Concert Bass+Peavey 412 cab

[jessejamison]

I just joined a band and needed a 'real' amp to keep up with everyone. I started out looking for an Ampeg SVT III because thats the best, right? Wrong!
The guitar player insisted I check out this old 200 watt Sunn Concert Bass he saw in Twin Town Guitars here in Minneapolis. I would have never even looked at that amp on my own so I owe him one cuz I totally fell in love with it after about 30 seconds.
- Now heres the strange part:  I couldn't afford the 8x10 Ampeg cab I was testing it out on so I hooked it up to a beat-up old Peavey that had 4 12's in it and to my surprise it sounded way better and way louder than the Ampeg, (both were 4ohm cab's). Now wasn't this head originaly designed for a cab with two 15's? I was just wondering cuz when I tried it with a 215 loaded with JBL's all that wonderfull tone was lost in the mud.

[Anonymous]

Hey, if it sounds good, go for it!  Entwistle  used to use 12" speakers for bass back in the day...he still does though I think they're Ashdowns now.

...Peavey that had 4 12's in it and to my surprise it sounded way better and way louder than the Ampeg, (both were 4ohm cab's). Now wasn't this head originaly designed for a cab with two 15's? I was just wondering cuz when I tried it with a 215 loaded with JBL's all that wonderfull tone was lost in the mud.

[Rocketboy]

Man, if you can hear yourself through the drummer using 12's, more power to ya'.  Thank the drummer.

[Rocketboy]

Oh, yes. One more thing.  Next time you try the CB head through a 2X15, try different tone control settings.  My experience has been that 2X15 cabinets have plenty of low end all by themselves.  I have had to use the bright switch (that's why it's there) in such circumstances.  Conversely, if you're using the deep switch with the 12's, you may want to turn it off with 15's.  There's no technical reason the CB head should sound less than great through a pair of JBL 15's.  Always check for correct phasing.