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Rig recommendations please

P

PokeyLaFarge

Mar 5, 2012
23
0
Rhode Island, USA
#1
I currently have an Ampeg B2R with an Ampeg SVT-410HE cab. It is just not loud enough to keep up with my band at this point. Should I try to add a 1 x 15 cabinet to this? If so, what would you recommend. Or should I get a new head to replace the B2R? Would a Markbass Little Mark III work well with the SVT-410HE?
Thanks!
 
#2
More speakers = more volume. Add a 2nd SVT-410HE. Don't add a 1X15.

If you don't like the tone you are getting now upgrading the head isn't a bad idea either, but it may not be all that much louder going through the same cab.
 
#3
adding another cab will increase the volume moreso than adding watts.

If you dig your cab add another 410HE. Some people have good results mixing different speaker sizes and like what they hear and there is alot of info on TB regarding the pro's/con's of mixing speakers. For me though, I'd add another 410 cab as then you can use the full 450 watts the B2R puts out.
 
#4
300 watts into a 410 and you can't be heard? How about getting a quieter band?

You could also try getting your sound heard thru the mix better, possibly by cutting your lows and establishing your presence in the low mids instead. Or cutting your distortion if you are using that.

If you need to get another cab, I would definitely go with another 410.

But its crazy you have to spend money because your band mates can't manage their volume.
 
#6
nothing but truth here...


cchorney said:
But its crazy you have to spend money because your band mates can't manage their volume.
Click to expand...



But, in my 30+ years of being in bands I'd rather have a rig where I have no doubt about it's ability to compete and pummel the competition. I've had guitar players who feel the need to bring a Marshall stack to a small club and say they can't get their tone at a lower volume. Nevermind the audience who can't sit anywhere near the stage or the bartender complaining it's too loud. :rollno:
 
#8
cchorney said:
300 watts into a 410 and you can't be heard? How about getting a quieter band?


But its crazy you have to spend money because your band mates can't manage their volume.
Click to expand...

-1 Heresy! If this was true we Wouldn't GAS, and none of us would be Gear Heads.

to the OP: I have to agree with the consensus here, adding the second 410he is a good move, it will give you far more "Cut Thru" volume. If you ever decide to change heads in the future, you won't have to change cabs as well.
 
#10
Splore said:
And before I hear it from you guys, It's called an opinion.

If It's too loud You are too old!
Click to expand...


well..the tinnitus that started in my late teens and still bothers me today tells me I was a fool in my younger days.

My tinnitus is not bad but there are many musicians who have it way worse than I do. Mine is really noticable when it's quiet, especially at night. Pete Townshend is nearly deaf from playing loud.
 
#11
I don't mean to deny your pain. Taking care of your ears should be paramount, I completely agree.

First band was a punk band in my parents garage that insisted on turning up to 11. Inside of 15 mins I went inside grabbed the box of earplugs we used for the shooting range, and passed them out to everyone.

These days most of us just use a headphones (wired or wireless) monitoring the PA signal. But the sound reduction effect is the point. I just assumed that people playing instruments rated well over 100 db would use some kind of ear protection.
 
#12
My band works hard to manage out sound level. We still get the tone we want, but we have to work at it. For example, my lead guitar player likes vintage 15-25 watt amps because he can get the tone he wants without killing everyone in the room. He cranks up the little amp and once he gets his tone he mics the speaker to the PA, and everyone is happy. He is secure enough to not need gigantic towering amps and cabs but maybe your guitar player isn't. :-)
 
#13
Splore said:
I just assumed that people playing instruments rated well over 100 db would use some kind of ear protection.
Click to expand...

Of the multitude of people I play with, none of them do. I am the only one. All of my friends are going to be deaf later on in life and none of them seem to care. Sad when you think about it. You "love" music so much that you're willing to not hear it when you're old.

One of the bands does isolated headphones, but they are still pretty loud. I have my own personal mixer with them, so I can adjust independently.
 
#14
Have you thought about upgrading your head as well?
You wound't need to as you'll definitely be loud enough with your current head and 2 410's. But if you sold the B2R and got a 7 pro or something similar, you'd get an 'better' tone and you'd have a rig that you would be able to drown everyone out with :D
 
#15
cchorney said:
300 watts into a 410 and you can't be heard? How about getting a quieter band?
Click to expand...

I am not the original poster but I think it is kind of presumptuous to assume that 300 watts into a 4x10 is loud enough. Or to assume that turning down distortion (if they are using it) will help.
In my experience 300 watts into an average 4x10 is the minimum for playing loud rock, metal or punk. anything less than that is a waste of time.
Also, using distortion will make your bass louder, not less loud. I speak from experience on that one.
I would also add that while everyone assumes that the guitaist is too loud, IME most often it is the drummer who cannot regulate their dynamics. It takes some skill and practice to be able to play fast, intricate stuff, without being overbearing.
 

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