Punchy, deep, and lightweight - is it possible?

famousbirds · #1 10-05-2011, 10:30 PM

So, I've been playing an Aguilar GS212 for a few years now, and I'm frustrated. It's plenty loud and warm, but I can't quite get the punch and clarity I am looking for these days.

I play a Fender Jazz into a BMax and/or a Tone Hammer into a Stewart 1.2. It's an 8 ohm cab, so that's a healthy 700W going into it. I've played lots of other basses and a few nice heads (an SVT, a GK, various other Ampegs) into it. I've eq'd it and tweaked it every which way and I'm just not getting there.

So, tell me what to buy, TB. I like what's coming out of my preamp - help me find a cab that shows it off.

1) It needs to be loud enough. We play a lot of small-to-medium rock clubs where I'm usually not getting any FOH support. The Stewart throws out 1200w into 4 ohms, and I'd like to take advantage of that.

2) It needs to be punchy and clear. I like the thump to hit you in the chest, and to cut through the guitar without overpowering it. Half the time I'm layering in a synth tone as well, so I need clarity and detail in the sweeps and squelch.

3) Deep, potentially thick bass. I like octavers and need to be able to pull off the dub tone from time to time.

4) Something reasonably lightweight and portable. The Aggie won't fit in the trunk of my car, and I'm going to throw my back out carrying it up the stairs one of these days. Neo magnets would sure be nice.

Budget and hassle are flexible - I want to get a cab that will last me a lifetime. What do you think?

**B-string** · #2 10-05-2011, 10:36 PM

G-K NEO 212, GenzBenz NEO 212

Gearhead17 · #3 10-05-2011, 10:48 PM

I do not know how you will pull off a dub style tone with an octave pedal/effect and with a single 212. Especially without PA support.....

For a deep tone on lighter cabs, the number of cabs is going to be crucial. Getting the cabs next to a wall will be helpful too.

rodl2005 · #4 10-05-2011, 10:55 PM

+1

2 x 2x12"s

famousbirds · #5 10-05-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

I do not know how you will pull off a dub style tone with an octave pedal/effect and with a single 212. Especially without PA support.....

For a deep tone on lighter cabs, the number of cabs is going to be crucial. Getting the cabs next to a wall will be helpful too.

I'm absolutely not married to the 2x12 format, and I am open to a pair of cabs.

MysticMichael · #6 10-05-2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famousbirds

I'm absolutely not married to the 2x12 format, and I am open to a pair of cabs.

B-string is onto something. Just get a pair of GK Neo 212-IIs.

MM

lowfreq33 · #7 10-05-2011, 11:08 PM

You've got sort of a tall order there when you throw lightweight into it. What would qualify as light for you?

famousbirds · #8 10-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

You've got sort of a tall order there when you throw lightweight into it. What would qualify as light for you?

Understood, let me clarify.

I get more than enough volume and rumble out of my current 2x12, which clocks in at 70 pounds and is too big for the trunk of my Honda.

My goal is to preserve some of that volume and warmth, while adding more detail and clarity to the top end and maybe dropping a few pounds in the process.

I was looking at a pair of those new Acmes, or maybe some sort of 12/10 or 15/6 configuration. Reasonable?

guillermohands · #9 10-05-2011, 11:25 PM

Byron Miller talks about Hartke HyDrive - YouTube the hartke hydride i tried them and they sound great ...

lowfreq33 · #10 10-05-2011, 11:25 PM

Ok then. You might be better off with a pair of cabs, may be easier to work into the trunk. A pair of 112's could work, a pair of 115's probably not. I've fit my GB Neo212 in the trunk of a Jetta before, and it has no problem handling an octave pedal. It's about 50 pounds, but I'm not sure if it would make it into a Honda.

Lots of folks here swear by the fEarful cabs, but you'd have to find someone that builds them.

Revolver · #11 10-05-2011, 11:28 PM

Schroeder or Bergantino . . .

dsanders · #12 10-05-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famousbirds

So, I've been playing an Aguilar GS212 for a few years now, and I'm frustrated. It's plenty loud and warm, but I can't quite get the punch and clarity I am looking for these days.

I play a Fender Jazz into a BMax and/or a Tone Hammer into a Stewart 1.2. It's an 8 ohm cab, so that's a healthy 700W going into it. I've played lots of other basses and a few nice heads (an SVT, a GK, various other Ampegs) into it. I've eq'd it and tweaked it every which way and I'm just not getting there.

So, tell me what to buy, TB. I like what's coming out of my preamp - help me find a cab that shows it off.

1) It needs to be loud enough. We play a lot of small-to-medium rock clubs where I'm usually not getting any FOH support. The Stewart throws out 1200w into 4 ohms, and I'd like to take advantage of that.

2) It needs to be punchy and clear. I like the thump to hit you in the chest, and to cut through the guitar without overpowering it. Half the time I'm layering in a synth tone as well, so I need clarity and detail in the sweeps and squelch.

3) Deep, potentially thick bass. I like octavers and need to be able to pull off the dub tone from time to time.

4) Something reasonably lightweight and portable. The Aggie won't fit in the trunk of my car, and I'm going to throw my back out carrying it up the stairs one of these days. Neo magnets would sure be nice.

Budget and hassle are flexible - I want to get a cab that will last me a lifetime. What do you think?

The DB 212 may be what you are looking for tone wise, but not when it cones to portability.

Find a way to give a pair of DB 112s a demo if possible.

WingKL · #13 10-05-2011, 11:39 PM

Light, punchy and deep. Sounds like you need a composite Fearful built by Artofnoiseaudio.

famousbirds · #14 10-05-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Ok then. You might be better off with a pair of cabs, may be easier to work into the trunk. A pair of 112's could work, a pair of 115's probably not. I've fit my GB Neo212 in the trunk of a Jetta before, and it has no problem handling an octave pedal. It's about 50 pounds, but I'm not sure if it would make it into a Honda.

Pair of twelves sounds promising. It looks like the Neo212 doesn't have a tweeter/horn, is that correct?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Lots of folks here swear by the fEarful cabs, but you'd have to find someone that builds them.

I live in Seattle. If anyone around here builds them, shoot me a PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsanders

The DB 212 may be what you are looking for tone wise, but not when it cones to portability.

Find a way to give a pair of DB 112s a demo if possible.

Interesting. I'll keep my eyes open.

famousbirds · #15 10-05-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingKL

Light, punchy and deep. Sounds like you need a composite Fearful built by Artofnoiseaudio.

That 15/6 looks mighty tempting. Any recommendations?

Oobly · #16 10-06-2011, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingKL

Light, punchy and deep. Sounds like you need a composite Fearful built by Artofnoiseaudio.

+1

for 1200W into 4 ohms, a 1212/6 or 1212/6/1 sounds like the cab for you. Massive SPL, full range, lightweight.

Or if you are okay with "only" 700W, the 15/6 or 15/6/1 will give you plenty of volume.

They are all VERY well designed and give a lot of benefits over traditional bass cabs: fEARful advantages

You can read more about them here: fEARful™ enclosures for bass/drums/keys

Check out the FAQ for some great info.

famousbirds · #17 10-06-2011, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oobly

+1

for 1200W into 4 ohms, a 1212/6 or 1212/6/1 sounds like the cab for you. Massive SPL, full range, lightweight.

Or if you are okay with "only" 700W, the 15/6 or 15/6/1 will give you plenty of volume.

They are all VERY well designed and give a lot of benefits over traditional bass cabs: fEARful advantages

Wow. How sensible. Those advantages are like an exact checklist of what I need.

Edit: Sold, I think.

lowfreq33 · #18 10-06-2011, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famousbirds

Pair of twelves sounds promising. It looks like the Neo212 doesn't have a tweeter/horn, is that correct?

It does have a tweeter, as does the 112, it just doesn't show up too well in pictures. It's adjustable on the back panel.

alexclaber · #19 10-06-2011, 02:36 AM

Absolutely. Build it right and the weight has no bearing on the output or tone or bottom!

KJung · #20 10-06-2011, 06:38 AM

Given your context (octave pedals, dub tone on occasion, effects), and the fact that you have a decent amount of wattage into 8ohms from your bridged power amp, it seems that the fEarful type 15/6 would be your best bet by far. That Aguiler 212 is actually a really nice cab, and you won't find many other moderate sized production single cabs (heavy or otherwise) that will perform meaningfully better for your situation.

The 15/6 is about the same size as the GS212, lighter, and will produce a real low end response at much higher SPL than your typical 212.

Not cheap, and you need a good dose of watts at 8ohms to get it to full performance, but if you have the time (custom build), cash (not cheap) and again, at least 500 watts into 8ohms, that should kill for you.

In a two smaller cab solution, the new Acme FlatWound/FullRange 112 x 2 stack is pretty impressive, but you would need at least 500 watts per cab (they come in 8 or 4 ohms) to really get them up to full performance. Very deep low end extension (hence the low efficiency), but two of them would hammer, and you would have a nice modular rig. They need a surprising amount of power though.