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Running high-wattage head with low-watt cab

Drewbacca

Drewbacca

May 31, 2008
1,222
106
Everett, WA
#1
Hey all, I'm in the midst of the transition from combo amp to modular rig, and I just bought a cab, a Peavey 210 TX. It lists 350W Program but no RMS listing, and is 4ohms. My issue is that soon I'll be selling my Acoustic B100 combo to fund a new head, and I have an opportunity to buy a used Acoustic B600H at a good price. As long as I am judicious with the volume/gain controls on the amp, will I be able to run these pieces of equipment together?

Also, kind of a side note, but I'd still like to ask. My band owns an 8-ohm homemade 1X15; would I be able to combine it with the Peavey- assuming the rest of this scenario comes to pass? I'm sure this has been asked before, I just can't find it ATM.
 
#2
Hi.

With a more powerful MI amp into a less capable MI cab, You'll always have greater chance of blowing the cab accidentally than if the power/power handling is reversed. It's being done all the time though, so if You are the only one using that rig, it can be done. A budget 2*10 may not be sensitive enough to be heard over loud band, so the urge to turn up way past the cabs ability might be too much to ignore.

Pairing with the 15 (parallell obviously) should be fine with a SS head, at least to try out. If the driver in that DIY cab is not up to the task, it'll blow as well though. Elevates the 210 nicely in any case ;). With anything DIY (or Peavey for that matter), pay attention to the polarity of the speakers.

Regards
Sam
 
#3
Alright, thanks :). I should be the only one using my equipment; we don't often play with other bands who don't supply their own equipment. My band (fortunately) is very good with volume levels; no one really drowns out anyone else, and we also all run through a PA, so the amps aren't doing all the heavy lifting. For larger gigs I'll probably pair with the 115... I was told it's rated at about 200/250 watts.

Either way I'm excited to start putting together my first stack... I feel like a "big boy" bassist now! :o:D
Thanks! :bassist:
 
#4
Slight correction with apologies to Sam, one of the most learned guys on here...Pairing an 8 ohm and 4 ohm cab in parallel makes a 2.67 ohm load, and the Acoustic head won't do any less than 4 ohms. So you won't be able to use those cabs together unless you have a 2 ohm capable head.
 
#8
Hi.

JimmyM said:
Slight correction with apologies to Sam, one of the most learned guys on here...Pairing an 8 ohm and 4 ohm cab in parallel makes a 2.67 ohm load, and the Acoustic head won't do any less than 4 ohms. So you won't be able to use those cabs together unless you have a 2 ohm capable head.
Click to expand...

No apologies needed, Jimmy, You make a good, perfectly valid point.

I gave a case specific answer, something that one IMHO shouldn't do when it comes down to the impedances, without saying so. I was in a bit of a hurry so that slipped my mind.

Regards
Sam
 
#9
Can I hijack please?!

I've been thinking of replacing my Hartke LH500 as I've never really been happy with it. Would I be OK running a Warwick X-treme 10.1 (1000W @ 4 Ohms) with my Hartke 4x10 (300W 8 Ohms)? I'm a little worried it's just too much head.
 
#10
HLR Gaj said:
Can I hijack please?!

I've been thinking of replacing my Hartke LH500 as I've never really been happy with it. Would I be OK running a Warwick X-treme 10.1 (1000W @ 4 Ohms) with my Hartke 4x10 (300W 8 Ohms)? I'm a little worried it's just too much head.
Click to expand...
Well if you are very careful, the laws about nobody ever blowing a cab that was sounding sweet at the time, count for quite a lot really.
Get another cab to share the load sooner than later, as driver life will inevitably suffer if you run them very hard all the time.:bassist:
 
#11
HLR Gaj said:
I'm a little worried it's just too much head.
Click to expand...

Is there such a thing?
:hiding:

But , seriously, if you dont crank it til it blows up, you'll be fine.

In other words, the cab will let you know when it cant take much more.and turn it down from there.I reccomend finding that point without being in a band situation, that way you can here the stresses that may be hard to notice playing w/full band.(then you'll know the max you can turn it up..so to speak)

YMMV
 
#13
T-Bird said:
Hi.



No apologies needed, Jimmy, You make a good, perfectly valid point.

I gave a case specific answer, something that one IMHO shouldn't do when it comes down to the impedances, without saying so. I was in a bit of a hurry so that slipped my mind.

Regards
Sam
Click to expand...
Well Sam, turns out he's wanting a head that IS 2 ohm capable, so you were actually right.
 
#15
gnjpowell said:
More likely to damage or blow a driver with a weak amp driven continuously into clipping
Click to expand...
No, you aren't. Please don't spread this silly rumor, and ignore any and all advice from whatever source you got it from.
OP, if it distorts turn it down. If it won't go loud enough without distorting add a second identical cab. You can try it with the 15, but a second 2x10 stacked vertically above it will probably work better.
 

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