Which amp for a 5-string?

If money is not an option, then go with Eden (shameless plug)
Many brands are nice for the low Htz like Hartke, SWR, or others but its up to you !

 

It's all in the EQ

My advice : get at least a 4x10... if you want some more low-end.. add a 2x12... if you want even more low-end.. add a 1x15..

Myself i'm very satisfied with my SWR Workingman's 4004 & Eden CX410 cab, which handle the B-string perfectly ( low and still very tight ) . In fact i'm so satisfied with the CX410, that i'm adding a 2nd one in January. Hmm...total of 8x10 @ 400w ( )... should give you enough juice for about 90 % of all gigs..

( if you play on large festivals, REAL large clubs, etc.. you'll probably hoop up your DI to the PA system anyway.. )

 

1x18!

 

All 15's aren't created equal, so I wouldn't just dismiss them categorically. I have a Carvin Cyclops that I'll be selling because the B string makes the 15" in it just fart out when the bass controls are boosted and the volume gets to rock band level. My Carvin 18" can handle the B, though.

The 15" on the Eden I recently got handles the B just fine, all warm, big, and deep. I got a pair of 10's with it, so it's nice to biamp (not all heads do this) and send the highs to the 10's and the rest to the 15".

One requirement is a head with enough power because low notes are watt hungry. As for other spec's you can look at them till you're cross-eyed but trying the thing out or being able to return is the only way to know.

 

At least 1,000 watts available to a pair of Acme B-2 cabs.

Use your favorite preamp plus a power amp such as the QSC 2402 PLX that delivers 700 watts per channel into 4 ohms. This will give you sufficient headroom to drive each cab to its maximum without clipping. Start with a single 4-ohm Acme B-2 and add a second one to the other amp channel as your needs increase.

Two cabs are easier to manage and haul around than one large cab. They can be split to either side of the drummer, or opposite sides of the stage. If they are stacked, you get an extra +3 dB from the mutual coupling effect. You can take one cab to small gigs, and both to larger ones.

If you are truly interested in the 31 Hz low B, check the cabs and specs carefully before you buy. The Carvins don't cut it that low, same as so many others that don't either. The direct trade off is reduced sensitivity (lower SPL rating) to gain the lower bass extension. This is why the Acme are so power hungry.

Beware of cabs such as the Flite 123W that claim -3 dB at 30 Hz with a single 12" speaker rated at 98 SPL. In my opinion, this is an unsubtantiated marketing lie. There are 12" subwoofers capable of -3 dB at 30 Hz in 3 cubic feet, but not at 98 SPL.

 

Well, the ducks are on the pond. Who wants first shot???

 

woa dude.. you shouldn't say something like that... just 2 weeks ago you were new to bass and now 15's are a fad? be careful on giving out opinions that sound like facts.
I have the same setup as you and yes the swr 810 does wonders for a B string.. it gets better response than an ampeg 810 mainly because it's ported i assume. This particular 810 sounds awesome with a 5 string, but 15's and 18's definately have their place, and have been around for quite a while. Most 410 cabs won't do very good at a low B at high volumes either, IME... so saying that 10's are definately the way to go can be a bit misleading..

that said... Mara, i suggest you try a few 810's or some 410/15 or 18 combinations... see what you like.. if you play rock, that seems like the way to go, SWR amps tend to be cleaner, so if you want that dirty rock sound, give ampeg a shot...
goodluck w/ your new stuff.. let us know how it goes.

Brian.

 

hehe

Ok, some background. I've been playing guitar for 5 years now, and I'm a high schooler, ok? I've been into the equipment part of guitar/bass for quite some time, so I'm not totally new at this. I have knowledge and experience. I'm NOT some newbie. I'm NOT some kid. For my age, I feel I'm too knowledgeable in this field. I'm not trying to start some flamin' war between you and I. I'm sure you are a distinguished gentlemen that knows what he's doing. I'm not questioning your opinions, but please don't question mine. If you have a response, please make it, if not, please get off my case. Thank you.

 

Okay...well then, 15's and 18's are anything but a fad. Arguably the greatest bass amp ever, the Ampeg B-15, had a single 15" speaker (hence the name). 15's for bass have been around much longer than 10's.

Ya satisfied yet?

 

Brian, I'm sorry if I came across a little disgruntled. I checked out your site, and you seem pretty cool, and young, like me. BTW, nice Carvin. Sorry, dude.

 

and funkycarnivore, you are true.

*PA sounds...click*

I hearby retract my comment about 15" speakers being a passing fad used by nu-metal bands.

*PA clicks off*

ya, happy? there ya go, all better now. I'm just a kid, leave me alone.

 

hey no problem... i'm def not here to get angry...
thanks for the Carvin compliment.. it looks cool and plays alright, sounds like poo though, hence the stingray on the way and the impending carvin electronics overhaul...


by the way... mara, you still around? what'd you do?

 

power: as rickbass already said, you will need a bit more than with a 4 stringer.

speaker size: IMO you can not generalize here. E.g. there are 210 cabs which perform better than 115 cabs - it really depends on the quality of parts and cab design.

Matthias

 

A good 4x10,leaned on the pavement and a little bit inclined is enough.Then,the choice of the brand of the cab dipends very on the head you own.My favourites are Goliath3,Eden410xlt,and those big Ampeg.

 

Why would you have to adjust your rig just because you play a five string? I mean, doesn't it depend on what NOTES you're playing? Do you REALLY use the notes below E so much that you need to reconfigure your entire rig? Or is this all just hype? "You bought a five? Now you need 6,000 watts and 4x30" cabs." I'm having a hard time buying this.

 

15s and 18s have been a passing fad for like 50 years or more... Just exactly when do you think this fad will pass?

 

When I bought a 5 I started to feel the limitations of some of my gear immediately. I was starting toi get in trouble on the B strings low D.

Once I moved up to a Peavey 215 and then a Carvin 118 It sure seemed better.