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What will work best.

Donald Wormuth

Donald Wormuth

Jan 6, 2021
243
109
59
Waco Texas
#1
Ok, well this is the way I am going. I'm getting this head HeadBehringer Ultrabass BX4500H Bass Amp Head. Now I want to know if these cabinets will work with the head and what will my output be for each. This has an *ohm impedance Behringer Ultrabass BA210 500W Bass Cabinet. Now I'm considering one of these which will be my best match. Fender BXR115B Bass 300-watt 8ohm. Carvin 115 JBL Bass Cabinet specs say 600 watts I'm not sure if that's accurate though. Because there is no true model # listedhttps://[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] that is listing. Then there is this one Acoustic B115NEO 1x15 Bass Cabinet listed at 400-watts also 8 ohms. What ones combined with the 2x10 will be best for me. I play Metal in a band with 2 guitar players. Both use Marshall 1/2 stacks. Take in to mind I am a beginner and only have used combos. I had another deal that fell through.
 
#2
Glad to hear you got the head. It is capable of driving a 4 ohms load, so you can use either one or two 8 ohms cabinets with it.
The whole thing of "210 for highs, 115 for lows" may have been acceptable decades ago, but doesn't apply anymore. It is more common today to use two of the same cabinet. But 115s are cheap today.

The BA210 is a 8 ohms cabinet and is rated for 500 watts RMS. It's a good match for that head.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Fender BXR115B is rated at 150 watts RMS, which is more important to consider than "peak". Forget peak. This won't hold up to the power of your head: hard pass.

The Carvin is a really old model (early '80s) and may not be very well engineered or in useable condition. If it is a JBL, it might be a E140, as it was an option. The E140 was rated for 400 watts RMS and is considered to be a good sounding speaker. This will definitely be more of an old-school Motown kind of tone, which might not work for your style of music. Try and find out what it actually is before having it shipped. If it's not an E140, hard pass.

The Acoustic B115 Neo is a good option, but if you mean the used one at the Ft. Worth GC, that one looks abused. The grille has been mangled and the Tolex is damaged. "Great condition"?! Make them warranty that.
 
#4
abarson said:
Glad to hear you got the head. It is capable of driving a 4 ohms load, so you can use either one or two 8 ohms cabinets with it.
The whole thing of "210 for highs, 115 for lows" may have been acceptable decades ago, but doesn't apply anymore. It is more common today to use two of the same cabinet. But 115s are cheap today.

The BA210 is a 8 ohms cabinet and is rated for 500 watts RMS. It's a good match for that head.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Fender BXR115B is rated at 150 watts RMS, which is more important to consider than "peak". Forget peak. This won't hold up to the power of your head: hard pass.

The Carvin is a really old model (early '80s) and may not be very well engineered or in useable condition. If it is a JBL, it might be a E140, as it was an option. The E140 was rated for 400 watts RMS and is considered to be a good sounding speaker. This will definitely be more of an old-school Motown kind of tone, which might not work for your style of music. Try and find out what it actually is before having it shipped. If it's not an E140, hard pass.
Well I decided to just go with the 2x10 for now. For two reasons #1 money the cost to ship all 3 of them was way beyond my current budget. I may add another 10 config later. Or a 15 until then i was going to wire my 15 in Ampeg to use maybe. I've been told that the 2x10 with that head should suffice for now. I am also going to pawn shops today to see if I can find something .


The Acoustic B115 Neo is a good option, but if you mean the used one at the Ft. Worth GC, that one looks abused. The grille has been mangled and the Tolex is damaged. "Great condition"?! Make them warranty that.
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#5
If the Carvin is indeed an E-140, it would be an infinitely better speaker than the Fender, even considering Andy's advice about the power, which IS valid. The actual output power of that amp being what it is, I wouldn't be too concerned about blowing the JBL. The question is, can a single 15-inch driver move enough air to serve your purpose? The 210 is likely the better choice.
 
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#6
Although it can seem like a logical approach to building a rig; the amp is not the most important link in the chain. The cabinets are, IMHO, the key. Yes the amp must be up to the task; but, for the best results we as bass players need the cabs to be the "best" they can be within the budget.

As often stated here: always think "tires on the road". The cab is the final stage of the signal chain. A great cab can make a *meh* amp workable. A poorly designed or lower quality cab can't be helped no matter what is happening upstream.

The majority of any rig budget (again just my opinion) should be going towards the cab(s). Get the highest quality cab you can afford that sounds good to you.

And as always:
Little
Loud
Low;
You only get two. You are up against a pair of half stacks and a drummer in a metal band? Your shopping criteria should be focused on sensitivity and surface area primarily, of course after the budget and power requirements are factored in.

I like to have higher RMS rating of cab input than RMS amp output.

Good luck, OP. Of the choices mentioned, I dont think any of them will make the cut alone for your situation. I will "poo poo" mixing driver sizes from differing brands and even mixing cab designs from the same brand but different lines.

It is unclear to me if you already have a cab. If you do, just double down if it is 8 ohm and get a second of the same. If not, find one you like and go. Start filling the piggy-bank back up to pick up a second when you can. It happens (and it is awesome when it does), but it isnt very common that good results happen when just randomly pairing cabs based solely on power rating, driver size and impedance only.
 
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#8
Redbrangus said:
This is new data...if you don't have at least 2 x 15's or 4 x 10's, you've got little hope of keeping up without PA support. IMO, anyway.
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Thats what I thought I may pick up another cabinet to day. When i researched the head, it suggested the 2 x10 and the BA 115 ultra bass cabinet. So you said you'd suggest another 10 configuration because of style of music. Though I want to keep my options open if I want to play in other Genre's maybe country or jazz or pop funk. Will say another 2x10 or 4x10 what about maybe a 2x12?
 
#9
Analysis paralysis is setting in, OP. It is really hard at the beginning of your journey to get it all nailed down successfully on the first try. It's ok.

Can I ask that we take a step back? What do you have on hand right now? Volume aside, do you like the tones you get? If yes, then I would say what you seek is really just more of the same. Grab another cab just like you have now, provided they are 8 ohm.
 
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#10
Donald Wormuth said:
Thats what I thought I may pick up another cabinet to day. When i researched the head, it suggested the 2 x10 and the BA 115 ultra bass cabinet. So you said you'd suggest another 10 configuration because of style of music. Though I want to keep my options open if I want to play in other Genre's maybe country or jazz or pop funk. Will say another 2x10 or 4x10 what about maybe a 2x12?
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I'm not suggesting any correlation between music genres and appropriate speaker diameters at all; I'm just saying that in your band situation, you need to have the most speaker cone area you can get to make the power you have go the farthest. I'd say try to figure out where you ultimately want to be -- 410's, 215s, or whatever -- and make do with what you can get right now that puts you most nearly on that path. Personally, I'd probably go with the Carvin/JBL, with the plan of getting a second 115 down the line. BUT: being able to 'pair up' to the 210 later seems a more likely probability.

Given your location, time and logistical restraints, I'm somewhat amazed you've been able to make anything happen at all.
 
#11
Redbrangus said:
I'm not suggesting any correlation between music genres and appropriate speaker diameters at all; I'm just saying that in your band situation, you need to have the most speaker cone area you can get to make the power you have go the farthest. I'd say try to figure out where you ultimately want to be -- 410's, 215s, or whatever -- and make do with what you can get right now that puts you most nearly on that path. Personally, I'd probably go with the Carvin/JBL, with the plan of getting a second 115 down the line. BUT: being able to 'pair up' to the 210 later seems a more likely probability.

Given your location, time and logistical restraints, I'm somewhat amazed you've been able to make anything happen at all.
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I haven't been able to make anything worthwhile happen. I'm still in a holding pattern. I went to a few pawnshops in area today only thing i found was GenzBenz 600-watt head and a 4x10 cabinet for 900 which is way outside my price range as of now. A Fender BXR 300 for 140 a couple 4x10 cabs one was a peavey 300-watt 4ohm one was a 4x10 with a horn no information as too manufacturer but it Had a big V on grill for 250. A Hartke Hydrive 2x10 combo Info i found says 150 watts the later in description says 250 watts for 300. But then my Ampeg sounds like speaker is blown it makes a buzzy sound. So, I might buy a Bugera 1x15 combo brand new for now and save for the rest. I don't want to rush into a purchase with the head and cab I will regret later. I'm still considering The Behringer Ultrabass BX4500H Bass Amp Head and getting a cabinet later. Then i seen a TC Electronic Bass Amplifier Head (BQ500) or the 250 version. 500 is 249 250 is 214. Which i'd go with the 500 for a couple dollars. Am not familiar with them at all seen demos on you tube they seem versatile. And getting a cab for those being the warranty. So, I'm still on drawing board, as to what I'm going to do. I hate being indecisive. So, I'm still trying to figure it all out. Im also looking at behringer bxd3000h ultra-lightweight 300-watt 2-channel bass amplifier head which is 238.
 
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#12
If I go and purchase on line I think I am going to forget about the 2x10 and go with a SWR Workman 4x10 Bass Cabinet rate 400 at 8ohms. Just shipping and handling with GC is f n outrageous. Only new Items are free shipping. Because how they explained it was, they have to supply a box to ship it in. Plus, no warranty on used items. I'm leaning toward the Bugera BXD15A 1x15" 1000-watt Bass Combo Amp to hold me over for time being. Which with demo I found from a Non spokesman, said it's really around 250. My question I have is they say you can add another speaker to it. For a monitor i guess.
 
#13
Donald Wormuth said:
If I go and purchase on line I think I am going to forget about the 2x10 and go with a SWR Workman 4x10 Bass Cabinet rate 400 at 8ohms. Just shipping and handling with GC is f n outrageous. Only new Items are free shipping. Because how they explained it was, they have to supply a box to ship it in. Plus, no warranty on used items. I'm leaning toward the Bugera BXD15A 1x15" 1000-watt Bass Combo Amp to hold me over for time being. Which with demo I found from a Non spokesman, said it's really around 250. My question I have is they say you can add another speaker to it. For a monitor i guess.
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I weep for Bass players that have to use cheap gear. Expectations will never be met. You're up against Marshall stacks. Loud drums and playing metal. I'm sorry nothing you're looking at is gonna hold up. You need Gallien Krueger or a Mesa Boogie rig. Anything else is going to be a disappointment.
 
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#14
joel406 said:
I weep for Bass players that have to use cheap gear. Expectations will never be met. You're up against Marshall stacks. Loud drums and playing metal. I'm sorry nothing you're looking at is gonna hold up. You need Gallien Krueger or a Mesa Boogie rig. Anything else is going to be a disappointment.
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That's why I'm thinking on buying the Bugera combo for now. Because I need something now. My Ampeg has issues that i need to get fixed but i need something to practice with. Our next 3 gigs have a pa and if my Ampeg was good enough with 210 watts, I didn't have to crank it for practice. Think it will suffice. It seems my best bet. Then putting the extra 200 I have away saving for a decent rig. Plus we've been talking about renting a PA for when we need it. Just guys were wanting everyone to put in Equally. I can't being on disability.
 
#16
Donald Wormuth said:
That's why I'm thinking on buying the Bugera combo for now. Because I need something now. My Ampeg has issues that i need to get fixed but i need something to practice with. Our next 3 gigs have a pa and if my Ampeg was good enough with 210 watts, I didn't have to crank it for practice. Think it will suffice. It seems my best bet. Then putting the extra 200 I have away saving for a decent rig. Plus we've been talking about renting a PA for when we need it. Just guys were wanting everyone to put in Equally. I can't being on disability.
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Find a sound company that does PA for live bands. They usually supply everything you need for a live performance. Monitors, Mains and Subs. Usually pretty reasonable. 200/300 a night. The best part is they setup and tear down and run it for ya. A good DI would serve you better than running low end amps. Just shoot yourself through the monitor system. A good DI can be had for 200ish. Save up and get real equipment.
 
#17
Donald Wormuth said:
That's why I'm thinking on buying the Bugera combo for now. Because I need something now. My Ampeg has issues that i need to get fixed but i need something to practice with. Our next 3 gigs have a pa and if my Ampeg was good enough with 210 watts, I didn't have to crank it for practice. Think it will suffice. It seems my best bet. Then putting the extra 200 I have away saving for a decent rig. Plus we've been talking about renting a PA for when we need it. Just guys were wanting everyone to put in Equally. I can't being on disability.
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Why not just get your Ampeg fixed by a QUALIFIED Ampeg service center?
 
#19
abarson said:
This is a worthy head at a good price.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You won't find a better cabinet at this price.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Way far away from me. No reliable vehicle to get there and I've found brand new TC heads for 264. Same head cab looks good got some wear and tear though. Found alot better Cab
agedhorse said:
Why not just get your Ampeg fixed by a QUALIFIED Ampeg service center?
Click to expand...
There isn't one near me. And I need this buy Saturday I already thought about that. Closest one is 100 miles fromme
 

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