BookmarkedRecently got a gig for bass so I’m Upgrading my rig. Currently I’m playing a squire jazz bass through a 40w fender rumble. I’m upgrading to a peavey 400 series bass head that I believe puts out 210w at 4 ohms. Currently looking for what affordable cabs I could pair with it, preferably 4x10.
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Need to find cab options for a peavey 400 series head
- Thread starter WillStrick
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- cabs peavey 400
Buy used.
New: Harley Benton SolidBass 410T - $269
But it's 8 ohm
I don't know this cab, but Harley Benton has a solid reputation: affordable but quality gear = best bang for the buck
Since shipping is so expensive these days, if you're looking at used 4x10s, your choices might be influenced by what's available within a reasonable drive of you in your area. Off the top of my head, for 4x10s, I'd say the old Peavey TVX cabs, certain of the old Hartkes (410 XL?), Eden 410s (might be pricier), Ampeg SVT 410 HE (sealed cab -- like half of an 810 with a tweeter), maybe certain of the old GK 410s.
I am no connoisseur of 410s or expert on those old cabs, though -- perhaps others will have more input. I would check to make sure that the drivers are stock and in good shape.
With ~200 watts, depending on the gig, you'll want to make sure that your cab is fairly efficient. Might be worth keeping an open mind as to configuration, too -- perhaps the right 15, or 215, or 212 -- or stack of 15s or 12s or two 210s -- would work well for you.
Guitar Center used listings and (though I've never used it) Facebook marketplace -- along with the classifieds here -- might be worth checking out.
If you can provide some more info (what kind of music you're playing and roughly where -- maybe a budget), people might be able to give you more targeted help.
Good luck!
I am no connoisseur of 410s or expert on those old cabs, though -- perhaps others will have more input. I would check to make sure that the drivers are stock and in good shape.
With ~200 watts, depending on the gig, you'll want to make sure that your cab is fairly efficient. Might be worth keeping an open mind as to configuration, too -- perhaps the right 15, or 215, or 212 -- or stack of 15s or 12s or two 210s -- would work well for you.
Guitar Center used listings and (though I've never used it) Facebook marketplace -- along with the classifieds here -- might be worth checking out.
If you can provide some more info (what kind of music you're playing and roughly where -- maybe a budget), people might be able to give you more targeted help.
Good luck!
Welcome to TB!
Here's the manual for the Peavey 400:
https://thesnowfields.com/manuals/Peavey-thebass-400.pdf
This head will work with loads down to a minimum of 2 ohms, so you can use a wide variety of cabinets. Most cabinets are either 4 or 8 ohms, so you can easily use one or two such cabinets.
1 x 4 ohms = ok
1 x 8 ohms = ok
2 x 4 ohms (total 2 ohms load) = ok
2 x 8 ohms (total 4 ohms load) = ok
That said, it only delivers the full 200 watts into a 2 ohms load, and will deliver much less when powering either 4 or 8 ohms loads, maybe 100 watts and 50 watts, respectively. This isn't a lot of power in this day and age, but if the 400 is really cheap, maybe it will suffice.
410s are relatively inexpensive on the used market, as many players are transitioning to lightweight gear. Keep an eye out for major manufacturers like Peavey, Hartke Gallien-Krueger and Ampeg. Upscale brands are Genz-Benz, Aguilar, Bergantino, etc. The Fender Rumble 410 (new or used) is a good budget solution.
Here's the manual for the Peavey 400:
https://thesnowfields.com/manuals/Peavey-thebass-400.pdf
This head will work with loads down to a minimum of 2 ohms, so you can use a wide variety of cabinets. Most cabinets are either 4 or 8 ohms, so you can easily use one or two such cabinets.
1 x 4 ohms = ok
1 x 8 ohms = ok
2 x 4 ohms (total 2 ohms load) = ok
2 x 8 ohms (total 4 ohms load) = ok
That said, it only delivers the full 200 watts into a 2 ohms load, and will deliver much less when powering either 4 or 8 ohms loads, maybe 100 watts and 50 watts, respectively. This isn't a lot of power in this day and age, but if the 400 is really cheap, maybe it will suffice.
410s are relatively inexpensive on the used market, as many players are transitioning to lightweight gear. Keep an eye out for major manufacturers like Peavey, Hartke Gallien-Krueger and Ampeg. Upscale brands are Genz-Benz, Aguilar, Bergantino, etc. The Fender Rumble 410 (new or used) is a good budget solution.
this is all good advice, for something the size of a 410 youre mostly limited to buying local. the main determining factor for whether you want a 410, 210, 115, 212, is all going to be about how loud you want to be. If i was in your shoes (and have been before) i'd check craigslist and facebook for used 410's or 212's if your not worried about weight. When i was in this spot i ended up with an ampeg svt 410hlf that i LOVED. If you can find a good used 212 cab i would jump on it. be willing to drive up to an hour or so if you can.
A used Peavey 215 cab of the same vintage as the amp would be a good choice, if you can locate one.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Look used in your local CL. Usually a bunch of heavy 410s at great prices, usually some good names.
Peavey 215. That was pretty much a standard bass rig early 80s and late 70s. And will be plenty loud. Wish I still had mine.
staurosjohn
Bassman!
(4x15)
You can pair just about anything with that thing, you could even do 2 4ohms or an 8 and a 4 safely. I would go on Craigslist and get the most speakers I could afford.
Great source for cabs in the USA if you can’t find much locally. They do charge for shipping, but only a fraction of what a private seller would have to charge.
Any Peavey 215, but ideally a 215D if you can get help moving it
But this is probably the very best answer. Those old Peavey heads really do work with any reasonable combination of speakers, even down to 2 ohms (which was how I used mine at the performance pictured above; my oversize 212 cab was out of frame on the opposite side of the drum kit).
With many folks going lightweight, you should have no problem finding something suitable for not much money. The catch is that it's almost sure to not be worth the cost to ship something so I'm going to echo those suggesting just look around locally and see what's available.
Just make sure you bring the head with you to try it out. This shouldn't be a problem for any seller or shop.
As for specifics, if you're not planning on moving it I do love the look of a vintage Peavey 215 with the aluminum trim. But there are innumerable options that would work fine. More practically, I'd really recommend taking your time until you find one that you love. Different cabs can sound drastically different as I'm sure you know and when it comes to big old cheap cabs there are plenty of fish in the sea.
Just make sure you bring the head with you to try it out. This shouldn't be a problem for any seller or shop.
As for specifics, if you're not planning on moving it I do love the look of a vintage Peavey 215 with the aluminum trim. But there are innumerable options that would work fine. More practically, I'd really recommend taking your time until you find one that you love. Different cabs can sound drastically different as I'm sure you know and when it comes to big old cheap cabs there are plenty of fish in the sea.
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If that Peavey 400 series bass head actually puts out 210-watts rms into 4Ω then it's only going to put out 105-watts or so rms into an 8 Ω cab. it might work OK with a 410 cab but, that's not much power for a 410 cab and if it's not an efficient cab, all bets are off.
I actually have a number of different rigs I use depending on the size of the venue. One of those rigs is an Eden TN226 amp that puts out 225-watts rms. I run that into an Eden EX-112 cab and that is my small venue rig that I typically run at small brewpubs. For medium-sized venues I run a DNA-800 amp that puts out 400-watts into my DNS-210 cab, which can handle 700-watts rms. OK, that cab is a really loud cab and truth be known 400-watts into that cab is enough for large indoor venues too. For outdoor venues and music festivals, I'll run that amp into my DNS-410. If I need more than 400-watts I can run my 210 cab on top of my 410 cab which releases the additional 400-watts from my DNA-800 amp. The other option I'll use at music festivals because I don't really like lugging a second cab around, is to run my Eden WT500/800 amp bridged at 800-watts into my DNS-410. I have to be careful with that though because if I run my master up to 10:30, the sound guys tell me to turn down.
You'll find a 500-watt into 4Ω head more versatile you use if you can get one and I'd suggest running it into a 210. That should cover the small and medium-sized venues. Add a second 210 to get a de facto 500-watt 410, which will get you just about anywhere. I don't normally recommend combos because you have to replace both amp and speakers all at once, but if you like the sound you get from your Rumble take a look at the Rumble 500 that puts out 350-watts into its 210 speakers and 500-watts when you add the second 210 cabinet.
Way back in the early and mid 70's, that head coupled with some 15's or with a cab or two of horn loaded 18's, pounded many school gymnasiums and bars.
If you check out enough pawn shops, there may well be a 215 or two left out there.
Probably real cheap, as well.
They are heavy, but came with good casters that make moving a lot easier than it might have been.
I had one of the shelf port ones with EVs in it that worked out great.
For some reason the triangle ones don't like EVs as well.
Probably real cheap, as well.
They are heavy, but came with good casters that make moving a lot easier than it might have been.
I had one of the shelf port ones with EVs in it that worked out great.
For some reason the triangle ones don't like EVs as well.
It’s good to 2 ohms! 2 8x10s!
Another plus 1 on the 215D. I’ve got one I worked over hard with a MKIII 400 Peavy amp and it worked great with 2 guitars and a drummer. At one point I had 2 MKIII heads and 2 215D cabinets. Together, they were loud enough to make your ears bleed if need be. I sold one complete rig and the remaining head got loaned to a friend who took off for points west and was never seen again. The 215 was retired when I replaced it with a Hartke 410XL, powered by an SWR Basic 350.