Two Identical Amps-Two Identical Cabs Rig

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

For many venues, (depending on the genre, and the volume of the rest of the band), 100 Watts is more than adequate, if you have efficient, and properly positioned speaker cabinets.

For just plain more volume, you get more bang for your buck by increasing speaker displacement, (diameter, and cone movement), by adding identical speaker cabinets.

But, you are intending to make use of two distinct signal chains as a way to obtain a certain sound, and not to achieve greater SPL.

My personal opinion is that it is unnecessary expense and hassle for little reward.

At least you will be using identical speaker cabinets, (I hope).

 

[Jazz Ad]

I'll be adding at least one if not two stereo effects.

It's fun to do and all but really there is no practical application for stereo effects on bass, especially in a world where most PAs are mono.

 

[lowplaces]

In a small room, I'd stack 'em, since the stage is likely small anyway. For big rooms and/or with FOH support, I'd use what sounded best onstage, probably also stacked if for nothing else than to get one cab up where I could hear the note attack.

More often than not I will run into situations where I will have no choice but to stack them.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

For less than the cost of the second PF50T, you could buy two used 100 Watt Ampeg B-100Rs and have an easier to stack rig that would work very well for what you are contemplating doing. (I know because I have two of them).

 

[lowplaces]

For less than the cost of the second PF50T, you could buy two used 100 Watt Ampeg B-100Rs and have an easier to stack rig that would work very well for what you are contemplating doing. (I know because I have two of them).

To answer your question earlier it will be original material for the most part. Americana/ Alt Country.

Son Volt, The Bottle Rockets, The Jayhawks, Drive By Truckers, Jason Isbell, and similar.

Those B-100R's look sweet aesthetically ! I'm sure they sound fine as well or you wouldn't recommend them.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

lowplaces,

Interesting.

It sounds like you are committed to doing this, so I hope you are able to make your plan work to your satisfaction.

 

[lowplaces]

It's fun to do and all but really there is no practical application for stereo effects on bass, especially in a world where most PAs are mono.

I don't have any stereo effects pedals currently .... well actually I do have a DigiTech Multi Chorus around here somewhere. I have that and a Boss ME20 with stereo effect outs I can experiment with. They are made for guitar of course but I can get a general idea of whether or not I want to spend any money on a decent stereo effect pedal or two for my bass rig. Or if they might be useful for the stuff I'm going to be playing.

 

[Aidenn7]

If I cannot hear myself on stage with 100 watts I'll be in the wrong band and move on.

You must play coffee house jazz. lol

 

[lowplaces]

lowplaces,

Interesting.

It sounds like you are committed to doing this, so I hope you are able to make your plan work to your satisfaction.

Well the genre is wide open. It's not tied down to Country sounding guitars and vocals and Outlaw lyrics.

But the groups can be defined as rootsy / real life lyrically for the most part

The last show I went to was a band named Shovels & Rope. Just the duo who started off mainly with guitar and small drum kit. They won the Americana Music Association best new band award when they hit the scene. Anyhow that show I saw in May, they had evolved quite a bit. Keyboards, bass pedals, electric guitar effects. Pretty sure the organ they had was an old B3. Only use itd it on one song.

Anyhow that's what I'm into.

At best it will work out just fine and at worst I'll have one heck of a backup head.

I've tasted the tube Kool-Aid and it's sweet. And I want some more

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

So, in my thinking that your proposed setup is more trouble than it is worth, and then you mentioning a band bringing a Hammond organ, (and I assume a Leslie) to use for only one song, I guess that puts it into perspective.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we used to haul such things around because there was no substitute for it.

My Hammond/Leslie rig stays in the basement now. If I knew how to play the damn thing, I don't think I would be willing to bring t out to a show unless it was very high profile, (and high pay). I would probably just substitute a Nord for regular use on stage, but I do respect those who are willing to suffer for their art.

 

[lowplaces]

So, in my thinking that your proposed setup is more trouble than it is worth, and then you mentioning a band bringing a Hammond organ, (and I assume a Leslie) to use for only one song, I guess that puts it into perspective.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we used to haul such things around because there was no substitute for it.

My Hammond/Leslie rig stays in the basement now. If I knew how to play the damn thing, I don't think I would be willing to bring t out to a show unless it was very high profile, (and high pay). I would probably just substitute a Nord for regular use on stage, but I do respect those who are willing to suffer for their art.

The band I mentioned with that B3, I think they may have been using the pedals on the organ with an EHX Freeze or something similar.

They only use the keys on the organ for one song.

We'll see if it works out or not anyhow. To paraphrase what some Bishop said back in the 15th century " be careful what you let get into your head because once it's there you will never get it out"

 

[beans-on-toast]

Don't overanalyze the rig. I've run amps side-by-side without any issues. I have more cabs with speakers side by side speakers than those that are only vertically stacked. Guitar combos have side by side speakers, then there are 410'sand 810's that are side by side. Some people even lay their 810's on the side.

Try it out, see how it works. Test for any adverse phase issues.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

For reference, TB member stiles72 posted about using a B15, and a B100R side by side, (with a photo) here:

Ampeg Rocket B100r appreciation?

 

[BassmanPaul]

The OP should stack his cabinets vertically. If he has two identical amps he should connect the effects send of one to the effects return of the other. (if they have them) Failing that he should plug into both amps with a Y cable and set the controls to the same positions on both amps.

 

[Ric5]

If I cannot hear myself on stage with 100 watts I'll be in the wrong band and move on.

My favorite bass head is an Ampeg with 150 watts ...

 

[lowplaces]

Thanks guys, I'm at work now so it may be awhile before I reply.

 

[ole Jason]

Sorry I didn't notice earlier that you're in Louisville. Yeah most venues probably won't want to deal with mixing two bass signals unless you have something really specific you're trying to do. If you're dead set on attempting it just make sure you can really articulate how each signal should be treated and exactly what you're looking for. I'd advise being prepared to relent if the sound guy seems confused by the whole deal. If you're playing Headliners or Zbar those guys will do you right but if you're on some outdoor festival or something it will be more trouble than it is worth, trust me.

I'm a little surprised by your review of the mix at Iroquois. The sound is usually good there. I know the guys in Nellie Pearl well, great band.

 

[NoiseNinja]

If I cannot hear myself on stage with 100 watts I'll be in the wrong band and move on.

Well, you'd be surprised!

I experienced people who claimed they were unable to hear them self with a 500W amp on stage here on the forum.

Not sure if they picked the strings with a feather, what kind of music they were playing, what cabinets they used, what their prefered tone of choice were, or whatever the real issue were, but honestly it baffled me quite a bit.

I gigged with a 60W tube amp in a very loud rock band, and even with another bass player in the lineup and an extremely hard hitting drummer, I never experienced such thing.

Especially somewhat of an enigma to me if you go through the PA anyway and got a stage monitor.

 

[lowplaces]

Don't overanalyze the rig. I've run amps side-by-side without any issues. I have more cabs with speakers side by side speakers than those that are only vertically stacked. Guitar combos have side by side speakers, then there are 410'sand 810's that are side by side. Some people even lay their 810's on the side.

Try it out, see how it works. Test for any adverse phase issues.

I'll keep it as simple as possible. Already had a few things in mind to try but thought I would ask in case I overlooked anything.

And I'm sure there will be times when I will not have both amps on. It won't be at 2 amps always on scenario.

 

[lowplaces]

Sorry I didn't notice earlier that you're in Louisville. Yeah most venues probably won't want to deal with mixing two bass signals unless you have something really specific you're trying to do. If you're dead set on attempting it just make sure you can really articulate how each signal should be treated and exactly what you're looking for. I'd advise being prepared to relent if the sound guy seems confused by the whole deal. If you're playing Headliners or Zbar those guys will do you right but if you're on some outdoor festival or something it will be more trouble than it is worth, trust me.

I'm a little surprised by your review of the mix at Iroquois. The sound is usually good there. I know the guys in Nellie Pearl well, great band.

Thanks, advice well taken regarding the local venues.

Were you at the Shovels & Rope show ?

It was the first time I heard Nellie Pearl. I thought they were great and I plan to catch another show of theirs here soon.

I had never seen Mike Nix play yet but I'm very familiar with his demos of pedals amps and guitars. Just couldn't hear him very well in the mix that night.

The Trampled by Turtles show at Iroquois Amphitheater last year on the other hand sounded fantastic ... even the opening acts.