What do you think of this? (another rig question)

[PaulyWally]

As I said earlier, I have an Ampeg B328 (2x8 with horn, 150 watt combo). It's got balanced and unbalanced outs with a pre/post switch.

 

I'm thinking of starting with an Avatar 2x12 or 1x15 for a bottom cab. And a Crown XLS402 amp to power it. The amp is 400W per channel (1100W bridged) at 4 ohms.

 

$250-ish for the cab (new)

$350-ish for the amp (new)

 

So... stack the Ampeg on the cab and run a post from the Ampeg into the amp.

 

I figure that could get me up and running in mid-sized clubs until I can can get a backup head, a 2x10 cab, and a rack-mount preamp.

 

Comments? Concerns? Suggestions?

[bleepo]

for all you know, you might like the ampeg pre so much you stick with it... besides, 8's are cool too.

[sunburstbasser]

Get the Ampeg and the new cab first, if you can run an external cab from the Ampeg. If it sounds good enough that way, no need for the spare power amp!

 

If it'll only run the internal speaker, then you'll need the extra power amp anyway it sounds.

 

Should make a nice little rig though.

[PaulyWally]

Originally posted by bleepo for all you know, you might like the ampeg pre so much you stick with it... besides, 8's are cool too.

 

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Get the Ampeg and the new cab first, if you can run an external cab from the Ampeg. If it sounds good enough that way, no need for the spare power amp! If it'll only run the internal speaker, then you'll need the extra power amp anyway it sounds. Should make a nice little rig though.

 

Good points on all. The B328 does have a 1/4" running from the amp to the cab. It's basically just a B3 rackmount bolted to the cab (like many combos are). So external cabs are always an option with that amp. And for having only two 8's... it's a kickin' little cab.

 

The main problem I was seeing, was only having 150 watts. I'm not sure that's going to do the job very well in mid-sized clubs.

 

So far, everyone pretty much suggested a minimum of 100 tube watts, and 300 SS watts.

 

Edit: And... the B3 is 4 ohm minimum. The cab is 4 ohms. A second cab will give me the options of 8 ohms (series) or 6 ohms (parallel). That will effectively drop my output by at least 25%. But, it is still worth a shot. Ampeg amps aren't whiny little girls like some other amps.

[sunburstbasser]

I'm pretty sure it isn't very easy to wire cabs in series to an amp. Jack sockets, etc. are all wired in parallel.

 

If the internal speaker is 8 ohms, you'll be fine though. Two 8 ohm cabs becomes a 4 ohm load I believe. Something.

 

What is the internal speaker rated?

[PaulyWally]

 

Originally posted by sunburstbasser I'm pretty sure it isn't very easy to wire cabs in series to an amp. Jack sockets, etc. are all wired in parallel. If the internal speaker is 8 ohms, you'll be fine though. Two 8 ohm cabs becomes a 4 ohm load I believe. Something. What is the internal speaker rated?

 

 

I'm not too sure. I'm guessing about 200. That would seem about right for a 2x8 Ampeg cab. It's also a 4 ohm cab.

 

I don't plan on rewiring any cabinets. But if I get an 8 ohm cab, a parallel connection to the 2x8 would be 6 ohms. If I get a 4 ohm cab, it's quite easy to wire up them up in series (for 8 ohms).