bass cabs--4x10 + 15.....8x10......6x10....need help...survey

[kdsi44]

hey guys, i just played a 3 hour gig last night....here is my setup....ive got a ampeg svt-4 pro playing through a ampeg 4x10 hlf cab....basses include a sr4 and a fender '75 usa reissue jazz......my problem is not enough volume for the venues we have been playing.....i dont know if i should just add 1x15 cab....or look into a 8x10 cab.....i wanna know what you guys play through and any advice....thanks

 

[cheezewiz]

You guys must be playing INCREDIBLY loud. That setup should cover just about anything but stadiums. Perhaps the solution would be using more PA support.
If you want to ad another cab, a 2/10 or a 1/15 would probably do nicely. You will get some more air moving with additional speakers.

 

[kdsi44]

yeah, we play really really loud....but its just bass, guitar, drums.....thats it....

 

[TSanders]

Id get a 15 if I were you.

 

[flywheel]

yeah, we play really really loud....but its just bass, guitar, drums.....thats it....

does anybody stay to listen??? You're gonna blow their eardrums! Anyway...I have 2 4x10's because I don't like 8x10's. They're too bulky and you can't get them in a car if you have to. I find myself using my rig with just one 4x10 quite a bit now but it's nice to use both just to get a bit of extra bottom end and the upper cab serves nicely as a monitor since it's propped up when using both. I used to use 15's but they aren't punchy enough for me.

One time I brought both cabs to a gig and later realized that I forgot to plug in the speaker cable for the bottom cab. What a pain! I drug out the second cab and essentially...it served as a speaker stand!

 

[spectorbassguy]

My rig is Mesa 400+ to Mesa 1x15 and 4x10's. The 1x15 really adds low end while the 4x10 is great for mid bass to highs. Add a 1x15 IMO. You could even try an Avatar to do it inexpensively. They are making some great cabs for not a lot of bucks.

 

[cgworkman]

"We need more power Captain!!"
















How many watts/what amp/etc. are you using?

 

[spectorbassguy]

How many watts/what amp/etc. are you using?

The Ampeg SVT-4 Pro he mentioned is PLENTY of power for 1x15 + 4x10.

 

[skabassist13]

the svt-4 runs at 1200 watts in mono-bridged mode. if your using like that your going to fry your cab. anyway. my suggestion would be to get an 810. the 15 and a 210 have about the same speaker area, and a 410 has double that. the more speaker are you have the more volume you have. therefor a 410 is louder than a 210/115. i would go for the svt-810, run your 4pro in mono bridged mode and blow some peoples eardrums. also if you take off the input pad, but make sure to keep your gain in check you would probably get a bit more volume as well.

 

[johans]

yeah ...

that's 1600w max amp ..
hard to imagine not enough power outta that

 

[cgworkman]

Well, since I'm not an Ampeg expert, I thought I'd ask about the power ratings for that head.

 

[cgworkman]

the svt-4 runs at 1200 watts in mono-bridged mode. if your using like that your going to fry your cab.

This is not entirely true.

Powering a cab with more than it's rating is not what "fries" the speakers. More power = more headroom.

To many watts do not "fry" speakers, stupid people "fry" speakers...

 

[Aussie Mark]

What Chris said. Clipping fries speakers, usually from underpowering or poor gain structure setup along the signal chain.

I use an 8x8 for big gigs, 2x10 for small gigs and rehearsal.

 

[skabassist13]

i know, i know. i spent alot of time on the ampeg board, so i know all about that. i said that in that paticular way because most people are stupid and dont realize to much gain is what causes fried speakers, not power. i was assuimg he was trying to get everything out of the head, and therefore clipping his amp. i should have said that, but really i do know better.

 

[Simple Gav]

i use an svt 350, svt 210 and a hartke 1800 1 x 18 cab. to be honest, i've played so many gigs with just the 2x10 and the head, cos its loud as holy ****.

maybe your band should think "being louder does not make us better"

 

[phatduckk]

playing loud is fun

what rig is your guitarist running? id imagine your rig could be way louder than unmic'ed drums ...

 

[Psychicpet]

By the sounds of things I'm guessing that all you're putting through the PA is the vocals and if that's the case then get a 1x18" that'll get the soundman swearing at you. If not, point your cabinet at you like a regular wedge monitor, then you'll be able to hear yourself and rely on the Front of House PA for the audience to hear you. Trust me, you should not need more than a 4x10" unless you're doing stadiums. All that Mike Krueger had was 2 8x10"s and 2 1x15"s and they were quiet on stage when i checked his gear out and those boys play the "big rooms"
So ya, eq different if you have to cut through more as well.
all the best man.

pd

 

[lowstrung]

Add a 15" below the 410. You won't here it on stage like the 410, but out about 20'-30' you will start to hear it. Adding the second speaker will also add volume. The 15" won't have the punch like the 410's but the groupies out front will be able to feel it. You should'nt need any more power than what you have. Remember that if you dont go through the PA and have monitors you are not going to be hearing what the audiance is hearing. The bigger the speaker the longer the throw of the sound. If you run an 18" speaker you will probably hear it comming off the back wall before you hear it off the stage.

 

[Bassplyr]

You're running 1200 watts and need more? Hehehe, crazy kids. I've always been fond of the 4 x 10 / 1 x 15 set up. It's always gotten me a great full sound, especially outdoors. I agree too with spending time with your EQ. Good luck.

 

[skabassist13]

what about a 300 watt tube head with a 412? is that to much?