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too loud band, need amp suggestions.

My band is a trio, me on bass, 5 and 6 string, also 2 string, and 10 string Stick so I need a rig that can handle everything from 30Hz to dog whistle range. Here's the thing, I also sometimes work with another band doing Bowie songs, I did a gig with them with my SWR workingman combo, which I think is 200W maybe 250, I had it up on 3 milk crates, so I could hear it better, at one point I was competing with 9 other sound sources, drums, 3 guitars, keyboards, sax, and at least 3 vocalists simultaneously, and I could hear myself adequately. then I go home to my band, one guitar, playing a 70's LesPaul through a Mesa Boogie (volume at 1.5) and my drummer, no mics on him, me with my same bass amp and I can't hear myself nearly as well, moreover my drummer says he can't hear me, and this is evident in his performance.
when I told them about my other gig, he called me "delusional" which I took exception to and said so. my guitarist assured me he used to have his amp on 2! we're quieter than we used to be. frankly I resent having to spend money on a new rig, but I don't see an alternative. doesn't help that the drummer wears gunshot headphones over his earplugs to keep his tinnitus at bay. d: (getting him to play quieter doesn't seem to be a realistic option. ) I know more headroom, 400W or more is better, and I know why. money is tight. thinking about one of those fEarful build it yourself cabs, seem to have a lot of believers on here, once I wanted the Bose system with the pole and 2 bass modules but I've read enough negative stuff about that to give up on the idea. I think it only works if everyone uses the same rig.
I went to GC to price out amps and see whats out there these days, I don't know that much about amps really, if I get a 1000W head, what kind of cabs do I need that can handle it? seems like 800W ought to be plenty. we play fusion which mixes funk, metal and pretty much anything else, with a wide dynamic range. I'm trying to save up to get something decent. if I repair my burnt out 800RB head can I run that at 400W through a fEarful with good results? any advice appreciated. sorry for prattling on so.
 
Tell them if they can't keep their volume in check, they'd be better served to look for a new bass player. The drummer has already ruined his ears, the guitards are next if they're not already....yours are next. Tell these guys you'd like to be able to enjoy music when your old and they're not worth it.
 
well we all wear earplugs. should've mentioned that I guess I assume everyone does. I take them to every rehearsal and gig, and to the movies. I'm not quitting or firing my band.

Then you just plain need more speakers/spl. I'd like to have a little more power behind me than your amp has but kilowatts aren't required. From the fearful line, I'd be looking at a 15/6/15sub, or any of the designs with 15's, they're higher spl than the 12's, won't need as much power. Also note SWR's baked in tone is a deep notch around 250hz, right in your meat and potato's range, try a crazy high boost there to get back to even.
 
Also if your guitard has the bass knob turned up on his amp, he needs to roll it back some, not out, but down. If you guys are competing in the lower frequencies, you'll get washed out, he needs to give you a slot in the mix down there.
 
a minimum of 300 watts thru a 410. I'd get more into the 500-800 watt range though. You want more woofers.

fEarfuls get some positive press but also look into the other cab builders (AudioKinesis, Baer, Acme, Barefaced, LDS) those may be a cool option since you play a Stick also. You may want to look into a 2 channel amp or one that has EQ presets for the different instruments.

It ain't gonna be cheap getting into some of those cabs.
 
The room you're in will also affect the lowend greatly. Putting your amp agsinst a wall or in a corner will boost your lows, it'll do the same to the guutar rig, So, try to wall or corner load your rig while pulling his out from the boundry to cause a bass cancelation. Basically using room positioning/acoustics to help things. Leave your amp on the floor and angle it back to hit you in the ears rather than put it on a stand.
 
Tell them if they can't keep their volume in check, they'd be better served to look for a new bass player. The drummer has already ruined his ears, the guitards are next if they're not already....yours are next. Tell these guys you'd like to be able to enjoy music when your old and they're not worth it.

Well said! Sadly a lot of bands play WAY louder than needed, to the total detriment of the gig. Sound suffers, bar owners and patrons get pissed....DUH! What makes less sense than pissing off the guy paying you!???!!!! DOUBLE DUH! Been there, done that too many times.
 
Try the eq and room placement suggestions first. If that doesn't work, then start looking for ext cabs or a higher powered rig.

I have a Roland bass amp that by itself struggles to keep up with a loud drummer, but does fine with a 1 x 12 ext cab.
 
A few good thoughts I caught. Yes, have the guitarist roll back his bass and any other instruments that are powered. Buy a 410 cabinet, many good suggestions here. I like the idea that everyone should wear headphones. They're already wearing earplugs so it would be a great switch. Iff you really want to attack this issue, you could also buy a bass combo, and place it right next to the drummer. Run a line out from your main rig.

I'm wondering how low of ohms your SWR goes, if you could add an 810 cabinet, set it right behind the drummer lol....

Good luck!
 
Do NOT get an Ampeg 8x10. As a sound tech I hate the damn things. My SWR Goliath III 4x10 is louder. I've done an A/B comparison without changing amp settings, the SWR was considerably louder, handles virtually the same power (750W vs 800W, both 4 ohms), and has much better definition.

You've got the right idea elevating the speakers to chest level. A 4x10 works best because all the sound is focused at chest level rather than having half of it blow by your legs. Unless you're extremely fat, more than four 10's will do nothing more than make your bandmates play even louder and piss off the sound tech and crowd even more. If a Goliath III 4x10 isn't enough, you'd better be playing some pretty huge rooms or you will be clearing them.
 
Uhh... The whole point of them is the tone, isn't it? Yeah, they're loud, but not that much louder than a properly ported 410. As a sound tech I have just as much or more trouble with ported 410s, because they're boomier.

Yes boomier is a word :p

Agreed. The SVT's lack of deep lows actually helps to slot itself and stay out of the way. Oh......yeah....they got tone too.:smug: