Acme "Low-B" Cabs

KingRazor · #1 12-10-2010, 04:24 PM

I've read some reviews and these look like great cabs.

I have a question about them for you 5-string users: How well do they handle the B string? What's the smallest one that you think could handle a B?

waynobass · #2 12-10-2010, 04:28 PM

They were designed to handle a B-string, hence their name. The 2x10 will not disappoint you.

millsbass5 · #3 12-10-2010, 04:35 PM

Be prepared to feed that jewel some wattage!!! They're REALLY hungry for that.

KingRazor · #4 12-10-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

Be prepared to feed that jewel some wattage!!! They're REALLY hungry for that.

So I've read. lol.

So you believe a 2x10 is enough to handle the B? The reason I ask is I really don't need a lot of volume, I just want good low end response.

greenboy · #5 12-10-2010, 04:53 PM

Any of them not only handle a low B, but actually reproduce the lower overtones of it. A lot of things that can handle low B don't necessarily reproduce it very fully. But Acmes do. So the different ACME cab sizes are way to go LOUDER, not lower.

A fEarful 12/6 is lighter and louder than a Acme B2, does it with a few less watts, and actually sounds just as full in spite of losing around 1/4 or 1/3 octave of low end extension.

Zooberwerx · #6 12-10-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

So I've read. lol.

So you believe a 2x10 is enough to handle the B? The reason I ask is I really don't need a lot of volume, I just want good low end response.

Get yourself a pair and stack them end-on-end. Doesn't really add anything sonically but it keeps your beer at arm's reach.

Riis

KingRazor · #7 12-10-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Any of them not only handle a low B, but actually reproduce the lower overtones of it. A lot of things that can handle low B don't necessarily reproduce it very fully. But Acmes do. So the different ACME cab sizes are way to go LOUDER, not lower.

A fEarful 12/6 is lighter and louder than a Acme B2, does it with a few less watts, and actually sounds just as full in spite of losing around 1/4 or 1/3 octave of low end extension.

Light is good. Low is good. But as I said, I don't need high volume. I'm living in an apartment so I won't ever be turning the volume up very high, so the better the cab sounds at low volume and the better low end response it retains at that volume, the better the cab is for me.

greenboy · #8 12-10-2010, 05:45 PM

Then do B1.

thombo · #9 12-10-2010, 05:53 PM

i used a b4 and b2 for several years. they do reproduce low frequencies really well, and handle a lot of power. my stingray 5's low string never sounded so good! they are a very sterile cabs. they are loud, but lack "chest" thump, which i find really helpful on stage. it took me a while to realize that, in rock settings, i was blowing out the audience, while i was struggling to hear myself. it took a little bit of time to get use to adjusting the mid and hi frequencies with the attenuators on the rear of the cab.

i eventually moved onto something else because i grew tired of constantly changing the 1156 car bulb that they use as a fuse to protect the tweeter- you have to remove a speaker to access it. i blew two woofers while i had them, but they replaced them.

Andy, the main guy at acme, was really great with customer service! Quick to respond to emails, accepts phone calls, all business, very cordial.

if you are a bass straight to the amp player (no effects), &/or a slapper, these cabs are great. my taste simply changed.

KingRazor · #10 12-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thombo

i used a b4 and b2 for several years. they do reproduce low frequencies really well, and handle a lot of power. my stingray 5's low string never sounded so good! they are a very sterile cabs. they are loud, but lack "chest" thump, which i find really helpful on stage. it took me a while to realize that, in rock settings, i was blowing out the audience, while i was struggling to hear myself. it took a little bit of time to get use to adjusting the mid and hi frequencies with the attenuators on the rear of the cab.

i eventually moved onto something else because i grew tired of constantly changing the 1156 car bulb that they use as a fuse to protect the tweeter- you have to remove a speaker to access it. i blew two woofers while i had them, but they replaced them.

Andy, the main guy at acme, was really great with customer service! Quick to respond to emails, accepts phone calls, all business, very cordial.

if you are a bass straight to the amp player (no effects), &/or a slapper, these cabs are great. my taste simply changed.

I definitely don't need the "thump". Plus, this will mainly be for home practice, so I don't think I'll have any trouble hearing myself.

JEDI BASS · #11 12-10-2010, 06:05 PM

My Acme low B 2x10 is great for handling a B string! It would be easy to think your playing thru a 15 or 18 equipped cab.

Zooberwerx · #12 12-10-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I definitely don't need the "thump". Plus, this will mainly be for home practice, so I don't think I'll have any trouble hearing myself.

JOOC, what amp will you be using?

Riis

waynobass · #13 12-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

Be prepared to feed that jewel some wattage!!! They're REALLY hungry for that.

That's what everyone says, but I use a G-K 400RB (200 watts) with the 2x10 and it sounds great.

KingRazor · #14 12-10-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

JOOC, what amp will you be using?

Riis

You asking about what I'll be using if I ever start gigging, or what amp I'm using now?

I'm confused

Zooberwerx · #15 12-10-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

You asking about what I'll be using if I ever start gigging, or what amp I'm using now?

I'm confused

What amp are you using now?

Riis

KingRazor · #16 12-10-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

What amp are you using now?

Riis

A 15 watt RMS combo amp. Bought it for $70. I want something nicer now.

jasper383 · #17 12-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Then do B1.

+1

A B-1 would be perfect for around the house and low volume needs.

zombywoof5050 · #18 12-11-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thombo

i eventually moved onto something else because i grew tired of constantly changing the 1156 car bulb that they use as a fuse to protect the tweeter- you have to remove a speaker to access it.

The bulb is no longer used, now they have a 'polyswitch'.

KJung · #19 12-12-2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Any of them not only handle a low B, but actually reproduce the lower overtones of it. A lot of things that can handle low B don't necessarily reproduce it very fully. But Acmes do. So the different ACME cab sizes are way to go LOUDER, not lower.

A fEarful 12/6 is lighter and louder than a Acme B2, does it with a few less watts, and actually sounds just as full in spite of losing around 1/4 or 1/3 octave of low end extension.

As a former Acme user, and also one familiar with various 12/6 designs, total +1 on this. The Acme's all go very low... VERY low indeed. That can create some issues in live performance. The relatively new crop of cabs based on the 3012LF driver are VERY impressive. They not only go a bit deeper than many cabs, but unlike the Acme (IMO and IME), they can actually handle loud volumes with peak transients (like really digging in or slapping) without a bunch of extra stuff like complex EQ or extra hi pass filtering using a typical bass head. Andy (of Acme) has a new 112 cab that I think is based on the LF driver also. Haven't heard that, but at the moment, it is a one way cab, which wouldn't fit my needs for a touch more extension up top (he calls it the 'flatwound' to indicate that it is not really a full range cab).

IF you are playing relatively softly, and have 'gentle technique' (i.e., play mostly fingerstyle with a normal touch), the Acme cabs sound great... deep, organic, warm, smooth, relaxed up top, and the 110 model goes as deep/low as the 410.. you just 'pick the size of the box based on the max SPL you need'. A B210 with 300 watts going into it is fine with EB for a moderately loud jazz trio, for example. A B110 sounds fine to just goose up the volume of an upright bass when playing with an unmic'd piano, etc.

I would check out some of the new 3012LF boxes (like the Thunder Child cab by Audiokinesis) also... nice low end, and you can pound on them a bit more without getting into trouble.

IMO and IME.