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What head are you using with your Bag End S15D cabs?

andrew

andrew

May 20, 2000
3,200
1,917
Vancouver BC/Pacific Northwest
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Spector, Dingwall, Tech 21 NYC, Darkglass
#1
I just scored a "too good to say no" deal on a pair of Bag End S15D cabs. they sound excellent.

I was running them tonight with a G-K 800RB and they were sounding slightly unhappy on the low notes. However with higher wattage amps (DB750 and Mesa M9) they sound full and tight and robust. This lead me to think the 800RB may be underpowered to drive them.

What amp is everyone using with their BagEnd S15D's?
 
#2
I used a UK made Ashdown EB180 for a spell with a single S15d cab and it was great. Due to the nature of the cab it couldn't do much in larger volume rooms or outdoors, but for small joints it was good. Although that amp is rated at 180w, I think it's a pretty conservative rating. If you could get a solid 250w into each cab you would probably be making the most of them, IMO.
 
#4
I have used a 15D/S12D cabinet combination with a Streamliner, Ampeg PF500 and 2 different Eden heads and they all sounded good. As those far more equipment savvy than me have stated, the nice tight sound of the Bag End's is a particularly good match for the Streamliner.
 
#6
The 800RB is a perfect match for Bag Ends. That is "the" club rig from the 80's. I gigged that combination for the last 2 years or so, until I picked up my CN212. I also ran a Streamliner 900 with them and found it was also a great match.

Don't forget that the cabs only produce down to 50Hz, so they're not exactly low end monsters. But they do sound excellent in a live mix. Everything you need and nothing more.

Also, underpowering is a myth.
 
#7
bassgod0dmw said:
Also, underpowering is a myth.
Click to expand...

I didn't say underpowering the cabs, the impression I had was the 800RB seemed to be working harder than it ought to be to reproduce lows. Had it all set about 12:00 on each knob save master volume, which was at about 8:00.

I'm not a heavy low end tone user, I'm all about the mids and highs, so these cabs are great by me.

I'll experiment more with the 800RB. I've seen youtube vids of JGR running his 800RB into the Bag End cabs and it sounded great, my results were not the same.

But I also asked because I got curious about what amps also pair nicely with the cabs.
 
#8
Okay, gotcha.

The 800RB is rolled off pretty heavily at 50Hz as well. But I've always had plenty of lows going on with that combo, and never though it had to work too hard. IIRC, my EQ looks pretty similar to yours. I might have had the bass boosted slightly. How do you have the push button switches set?

Is it in good working order as far as you know? I wonder if there may be something wrong with it.

Also, what bass are you running with it?
 
#14
bassgod0dmw said:
Okay, gotcha.

The 800RB is rolled off pretty heavily at 50Hz as well. But I've always had plenty of lows going on with that combo, and never though it had to work too hard. IIRC, my EQ looks pretty similar to yours. I might have had the bass boosted slightly. How do you have the push button switches set?

Is it in good working order as far as you know? I wonder if there may be something wrong with it.

Also, what bass are you running with it?
Click to expand...

I run a Fender P or j, or a new Gibson EB bass.

I have it dialed in now and the G-K 800RB 2 x S15D cabs just kills. That roll off is GREAT on a hollow stage. Real happy with this rig, it compliments the particular band I use it in really well.

Though a G-K MB800 to run with these Bag Ends is calling my name...
 
#15
Calexia13 said:
I also use 1 s15d with my alessandro basset.
Click to expand...

I bet that sounds just fine!

In the past using really clean reference type amps/pre-amps I've not liked Bag End cabs much. Lately though using a very colored TH350 through an S15-D I'm extremely pleased with the balance between big warmth and clarity of this match. The natural low end roll-off of this cab works really well with the Tonehammer. It's actually my favorite cab these days.

And btw andrew I'm seriously pissed you got these cabs! I've been looking for another one and you just took TWO out of the local market. Bastard! :D
 

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