Final cab question that I'll ever unleash (I hope): Tecamp vs Aguilar vs Vanderkley

Devo-lution · #1 11-23-2010, 02:57 PM

Hi again y'all

I already started some topics in order to get some bugs out of my sound and to find out why I'd always get lost in the mix. After having received a lot of help from the helpful lot on this forum, I have decided that the only real change I am still to make will be my cab (an eden xst 410: too heavy, too much low end imo). Using a stingray (eq flat, with flats) and a little mark II (some bass cut and low mid boost... vintage filter engaged for 30%), this cab didn't exactly fit the rest of the gear.

So... Like so many, I am on a quest to find a cab that is rather light while still cutting through a mix and sounding beatifull. I'm no fan of big ass woomph (since I grew tired of the XST), but decent low end handling is something I need to find "my sound" on a cab.

Finding the right replacement is, however, rather difficult, since I'm European and lots of the hot topic brands on talkbass aren't accesible for me.

I've been comparing cabs for wel over a month now and I have acquired some "would be its" and "might be its". Hereby I present to you: the options which I found attractive and which I can get my hands on without too much trouble:

Tecamp 212 (M or L)

Light and I found a topic posted by Ken Jung in which they were described to be very articulate and modernly refined. Also there were hints that this cab would be strong in the mids.

Didn't get to test them, but I found out about a shop that could import the cabs while still paying me 70% of new price for the eden XST 410 when taking it back. Prices are ok, since european shop.

Glockenklang space deluxe (2 of them)

Not much information concerning them. Heard they were very even and good. Not been capable of testing them.

aguilar db 112 (x2) or wait for the sl 112 (x2)

Quite expensive here, but I did a detailed test of the DB 212 (8 ohm). I quite fancied the sound. One of my more favourite cabs I tested.

Vanderkley 112 (2 of them)

Dutch cabs. Really expensive. Struck me as being especially strong in the low mids. They are custom built by a certain Mark Vanderkley. Quite big for 112's.

So these are the contenders for my hard earned money.

The reason I started this topic is, simply put, because I am no gear pro. If I were to have made a mistake or a misinterpretation of a certain cab, feel free to mercilessly bash me

.

And if any of you do feel the need to give some extra information concerning one of these options, please do.

Thank yee to all

Greetz
Kim

Devo-lution · #2 11-23-2010, 04:10 PM

bump*

Devo-lution · #3 11-24-2010, 02:06 PM

rebump

greenboy · #4 11-24-2010, 02:14 PM

Did you say... Vandelay?

bmc · #5 11-24-2010, 02:29 PM

You might want to find the UK version of TB as there may be more players familiar with the European brands you have listed.

If you can read French, check out onlybass. Lots of players in their forum.

Derek Kiernan · #6 11-24-2010, 02:29 PM

Have you considered Barefaced? They offer very evenly voiced, excellently constructed lightweight cabinets with top quality drivers that can take a massive amount of power and get very loud without sacrificing their impressive tonal performance. Barefaced has cabinet voicing and form factors from full range to "improved vintage" and high output compact solutions. I don't own one, but they get glowing reviews, and Alex is well respected here on talkbass for both his designs and customer care.

www.barefacedbass.com

Good luck!

greenboy · #7 11-24-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Kiernan

Have you considered Barefaced? They offer very evenly voiced, excellently constructed lightweight cabinets with top quality drivers that can take a massive amount of power and get very loud without sacrificing their impressive tonal performance. Barefaced has cabinet voicing and form factors from full range to "improved vintage" and high output compact solutions. I don't own one, but they get glowing reviews, and Alex is well respected here on talkbass for both his designs and customer care.

www.barefacedbass.com

Indeed, Very good addition to your list to consider here.

Derek Kiernan · #8 11-24-2010, 02:40 PM

Oh, and I'll point you to this section from http://barefacedbass.com/ordering-and-availability.htm:

Trial period and returns policy
We offer a ONE MONTH trial period from your date of receipt of the cab until your date of returned postage - no trying these cabs in a shop and finding out they don't work on the gig. Use the trial period to give your cab a true workout so you can be confident it will provide you with tone and volume for years to come. When testing your cab bear in mind that the acoustics and environment (like a cranked up Marshall stack next to it) will have a significant affect upon your judgement. Also bear in mind that if you have been using the same rig for a long time your brain will be pre-programmed to pick that sound of noisy mix with ease - it will take you some time to lock onto your new sound (weird psychoacoustics that affect us all).

However, should you find your purchase unsatisfactory in any way you have the right to return your cab undamaged for a full refund of both your purchase price and the outbound postage and packing charge. Please retain all the original packaging and do your best when repacking to ensure the cab will survive the return journey - if the cab is damaged due to inadequate protection you will be liable.

Unless you prefer to arrange an alternative method, returned cabs will be collected by Fedex and the cost deducted from your refund. Our smaller cabs cost only £15 to return to us, our larger cabs £25 (fortunately we can re-use our custom shipping cartons).

Devo-lution · #9 11-24-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmc

You might want to find the UK version of TB as there may be more players familiar with the European brands you have listed.

If you can read French, check out onlybass. Lots of players in their forum.

I'm also on the dutch prime bass forum, but over there lots haven't found out the neo thing. Most of the players there tend to go for big 610's and 810's and tend to advice such :')...

These barefaced cabs seem way cool, but then I'd be importing nonetheless... Belgium tax system works in a way that makes you taxes for things you bought internationally. This means customs hold on to yer goods for about 3-4 weeks and you'll have to pay 30% on the price + shipping in order to receive it. So in my case, 't would be quite an expensive option.

acedabone · #10 11-24-2010, 02:55 PM

Have you considered the new cabs that Orange is putting out? Very light. Sound VERY good! And are extremely light-weight! Try'm! They are AMAZING! imho.

Devo-lution · #11 11-24-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acedabone

Have you considered the new cabs that Orange is putting out? Very light. Sound VERY good! And are extremely light-weight! Try'm! They are AMAZING! imho.

Actually, it would be funny to gig an orange while primarily doing funkjazz gigs

...

acedabone · #12 11-24-2010, 03:01 PM

Why not! It's your ear that's important! Fight the norm! Get behind the power of CITRUS!

greenboy · #13 11-24-2010, 03:03 PM

Wow, Europe from the US perspective has a weird vibe. You have one of the largest - probably the largest - music gear tradeshows in the world. You have this dense poplulation base. You have engineering know-how. And yet, I hear guys telling me they can't find European drivers, simple crossover electronic parts, MI enclosures - and that what thet=y can find is so danged expensive.

Devo-lution · #14 11-24-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acedabone

Why not! It's your ear that's important! Fight the norm! Get behind the power of CITRUS!

I was just kidding

.
just hypothetical.... If it would sound best, I'd even put a pink cab with a flower motive branded METALTHINGY beneath my Little Mark II.

Devo-lution · #15 11-24-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Wow, Europe from the US perspective has a weird vibe. You have one of the largest - probably the largest - music gear tradeshows in the world. You have this dense poplulation base. You have engineering know-how. And yet, I hear guys telling me they can't find European drivers, simple crossover electronic parts, MI enclosures - and that what thet=y can find is so danged expensive.

I'm not sure about everything, though. A local importer told me, but I wouldn't jump in the fire to protect his word.

I can't imagine having to pay these taxes when buying something from Germany or the Netherlands, but they said it were paying the amount if you'd order something from England.

Working in international government stuff, I can tell you one thing: Europe is a union and yet it is not in a lot of things.

greenboy · #16 11-24-2010, 03:11 PM

Well, I wish you good luck in finding what works for you! Earlier I thought about mentioning EBS too...

Well, you could get some fEarfuls built, maybe ; }

bherman · #17 11-24-2010, 03:12 PM

I have an Aguilar 112 (with tweeter) and just purchased a second from a TB member (on its way). I love the sound (deep and cuts through everything without lots of volume); easy to move, too. Not sure about prices across the pond but here they're pretty comparable to others.

Devo-lution · #18 11-24-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Well, I wish you good luck in finding what works for you! Earlier I thought about mentioning EBS too...

Well, you could get some fEarfuls built, maybe ; }

thanks... and good luck with the fEarfuls. From what I hear your cabs are really good, but I'm a bit reluctant about importing and then getting it built.

Yeh, I tested those EBS... Not really the vibe I am looking for... I am very picky soundwise. I like it burpy, but still deep... but somehow I get more and more convinced that my idea of deep is still considered low mid territory. Like a vintage tone with a lot of snap.

No Jah Wobble earthquaking for me

...

greenboy · #19 11-24-2010, 03:23 PM

Well, I still suggest emailing barefaced. He's on the ball in all other respects, so he might know about the import aspect for you.

Derek Kiernan · #20 11-24-2010, 03:33 PM

Yeah, interstate taxes are alien to most Americans. We can even avoid taxes here by buying goods online from another state

Needs reform but everyone's too happy with the whole e-commerce thing to change it.

I'd still recommend emailing Alex as well. I'm sure he knows any solutions there might be to your problem.

With a "deep" tone - you might be surprised that when you get the resonance down low enough, the evenness can potentially give you a tighter tone than you would get if you had it in the upper bass or low mids. I wouldn't shy away from something like a fEarful for fear it'll be too "bass-heavy" - you might feel the sound is actually cleared up quite a bit, and then you won't have to push your amp nearly as hard to get body to the low notes. I would suspect the cost of importing speakers is going to be much less of a hit than it would be for a full-blown commercial cab.