Alright, I feel like an idiot for having to ask this-- I still don't fully
understand ohm loads a scenario like this. I've tried reading manuals, but I still don't get it, although I'm sure the answer is obscenely simple.

Scenario A I think I understand [if not, please correct me]:

* Line out from one source via Y-cable split into channels 1 and 2 of
the power amp --> each channel set to matching output levels and
matching ohms setting, one speaker wired to each channel, unit set to
stereo mode, Right?

then

Scenario B completely loses me: "Bridged Mono" on power amps.
* Line out from one source via Y-cable, split into channels 1 and 2 of
the power amp --> each channel set to matching output levels and
matching ohms setting, one speaker wired to red terminals only.
A) Into one speaker in bridged-mono mode, you'd match
ohms setting I assume, I think I get that. [i.e., 8-ohm setting into 8
ohm cabinet]
B) If you want to use two speakers daisy-chained you'd have
to do the calculations to figure out their load, but is that considered
series, not parallel? [i.e., two 8-ohm cabinets daisy-chained and run
on a 4-ohm setting or what-have-you]

Now, they obviously made the bridged-mono option for a reason, and I
assume it's to increase headroom when you only need to amplify a
single source, since, if I understand correctly, Scenario A above would
yield less power, correct? Or am I missing something? Which scenario do you use to make sure your amp will have enough headroom not to clip on the transients?

Thanks for your time.
-sam

I'm running a Traynor Mono Block II with the matching 2x15 cab. I'm pretty damned happy when it comes to the tones. I've been playing a Fender Mustang and a Precision through it as of late and have no complaints. I've also got an old H+H head that lights up green when you turn it on... The pots were cheap and cut out so it's piled in the corner of my basement. I've got a spare Mono Block II as well. I used to have a Fender BXR 400 and I was pretty damned happy with it at the time, although my ears might have matured since... If you're looking for cheap quality, try out the Traynors. I'm been told that the stock speakers were made by Eminence BTW.

I didn't ever think Traynor was a secret. I always thought Traynors were pretty good amps-worked for Billy Zoom.

Acoustic made a decent bass head-the 360 I think it was called.

Ashdown is fucking wonderful.

JOhn Brady tone of you dreams! Sorry, but while yes, I think he sounds good, I would have never considered sweep to have these user tones people were dying for.

John played a Traynor Monobloc through a 2-15 cab and a fretless fender jazz.

I used to use a GK 800 rb and 1-15 and a 4-10 cab. Bob said I had a talk show bass player cabinet. I was crushed so I sold it all. Actually, I never really got into the GK. It sounded pretty good for a while, but it was unreliable and it never really had the headroom or punch I was looking for.

So I sold it and got an 800 watt QSC power amp, whith the intent to build a tube preamp. Over a year later the tube preamp is still half assembled. For a preamp I used a guitar pod at first, and then later an Intersound IVP that I picked up for $60. I use a sansamp gt-2 just for a mild tonal enhancement before the preamp.

I got an amped 6-10 cabinet, so I'm kind of like the more macho talk show bass player. I was suprised by how good it sounded.

I use an active fender jazz bass because it is king of like a music man and kind of like a jazz bass.

ben adrian
sf, ca

Howayas

I too desired that clangy almost overdriven-esque bass sound that had been sported by JL's Dave Simms and a similar sound sported by The Stranglers' JJ Burnell. I think he called it The Buzzsaw Bass Sound. There's a classic stranglers B-side called "Shut up" which features this sound heavily...now that I come to think of it, Jesus Lizard did a cover of it as a B-side to Tumper from Shot. So anyway I managed to get this sound by messing around with a combination of amps and speakers until I found a "Simms Watts", yeah the amp is actually called Simms!! All valve 100 watt guitar head...its the dogs bollocks.

http://www.toneheaven.ndirect.co.uk/SimmsWatts.JPG
[/url]
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/D ... ad-01.html
[/url]

I loaded up an old HH 2x15 cab with 2 200 watt celestion drivers.
Plugged in my Fender P-Bass special (1 percission PU and 1 jazz PU - with active preamp) Turned the input gain up about half way and left the 2 band eq!! flat. It was music to my ears. There it was, that resping gloriuos sound with all the punch and clang I could dream of. NOTE new strings are essential!!! As the strings deaden, so to does the sound....you find yourself nudging the treble and gain to induce more high order harmonics...when a simple change of the string is all thats neaded.
Dave Simms himself commended me on my sound the night we opened for them in the Mean Fiddler in Dublin 1998.

I have achieved similar sounds with other combinations...but for me I've always gotten closest with Valve heads and 2 x 15 speaker cabs.
Might I suggest a HiWatt as a possible head contender and if you're handy with wood - make your own cab, the drivers shouldn't cost more than 100 dolllars each. The key for me is to change your strings regularly. I always get the lightest gauge possible...but thats a preference thing...although it will affect the sound.

Dan

hey-- in the very remote case that anyone else needs an answer to the questions I has a few posts back regarding what happens when you bridge an amp, I found some help at:

http://www.lalena.com/audio/faq/wiring/

God I wish I weren't so dense with this stuff.

Hey, what's a good price on a Traynor TS-50B?

I guess, basically wondering what the price should be for a person who doesn't really need it, already has way too many amps, but has heard great things about this particular amp?

Hiwatt wrote:I didn't ever think Traynor was a secret. I always thought Traynors were pretty good amps-worked for Billy Zoom.

Acoustic made a decent bass head-the 360 I think it was called.

Ashdown is fucking wonderful.

The Ashdown logo looks ugly though, although they seem to be super popular with people.

I play an Acoustic 470. It's pretty loud and and "gank"-y though, but that's the sound I want, not much bottom end, but the other bass player has that.

sam,

that site you linked has lots of good info.

two things that stuck out in what you described...

first, I don't think you would use the Y-cable into both inputs when you're bridging. Usually it's just a mono input, rather than two inputs that get summed together inside the amp. the instructions for the specific amp you're using will tell you how it works on yours.

second, as your linked page describes, your total impedance is either made larger or smaller, depending on whether you connect speakers in series or parallel. so you should make sure you've got it straight before you go doing it. with solid-state amps, it's not as critical, but with tube amps it can be a huge deal.

This thread is remarkable. It chronicles the moment at which Scott's Traynor obsession started. History!