Life after Accugroove
 

I've been borrowing my friend's Whappo Jr for the past couple years. No matter what head, amp, effects, or playing style, the thing always manages to sound solid and big without much tweaking. I love how low it can go. It's been a frequent loaner because I didn't have money to spare for a high quality cab. Things have fortunately changed in that regard. But obviously Accugroove is no more. I'm not interested in buying a used one.

So, anyone have suggestions for a brand new "replacement"? My budget is 1000-1500. Currently using a TecAmp Puma 900 with a standard tuned 4 string, and occasionally drop in synth and octave effects that create serious subs. Most of my gigs are in small to medium sized clubs without PA support, hence the need for something with serious girth and power handling. My only real gripe with the Whappo Jr cab was the size/weight. A 2x12 with neos, or 2 1x12s, seem more up my alley.

I've been mainly looking at the Bergantino HD112 (x2), or the TecAmp M212. Any other suggestions? Thanks all.

IMO, the closest thing to the Whappo Jr. would be one of the fEARless (NOT fEARful) cabs (15/6 oor 1212/6). Similar mid driver design, actually more powerful woofers than were used in the Accugroove stuff, and the slighter tighter, slightly less aggressive fEARless versions would relatively match the smooth top end of the Whappo Jr.

Another good option is the Baer ML212, which has a similar design and is 'ready for purchase' from Roger Baer. A bit tighter and brighter than the Whappo Jr., but it slams.

Finally, the Berg HD212, while being a 2 way traditional design, is fat and smooth and wonderful and would most likely also make you happy.

Edit: The Thunderchild 1212 would also work nicely for a Whappo Jr. replacement. Deeply voiced, with a vary complicated crossover that results in that big horn sounding much like a low crossoved over mid driver loaded cab with a tweeter.

If you are into the DIY thing, you could get plans for a fEARful / fEARLess and build your own 1212/6/1 cab, or have an authorized builder do it for you. The fEARfuls go about as low as anything else out there , probably lower than the Accugroove.

Baer - 2-12, just heard it at the NAMM show and it is for REAL!

Summarizing the above, if you don't mind a bit more weight, it would be the HD212 for me (or 2 x HD112). Big, round but controlled low end, and a very nice top end that takes very little fussing to sound good.

Second choice would be the Baer ML212... a bit less big down low, and a bit brighter up top (so a bit more removed from the Whappo Jr.) but easy to EQ and it wumps hard like the Berg and the Whappo.

Both of these are high end production models that can be ordered very easily. Both are about the same price (which is considerably less than what the Whappo Jr. sold for).

Follow David Dyson. He too used to play with Accugroove cabs. He is now playing on Glasstone Cabs. See Rev Sammie Glass.

OP mentioned Synth and Octave effects. Can any of those cabs handle those effects ?

+1

If the OP is really cranking sub bass, and the most important thing is a crushing low end, then the fEARful cabs are probably the best bet. Good point.

Either of those cabs would handle those effects fine, and as well as the Whappo Jr. IMO, but if 'thundering at 45hz is key, the fEARful cabs are tops at that. Not my thing in general, but that they do VERY well.

The fEARless is a bit less low end extended and smoother up top, and would be more similar to these other cabs and the Whappo Jr. IMO.

Thank you for the insight sir. I was leaning toward Berg for a number of reasons.

One of my bassist buddies, who goes by emjazz on TB (you guys are buddies too, yeah?) has 2 Berg 1x12 non-neo models that are several years old. He uses them with a 6 string and sometimes with octave effects. I was surprised by how well the low end was presented despite the small size of the cabs. Then again, Andy's a complete mofo :)

Yep, I played through a 2 X HD112 stack the other night at a blues jam. Reminded me a lot of my Tri112L playing days, but a little nicer in every way (except weight) really.

The Thunderchild 212 handles octavers and sub bass extremely well, FWIW.

+1 The Thunderchild also... really nothing much this class of cab can't do down low, including the Berg.