So I got a good deal on an amp

[SunwellBass]

I'm getting an Ampeg B500DR tomorrow for $100.00.

Anyone own one/ have experience with this particular model?

I know Ampeg makes quality amps, but I had never heard of this model before.

The guy is selling the B500DR for 100, and a Peavey Firebass 700 for 200, and I really don't know which to choose.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Not knowing a much about the Firebass except it has biamping and rock solid Peavey that's the one I'd go for. Stuff discontinued vintage computer controlled Ampeg for a joke. You have to wonder why it didn't take off.

 

[SunwellBass]

Yeah, I have no idea which to go with. Peavey has more wattage but I've heard it's not very tone-flexible.

 

[RickenBoogie]

The Ampeg is a solidstate 500 watt amp, which will save several "preset" eq settings. It's an alright amp, but the Peavey may be the better choice.

 

[SunwellBass]

Yeah, so I ended up getting the Peavey off him, and it sounds great! What kind of cabinet would do it the most justice? I'm thinking of buying a Peavey 8x10. It's just not loud enough on these 8 ohm cabs.

 

[bongomania]

Good job on buying the Peavey, it was the better choice.

When you say "these 8 ohm cabs", how is anyone supposed to know what cabs you mean? There are 8 ohm cabs in just about every speaker configuration, and all manner of brands, quality levels, and power handling.

A nice 4 ohm 8x10 would be a classic choice. Doesn't have to be Peavey. Personally I like a 2x12 or 2x15.

 

[SunwellBass]

Oh dude my bad, I totally thought I mentioned my cab setup in this thread.

I've got Ampeg B series, one 4x10, one 1x15. It's just not pushing hard enough though.

I'm thinking about grabbing the Peavey 8x10 cab off musiciansfriend. It's a pretty cheap 8x10, sitting at 800 bucks.

 

[bongomania]

You can save a bit of money and just get another 8 ohm 410, and stack it on the one you already have. Together they make a 4 ohm load, and you will be pushing about as much air as you can. To get even louder, when shopping for a new cab focus on the efficiency (sensitivity) ratings of the cabs you look at, and ask around here for input as to how honest those ratings are for each specific cab.

Also, try cutting your lows a bit. They eat up most of the wattage, and cause cabs to fart out sooner, so you can get a LOT more loudness by dialing down any ultra-low content.

 

[wave rider]

The Peavey should work down to 2 ohms, keep adding cabs!

=wr=

 

[RickenBoogie]

+1 sell your 1x15 and get another (identical) 4x10. This will, as Bongo mentioned, give you a 4 ohm load and the equivelant of an 8x10, for much less money than buying a new 810. Besides, the 410/115 pairing is one of the poorest choices.

 

[SunwellBass]

Okay but these Ampeg cabs only have a power handling of 200 watts each. Does that mean the amp pushes the cab less? Or are my cabs in danger?

 

[bongomania]

It definitely DOESN'T mean the amp will dial down its power to match the cabs. You will always have to be careful and use your ears, to listen for farting out or speaker distortion, to avoid damaging any cab with any amp.

That said, the Firebass 700 puts out 475 W into 4 ohms, and the cabs would (together) take up to 400 W at their combined 4 ohms, so it's only a 75 W difference, or about 32 W per cab. Not a big deal, not noticeable, no worry.

Speaker cab ratings are pretty nebulous anyway, not to be taken literally. So go forth and rock, but use your ears.

 

[RickenBoogie]

+1 again to Bongo. Just forget wattage ratings altogether, they are just about meaningless. But, by the same token, no matter what cabs you use, common sense is needed to prevent destroying your cabs. Don't crank the amp all the way, and be careful with the lowest eq controls, as they eat power and kill spkrs. Regarding eq, it's usually better to CUT than to BOOST, but either way, don't be extreme with either.