I'm looking for an affordable bass cabinet to pair up with a 250W RMS (at 4 ohms) amplifier head. Ideally no more than $700 (although I can be flexible if needed) and at least two speakers in the cabinet. What do you guys recommend? I'm aiming to play modern progressive metal primarily if that's any help. I'm in Australia and don't mind importing things if needs be but keep in mind that postage prices to Australia can be ridiculously expensive.
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Affordable cabinet?
- Thread starter MaidLiz
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- affordable cabinet
You can probably find 2 used 4x10 cabs for that budget that will kick ass. Take 1 to smaller gigs. Maybe the same thing with 15" single cabs.
I'm an electronics technician, not a carpenter. I don't have those sort of skills and nor do I want to mess around with building my own cabinet in my own time. I just want something that works, ideally not second hand as I don't trust other bass players (hahah) as well as what matches the rest of the requirements I've already listed.
Tell us more about your requirements and your tonal goals.
How much volume will you need? A 2x12 will be enough for a lot of people.
I myself used one on countless occasions, but when it came to one of my bands, I was paired against a loud drummer and two guitars that used 4x12 cabinets and 50W tube heads - a single 212 did not stand a chance there, especially with a five string where the low B needed to ring through.
Do you like a tweeter in your cabs to represent the harsh highs?
Do you like a cab to be more or less neutral, modern midscoop or oldschool midhump?
Is weight a major issue or can your back still take a heavy cab?
Other limitiations?
How much volume will you need? A 2x12 will be enough for a lot of people.
I myself used one on countless occasions, but when it came to one of my bands, I was paired against a loud drummer and two guitars that used 4x12 cabinets and 50W tube heads - a single 212 did not stand a chance there, especially with a five string where the low B needed to ring through.
Do you like a tweeter in your cabs to represent the harsh highs?
Do you like a cab to be more or less neutral, modern midscoop or oldschool midhump?
Is weight a major issue or can your back still take a heavy cab?
Other limitiations?
I will be using this for my own studio recordings, weight will not be an issue. I personally like the sound of fresh strings, that's the basic ballpark for my ideal sound. Lots of top end clarity, not too much bottom end (usually) so a cabinet that can either emphasise or compensate for those sounds (either or). I don't really like neutral, I do like amps and cabinets with character. As far as tweeters/horns, I'm not really sure. I've heard they can really rip your ears off but a well done horn can really sound great, I'll leave that up to you guys.
I commonly tune to Drop G# for music by Periphery, which is a rather low tuning.
I commonly tune to Drop G# for music by Periphery, which is a rather low tuning.
$700 new is limiting, really not too many new cabs at that price point. I would look into the Fender Rumble 2x10, not sure how it works as a metal cab.
Not entirely limiting. I've found plenty of cabinets at that price point. Peavy, Carvin, Fender and so forth. The only trouble is, I don't know what they sound like and I wanted to know someone else's opinion. The options exist if you look for them, I know that much. Who knows, maybe a Fender Rumble cabinet will yield good and surprising results?
700 AUD, especially local to their market, might be different than 700 USD. I've worked with a good few Aussies, in a good few ways, it's quite different from NYC.
With that said, you're definitely not wrong on the 410 part. I'd honestly say that most decent kit would do just fine.
Edit: for the studio, a 210 or 112 would do, or anything that just sounds "right"
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An ampeg BXT410. Real wood and quality speakers. They are 4ohms but extremely heavey so you can find them exceptnially cheap. Reviews are either love them or hate them. I find they work well
For recording only, why not go direct or use a pre-amp and headphones?
Also, why a two speaker cab instead of one?
Which amp will you be using?
What volume will you be setting the amp at for recording?
How about a one speaker cab and an HPF to keep the low end tight?
Also, why a two speaker cab instead of one?
Which amp will you be using?
What volume will you be setting the amp at for recording?
How about a one speaker cab and an HPF to keep the low end tight?
1: It's a rookie mistake, a cabinet can add much more life to a bassline if done correctly. Also, I actually like to practice without having to fire up my recording setup! Tuning down to Drop G#, you often find that you need a bigger amp's headroom in order to not have a farty low end.
2: For a particular microphone setup I like to use in order to capture both bright and dark sounds.
3: Markbass LM 250
4: Reasonably loud, as with most recordings. Wouldn't want to be directly exposed to it for too long without hearing protection but still nothing stupid.
well if you need to be load and cheap. Another easy find might be an older 2x15 or 8x10 cab. The more speaker area you have the more volume. 100watts with a 8x10 will be louder than 200watts with a 4x10. Also more speakers at 8ohms even might be loader than fewer at 4ohms. Older Peavey Black Widow loaded cabs can be surprising. Around here you can find 2x15s for $100 or even free. Cant give them away, but they can work well and can be loud. Just out of style with all the much smaller and lighter neo options.
An Ampeg SVT-212AV cab. Right in you price range. A 600 Watts, 4 ohm 212 cab that plays great. I run an Ampeg V-4B head through mine.
