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too loud band, need amp suggestions.

#21
But the entire point of this thread is the volume level at the playing position. I find with 8x10's the band and crowd hear twice what I hear, and what I do get is vague and muddy. My point is that by focusing the volume at the player's chest the player gets the most benefit from the output of the cab, so less overall volume is needed. You can't focus an 8x10 at one person's chest. Since the SWR 4x10 I suggested outdrives the Ampeg 8x10, it certainly seems like a better option.

I also don't find the SWR 4x10 boomy at all, if anything it's got a tad too much midrange snot, which is great for hearing the intonation of a fretless, but not so great for driving a room. I've never heard one complaint from another tech about my stage sound, quite the opposite. In fact many have guessed that I'm also a tech based on how easy I make it for them.
 
#24
My band tends to get loud. The guitards are not sufficiently experienced to know about tone and volume knob management, but they are arrogant and won't open their minds. The drummer is pretty darned loud. So.....the volume wars continue. One day I will roll in with an SVT and 810, and the volume wars will be decided conclusively.
 
#26
James Mobius said:
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.
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Yes, that amp is a great match for fEARfuls. Keep in mind that as some posters have said, a few hundred watts is often acceptable. Often an increase in the number of speakers will be more effective in increasing your volume. You also need to consider that not all speakers are created equal. For example, I've heard a single 15 cab that can be louder than many 4x10s. On the other hand, I've heard a single 15 that could barely keep up with a 2x10.
 
#27
Old Fart said:
My band tends to get loud. The guitards are not sufficiently experienced to know about tone and volume knob management, but they are arrogant and won't open their minds. The drummer is pretty darned loud. So.....the volume wars continue. One day I will roll in with an SVT and 810, and the volume wars will be decided conclusively.
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I hate to hear this. I was in an AIC tribute that was real loud, but only 1 guitar. Then 2 other bands with 2 guitars and they were reasonable, but the drummer was an 80's big hair, big kit, hard hitter and the volume wars began. I used to have so much anxiety before the gigs.!!

My current gig has manners. Everyone pays attention to their levels and can even quiet down during a verse! The guitars play 15 watt combos and the only thing we mic is the kick.

We played last night and it was the best we have sounded. No earplugs needed. I have even had 2 double capps already today and the only ringing is from the caff and sugar!
 
#28
Hope this question applys. I am concidering buying a Mesa Venture Impulse 600 2x10 combo or a WalkAbout 1x12 combo and was wondering if that would b sufficient to keep up with my band - drummer is a heavy hitter and my brother on guitar 2x12 line 6 ( soon to b replaced line 6 that is) which one should I get?
 
#29
this is funny. why don't you all go buy huge loud rigs, then stuff two ear plugs in each ear, and one in each nostril, then duct tape your entire head, cut a small slit for a breathing tube, turn everything to "11" and jam out.

:D

I hope you can take a joke...
 
#30
@ Stumblefly

Understand, a 2x12 guitar cab can get really loud. Of course your guitarded brother may not turn it up that much, but the possibility is there. As for the heavy hitting drummer, There aren't a lot of 2x10 cabs out there that can really compete with that. Same with the 1x12. Drummers can be loud. My suggestion, start in the 410 range, and teach them about dynamics, so that you can all be quieter. Your audience will appreciate it.
 
#31
The SWR Goliath III 4x10 used PAS drivers at one point and its a
ported cabinet.
And yes unlike the other ported cabinets
it had good lowend and was not boomy.
The PAS drivers had way more sensitivity and yes a 4x10 would keep up well with a 8x10.

I think these are some of the reasons Tuned said what he did.
He owns a higher quality 4x10 and does not fill threads with the common blanket statement...."get a 8x10"

And no a 2x10 or a fart about scout 1x12 wont keep up with a loud band.... Start with a 2x12 or 2x15.
If you got enough gumption buying a quality 2x15 could be the last cabinet you need to buy.
 
#32
I'm amazed at all the people posting that the OP's band is too loud. C'mon guys, those kind of comments are not constructive at all! I'm just sayin'....

Honestly, the combo that he referred to in his OP would never work for any rock band I've ever been in. Some of the issues may be due to your rig and others are due to the practice room you are in. Practice rooms can really do funky things to your bass sound. Getting other band members (especially drummers) to play quieter never works. If anyone has had success in getting a drummer to tone it down, let me know so that I can hire him!
 
#35
James Mobius said:
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.
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James Mobius said:
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...
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In my opinion, James, your current gear is simply insufficient to the tasks at hand. And while I get that money is tight for you, until you're able to invest in a quality, high-powered rig with sufficient range, depth & headroom, the best you can do is to try and live with a throw-together, make-do solution that doesn't come close to addressing your real needs. :hmm:

The fEARful 15/6/1 is an excellent suggestion (you'll need the tweeter for the highest notes of your Chapman Stick, plus any overtones you might want to reproduce from your six-string bass). If you're handy in a workshop, you can build one for only a few hundred bucks. In future, build/commission either a fEARful 15 sub to go with it, or another 15/6/1.

Amps: Lots and lots of good choices out there. Make sure you get one with not only great tone, but lots of headroom. Suggestion: either a Carvin B2000 or a Carvin BX1500. Alternate choice: a Hartke LH1000. They all offer great bang for the buck, and will provide a minimum of 500 watts into an 8-ohm load (a single 15/6/1), or 1,000 watts into 4 ohms (two 15/6/1 cabs); more for the Carvins. And each one can be had for around $600 new, much less if bought used... :hmm:

MM
 
#36
After reading the OP again

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.
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Volume may not be the best solution. Your drummer's ear plugs plus his "Gun shot Headphones" could very well be blocking out your bass frequencies.

Perhaps replacing his throne with a 115 or 210 would allow him to "Feel" your bass. Thus circumventing the problem.



But, But the trash is what makes the same redundant questions
fun to answer.
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-1 No, obviously being patronizing is what people seem to enjoy.

Imagine if one's first question(s) here were filled with negativity and closed mindedness. They would not likely be back. Just because a person asks about equipment is no indication of talent level.

Rigs are for more than just posting pics of on Talkbass.
 
#38
Really?
It's innappropriate to say his band is too loud?
If his drummer was always late or his singer had alcohol problems and sang flat from the second set on, he's to tolerate that too?

None of us has to play with anyone. Those are the only musicians around? Does he or anyone have to work with folks who won't cooperate?
Please tell me why.
 
#39
The OP already confirmed his band is too loud. He's looking for a solution because playing quieter is not working. Though, maybe now after all these responses he can go back to his band and say, "all the people on TB say you need to play softer" and all will be fixed. :smug:
 

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#40
chadds said:
Really?
It's innappropriate to say his band is too loud?
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Don't know if I would go as far as to call it innappropriate; you, as everyone else on this forum, are intitled to your own opinion.

On the other hand, every single time someone opens a thread on needing more volume, a lot of us TB'ers start throwing around blanket-statements about how it is oh-so wrong to play loud, "if you need earplugs, you're too loud/your audience will hate you/it's always the geetards fault" and on and on...

Loud is a relative term. It seems many TB'ers seriously seem to think that any gig in any genre should be covered with a 60 watt 10" combo. Well I'm sorry, but in the real world that's just not the case. Personally, I LOVE feeling my 8x10 hitting me in the chest when I play; I wouldn't have it any other way. That doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong, the choice is mine to make.

Ok, mini-rant over, carry on... :p
 

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