Is your cab tilted back? It's probably plenty loud, but if you can't hear the mids and highs because the cab's not tilted back you can't tell. Most of what makes an 810 or stacked 410s or even a pair of vertically stacked 210s sound so good is from having the upper drivers high enough so you can hear the mids and highs.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Seeking Help/Guidance for a more powerful head..
- Thread starter DanBass
- Start date
skyline_01
Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables
Why, yes it is!!!Love it btw... very happy. Thanks!
I picked up an 8 ohm 4 x 10 last night.. got a good deal on it that worked for my sad, sad budget.. LOL And it is only roughly 60lbs.. a far cry from the 98lb TX410.. I even picked it up with ONE HAND. Weee.
That said, I am on the lookout for a 6x10 - I would really like to avoid a refrigerator (8x10).. Actually nothing was worse than my Ampeg 2x15 cab with the built in preamp.. how I loved that cab.. but HATED lugging that and the head around.. Handles/Wheels.. never a good sign.. but I was young, nary a care... ah it sucked then too.. but tone usurped my spine. God bless light gear. LOL
Well I'm really glad that you're enjoying it! It sounds like you're on the right track with the new 8 ohm cab... good luck in your future searches!
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
Exactly. You need to move more air. More power will not do this. Typically, doubling power only makes a difference of about 3 decibels. Check how many ohms you amp can handle and add a cab if possible. Another thing to try is adjusting your EQ. Several years ago, I read an article that said we have a tendency to set our EQ when nobody else is playing. When the band starts, some of our frequencies get lost in the mix. The article suggested adding more mids and highs when we are playing alone because that will help our bass cut through the mix better. I've done it and it does work. I don't like my tone while playing alone but it sounds great with the band.
Last edited:
Does the PF500 have a line output after the preamp? If so, maybe look to find a used QSC GX5 power amp which usually can be found for low $200s. Drive each 4Ω cabinet with one channel of the GX5 giving you 700 watts per cabinet, and drive your 8Ω cabinet with the PF500's amp giving your probably 250 watts. 1650 watts total, if that matters to you. This will also give you volume control over each cabinet which will allow you to hear how the cabinets add to each other.
And the fact that my right ear is essentially useless, only serving to keep my noggin even, doesn't help.. I am on the left side with my rig on my right.. So I might actually build a small riser that elevates the cab a foot or so off the ground.. that would help.. Actually being on the RIGHT side of the stage would help too, but the one guitarist is a permanent fixture there.
I am considering in-ear as well.. but with one working ear, that can actually be an impediment... I am a mess. LOL
Last edited:
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the TX410 is a $100 cab. Get rid of that cheap stuff and get an Ampeg 410. You will be amazed how much better it is.
1) what tells you that you need more volume than you can get? Is the master up all the way? Are the speakers breaking up? Is the sound just not responding with the punch that you're looking for?
2) what have your bandmates/audience members said? Do they think you need more volume?
3) what does your eq look like, on the amp and on any other preamps (pedals or onboard bass eq)?
I think there are lots of times when people think they need more but they really just need to make adjustments to what they have. I'm not saying that's the case, but it's worth examining.
Also, keep in mind that room acoustics can play a big role. In some rooms, like when my band practices (a basement), if I stand a few feet from my amp, I can barely hear it. But if I move 2 feet to the side (where my guitarist stands), the bass is massive.
2) what have your bandmates/audience members said? Do they think you need more volume?
3) what does your eq look like, on the amp and on any other preamps (pedals or onboard bass eq)?
I think there are lots of times when people think they need more but they really just need to make adjustments to what they have. I'm not saying that's the case, but it's worth examining.
Also, keep in mind that room acoustics can play a big role. In some rooms, like when my band practices (a basement), if I stand a few feet from my amp, I can barely hear it. But if I move 2 feet to the side (where my guitarist stands), the bass is massive.
Look for a used Marshall MBH 450 - should be in your price range and handles 2 ohm loads. I had that head with 2 410 Marshall cabs (4 ohm) and loved it. Never used more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the power even with a loud band. The cabs were very heavy, which is why I sold the set, but the head was great.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Go used. Find a used GK mb800 or PF800. You probably will need a bit more in your budget. I have found most of my amps used on TB classified. The sellers all been very pleasant to deal with, and even have at times gone the extra mile to answer questions, find sales receipts, etc.
That doesn't really solve any of your problems, except giving you a lighter cab to work with. But now you're only getting like 250w out of your head. So unless the cab is at least 3db more efficient than the peavey, you've probably gone backwards. What did you get?
I am almost afraid to say. LOL
It was a local deal for nil change, and I wanted to at least have the option.. Peavey (ducking) Tour (eee) 410.
For $60 I figured I couldn't go wrong to at least try it.. and it is roughly 40 lbs lighter. Ok, let me have it.
I will try and sell the TX410's - at least one.. I think it is just an idea of 1) saving and 2) making due until then...
Well, for 60 bucks that's not too bad. Is the power handling at least similar (or at least enough to take the full power of the head at 8 ohms, ie 300+)?
Personally, I would probably sell everything but the head and start from scratch, there are a lot of great options out there. The problem with cheap cabs like that is it can be really hard to sell them sometimes. So if you're on a tight budget, if you buy for 60 and sell for 40, even though it's "only" 20 bucks, you lost 1/3 of the value of the cab., and the time it takes to sell.
Personally, I would probably sell everything but the head and start from scratch, there are a lot of great options out there. The problem with cheap cabs like that is it can be really hard to sell them sometimes. So if you're on a tight budget, if you buy for 60 and sell for 40, even though it's "only" 20 bucks, you lost 1/3 of the value of the cab., and the time it takes to sell.
Ah! - it was YOU who said that.. And yes, as I mentioned above, that is VERY true.
Tecnnically, it isn't a NO NO, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea. It is, in fact, an idea that wont give you any benefit. If you pair an 8 Ω and a 4 Ω speaker, your amp will see 2.67 Ω. I don't know if the PF500 can work with that. But if it could, the 4 Ω cab will get 2/3rd of the 500 watts from your amp and the 8 Ω cab will get the other third. Or 333 watts and 167 watts. So the two danger areas are will my amp work with a 2.67Ω load and is my 4Ω cab rated to handle 333 watts? And since one cab is getting twice the power, it will be the loudest and the other cab will hardly be noticeable. This is why people advise against it, it is a practical NO NO.The PF500 states - • Class-D power amplifier rated at 500 watts rms into 4 ohms [PF-500]
So don't I want 4 ohm cabinets? say I use two of em. I thought I was good with the 4 ohm cabs, but the 4 combined in any way with the 8 ohm was a NO NO.
(back under my rock)
Please pardon my
It is 700 watts I believe!
Very good points. I just need to keep my eyes open.. I assume selling the cabs I have, sans the Carvin BR210 (I like that cab actually) could be a challenge as you said.. Admittedly, I overpaid for the nicer of the two TX410's.. but that said, it does sound really good. It's just stinking HEAVY.
(the circumstances of the cabinet I overpaid for, I am actually comfortable with.. it was more personal than anything.. it belonged to a fellow musician who passed suddenly and MUCH too early...)
That said, I will be on the lookout for a higher end 4x10 or a 6x10 and call it a day! And move the other cabinets when I can.. I am actually likely donating one to a local church for their musical program.
This whole thread has been awesome, fun and informative. You all rock. That is why I joined this board many many moons ago and it is always my first stop for "stuff".
