Off Topic Rig Question, 2x15 Cab

[Manfloozy]

So I have an opportunity to pick up an SVT-3PRO and SVT-215E cabinet for a good price.

Does anyone play through 15's for a gig rig? I use a 1x15 in my practice combo and it sounds nice and warm, but I have never played a 2x15 with this much wattage before... usually its the 4x10, 6x10 or 8x10 cabs.

Any thoughts or feedback? I know it would sound delicious with a 5'er if/when I ever go back to that dark side.

 

[GreyDad]

I've usually used a 1x15 *and* a 4x10 but never 2x15

Would probably shatter continents if you played a Bongo 5er with flats through it

 

[Mogee]

I think it would probably be really cool if you were to add a 2X10 to the mix with that 2x15. Might help make it punchier.

I know I am in the same boat right now. Trying to decide what cab to buy for my new Genz Benz.

 

[INMT]

I ran a Boogie road ready 2x15 for a few years for live shows, never let me down. Plenty of punch.
I know some are of the opinion that 15's are slow. I say get quality 15's something like EV's gold line. It's a world of difference from most stock speakers.

 

[five7]

Not since the 70s. 10s are 12s are the way to go now. If your end to lifting a lot of weight then go with the ampeg and the 15s.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Manfloozy... 2x15's sound great when paired with 10's IMO. But the real question would be how big of a rig do you need for the shows you are playing? If you really need to push that much air i would say go for it, but with all the small lightweight cabs that are on the market i would say you have lots of options if you want something smaller and lighter. I have found my Markbass combo works for about 90% of what i do, the other 10% i take out my GK
4x10 with it. BTW how strong is your back? JOSH

 

[AnthonyD]

That's a lot of inches in too few speakers for me... 15"s have always been too woofy for my liking.

10s baby... 10s!

 

[Caca de Kick]

I've been using a Boogie 2x15 cab since the early 90's. No woof, it hits hard and those old EV's have crazy mid-range to them.

 

[ZiggyDude]

Oddly - of all the years playing - I never used a 2x15 until recently. Before it was always 18s with 10s. Then about 10 years ago I got an Ampeg 610 HLF with the SVT4-Pro head (SLM version). After I went wireless I started noticing problems in some rooms. Recently I rehabbed a vintage Acoustic 406 wide with 2 modern Eminence 400 watt RMS (yes - RMS) speakers and the thing is great. Fills the room better than the 610 and is just as fast and punchy.

So, it matters on the 15 and the cab. The Ampeg cab you are looking at is the same size as an 810 SVT. So, be ready to carry it. You might be a bit underpowered with the 3Pro - matters how you like to EQ.

A vintage Acoustic 402 is very easy to move and bright.

I found that my Bongo 5 really responds to the vintage Acoustic stuff. I don't know why - as most my other basses don't care as much.

If you are going through a PA - you don't need big. My bandmates like the 15 better as there is more lateral sound on stage and they hear more of me. The 10s are more directional. But - the previous band liked a quiet stage and the 10s worked for them.

Just 2 cents

- Ziggy -

 

[HornetAMX]

I've been using a Boogie 2x15 cab since the early 90's. No woof, it hits hard and those old EV's have crazy mid-range to them.

+1! I use Dietz cabs made here in Austin and they use the EV15L speakers which are very good.

 

[Steamthief]

Real men use 15s.

 

[Manfloozy]

So, the guy sold it before I could get around to it. I think I'll just save up and go with an SVT-4PRO + 1x15, and a 1x12, 2x10 or 4x10 for the big rig. I like the thought of the mix and matchable version, especially with the bi-amp function on the 4Pro. I really don't need that much power, but the price difference is worth it.

I am traditionally an Ampeg fan, but need to check out some of the other rigs out. Thanks for the suggestions thus far... and if anyone has any other thoughts of equipment I need to check out, I'm all ears.

But this will all have to wait until after the DD2 Bongo is taken care of!

 

[ZiggyDude]

The 4-Pro is a very versatile head and you can get really granular with tone. A used SLM version would be a better score. For some reason - they lost 200 watts someplace about the time things got sold and started moving across the pond.

Going component with the speaker boxes is always nice. The mix and match works well. A 1x12 may not handle the power though - maybe a hard to find 210 on top.

In the Ampeg line, weapons of choice were the 410 and 610 HLF, the 15s, Some of the Dr. Bass cabs look nice.

 

[brokenvail]

Ok, I don't play bass and this is only my second time on this side of the forum but I know about about this. My old bass player used to run a boogie road ready 2x15 with EV. He bought it strickly because I found such a killer deal on it. He was not a gear head and I was and I know this cab woud bring the thunder. We had guys we gigged with who ran 8x10's, I found another friend an SWR rig with 4x10 and an 18 and the boogie killed them all. he always cut through but he sound so so round warm and thick we called him thunder. Mind you he played a piece of junk horner 5 string or an ibby with an EMG P pickup I put in there. If you ran any EB bass through a 2x15 rig watch it because you guitar player will spend thousands to try and keep up.

 

[kylierider]

I use one 15 for gigs all the time. A 400 watt SHO PA speaker I've had for years. It's lighter than my 410 cab so it sees most of my gigs. Sounds great when paired with my Hartke 4000 head and my Stingray wearing EB III flats.

With the 15 I tend to keep the bass knob flat and at least the mid and sometimes the treble knob maxed or close to it. Otherwise I can't get the high I like.

 

[patobrujo]

i use 1x15 + 4x10, i think that way you get all you need, never tried 2x15 tho but i'm really happy with this config so far so i can recommend it to you

 

[drTStingray]

I use 2 x10 with tweeter for small gigs and add a 1 x 15 for larger ones.

Adding the 1 x 15 adds a lot of bass response - almost too much sometimes and requires EQ adjustment on the bass in some rooms.

I suspect a 2 x 15 will have an enormous bass response and move continents, to quote Grey Dad (and what is he waiting for from Sweden??!).

It depends what sound you want but I guess you may not get the articulation and speed of response as you would with 10s.

 

[GreyDad]

I suspect a 2 x 15 will have an enormous bass response and move continents, to quote Grey Dad (and what is he waiting for from Sweden??!).

Whatever it is is, it's no longer in Sweden...

 

[five7]

Greydad, I gave your tunes a listen. Damn good! You and your band should be famous and be sponsored by Musicman.

 

[GreyDad]

Thanks very much! PM Sent