hammer falls. I’ll try to remember and shoot a few photos of my standard setup at tonight’s outdoor gig that’s on a 15 x 40 stage.

We don’t play metal, so I can’t speak to that, but for garden-variety tunes this setup is about as perfect for me as it gets, and believe me at 62 I’ve been through the gamut of monster rigs for almost fifty years and this setup is pretty much Utopia for me. YMMV, good luck! Sorry for all the bloviation
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peteyboy
#39
HG1180 said:
A bit of a crack-idea but i would take the feet off and use some extra strong velcro around the entire bottom perimeter.
Click to expand...

Velcro is usually my first choice.

If one didn't want to remove the feet, 1" boards that fit between the feet velcroed on both sides will work as a go between Ive done this on some pieces of equethat needed similar alterations.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back