Bass cabinets?

[beamer]

Hi all bass players. I just got a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and I'm looking for help on bass cabinets.
Right now I'm using an 8 ohm SWR 2x10" cab, sounds OK but I'm looking for ideas on my set up.
What brands of cabs do people like? What configuration?

I play mostly small clubs and casuals.

[jlev]

I keep coming back to 4x10. My current one is a Carvin and it works surprisingly well with my GK1001 RB.

[Richard]

I like 4x10 cabinets also - They sound good up on stage, and out in front.

I have a Peavey 4x10 ( weighs 100 lbs ) that never leaves my garage any more
and an Avatar 4x10 ( weighs 45 lbs )

I have had the Peavey for 10+ years. I tried Mesa Boogie, Eden, Acme, and Trace Elliot cabs, and I always liked the Peavey better. I just hated telling people that I played through a Peavey cab. After buying and then selling (for a loss) other brand name cabs, I finally was able to get over my own brand name issues.

I bought the Avatar because it was so light and cheap, and I have been really happy. I think it sounds great, and its really easy to throw around. I wish mine had the Tolex coating instead of the carpet, but oh well If something happened, I would buy another Avatar cabinet right away.

www.avatarspeakers.com/

[beamer]

Joe & Richard, are your cabs 4 ohm boxes?

[Richard]

Mine are all 4ohm

[jlev]

Mine is 8 because I combine it with a GK Neo 212 on occasion, but to use it by itself 4 is the way to go.

[jlev]

Oh yeah I forgot to say that I am with Richard on the brand name thing. I know Carvin is about as unsexy as you can get but I am very happy with the sound. I was doing a gig with Terry Buddingh who writes for Bassplayer Magazine and when I talked about how my Carvin wasn't that good he laughed and said "It's got the same Eminence speakers that most of the other companies use."

[kennans]

You'll definitely be happier with a 4 ohm load.

I've been digging the 2x12's lately. I just picked up a Genz Neo (thanks Mr. Cobb!), that I haven't worked at all yet. I also have two Avatars; a 2x10, 4 ohm Neo for smaller gigs, and a 2x12 4 ohm with Delta LF's. Both are wonderful.

I recommend the Avatar stuff. Good deals.

[beamer]

Well I went with the Avatar B410 neo 4 ohm, it was $100 less than the Carvin. It sounds real good in my garage It will get its first road test on Feb 26 at a party, then the club test on the 27th at the Torch, we're playing a benefit there from 4 - 7pm. (no cover) If anyone is in the neighborhood come on in and let me know what you think.
Thanks for the help
Beam

[Richard]

Thats my exact setup, and Im really happy with it. Let us all know what you think

[jimc]

Hi all,

I used to be involved in Bass and Beyond before it moved to Reno. I ended up with a bunch of gear when leaving the store. Some of it, mainly amps and cabs, is awkward to ship. I don't really want to deal with the local Craigslist crowd but, if any of you on the list are looking for a great deal on amp or cabs, send me a PM.

I have a lot of Genz Benz gear (sorry no Shuttles), GBE600, 750 and 1200. 2x10, 2x12, 4x10, 6x10 cabs. Also some Aguilar cabs. Fender tube preamp and other bit and pieces. Most of these are new and I'm selling close to cost.

Jim

[noeinstein]

4 ohms, 8 ohms, oy!

Tell me this, if I run my head (350@4ohms, 200@8ohms) through a 4 ohm 410 or an 8 ohm 410, how much and what kind of difference will I notice?

[jlev]

Definitely noticeable, I think it's like 3dbs(techies?)
Bass amps seem to like the lowest impedance they are rated for.

[sberg]

Interesting discussion, since I'm in the final throws of deciding which way to go.

Tech info - 3db increase in speaker efficiency is roughly equal to 2x power.

Ohms Law for DC Current - Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) / resistance (Ohms). so if you use an 8 ohm cabinet, you will be using 1/2 the power of your amp, compared to a 4 ohm cab.

Hence, the 3db difference between a 4 and 8 ohm cab.

If your Amplifier is rated to a 4 ohm minimum load, then don't go below that, or you may overheat the amp.

Usually, Amps come with 2-4 speaker connections (1/4" and speakon). The electrical circuits for each speaker connection is in a "Parallel" configuration.

Also from ohms law, resistance in "series" circuits is the sum of all resistance - > 4+4=8. However, Resistance in "parallel" circuits is the product, divided by the sum, so, -> (4x4)/(4+4)=2 ohms!
That's why you need to pay attention to the ohms on your speaker cabs.

A "flexible" rig might be built around a 4 ohm min. load amp, using one 8 ohm cabinet for small gigs, and adding another for the bigger venues. Say, a 1x12 8 ohm cab for practice and small gigs, adding a 4x10 8 ohm cab to that for the outdoor and bigger inside events. You just have to live with 1/2 the power when you are only using one cabinet.

Really - when was the last time you turned up past 5 with both the pre-amp and master on your amp? That's a loud gig (at least with your new 6.0 it will be).

Going back to the rule of 3db - get a really nice high quality cabinet (any of these other guys posting have more experience than I do on that point...) and that 4 or 8 ohm issue won't be very noticeable at all. Look for bass cabs with Sensitivity (db) ratings of 97 or better. Bag ends, DNA's and Edens are around 100.
GK's, GB's and most of the other boutique cabs are between 97 and 100. Carvin's and Peavey's are rock solid - and if you like what you hear, you can't go wrong.

[jlev]

I just bought an Eden 210XLT. It's heavy, about the same weight as my Carvin 410 but it's easier to lug and boy it sounds great especially when you turn it UP!