Will 2x8 cab handle pub gig for rock band?

[Ajoten]

The wife has had a grumble about the size of my amp, it only being a 1x15 combo, showing an ignorance of physics let alone the marketplace...

So I'm idly musing on this being permission to get something new of quality. My question is, given there are some nice looking 2x8 things of decent wattage (Trace, Mark bass), is such a device going to cut it on stage vs drummist and at least 1x distorted guitar? In a non DI/miked up environment, with no support from extension cab with fatter speaker. I fear a lack of er bassiness. 

[Mudpup]

Not in my opinion it won't - you're going to be pushing it to its limits 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Your 1x15 is more or less the equivalent of a 4x8. What do you think? As for the wife, so long as she's not the one hauling it what should it matter to her what you have for an amp?

[Ajoten]

It's about storage not transport.

Just wondered if technology had moved on so much that modern superior 300W of small speakers could compete with lesser quality 250W old large. 

Edited March 24, 2018 by Ajoten

[pbasspecial]

Barefaced 110? New wife? Up to you

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

How much of your closet space is taken up by her shoes?

Technology does allow you to go with a smaller driver for the same result, possibly 1x10 but more likely 1x12. However, that doesn't mean going from 250w to 300w. It's more like to 500w or more.

[lemmywinks]

Let her grumble?

[lemmywinks]

Or if you do want a new amp just buy whatever you like and when it turns up just hit her with "it looked smaller in the pictures".

[Hobbayne]

If space is a problem, The Markbass CMD 121 is 12 inches really pokey and tiny to boot.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/markbass_mini_cmd_121p_lm3.htm?glp=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7tfVBRB0EiwAiSYGM9Y_lUasgya3YvaqI2hwY8Q-68uDguxROz9gOGYNiKUyeDtAcFijWxoChXoQAvD_BwE

[Ajoten]

Oo, looks good. I always associate 12" speakers with guitars so never consider them. As per above comment, I'm sure no longer an issue in this day and age.

[dannybuoy]

If storage is the issue, I assume it's the footprint that's important rather than the height? A vertical 210 from Barefaced would take up less floor space than a 15 and handle a gig no problem.

[Al Krow]

The CMD 121 is certainly a great option, but you'll need an extension cab to deliver its full potential. 

If you want an excellent one-stop solution (and just possibly the best gigging combo around IMHO!), you could do worse than have a look at its bigger brother, the AC 121 Lite:

Delivers up to 500W as a stand alone. I've never really had to turn it up more than 3/6 for any pub gig...in fact it's about to get another outing in just over an hour's time  

 

Edited March 24, 2018 by Al Krow

[dannybuoy]

I’m just picturing the OP swapping out his 15” cab for a 12”, saving 3” of floor space. Wife takes one look and says “it’s still a bit big, isn’t it?”

[itsmedunc]

Viable option. Looks like wallpaper. She'll never know. 

[Al Krow]

4 hours ago, dannybuoy said:

I’m just picturing the OP swapping out his 15” cab for a 12”, saving 3” of floor space. Wife takes one look and says “it’s still a bit big, isn’t it?”

Never underestimate the benefit of 3" 

[RandomBass]

10 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Never underestimate the benefit of 3" 

Was that tongue in cheek? 🎸😀😎

[pbasspecial]

I have 2 X Barefaced Super Compacts. 1 is plenty, 2 is fantastic.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

8 minutes ago, pbasspecial said:

I have 2 X Barefaced Super Compacts. 1 is plenty, 2 is fantastic.

+1. If you're going smaller and don't want to lose output you need not only a lot more power but also a driver with sufficient displacement to make use of that power. The drivers that Barefaced uses have the highest displacement available with electric bass drivers. Other manufacturers might, but there's no way of knowing, as they don't reveal their driver displacement.

[Lozz196]

Yeah, if looking to reduce in rig size I`d probably look at the Barefaced Super Midget and a suitable Class D head. When we did the cab shootout a few years back at the SE Bash I was really impressed with the quality and amount of sound form the Super Midget.

[Ajoten]

The Barefaced Two10 has caught my eye too. Nice. 

So what application does a 300W 2x8 amp have then? 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

19 minutes ago, Ajoten said:

So what application does a 300W 2x8 amp have then? 

Show me one that posts driver displacement and I'll tell you. 

[LukeFRC]

I picked up a Mesa walkabout 1x12 combo - sounds alright but importantly it's got green tolex, brown leather corners and a sand coloured grill so it looks good - the wife doesn't even mind if it's left in the front room. 

Now if I sold that and replaced it with a hairy black cab and head I think she would - regardless of size. I had a GK 2x10 combo for a bit and that wasn't a looker at all! 

[RandomBass]

26 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

I picked up a Mesa walkabout 1x12 combo - sounds alright but importantly it's got green tolex, brown leather corners and a sand coloured grill so it looks good - the wife doesn't even mind if it's left in the front room. 

Now if I sold that and replaced it with a hairy black cab and head I think she would - regardless of size. I had a GK 2x10 combo for a bit and that wasn't a looker at all! 

You are allowed to leave gear in the front room? I'm clearly needing some tips here 😂

[Al Krow]

1 hour ago, RandomBass said:

You are allowed to leave gear in the front room? I'm clearly needing some tips here 😂

Get a nice Hotcovers cover for it, and let her indoors use it as a mini side board / coffee table. Job done 

[RandomBass]

3 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Get a nice Hotcovers cover for it, and let her indoors use it as a mini side board / coffee table. Job done 

Hmm a nice centre piece on which she can put her sewing machine perhaps. Now there's a thought.... 😀