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Trying to find a good cabinet for TC Electronics BQ500

Hi Im Juan

Hi Im Juan

Mar 16, 2021
12
3
#1
So I apologize if this is being asked a lot. Frankly, I've checked hundreds of threads regarding this, but I have not found a answer.

I'm a total noob when it comes to bass gear. But basically, what I'm trying to achieve is being able to handle small venues. Band usually just goes to PA system, but I'd like something that could handle small gigs that dont have that option. Also, band rehearsal and low volume playing in my apartment, and something that can be reasonably portable.

I've been eyeing a Hartke HD112, also an Acoustic 410c, but I've yet to found a good review for those units. Could you guys point me to some alternatives? Or any input on those units I mentioned? My budget is between the $400s, but could slightly go above that. I'm really not looking for something extremely professional... We just play music for fun, but at the same time I want a decent sound out of that amp head.

Are 1x12 cabs enough? My style is more of a grungy, tight and punchy sound. A little drive/compression but no distortion (tone inspired by Mike Starr). My former bass rig consisted of a BOSS gt-1b and a headrush frfr108. Hated the sound, and the speaker rambled and distorted my sound way too easily.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text. I tend to be too detailed sometimes.
 
#2
Whatever you do, you'll want to end up at a 4ohm load to get the most power out of the head. That generally means either one 4 ohm cab (usually a 410 or 212) or two 8 ohm cabs (sky is the limit there).

Given your tone goals, I'd probably try to stretch that budget a bit and go for two 8 ohm 210 cabs. Two single 12" cabs would also do well, but honestly there aren't a lot of quality single 12" cabs in the $300ish price range. :/ The multiple cab approach gives you some flexibility to go with one cab for smaller gigs or solo practice, etc, but also gives you full beanage for a medium venue, etc. Also, you can buy one now and the second later if you don't have enough money for both right at the moment.

Generally speaking, more speakers = more cone surface area = more air moving = more volume with a given amount of power.

If I were in your situation I would be looking at options like the Peavey Headliners, or if you can stretch the funds even more the GK CX210 and/or CX115. The Fender Rumble stuff gets a lot of love here on TB, but I couldn't get along with the "700w" Rumble 210 cab I had for a couple weeks.

My tone goals are VERY different than yours, though... I think what I disliked about it is exactly what you are looking for, so it might be just right for you! It was a good looking, lightweight cab that I really liked until I started to play through it, haha! I really dug the size and shape, and I think a stack of them looks absolutely awesome! It would also be a good candidate to match with their 115. You wouldn't really be in danger of burning anything up with the BQ500, and I imagine the 210/115 stack is a lot better with the lows than the 210 on its own. That was my beef with the 210. I like a big, fat bottom end that I just couldn't get out of the Rumble. I eventually moved over to Mesa Subway cabs (a 210 and 115), and honestly that would be my recommendation but they are completely out of the picture budget-wise in this scenario.

I also have a BQ500 and have used it with a number of cabs. I've never run into any issues, and keep the BQ as a backup at church now in case I don't bother to bring an Aguilar or Mesa one day.

The recommendations I made were based on what is available brand new from Sweetwater or Musician's Friend, etc. Of course, your money will go a LOT further if you shop used, but it's hard to make recommendations there when we just can't know what's available in your area. Hope that makes sense.

Good luck and let us know what you find!
 
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#3
Oh, one thing to note: the BQ500 ONLY has a SpeakOn output, no 1/4". I say that just so you are paying attention when you look at cabs. Some still only come with 1/4" inputs, so you'll either need an adapter or a cable that has SpeakOn on one side and 1/4" on the other. You wouldn't be the first person who found themselves disappointed when you're ready to rock out with your brand new cab only to find out you can't plug it in with the cable you currently had! :smug:

Also, if you plan to run 2 cabs, make sure the ones you buy have two parallel jacks, as the BQ500 only has one output jack, as well! It's pretty uncommon to find cabs that DON'T have a pair of parallel jacks, but it happens enough that I feel it should be pointed out. :thumbsup:
 
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#4
musicman556 said:
Good luck and let us know what you find!
Click to expand...
So first of all I wanted to sincerely thank you for the response, it was very informative and you've given me a lot to think about. THANKS A LOT

So I'd like to add the following: While I do play live (very small venues, but 90% of the time I just jam with friends), most of the time I am playing alone in my room at low volumes. AND ALSO I haven't actually purchased the amp head yet as I'm still considering the 250w or 500w version to fit both my budget and volume needs.

Having said that, I'm starting to lean towards the two 8ohms cabs instead of 1 4ohms. I feel that the potential of 2 amps at a good load is better than 1 at full load. I will be purchasing only one cab at the moment. With only one cab, will the volume get reasonably loud and punchy one with cab at 8ohms jamming with a band? And at the same time, would it be appropriately decent at low volumes playing at home?

I'll be very honest. I am quite the n00b when it comes to bass gear. So from my point of view I feel I am underestimating the amount of volume a 200w cab can output. I've been playing in 15w small amps and playing through headphones, so I do not have much of a perspective when it comes to higher wattage equiptment.

Essentially, the question at stake is the following: Considering my needs, would a 250w amp head and a 200w cab (2x10, 8ohms) suffice playing with a band AND playing in small venues? Thanks in advance, again!
 
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#6
Glad to help with my opinions/experiences! (And yes, anything I say is just my opinion... you'll find your own likes/dislikes and stuff as you go along. We're all different!)

As for the amp, just get the more powerful version. The price difference isn't that great, I think, and you'll never regret having more power on tap. Also, when you're just going to be using one 8 ohm cab, your power is about cut in half or 2/3rds. You'll want the extra juice then.

And yes, you'll still be MILES ahead of your 15w practice amps in volume with the BQ and one 8 ohm cab.

I thought about the SVT210.... personally I like having cabs that are rated for significantly more power than my amp, whenever possible. It's just a nice margin of safety in my mind. When I was a wee lad I fried a 210 in about 3 minutes because I got a bit excited with the low EQ using a powerful amp. I heard this awesome dirty distortion and was like "OH YEEAAA!!" and really dug in... for about 7 seconds... then silence. :wideyed: :oops: :greedy:

With the SVTs being rated for 400w in a pair, that kinda puts you on the edge/possible danger zone. That being said, there is a lot of talk that the TC BQ500 is a bit... optimistic in its rated output. I have never pushed mine that hard so I don't really know.

The thing you'll learn is that when you start pushing air with a "real" amp and cab, your application of the low eq knob is really where all the power goes. If you crank the lows real heavy, you can actually drive many cabs into "farting out"/distortion at volumes way lower than you might expect. I don't say that to strike fear in your heart, but as a word of gentle caution. If you turn the volume up a little more, or dig in a little harder and the sound suddenly changes more than you are expecting (usually negatively) for what would be normal for that amount of effort, you could be damaging your equipment.

This is much more prone to happening while running a single cab close to the limit, versus two cabs sharing the load. You are spot on with your idea that two cabs at part throttle are generally better than one at full tilt.
 
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#7
Thanks again man for taking the time to write! Last question: Since the BQ500 only has 1 speakon output, I can still run 2 cabs and get the most out of the amp even though the cabs are connected through the parallel input, correct? Like both cabs do not have to be connected to the amp, one cab to the amp, and the other cab connected to the other cab works? I feel like that's kind of a dumb question, but I'd rather ask it than not lol.
 
#8
Not a dumb question AT ALL! And yes, you can "daisy chain" two cabs with parallel connections. :thumbsup:

I ran my Mesa cabs like that with my BQ500 a few times as I was still deciding what amps should live where between home and church, etc. In fact, I generally run my cabs that way, even if I am using a head that has two outputs. I like to use the shortest possible cables to cut down on clutter, so I can use two 3 footers this way, instead of one 3 and one 6 footer.
 
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#9
musicman556 said:
Not a dumb question AT ALL! And yes, you can "daisy chain" two cabs with parallel connections. :thumbsup:

I ran my Mesa cabs like that with my BQ500 a few times as I was still deciding what amps should live where between home and church, etc. In fact, I generally run my cabs that way, even if I am using a head that has two outputs. I like to use the shortest possible cables to cut down on clutter, so I can use two 3 footers this way, instead of one 3 and one 6 footer.
Click to expand...
Hey man so I've got news. It will be impossible for me to purchase a BQ500 as it apparently seems to be discontinued in the US. It's only available in a store in the UK, and the currency exchange would have me pay almost double its price plus the hassle of international shipping. What would you recommend for an amp head at around my price point?
 
#10
Sent PM.

I haven't played them myself, but I think the Behringer Ultrabass 2000 and 3000 amps offer a lot of value. No way are they actually 2000w amps or anything, but they can't be beat for the price. A little more money gets you into Hartke TX300/Ampeg PF350/Markbass Blackline LM250 territory.

I also had the MarkBass and I think the 250w rating might have been conservative. It was a great little amp, and has some pretty cool tone controls. Also, it has both speakon and 1/4" outputs. There is usually a 15% off coupon code or discount available at Musician's Friend, or you can just call in and ask for a break on the price. I bet you can get that delivered for under 3 bills. I wish I knew more about watt ratings and amp modules... I have a feeling that even though the TC SAYS 500 watts and the MB BL250 says 250 watts, they are a lot closer in total real-world output than those numbers suggest. I may be completely off-base, that's just my gut feeling.

While both the BQ500 and the MB BL250 have 4 band EQs, the TC has the "Thrust" compressor whereas the MB gives you VPF and VLE controls, which are both pretty useful in emulating vintage amps or giving you a more modern "scooped" tone. Honestly, I don't think you'll use either of those very much given your tone goals, but I liked a dab of the VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) with a P bass and some outboard drive.
 
#11
I haven't played it, but I've heard/read good things about the Bugera Veyron BV1001M amp heads as far as bang for the buck. Sweetwater has them at $299. Burgera is part of the same ownership group as Behringer, I believe. They spec it at 2000 watts, but the consensus seems to be that it's more like 700. A very nice full feature set for the price.
 
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#15
Hi Im Juan said:
So I apologize if this is being asked a lot. Frankly, I've checked hundreds of threads regarding this, but I have not found a answer.

I'm a total noob when it comes to bass gear. But basically, what I'm trying to achieve is being able to handle small venues. Band usually just goes to PA system, but I'd like something that could handle small gigs that dont have that option. Also, band rehearsal and low volume playing in my apartment, and something that can be reasonably portable.

I've been eyeing a Hartke HD112, also an Acoustic 410c, but I've yet to found a good review for those units. Could you guys point me to some alternatives? Or any input on those units I mentioned? My budget is between the $400s, but could slightly go above that. I'm really not looking for something extremely professional... We just play music for fun, but at the same time I want a decent sound out of that amp head.

Are 1x12 cabs enough? My style is more of a grungy, tight and punchy sound. A little drive/compression but no distortion (tone inspired by Mike Starr). My former bass rig consisted of a BOSS gt-1b and a headrush frfr108. Hated the sound, and the speaker rambled and distorted my sound way too easily.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text. I tend to be too detailed sometimes.
Click to expand...


I have the BQ-500. I think it is fantastic, nothing wrong with TC stuff. I had a BAM-200 that broke under warranty. Music Tribe (TC's repair facility) is right here in Vegas, I hand delivered the broken BAM to them. They had it for 15 days and a brand new BAM-200 showed up at my door, then I sold it for the BQ-500. I was searching for a cabinet, just like you. I just happened to stumble on it at the right time at Guitar Center. It was on super deep discount, brand new, $299.00 I would never spend what they want for it list. Single 15" speaker and horn. The BQ-500 is plenty, and I mean plenty of firepower for this thing. I have it in my house and play at low volumes while she watches TV in the other room. Plenty of headroom in the BQ-500 for beautiful sounding bass notes at low volumes coming out of this at 11pm in the night.

SmallBassman.JPG
 
#16
My .02 - I have and use a TC Electronic BH250 with 2 Hartke Neo 1x12". I use both for "big" gigs, and 1 everywhere else. I have never needed more power from this rig. I play in a dance/party cover band, covering everything from the 60's to present, and that rig handles everything! GAS tells me I would like to get cooler cabs but..........
 
#18
Hi Im Juan said:
So I apologize if this is being asked a lot. Frankly, I've checked hundreds of threads regarding this, but I have not found a answer.

I'm a total noob when it comes to bass gear. But basically, what I'm trying to achieve is being able to handle small venues. Band usually just goes to PA system, but I'd like something that could handle small gigs that dont have that option. Also, band rehearsal and low volume playing in my apartment, and something that can be reasonably portable.

I've been eyeing a Hartke HD112, also an Acoustic 410c, but I've yet to found a good review for those units. Could you guys point me to some alternatives? Or any input on those units I mentioned? My budget is between the $400s, but could slightly go above that. I'm really not looking for something extremely professional... We just play music for fun, but at the same time I want a decent sound out of that amp head.

Are 1x12 cabs enough? My style is more of a grungy, tight and punchy sound. A little drive/compression but no distortion (tone inspired by Mike Starr). My former bass rig consisted of a BOSS gt-1b and a headrush frfr108. Hated the sound, and the speaker rambled and distorted my sound way too easily.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text. I tend to be too detailed sometimes.
Click to expand...
I use this amp as my gigging rig.
I personally am running into a Carvin MP210T 2*10 and it sounds great
upload_2021-3-17_10-55-49.png


upload_2021-3-17_10-57-21.png
 
#20
VolverseLoco said:
Is that the 250 or 500 head? I can't tell. You use the 'thrust' (compressor knob) ? You like it ?
Click to expand...
it is the BQ500 and I have used the thrust live, it really adds a nice punch to my tone, but as any other compressor never full on. With passive basses I usually run it around 1 or 2 o'clock with Active 10-11 o'clock works good
it really brings out the dynamic range with nice harmonics and sustain. I really like this amp I have even ran it Di to the FOH with no cabinet load and it worked great
upload_2021-3-17_12-37-11.png
 

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