FAQ'S
In the words of one of Myrtle Beach's most popular local bands... Menace to Sobriety
"If you're not drinking with us, you're drinking against us!"
“Besides the weight, what is the difference between Neodymium and Ceramic drivers?”
This is probably the #1 question I get asked. There was a time when Dr. Bass would not put a Neo in one of our cabinets. But all of that has changed. Fo the last 6+ years all of the R&D and funding has gone into the development of the Neodymium driver, and they have caught up to the ceramic drivers in some aspects, and even passed them in others. By volume one requires about 18 times as much ceramic magnetic material for the equivalent magnet lifting strength. The trade off is the heat dissipation rate, it takes less heat for a Neodymium magnet to fail. And that is the one thing that all of the research has been able to overcome by use of better heat sink material, and heat sink design. Another difference is the Ceramic drivers generally have a greater power handling.
As far as the tone goes, while all speakers have their own characteristics, I find the Neo’s to have a smoother tone in a linear fashion, and the Ceramics to have a bit more growl in the 250/400Hz range. But the difference in a Beyma, for example is almost non existant. Their new MDW/Nd series sounds almost identical to their acclaimed ceramic G40 series. And they have been able to coax 700 watts out of their 15” neo. They also have the next generation of Neodymium technology with their Patented dual technology 4” voice coil that produces an amazing 900 watt 12” Neodymium driver with a frequency range of 30hz to 2.5khz. Think about a 412 with these speakers, WOW. And they are only $329.00 each. Yikes, I’ll take a dozen!
“What is the best combination for me?”
I have no idea. I always wanted to say that, but seriously, this is a particularly tough question. I can make suggestions, but ultimately we are trying to provide you with enough information and a varied enough product line to insure you get the set up that suits your needs. The best thing to do if you are not sure, is call us and we may be able to help you pick out the rig that is right for you.
“Will my 350 watt amp be enough power for your 1,000 watt cabinet?”
The short answer is yes. At Dr. Bass one of our goals was to build cabinets that were efficient enough to handle the general amp power used by most players, which is in the 350 to 500 watt range.
“How much power is enough?”
In a perfect world you want to have 2 watts of amp power to every 1 speaker watt. Ask yourself this: How often do you run your master volume wide open? In most cases you are generally using only 50 to 75% of your amplifier’s output power. You always want to have “Headroom”. This will protect your speakers, and provide you with the best tone. It is far more likely to damage a speaker by under powering it, overdriving and distorting your amplifier than any other scenario. You do not have to match the amp and speaker power handling capacity, for example a 500-watt amp for a 500-watt speaker.
“Should I get a 4 or 8 ohm cabinet, and what impedance should I use with my solid state amp?”
I am all about maximizing the power of my amp. But the first question is: Is my amp 2 or 4 ohms stable? If it is only 4 ohm stable, then you need to decide if you will be adding a second cabinet, or do you want a 1 cabinet solution. If you want a stand-alone cabinet, then by all means get a 4-ohm cabinet and maximize your amps power. If you want to get a 2nd cabinet down the road, then go with an 8 ohm cabinet, and get another 8 ohm cabinet when you are ready. The advantage of a 2 ohm stable amplifier is you can get use a 2-4 ohm cabs, 4-8 ohm cabs, 1-4 and 2-8 ohm cabs…. the point is a 2 ohm stable amp is the more versatile, but that doesn’t always mean better.
“What amps do you recommend?”
Here is a list of amps Dr. Bass likes:
Under $1,000.400
GK 1001RB. GK has always made great products that last forever. Bob Gallien is one of the great innovators in the business. Can you say 800RB, and the first digital switching combo bass amp, the 1200CES back in 1987.
Carvin BX 1500, 1500 watts for $599.00 and only 10 pounds make this amp the best bang for the buck on the market. What more can you say.
Carvin B2000, 13 pounds 2050 watts for $599.00 and 2 ohms stable. A real beast!
Over $1,000.00
Mesa Boogie M-6 and M-9 Carbine Quite possibly one of the best constructed amps on the market. Mesa's attento detail, and high quality components make this an increible amp and for a street price of $1099.00 and $1349.00 respectively they are top of the line quality which makes the price even more reasonable.
GK 2001RB, 1040 watts. Great EQ voicing, A real bargain for about $1300.00 street price. Thick rich tone, extremely versatile, can achieve almost any tone.
Aguilar DB 750. Simply one of the best amps ever made. If you can afford it, buy it.
Walter Woods. Along with GK the innovator in Class D technology. The real key to a WW is the tone section. Extremely accurate, a bit sterile for my tastes but an amazing product.
Class D digital micro amps
GK MB MB 2 500 and Fusion This is a great amp, tons of bass, and great top end response. Very warm creamy tone. They were making “micro” amps before it became fashionable.
Carvin BX 500 $379.00 Again one of the best value's on the market. Very flexible Parametric EQ section, plus a Graphic EQ . This amp is one of the only micro amps on the market that will run at 2 oms giving this amp great flexibility.
Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and Shuttlemax 9.2 Love the fact the 9.2 has 2 seperate channels. Very accurate tone reproduction. And being the power freak that I am, 900 watts! Oh Yeah!
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Dr. Bass LLC.
3116 Shetland Lane
Unit #11
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-467-6896
Email: drbass@drbasscabs.com
