Barefaced Super 15 vs. fEARful Dually 15

husky123 · #1 03-24-2012, 09:18 PM

***DISCLAIMER*** NOT trying to start a war!

I've been GASsing hard again for another 215. I have some outdoor shows coming up and I really want a big setup for that.

I thought I had my mind made up on the Barefaced Super 15. It looks scrumptious...is light, loud and I'm sure sounds good.

BUT here recently along comes greenboy's new Dually. Man it has me thinking hard. I'm looking to pair either of these with my new favorite amp, my Mesa M9 Carbine. I love vintage tone and have never gotten along with tweeters. Lately I have become fond of my Avatar TB153 and the Mesa.

I guess my question is it reasonable to think that the two cabs in question (Dually and Super 15) will give about the same tone? I know they are using the same drivers with the Dually having two choices in 15" drivers.

Does anyone out there have a Dually yet?

Thanks for any insight fellas.

will33 · #2 03-24-2012, 09:56 PM

versus....

will33 · #3 03-24-2012, 09:59 PM

Does it really matter?

ScottTunes · #4 03-24-2012, 10:43 PM

Mesa has a great 2x15 based upon the TL606 design. I've been using one I built over 12 yrs ago for outdoor gigs, and it is HUGE! They are heavy however... I have BassLite II (C2515?) drivers in mine, which brought the weight down below 90lbs... Worth a gander...

If you can build your own, JohnK10 just built a 2x15 that kicks azz too! I had a similar (tho NOT ported) vintage 2x15 cab like his which I still miss!

husky123 · #5 03-24-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Does it really matter?

I suppose in the grand scheme of things, no. I mean it is just a bass cabinet. It doesn't help me breathe, it doesn't care for my children, it doesn't shine a beacon to the north. I'm just trying to make as an informed decision as I can before pulling the trigger.

**CL400Peavey** · #6 03-24-2012, 11:31 PM

Why not just keep that 1212/6 you just got and call it good?

will33 · #7 03-24-2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

I suppose in the grand scheme of things, no. I mean it is just a bass cabinet. It doesn't help me breathe, it doesn't care for my children, it doesn't shine a beacon to the north. I'm just trying to make as an informed decision as I can before pulling the trigger.

Understood, just keeping things light........hearted. Either of those are such kickass 215's it may come down to things other than sound, like local availability, cost, little things, etc. Barefaced is one of the best in the business IMO....they're also in the UK. fEARful is a DIY design done yourself or by a builder/cabinetmaker/carpenter. Equally as kickass. Might come down to having the security of buying from a company an ocean away, or working with somebody local you can say "hey" if you do have any issues. You're at the level there performance may not be the deciding factor.

mntngrown · #8 03-24-2012, 11:43 PM

He Sold it! Man just wants answers. He should not have to splain his G.A.S.! I love my 1515/66 cab(s) but they don't sound like my old Mesa Boogie Diesel 2x15. OP is asking a specific question re a specific old school type cab. Some folks will never be pried away from their Ampeg 8x10 fridge and SVT either. I totally understand. Will probably be a little while before you get an answer on GB's design as it is new. Might wanna join the GB forum just to ask the authorized builders.

husky123 · #9 03-24-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Understood, just keeping things light........hearted. Either of those are such kickass 215's it may come down to things other than sound, like local availability, cost, little things, etc. Barefaced is one of the best in the business IMO....they're also in the UK. fEARful is a DIY design done yourself or by a builder/cabinetmaker/carpenter. Equally as kickass. Might come down to having the security of buying from a company an ocean away, or working with somebody local you can say "hey" if you do have any issues. You're at the level there performance may not be the deciding factor.

Thanks will. I want to keep it light hearted too. I really debated whether to even post this or not. I think you're right. One is to new to really know much about it (other thwn the stellar rep of the designer) and the other is, well, just damn good. I have no doubt that the Dually is going to be the bomb.

On the 1212....just don't need that tweeter. I want a light, straightforward 215 full range. Seems like either one is gonna be purdy sweet.

johnk_10 · #10 03-25-2012, 01:10 AM

i would've bought a dually or the super fifteen, but both of them have dims that are just a little too deep to fit in the trunk of my car so i just made my own 2x15. i love it so much i'm currenty building another one right now, so i'll have one loaded with 3015's and the other with 15PR400's.

i cut all of the panels for it on my table saw this afternoon, but i won't have the ports (from reliable hardware) til monday, so cutting the baffle board and gluing it together will have to wait until then.

IMO, it's great to have a 2x15 that has great tone and can put out ALOT of output yet weighs well under 50lbs.

husky123 · #11 03-25-2012, 07:09 AM

Does anyone have a roundabout weight for the Dually. Are we thinking around 50 pounds?

lomo · #12 03-25-2012, 07:11 AM

I think that for the bassist, this is a "no lose" choice. For the audience's ears, however, it might be another matter. You might want to put some fine print in your band's flyers urging hearing protection, LOL. My guess is with the M9 Dragon on top, either of those monster boxes will vie for the crown of low, clear'n loud.

Tunaman · #13 03-25-2012, 07:29 AM

If Barefaced was in the USA big time, I'd have one of those for sure.

It feels like theres been a cab revolution as of late with a bunch of new designs vs the regular old 410s 215s etc.

Cool stuff but not readily available yet... looking forward to that day... but its hard to know which way to go with limited supply & reviews

jnewmark · #14 03-25-2012, 07:31 AM

Having used 215's for most of my musical life, I'm glad to see some modern versions arriving on the scene, and these appear to be two of the best, although I have never played either one ! You said you were into vintage tone, so maybe the Dually might have an edge there, as you have a choice between two drivers. It's been mentioned that the Faital 15's have a JBL K140 sort of vibe, ( JohnK may be able to speak to this ), so that would get the nod from me. Obviously, the cost would be cheaper with the Dually, especially if you have a builder in your area, and a authorised builder can add some mods to the cab ( like type of handles, finish,etc. ) instead of just getting the stock version of the BareFaced. For example, I would not like those tilt back wheels and strap handles on the Super 15. But maybe Alex would do a more customized cab if asked. Being able to swap out the 15's in the Dually seems like a plus also. In the end, though, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

husky123 · #15 03-25-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

I think that for the bassist, this is a "no lose" choice. For the audience's ears, however, it might be another matter. You might want to put some fine print in your band's flyers urging hearing protection, LOL. My guess is with the M9 Dragon on top, either of those monster boxes will vie for the crown of low, clear'n loud.

I like the way you think lomo.

husky123 · #16 03-25-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Having used 215's for most of my musical life, I'm glad to see some modern versions arriving on the scene, and these appear to be two of the best, although I have never played either one ! You said you were into vintage tone, so maybe the Dually might have an edge there, as you have a choice between two drivers. It's been mentioned that the Faital 15's have a JBL K140 sort of vibe, ( JohnK may be able to speak to this ), so that would get the nod from me. Obviously, the cost would be cheaper with the Dually, especially if you have a builder in your area, and a authorised builder can add some mods to the cab ( like type of handles, finish,etc. ) instead of just getting the stock version of the BareFaced. For example, I would not like those tilt back wheels and strap handles on the Super 15. But maybe Alex would do a more customized cab if asked. Being able to swap out the 15's in the Dually seems like a plus also. In the end, though, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Excellent points my friend.

**CL400Peavey** · #17 03-25-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Having used 215's for most of my musical life, I'm glad to see some modern versions arriving on the scene, and these appear to be two of the best, although I have never played either one ! You said you were into vintage tone, so maybe the Dually might have an edge there, as you have a choice between two drivers. It's been mentioned that the Faital 15's have a JBL K140 sort of vibe, ( JohnK may be able to speak to this ), so that would get the nod from me. Obviously, the cost would be cheaper with the Dually, especially if you have a builder in your area, and a authorised builder can add some mods to the cab ( like type of handles, finish,etc. ) instead of just getting the stock version of the BareFaced. For example, I would not like those tilt back wheels and strap handles on the Super 15. But maybe Alex would do a more customized cab if asked. Being able to swap out the 15's in the Dually seems like a plus also. In the end, though, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

A big +1 to the authorized builders working with you on options.

johnk_10 · #18 03-25-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

Does anyone have a roundabout weight for the Dually. Are we thinking around 50 pounds?

depending on the type of wood, grill and hardware used, IMO, a dually could easily be in the 47-50lb range. and a composite one, IMO, possibly in the 40-42lb range.

husky123 · #19 03-25-2012, 09:31 AM

I just spoke with Don Barry (good dude for letting me call him on a Sunday) and he thinks it'll be about mid 50's with the standard type options. Not bad considering it's a big, bad 215.

mothra2 · #20 03-25-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

... Either of those are such kickass 215's it may come down to things other than sound, like local availability, cost, little things, etc. ...

While true to a point, it's also amazing how you can have two very similar sounding cabs (and i don't know that these two are), but GREATLY prefer one over the other for what might be viewed as very subtle/minor tonal reasons.

Somtimes a 7% difference is 50% of the deciding factor IME. Makes me wanna try them all