I play bass for a punk band and am needing some suggestions for amp heads. My current set up is two mesa boogie diesel cabinets with the old Ev L's [4x10(600watts) and 1x15(400 watts)]. I run them with a Beringer bxd 3000h. If I'm playing thru the second channel on the Beringer while having both cabs connected, it will start to cut out when I am turned up loud. Ive become more fond of the first channel because it feels like it has more headroom, and I have less issues out of it. I will soon be getting another 2x15(400 watts, 200 each speaker) mesa diesel cab, and I was wondering if anyone could suggest to me what kind of amp head might suit my situation. I've been looking at heads like the old Peavey mark 6, mesa boogie buster, ampeg 400t etc. I don't wanna have more than two amp heads, I have a radial twin city I can use to split my signal. If all else fails, I'm just gonna pick up another Beringer since they're cheap. One day I'll have a tube head but for now I need something more practical. I appreciate any advice!
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What head for mesa boogie diesel cabs?
- Thread starter Flounderkeg
- Start date
Welcome to TB.
I moved your thread to the Amps/Cabs forum where you're likely to get more answers.
And to answer your question directly, I'm using a Hartke LH500 head with a M/B Diesel 6x10.
I moved your thread to the Amps/Cabs forum where you're likely to get more answers.
And to answer your question directly, I'm using a Hartke LH500 head with a M/B Diesel 6x10.
Budget?
Nearest city?
What are the cab ohm ratings? If either (or both) are 4 ohm your amp may just be protecting itself.
Are you getting the 215 for sure or just want to?
If both existing cabs are 8 ohm you could use all 3 cabs with a single Subway amp. Matter of fact, I saw one just the other day for like $550 (or something like that) in the Talkbass classifieds.
Welcome to the forum.
The 115 + 410 combination isn't always a great way to build a rig. As you noted there is a power rating difference. There is also a power distribution imbalance which can force you to limit the volume. Assuming both are 8 ohm cabs... half of the output goes to each cab.. The 10's are each getting 1/4 the power that the 15 is. This can "limit" the 410 to a lot less power than it can take, while pushing the 15 hard. Just a heads up.
Nearest city?
What are the cab ohm ratings? If either (or both) are 4 ohm your amp may just be protecting itself.
Are you getting the 215 for sure or just want to?
If both existing cabs are 8 ohm you could use all 3 cabs with a single Subway amp. Matter of fact, I saw one just the other day for like $550 (or something like that) in the Talkbass classifieds.
Welcome to the forum.
The 115 + 410 combination isn't always a great way to build a rig. As you noted there is a power rating difference. There is also a power distribution imbalance which can force you to limit the volume. Assuming both are 8 ohm cabs... half of the output goes to each cab.. The 10's are each getting 1/4 the power that the 15 is. This can "limit" the 410 to a lot less power than it can take, while pushing the 15 hard. Just a heads up.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Note that the EV drivers are 200 watts RMS and run into mechanical limitations below 50Hz well before you get to 300 watts RMS. The ProLine drivers that are advertised as 400 watts aren't really suited for 400 watts mechanically and will have short lives if you treat them as 400 watts.
Your EV-L speakers have very aggressive low mids but start to lose bass response below 60 Hz, which would seem to make them ideally suited to punk and similar genres. I still use my EV-L 1x15 for gigs when I play metal and hard rock shows. I used to use a 2x15 version but recently sold it because it was 120 lbs. The aggressive low mid voice of these cabs helps the bass cut through the mix in a way that works well with other instruments (as well as kick drum).
I have found that some bass amps pair well with these cabs while others don't. Not surprisingly, many Mesa amps sound fantastic. I usually use my Mesa M2000. I had previously played through an Ampeg SVT3 Pro until I sold it. Both of these bass amps are capable of holding their own under reasonable conditions, even though neither puts out more than 500 watts at 4 Ohms.
Your 1x15 is going to be the limiting factor in how much low end boom you can get away with. The EV-15L driver will fart out and eventually self destruct if you try to shove a lot of power below 50 Hz through it so it's probably wise to avoid high wattage amps unless you're very careful with the EQ.
Just my $0.04.
I have found that some bass amps pair well with these cabs while others don't. Not surprisingly, many Mesa amps sound fantastic. I usually use my Mesa M2000. I had previously played through an Ampeg SVT3 Pro until I sold it. Both of these bass amps are capable of holding their own under reasonable conditions, even though neither puts out more than 500 watts at 4 Ohms.
Your 1x15 is going to be the limiting factor in how much low end boom you can get away with. The EV-15L driver will fart out and eventually self destruct if you try to shove a lot of power below 50 Hz through it so it's probably wise to avoid high wattage amps unless you're very careful with the EQ.
Just my $0.04.
Purely theoretical, I've never used EVs, but I would think the natural roll off around 80-60hz with a GK 800RB would make it a natural for those cabs. Common sense still prevails, though.
I used EV loaded Mesa Boogie cabs for years. I had a 115 and a 210 and for most of that time I used an Ampeg SVT3-PRO and 5 string basses.
Great rig but heavy.
You don't need to go low to get a good sound, but you'll get a really great sound if you have strong low mids.
Great rig but heavy.
You don't need to go low to get a good sound, but you'll get a really great sound if you have strong low mids.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Ditch the 15.
If you buy the 215, ditch the 410.
Whichever mesa amp you like most.
If you have enough money to buy a mesa head, but you want a tube amp, you should really just buy a V4b. A used one is about the same price as a class d mesa, but it's a tube amp.
It's loud enough. Especially with you having that many speakers.
Ive really been considering a GK, the only thing is I've never tried one! The videos I've seen haven't really impressed me but I definitely want to try one before I form an opinion. I've imagined that maybe a single GK for the 4x10 would be good for some bright sounds.Purely theoretical, I've never used EVs, but I would think the natural roll off around 80-60hz with a GK 800RB would make it a natural for those cabs. Common sense still prevails, though.
I've played a Hartke LH500 a couple of times and was neve really satisfied with it. With that being said, I've not tried one thru the Ev speakers yet...Its weird bc there's a lot of bass players I love that play hartkes, I've just not been satisfied with them (yet)
Both of the cabs are rated 8 ohms. I'm getting the 2x15 just bc im getting a steal on it. I've never played a subway, but that's a really good idea! I am fond of the idea of playing thru multiple heads, I like to play with eq's and combine different tones. Do you think using multiple heads would fix the power rating issue. Also, should be picking up a svt 400t soon so I'll be I'm curious to see which cab(s) it's gonna sound best thru. Idk if I'll end up using all the cabs at ounce, it's just nice to have some backup in case something goes wrong. Also, I live in southeast Kentucky, so the nearest city is probably Knoxville TN, I guess.
I may not be using all of the cabs a once. I found the other 2x15 for a deal so I figured it would be nice to play around with the combination of cabs. I've not played many mesa heads. I played a pulse600 once at a show thru my cabs and it was pretty sick. The only ampeg I played was the portaflex(and I literally prefer my Behringer over it). The thing ab the v4b is it's only 500 dollars away from a svt cl, of I was gonna spend 1500 I would probably rather wait and save up the extra 5 for the svtcl. I should be picking up an svt 400t, I wanna try and pair it with a Peavey mark 6
My thought here. Disclaimer I'm a cab junkie, so
A goog deal is a good deal, get the 215. Pick your favorite single cab and make note. Combine away with a 2 ohm capable head. The 8 ohm 1x15 with the 4 ohm 215 is what I'd try first.
IMHO the cab is a more important link in the chain than the amp. Tone is king, sure. Having enough power on tap is good. If the speakers don't sound good and cant hang with the output the previous things you "got" from the amp are negated.
So... my vote is get the 215; find the cab that's got to go, probably the 410; apply funds from sale towards any of your choice Subway head. Make music and have fun.
A goog deal is a good deal, get the 215. Pick your favorite single cab and make note. Combine away with a 2 ohm capable head. The 8 ohm 1x15 with the 4 ohm 215 is what I'd try first.
IMHO the cab is a more important link in the chain than the amp. Tone is king, sure. Having enough power on tap is good. If the speakers don't sound good and cant hang with the output the previous things you "got" from the amp are negated.
So... my vote is get the 215; find the cab that's got to go, probably the 410; apply funds from sale towards any of your choice Subway head. Make music and have fun.
Question: Are you typically playing gigs with FOH support, or is your band carrying the entire room with your stage amps?
Since you're a punk band, I suspect the answer is the guitars, bass, and drums are blasting away at full volume on stage, regardless of whether or not you're going through the PA.
My thought is that you'll get the best results playing instruments at very modest stage volumes and letting the PA fill the room, including all the glorious, skeleton shaking bass you could want.
I understand that many bands don't have the luxury of FOH support and the bassist needs to have a high powered amp with plenty of speaker cabinet area to move lots of air.
Hence my question. Do you typically play gigs where you need to have all this power, or would you be better served using a low power amp with a smaller cabinet as a stage monitor?
Since you're a punk band, I suspect the answer is the guitars, bass, and drums are blasting away at full volume on stage, regardless of whether or not you're going through the PA.
My thought is that you'll get the best results playing instruments at very modest stage volumes and letting the PA fill the room, including all the glorious, skeleton shaking bass you could want.
I understand that many bands don't have the luxury of FOH support and the bassist needs to have a high powered amp with plenty of speaker cabinet area to move lots of air.
Hence my question. Do you typically play gigs where you need to have all this power, or would you be better served using a low power amp with a smaller cabinet as a stage monitor?
I probably wouldn't choose the SVT3 today, IMO there are some great D class amps out there. Now I'd probably choose one of the Aguilar D class amps, TH500 or AG700.
I know a guy who plays Punk and swears by Ashdown amps.
I would say at the most 50% of the gigs I play have FOH support. Ive yet to play a show where I could hear myself properly thru a DI. IDK what it is, maybe most of the sound guys I've worked with are just not that good, but I usually have to sneak and turn up when they're not looking(so does my guitarist now that I think ab it) because I am completely unable to hear myself. The struggle to hear myself is definitely due to my drummer. He hits harder than anyone one I've ever heard. it's also just really fun to feel all that air that a bunch of cabs can move. The audience also seems to like it more, and I feel like I get a better tone from my cabs than they FOH. Most of the places I play are pretty rundown and dingy so me and my mates prefer if we have control over our volume, it seems like something always gets drowned out when we DI everything. A luxury of just having only guitar bass and drums is that we're really familiar with where our independent volumes should be, so setting up takes no time for us usually, even tho we have a couple heavy cabs, but hey we're all really young so it doesn't really matter tbh
Yeah I've read a lot of negative things ab the svt 3(I bet I'd like it better than the portaflex tho). I've never tried Aguilar or Ashdown but I would like to. Thanks for the input!
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That being the case, and going by what you said in your first post, I'd recommend getting the Mesa Boogie Buster.
Adjust your EQ to boost the low mids and cut below 60 Hz, then crank the volume to get as much tube saturation as you can and make sure you wear earplugs.
