single 8 inch driver advice

bassetrox · #1 10-06-2011, 01:07 AM

Hi, I play a lot of Jazz Bass (fretless with flats) I normally play through a 115 combo or a trace head, or through a monitor.

Ive just moved to somewhere a bit more out of the way music scene wise and I dont particularly want to be lugging any of my big rig on the train to quiet rehearsals in the city so Im going to build my self a cheerful small bass amp.

I have a box with a hole for an 8 inch speaker so I'm going to use that.

I know it will lack bass and could never be a gigging solution, that doesnt matter, but I do want a speaker that won't make farting noises or die on me.

Since I know nothing about models of bass speakers I'd appreciate some advice.

Jenra · #2 10-06-2011, 01:36 AM

Tbh idd go for a new box as well for a 10 inch or a 12 inch as they seem to be more stabile as a bass speaker, i know that several drivers for cars and the like might pull it, but it wont be beautiful

JimmyM · #3 10-06-2011, 01:41 AM

Check out the Eminence Alpha 8. Inexpensive, has a voicing well suited for bass, and isn't too fussy about size of the cab or whether it's ported or sealed.

Avezzano · #4 10-06-2011, 01:44 AM

you have lots of options, even for a small cab; save some money (Eden) or not so cheap, but excellent choice anyway (Markbass)

EDEN EX-112 8 OHMS - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

EDEN EX-110 4 OHMS - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

MARKBASS NY604 - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

MARKBASS TRAVELER 121H - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

MARKBASS NEW YORK 121 - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

BogeyBass · #5 10-06-2011, 02:10 AM

If yah really want to go with a 8" speaker
the B&C 8PS21 is a 200 watt 5mm xmax speaker
is about 93/94dB speaker so same sensitivity as a average10"

Jumping up to a small 1x12 as suggested would be a better route.
opens up many more possibility's. Making the box small and portable would still have less bass. But sensitivity would go up to 96 to 98dB. Most 8" wont go above 92 to 94dB

Expecting much from a 8" driver under 100 bucks wont bring much.
The Eminence Delta Pro 8 at around 89 and the Alpha 8A around 69 would work well. Just not heavy hitters, not sure of the availability of Eminence in the UK.

How big is your box ? Height, Width and Depth

bassetrox · #6 10-06-2011, 02:30 AM

thanks JimmyM, Bogeybass for your suggestions.

I can get Eminence gear in the UK, In fact Ive got a nice one in my guitar amp. Those 8inches look like the kind of thing I'm after.

I don't know B&C, but that one looks good too, though almost double the price of the delta pro 8 (from a brief look around)

I'll measure my box later. Thanks.

Avezzano thanks for your comment, but since my trace head weighs a ton on its own (1995 model, massive heatsink, large torroid, before gibson started cost cutting), buying a lightweight cab doesnt make sense for me. I'm sticking with the build my own idea for now.

Mister_argentum · #7 10-06-2011, 03:46 AM

Check out the B&C, I have one in a micromark 801 and I like it pretty much.

bassetrox · #8 10-06-2011, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_argentum

Check out the B&C, I have one in a micromark 801 and I like it pretty much.

Thanks for the rec. What speaker was originally in the 801?

rodl2005 · #9 10-06-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassetrox

Thanks for the rec. What speaker was originally in the 801?

The B&C afaik

Mike Arnopol · #10 10-06-2011, 08:39 AM

See if you can find a Faital 8pr200. Great speaker. Xmax of 8.1mm. Sensitivity of 95 db. I'm making 2 mini cabs right now with them. (.5 cu ft.)They are Neo, so if you can find one, snatch it up. Goes louder than most 10's.

bassetrox · #11 10-06-2011, 12:11 PM

270x180x340 are the dimensions of my box, thats 10" by 7" x 13" if you prefer. Its got one vertex cut away so it can sit like a baby wedge.

bassetrox · #12 10-07-2011, 02:56 AM

has anybody come across

Dayton Audio ST210-8 8" Series II Woofer

?? Just came across it in another thread here on talkbass. its got an xmax of 5.5 apparently...

1n3 · #13 10-07-2011, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Arnopol

See if you can find a Faital 8pr200. Great speaker.

Yup. But it deserves better than "a box with a hole for an 8 inch speaker".

bassetrox · #14 10-07-2011, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1n3

Yup. But it deserves better than "a box with a hole for an 8 inch speaker".

A good point well made. I'll do you a deal, when I get 28 hours in a day, I'll buy a book on cabinet design and do this whole thing properly. ;-)

Looks like the Faital aren't readily available in the UK anyway. Its between the eminence at £30 or £70 and the B&C at £110. Just have to decide whether its worth the extra cost for the s**ty box it will go in.

jallenbass · #15 10-07-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Check out the Eminence Alpha 8. Inexpensive, has a voicing well suited for bass, and isn't too fussy about size of the cab or whether it's ported or sealed.

I put one of these in a little Behringer practice amp and agree with Jimmy. I've even used it with my upright for restaurant gigs with good results.

will33 · #16 10-07-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassetrox

270x180x340 are the dimensions of my box, thats 10" by 7" x 13" if you prefer. Its got one vertex cut away so it can sit like a baby wedge.

It's the internal volume of the box that matters, calculate that. Look at eminences cab design pdf. You would fall somewhere in between the small sealed mid enclosure and the small vented box. Might work but I wouldn't be buying anything more expensive than the alpha for a little practice cab, it's already a decent speaker. Were it me, I would put in something close to emi's medium size vented enclosure. F3 low enough to sound like a bass and 50 watts before fartout would make a nice little practice rig and the whole package still wouldn't be more than 1 cu.ft. finished.

will33 · #17 10-07-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassetrox

has anybody come across

Dayton Audio ST210-8 8" Series II Woofer

?? Just came across it in another thread here on talkbass. its got an xmax of 5.5 apparently...

That woofer is very low spl and is designed for home stereo type use.

Oobly · #18 10-07-2011, 10:04 AM

I agree with Jimmy, try the Alpha 8. By the way, what amp will you use to power it? Your Trace head?

bassetrox · #19 10-07-2011, 10:14 AM

Thanks everyone for your recs and advice,

will33: I've checked out the design paper from eminence and I'll take some time to digest it. If nothing else it'll allow me to do make a better job at a later date. cheers.

Oobly: I'm going to make a new power and pre amp. The idea being that I can get specifically what I want more easily that way. Oh, and I don't have to pay for one of those tasty portable TC combos (not that it will sound *that* good anyway...).

Jeff Scott · #20 10-07-2011, 03:00 PM

Ciare makes a very nice 8" NEO driver that may work out.