I'm new to cabinets and heads. I've been playing an ampeg BA115HP combo with my band for the last few years and now I'm looking for something alot louder for when we play shows. I just picked up an SWR 4 x10 cabinet and i just assumed i should get a 400W head, but i guess thats not how it works. The guy at the store told me a 100W head would be fine. I tried the 100W head and it was loud but i wanted something louder, and i know that soon i will buy and second cabinet probably also 400W. So, with that in mind, my questions is what should i be looking for, as far as wattage goes, as a head for this cabinet. If you have any specific suggestions of models feel free.
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probably a stupid question
- Thread starter ruffroka321
- Start date
100 watts is not a whole lot for bass, unless it's an all tube head, but even then, it's still not an incredible amount. 300 watts, generally speaking, is a good starting point. More than likely adding a second cab is going to get you more volume than a bigger head would, because watts only tell part of the story to begin with.
The FAQ and search are your friends, there is a lot of information out there on this. Good luck.
The FAQ and search are your friends, there is a lot of information out there on this. Good luck.
D
The guy at your amp store is ********.
Its much better to have too much power in your amp head than not enough. If you have a 100w amp, and its at a high setting on master, and you need to go louder, its going to start distorting and sending bad signals through the speakers. Do this consistently and you will ruin your cabinet.
A higher-rated amp will stay clean at higher volumes, and as long as you dont go crazy with the master gain, you can easily get away with an amp rated at 2x-3x your cabinet.
Dont forget to check resistance (ohms) when matching an amp/cabinet
Its much better to have too much power in your amp head than not enough. If you have a 100w amp, and its at a high setting on master, and you need to go louder, its going to start distorting and sending bad signals through the speakers. Do this consistently and you will ruin your cabinet.
A higher-rated amp will stay clean at higher volumes, and as long as you dont go crazy with the master gain, you can easily get away with an amp rated at 2x-3x your cabinet.
Dont forget to check resistance (ohms) when matching an amp/cabinet
There are no stupid questions - just stupid answers.
Here's one:
You're in a stage volume spiral. There's incredible amounts of power and SPL available to instrumentalist today. You'll end up with out of control stage volume as most instrumentalist like to hear themselves over anybody else. Drummers and guitarist will usually win.
Instead spend your money on Sound Reinforcement and in ear monitoring. There's a thread here about a cheap but effective ways to ear monitoring. Go DI into the SR system, and the in ear mix you can mix whatever you like your volume to be over other's in the band. You'll have better control of stage volume and better sound out front.
Here's one:
You're in a stage volume spiral. There's incredible amounts of power and SPL available to instrumentalist today. You'll end up with out of control stage volume as most instrumentalist like to hear themselves over anybody else. Drummers and guitarist will usually win.
Instead spend your money on Sound Reinforcement and in ear monitoring. There's a thread here about a cheap but effective ways to ear monitoring. Go DI into the SR system, and the in ear mix you can mix whatever you like your volume to be over other's in the band. You'll have better control of stage volume and better sound out front.
Having lost the battle that Seamonkey describes and trashing my back in the process from hauling heavy gear, Seamonkey has a good point.
I think that nad's 300 watt minimum is valid too...
For a 400 watt cabinet, I'd say look for an amp in the 300 to 800 watt range. Buying a middle-of-the-line amp will also get you more features (more flexible EQ, a decent DI, etc.) too.
Select your amp carefully and it will serve you well for a long, long time.
Good luck....and happy Birthday! (tomorrow)
I think that nad's 300 watt minimum is valid too...
For a 400 watt cabinet, I'd say look for an amp in the 300 to 800 watt range. Buying a middle-of-the-line amp will also get you more features (more flexible EQ, a decent DI, etc.) too.
Select your amp carefully and it will serve you well for a long, long time.
Good luck....and happy Birthday! (tomorrow)
Quote from mgood-
"Watts are like dollars, they don't matter until you don't have enough"
I think the 300-800 watt range is a good choice too. Make sure to compare as many as you can, company A's 300watt amp sometimes sounds louder/bassier than company B's 400 watter, etc.
"Watts are like dollars, they don't matter until you don't have enough"
I think the 300-800 watt range is a good choice too. Make sure to compare as many as you can, company A's 300watt amp sometimes sounds louder/bassier than company B's 400 watter, etc.
