robsmentek Messages: 2 Registered: May 2011 Location: New Jersey
Junior Member
Hey Folks:
I recently got a Kustom 250 bass head for a great price. I know little to nothing of it's specs.
Can anyone recommend an optimal cabinet to use with the head (other than a vintage 2-15 tuck and roll)? The new Kustom cabs evidentally aren't powerful enough as the speakers rattled at "2".
Thats a 125 watt RMS rated head with peak spikes to 250 watt so any pair or single speaker with that capability will do the trick. I myself play six string so a full range cabinet is what I'm playing through. Question is what are you going to use it for, Bass, Guitar or Keys you get the picture. If its Bass I would find a single or double 15" wired at a 4 ohm load. For guitar 2, 3 or 4 ten's or twelve's or one or two full range 15's. I don't know a lot about theory when it comes to suiting a amp with the correct speaker because its always like asking the question " Boxers or Briefs", this is more of a personal thing. While a guitar player might prefer the warm clean tones of a pair of 12" Texas Heat speakers that wont breakup under extreme spikes and would rather the amp break into distortion first (Keep in mind if you go with any "new" speaker please check out how to break that model in, Texas Heat I believe are somewhat broke in where a Eminence Copperhead takes like 12 to 20 hours to fully warm up for example). Then you have guitar players who like the speaker to do the breaking up first so your looking at a lower wattage durible speaker like a Celetion vintage 30 or Greenback. If its bass your looking for, its all about moving air. The tuned ported cabinet is as important as the speaker "driver" being used. Your working with 125 watts so your not likly going to want anything rated more than the 250 watt peakes you'll expose it to. You want high efficiency and dont want to be having to waste wattage dealing with the extra wieght of the cone and voice coil. A pair of vintage SRO or what is Electrovoice EVM now are good ones as well as the Altec 421A (aluminum voice coil), or JBL D140 and even D130. Jensen has some vintage ones also, just remember its efficiency and frequency responce your looking for. The old fender 2X15 cabs are good also. Well; theres some info to sift through as you search for that perfect match. I have been known to carry my head into the neighborhood pawn shop and give it a whirl on a cab or two and scored a couple good cabs myself that way. Craigs list would be another good (inexpensive) option as well, you know what they say "one mans trash is another mans treasure". Good Luck!!!!
robsmentek Messages: 2 Registered: May 2011 Location: New Jersey
Junior Member
Steve:
Thanks much for the thorough reply. I am using it for bass. I tried one of the new Kustom 15" speakers (250 RMS @ 8 ohms), but the speaker rattled and buzzed like crazy.
I just may need to haul the head to music stores and try it out on various cabs. My goal is to keep it simple and easy to transport.
I can't say that I'm impressed with the newer kustom products at all, also alot of other brands taking a ride on there famous "Names". Thats a real beast for a speaker to contend with so cheap inexpensive, light weight speaker cabinets wont hold up to it, remember, the peaks at 250 watts will loosen all the joints and vibrate anything not secure. Carrying it with you is a great move, although the head is somewhat massive already.
At 4 ohms a 4X10 or single 18" Harkie cab would do the trick. Small bass cabs are not usualy efficient and most times that is compinsated for by high wattage amp heads. Remember its all about moving air. That K250 has the module outputs that can be run into the PA so I guess a small cab will work fine for rehearsal or stage.
Ya got that right Tom. I dig those single 18 Kustom cabs (except when you have to load and unload them to a gig). I'm biding my time and will get one of those one day. I picked up a EVM 18" and may build one if I cant find one. Thats a great designed cabinet and will move a crap load of air for a single speaker.
conductortom Messages: 96 Registered: July 2010 Location: Okla
Member
I say it does!! Yesterday was the real first time of using it. I was standing right by it and everytime the bass player hit a low note, I felt every vibration !!! OH YEAH !!
Have you had any experience with those later 70's K-IV 400 watt beasts with the voicing conrtol. Just the head is a pain to lug around. I played a gig and the bass player burned his SWR head on one of those cabs. I too was standing next to him. I had that K-IV for back up in case I needed more output on this outside gig. Needless to say I set him up with the K-IV and "MY GOD" it tickled your feet right through your shoes on the flatbed trailer we were playing on. A low B would almost steal your breath, you could literally feel the concusion in your chest with every slap on that bass. Yea, I was impressed with the performance of that cab!!! I already new what the head could do on four 15's and it was equally as well on a single 18". Funny you should meantion the cops gettin call on you for being loud outside. I kind of thought that was how you new if ya had enough equipment or not. If the cops don't show up, you aint got shit for equipment. Some are cool enough to sit and listen a while and that just means your playing aint half bad either!!! Ya gotta love those Kustom moments. Steve C
conductortom Messages: 96 Registered: July 2010 Location: Okla
Member
Have not been around any of those. Everytime the bass player hit a low note, it was vibrating the deck and played hell with the reverbs.Had to completly turn off reverbs. And just got my 2-15's + siren cabs and the a-5 head, yesterday. 1st time to play with them. Lord have mercy them things are loud. Those sirens will rip out your ear drums!! Had all of them puppies roaring!! Have a ringing in my ears to say the least. Cop was cool about it. We asked him if he played and if he had any requests. LOL
Here's a neet little package that may suit the 250 watt peaks.
It wont play Texas Stadium or anything by itself, but you have module out for that and its kustom. Check it out on the link below.
I check some reviews and the 210 Harkie Cabs seem to be tops. You can check them out at the link below, there's an EDEN on like page 3 or 4 thats well rated also.