Fearful 12 or 15?

m0ntels · #1 03-31-2011, 11:41 AM

I want to get a fearful flat pack and I'm leaning towards the 12 for size and weight savings. I was going to buy a GK 410 MBE or Neo originally, but I keep hearing the fearful is going to be way better. I don't know if I need all the oomph of a 410, I don't play in a band now, although I want to. Never anything serious, I'd just like to play out a few times eventually just to say I did. Mostly I just want to jam with friends. I want to buy enough cab, without buying more than I need.

My amp will be a GK MB500 whenever they come off of back order, so 380W with one cab. The wiki says a fearful 12 should be in between a 210 and a 410 volume-wise. I think that should nicely cover my immediate needs and if things ever get more serious, I could add another 12. Music I play is 90-00 rock and pop, but I want to start exploring funk once I get a bit better.

My current idea is the fearful 12 with the Emi mid and tweet and auraco ply. I use flats right now and love them, but I want to the tweet in case tastes change in the future. If anyone wants to change my mind, I'm welcome to your experience. I've played guitar for a few years and am a bass noob, and all this fancy cab talk is above my head as far as what I need.

rpsands · #2 03-31-2011, 11:49 AM

* recommending the Cube formfactor from the fEarfuls - not sure if Leland has those packs yet, but the Cube is awesome.

BassmanPaul · #3 03-31-2011, 11:50 AM

IMO your plan and logic seem fine. If you have the skills to assemble the flat pack and to finish the cabinet so it looks as fine as it sounds then go right ahead.

greenboy · #4 03-31-2011, 11:51 AM

What's your current* amp?

*electical reference pun, 2 points

PhiDeck · #5 03-31-2011, 11:57 AM

FYI, the plywood is called Arauco. It is named for Chile's southern province of the same name, the provenance of the pine tree, "Pino Auracario", from which the plywood is made.

http://www.araucoply.com/default.asp

lomo · #6 03-31-2011, 12:05 PM

Your plan sounds perfect. If you grow into higher volume needs, a 2nd identical cab will give you the perfect rig.

jnewmark · #7 03-31-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

What's your current* amp?

*electical reference pun, 2 points

Watt did you say ? ( kinda lame, one point )

m0ntels · #8 03-31-2011, 12:14 PM

No current bass amp. Been playing through my guitar multi-fx or home stereo into headphone monitors or acoustically. Waiting for a GK MB500.

I forgot to ask if the 12 is the cube or not. I imagine it's regular if he doesn't say, but I do love symmetry! If it's not the cube I'm still cool with that. Not having a real amp is killing me now that I actually have a drummer and a place to play besides my condo. Even though I'm stuck on guitar for now, I forgot how good turning up feels.

Also didn't mean to offend any Chileans, arauco isn't in my spell check and I'm typing quick so I don't get snagged posting at work!

Glad you all are backing me up so far though. Hopefully I can order this weekend. I'm debating duratex and carry handles still. Is this thing light enough for a top handle only or should I go side handles? I'd like to go colored duratex as well but I kinda want a color other than black. Anyone got some left over colored they'd sell? Leland says a pint is enough but I think the pints are black only.

Robby Hoinsky · #9 03-31-2011, 12:19 PM

12/6/1 sounds like it will suit your needs just fine. White duratex is tintable too if that is an option, you just get it too dark.

Robby

lelandcrooks · #10 03-31-2011, 12:23 PM

The flat pack is not the cube. I can put it together pretty quick though, basing it on the regular 12/6

For colored duratex you need to go to acrytech, I can't do it. It will be gallons only.

chokeslam512 · #11 03-31-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Watt did you say ? ( kinda lame, one point )

Don't let one lame electrical joke impede your future attempts.

greenboy · #12 03-31-2011, 12:23 PM

I like side handles, because I can carry up and down stairs easier in a two handed close-to-chest (and center of gravity) grasp without twisting my spine, and even set something on the top and hold it in place while doing so. But for the 12/6cube one handle will still allow this since the other hand can be placed in the port directly opposite.

You can do one-handed carries that balance well with either side handle on these cabs just as well as you could with a top handle.

wcriley · #13 03-31-2011, 12:24 PM

I put a strap handle on the side of my 12/6. Am doing the same on my 2nd one.

Have you considered regular paint instead of Duratex? I used Krylon and it's holding up well.

greenboy · #14 03-31-2011, 12:27 PM

The funny thing is, that the side handles actually end up being as light or lighter than many strap handles that are surface mounted, because the metal side handles have cutouts taken away from the wood.

wcriley · #15 03-31-2011, 12:34 PM

Yeah, but the starp handles are cheaper and easier to install.
(I'm cheap and lazy)

greenboy · #16 03-31-2011, 12:38 PM

Everybody has their prefs. I just listed mine so an informed decision for others was, well, more informed ; }

I've used strap handles on a lot of stuff before.

rpsands · #17 03-31-2011, 01:02 PM

I will use cup handles from now on. The spring loaded ones make me nervous, always feel like they might be breaking :P Never had an issue bit man is it nerve wracking for some reason. Strap handles...not a fan of T-nuts myself. Just me. I'd rather use a bunch of little screws.

greenboy · #18 03-31-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

I will use cup handles from now on. The spring loaded ones make me nervous, always feel like they might be breaking :P Never had an issue bit man is it nerve wracking for some reason. Strap handles...not a fan of T-nuts myself. Just me. I'd rather use a bunch of little screws.

You gotta be kidding. Connections to the box are the limiters on the rack-style handles. People lift racks that weigh as much as can be lifted thousands and thousands of times with those rack handles. And the racks and their handles get beat and pummeled in the backs of vehicles. The rivets or screws will always be the weak point, and that's the same for any handle type.

But that is overthinking a little because these are relatively light cabs - even the 1515/66.

rpsands · #19 03-31-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

You gotta be kidding. Connections to the box are the limiters on the rack-style handles. People lift racks that weigh as much as can be lifted thousands and thousands of times with those rack handles. And the racks and their handles get beat and pummeled in the backs of vehicles. The rivets or screws will always be the weak point, and that's the same for any handle type.

But that is overthinking a little because these are relatively light cabs - even the 1515/66.

Two points - one, I don't like using t-nuts, and the strap handles seem to always use a machine bolt and t-nut. Maybe there are ones that don't, I dunno. Just not a fan.

The spring loaded handles I was talking about are these:
Handles-Corners-Bumpers, Penn Spring Flush Handle | Speaker Hardware

I know it's not a serious concern, I just feel like the cup bar style handles are sturdier. Especially for carrying one handed.

DavidLopezJr · #20 03-31-2011, 01:15 PM

Would it stay at the same price?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelandcrooks

The flat pack is not the cube. I can put it together pretty quick though, basing it on the regular 12/6

For colored duratex you need to go to acrytech, I can't do it. It will be gallons only.