Composite Nidacore Fearful 15/6/1 Build

deb · #1 01-20-2011, 01:05 PM

I've contacted fellow Talkbasser Robby Hoinsky about building a prototype composite 15/6/1 Fearful. Robby is planning to use pre-made fiberglassed nidacore panels. The goal is to have a great looking, great sounding, lightweight cab. The finished product is estimated around 35 pounds.

A great big 'ol thanks to Greenboy for your considerable contributions!! You da' man!

Robby (president of Art of Noise Audio, www.ArtOfNoiseAudio.com ) is an acoustics engineer and has been building fiberglass automobile speaker enclosures for some time. He is getting into PA and instrument cabinets--he's an authorized BFM builder and has built a couple of composite BFM cabs. This will be Robby's first Fearful build and I'm hoping it's a fun and challenging project for him.

I've asked Robby to send pics so that we can collectively peek in and watch the build progress. I'll update as we go ...

Be good,
deb

Balog · #2 01-20-2011, 01:27 PM

Awesome, can't wait to see this as it happens. I've emailed with Robby a bit, and he seems like a really nice, up-front guy.

BurningSkies · #3 01-20-2011, 01:47 PM

Cool. I see that he's now listed as an 'authorized fEarful builder' which is a nice thing, and you'll know what you're getting. I poked around on his site the other night after I saw his signature file, and saw that he did FG stuff, so I figured things might get interesting.

rpsands · #4 01-20-2011, 02:03 PM

Lookin' forward to hearing how it prices out

**Chef** · #5 01-20-2011, 03:05 PM

30lbs...for a 15/6/1...?!?!?!

Heck yeah!

knuckle_head · #6 01-20-2011, 04:25 PM

'kay - gotta follow this

deb · #7 01-20-2011, 04:39 PM

Robby's been very informative, up-front, and all-around great to work with. I asked him to contact Greenboy to make sure he was okay with the idea. Cool that's Robby got the "authorized Fearful builder" tag.

I don't think Robby has finalized the pricing for the composite Fearfuls yet. Mine is a discounted prototype. Robby gets the chance to get familiar with the design, work out the kinks in the build, and get an actual product that people can see and test. I get a beast that weighs like a baby. Well, a really big baby. Material costs won't fluctuate too much ... it's the time/labour that's involved. Nidacore is really expensive but will save in the labour department. Robby will probably chime in at some point.

The $20 question is how much of an upcharge would you be willing to pay for a 20+ lb weight reduction (on a 15/6/1)?

abarson · #8 01-20-2011, 04:40 PM

Subbed for the obvious reason...

rpsands · #9 01-20-2011, 04:42 PM

Probably an extra 300 bones or so myself (paid 650 for mine).

Balog · #10 01-20-2011, 09:10 PM

The weight loss on a 1515/66 should be pretty impressive too, per my talks with Robby.

Smurf-o-Deth · #11 01-20-2011, 09:21 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

speyer · #12 01-20-2011, 09:24 PM

cool... I'm interested in seeing this one!

naturalkinds · #13 01-20-2011, 09:28 PM

Very cool, Deb.

You still digging that F1? Or what will you be using with the composite?

deb · #14 01-20-2011, 09:55 PM

The F1 is definitely a great amp but I like my current setup a lot more. I'm using a Phil Jones Bass Buddy as a preamp with a Crown XLS1500 power amp. Looking forward to checking out the Phil Jones D600, when it comes out.

Foz · #15 01-20-2011, 10:47 PM

Damn - that's $15 bones per pound!

I guess I just got too used to schleping Ampeg cabs around in my youth to see the value as clearly as you.... I mean they aint heavy. If I had to haul it on the subway or down to the bus stop I guess I could see the point better.

IntrepidCellist · #16 01-20-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foz

Damn - that's $15 bones per pound!

I guess I just got too used to schleping Ampeg cabs around in my youth to see the value as clearly as you.... I mean they aint heavy. If I had to haul it on the subway or down to the bus stop I guess I could see the point better.

That's my concern, is that I'm stuck using public transportation.

This sort of weight decrease would bring the fEarfuls in direct competition with the Audiokinesis Thunderchild (which I already own), at least in the weight department; dimensions would still be trickier, but it could offer us public transportation riders a higher-SPL and differently-voiced alternative.

Balog · #17 01-20-2011, 11:35 PM

I love huge cabs: seeing Al Cisneros rocking a dual 4x15 dual 4x10 rig was one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed. But I'm exceedingly prone to back spasms, so trying to muscle around stuff like that is not a great idea for me. Maybe a 1515/66 in fiberglass could let me have the ludicrously huge sounding rig I want (but don't need) without putting me in bed for a week.

deb · #18 01-21-2011, 01:40 AM

On with the show ... First update: The nidacore is in! Robby says it's very rigid.

Pieces have been cut.

Test glue up using PL.

KJung · #19 01-21-2011, 06:58 AM

Seriously cool! Never have seen anything like this. Subscribed!

**Chef** · #20 01-21-2011, 07:14 AM

I think Flite have been making composite cabs for some time...right?

http://www.flitecabs.com/bass/