Changing genres...is my current cab/rig capable?

npbassman

npbassman

Apr 25, 2002
594
873
4,841
Indy
#1
After 4-5 of years playing top 40, Motown and RB, I have a great opportunity in front of me to get back to my rock roots playing 80's hair and other hard rock type tunes.

From an instrument standpoint, I have an LB-100 P, MIA J, and my trusty Modulus Q5 so I'm not too concerned there but on the rig side, I'm wondering if my single Berg CN212 is going to cut it? I'll push the cab with either a GK MB500 or my Magellan 800.

I'm not concerned about the heads, more the cab in that I'll be going from a typical medium volume top 40 situation (me on bass, drums, guitar, keys) to having to compete with two half stacks and a loud double bass drummer. I guess I'll find out but is my 4 ohm CN212 going to be enough or do I need to go shopping? :D.
 
#4
What are you using for hearing protection?

I don't know if your cab gets louder than the older GB neo and GK 212 cabs but the borderline is not a good place to be with 4 ohms and a grunty amp. 400w per 12 is uber cab territory.

Assuming you don't go too big on lows and favour low mids, when you turn it up and it doesn't sound a whole lot louder that's where you are at the beginning of the potential meltdown curve. If you turn back down to the previous nudge you should be ok.

If you go too big with lows you fart it out and it's easier to hear impending doom, less so with twin guitar stacks on 11, so experiment by yourself.
 
#6
Downunderwonder said:
What are you using for hearing protection?
Click to expand...

Downunderwonder said:
When you say guitar half stack you mean a single 412 skull drill with 50/100 tube watts on top?
Click to expand...

yep, that is correct and I still have my custom molded ear plugs with -15's in them. They will most definitely get used if the volume gets out of control.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm gonna try the 2x12 to see how this works out at the audition and I'll report back on how we both do! ;)
 
#7
npbassman said:
yep, that is correct and I still have my custom molded ear plugs with -15's in them. They will most definitely get used if the volume gets out of control.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm gonna try the 2x12 to see how this works out at the audition and I'll report back on how we both do! ;)
Click to expand...
Maybe rent or borrow a bigger cab just for the audition if it's all that big of a deal? I am picturing headscratching guitarists when you plonk down 212 next to their collective 812.

What did their last bassist use?
If it was 810 I hope he didn't quit over excess volume.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kro
#8
npbassman said:
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm gonna try the 2x12 to see how this works out at the audition and I'll report back on how we both do! ;)
Click to expand...

Wait.... I assumed this was a gig you had already landed. If it's an audition, I'd hate to be caught bringing a knife to a gun fight.

I did that once. Audition still went well, but I disliked the feeling so much that I started a cab-upgrade-hunt immediately following.

My recommendation is to borrow or rent something more substantial just for the audition... or use it as an excuse for your next upgrade. ;)

Edit: Incidentally, the rig I used in the audition I noted above consisted of two 12s.
 
Last edited:
#10
I would think that if you are auditioning for an 80s band and they are using half stacks (Marshalls I would assume) and a double bass drummer, they are looking for authenticity in presentation too... the Berg cab is great and I love everything Bergantino, but it won’t pass as 80s authentic on stage.. I am thinking Ampeg stack or something else 80s-ish... GK 400rb, Day glow Trace Elliot, etc..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back