Bass cabinets

Motomoney · #1 10-23-2011, 06:52 PM

Greetings to all. Today I went on a fact finding mission because I will need a new bass cabinet soon. I went to Sam Ash and The local Guitar Center and played a wide variety of cabs. Among the cabs that I liked - in order - was a new Mesa Powerhouse 410 (at $1049), a used SWR Bigfoot 2x12 ($369), a Hartke Hydrive 410 ($699), a used Mesa D410 ($599). What appealed to me about these was mainly that the deep low weren't too muddy.

The Powerhouse , the SWR and the Hartke in particular had a nice punchy midrange tonality that would seem to cut through a mix when playing with a full band. In order to compare apples to apples throughout the process, I brought my own bass (Stingray HH with flat wound Chromes) and bass head (G&K 700 RB II) and didn't change the settings from essentially flat the entire time.

Some of the cabs that I thought were too bassy/muddy were the Ampeg 410 Classic, SWR Goliath 410 (first gen), Hartke Hydrive 115, G&K 410 MBE. I also played an Eden 210 that sounded like it would have been nice if it weren't broken (buzzy speaker).

My question to the community is: given this information, what other cabinets should I check out for a mid-forward punchy tone?

Stumbo · #2 10-23-2011, 07:18 PM

Try checking out Schroeder cabs.

If you can e.q. a cab to sound like you want it to, I've never really understood the "play it flat" mantra. Too much bass? Cut the bass on the amp. Cut the bass on your bass, etc. Up the mids a bit and so on. IMO, any of the cabs you tested would do fine in the mix. Playing them in a store won't tell you much.

Maybe try an Eden 210 that's not broken.

christw · #3 10-23-2011, 07:20 PM

I like Genz Benz and Mesa Boogie as far as mid present but still awesome cabs that I've owned.

Stevorebob · #4 10-23-2011, 07:22 PM

Try the GK Neo 4 10 cabinet.

Greyvagabond · #5 10-23-2011, 07:31 PM

If you like the bigfoot, the Aguilar DB212 might be worth trying out.

Oren Hudson · #6 10-23-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Try checking out Schroeder cabs.

If you can e.q. a cab to sound like you want it to, I've never really understood the "play it flat" mantra. Too much bass? Cut the bass on the amp. Cut the bass on your bass, etc. Up the mids a bit and so on. IMO, any of the cabs you tested would do fine in the mix. Playing them in a store won't tell you much.

Totally agree. I've never understood the merit of the "play it flat" line of thought. Gees, your're sure missing a lot of different sounds not using what ever EQ you have available, IMO. Playing with the band is always different than playing in the store or even by yourself, again, IMO and experience.

mattprestler · #7 10-23-2011, 08:01 PM

Omegaenclosures.com ...custom cabs they do the trick for me. Real punchy sound.

Motomoney · #8 10-23-2011, 08:07 PM

Regarding "play it flat". It's not because I'm some kind of purist. The thought is to get a speaker that I like the sound of before resorting to correction.

If all you need to do is just twiddle the knobs, then why go shopping at all. Why not just buy the cheapest cab and fix what you don't like with EQ.

I'm not saying that I'll never adjust EQ in the actual use of the cab, but in order to compare them subjectively, I wanted to play them all with the same (flat) settings. Cheers.

basslinejam · #9 10-23-2011, 08:07 PM

I always liked GK heads with SWR cabs. Maybe just grab the BigFoot? That's a nice (and rare) cab IIRC.

The Schroeder advice is good too...

dukeisdog · #10 10-24-2011, 12:13 AM

The GK, Mesa, and Stingray combo slays. I don't play it, but everytime I hear it, I want it!

Russell L · #11 10-24-2011, 05:57 AM

They didn't have any Markbass cabs for you to try? Ya might like 'em.

scottfeldstein · #12 10-24-2011, 06:34 AM

Try the GK Neo 212. They're a fav of a lot of the cab-heads who hang here. And I own one myself. Really nice mids and loud, too.

TinIndian · #13 10-24-2011, 07:34 AM

I use a GK 700RBII. I used to use it with a MESA PH 410. I thought it was a killer sounding combination, unfortunately it was a killer on my back as well at nearly 100 pounds. I traded it for a Hartke Hydrive 410 and while I think the MESA sounded a bit better, it doesn't sound nearly 40 pounds better. Just remember you're going to have to move the thing too and unless you're a bit younger than me and have a vehicle you can easily carry the thing around in, the cab is considerably bigger, it will wear on you after awhile.
I would also like to try one of GK's better cabs with my head also. It would be nice to be able to use the Bi-Amp feature of the head.

TinIndian · #14 10-24-2011, 07:37 AM

By the way, my brother-in-law, also a basist, has a MESA M9 that he bought with a MESA PH610. It sounds awesome, but now when he plays out he uses a Hartke Hydrive 410. Not the PH610. Just too big to deal with regularly at shows around here.

Liam Wald · #15 10-24-2011, 07:38 AM

Try an AVATAR B153. Simply amazing cabinet.

alecduncan · #16 10-24-2011, 07:52 AM

I absolutely love the Hartke HyDrive series. If I wasn't such a GK fanboy I'd definitely be playing a 2 x 410 stack.

But, my GK Neo 212's are the perfect cabinets for me: lightweight, incredible range, sexy cosmetically, and powerful. I think that people are doing themselves a disservice by ignoring 12" speaker cabinets.

jacojbass · #17 10-24-2011, 07:57 AM

they are pricy....but the Boogie cabs rule..ymmv

scottfeldstein · #18 10-24-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecduncan

But, my GK Neo 212's are the perfect cabinets for me: lightweight, incredible range, sexy cosmetically, and powerful. I think that people are doing themselves a disservice by ignoring 12" speaker cabinets.

Lots of people are saying that these days, especially owners of the GK Neo 212 cabs. I don't know what special magic they sprinkled on these, but they're killer.

username1 · #19 10-24-2011, 09:27 AM

For $369 I would be on that swr bigfoot just like Oprah on a baked ham.

Alex1984 · #20 10-24-2011, 10:01 AM

I'd vote for the Big foot and the Mesa D410.