Some thoughts on a gig with 18" speakers

[JazzbassArt]

I recently did a reunion type gig in West Central Illinois. I was told to "just bring your bass, I have plenty of amps." My friend was right, he had over 10 bass amps and more basses than I can remember. Being the anal retentive type, I had already made up my mind to bring my PLX1602 and Peavey Mark IV, and use whatever cabinets Carl was willing to serve up. As we were setting up, he suggested a Marshall 4X10 cab, that had been converted to an EV 18" driver. Thats all he could remember about it. I was REALLY skeptical, and figured I would be relegated to the land of woof, woof. I ran the PLX in bridge, and did the sound check. I was astounded at how clear it was. The Peavey tone stack can get super hot on mids with my 2004 active Jazz, and I actually had to trim some back, almost to the level of my TL606 3015's. I lost track of how many people complemented my bass sound, and this included other musicians. Since I haven't a clue what the original Marshall cabinet part number is, and what type of EV driver and what type of porting was done, it really is a "what if" type of deal. Only thing I know. I could supply super clean, loud low end that was joy to use. I truly was impressed.

[Plays_For_Dog]

I've heard a lot of comments like that on the SWR Big Ben. I've been trying to get some of the guys who have them (SWR club here on TB) to upload some quality videos or sound clips of them in action.

I want one, but I also want to make sure it lives up to the hype. Never seen one in a store, so I'd have to order it and thats a big investment on blind faith.

[fu22ba55]

I think it depends upon your playing style, and your desired tone. If you're a slippiddy, bippiddy player like Flea, you'll probably be disappointed. But if you're more in the JPJ or Geezer Butler camp, then 18"s are great.

I know you can get a super-efficient folded sub with one 10" speaker that puts out oceans of low end, but there's something I love about a direct radiator 18". (or two!)

[JazzbassArt]

I don't blame you on the blind faith investment. I also should add, this was outside, on a flat bed trailer, about 15' in front of a tall block wall of a building with nothing in front of us. Who knows, if I would have had my own cabs, the thread could have been how good they sounded instead.

[JazzbassArt]

Point well taked on playing style. I finger pick, and like lots of punch, and play near the bridge quite abit. Nice collection of cabs.

[fu22ba55]

What kind of stage makes all the difference... outdoor stages, or big poured-cement stages can be tough. I find my TL606s get lost on a cement stage (as opposed to a smaller, wooden stage that vibrates like crazy.)

My 15"s just sound rinky dink after I've been playing my 18s for a couple of weeks.

I'm tempted to try two of the Accugroove 21"s.

[babebambi]

ta ta



no hype about the clean high mid from the BigBen
just beware that, if you are off axle, then no high

[waleross]

Damm....that is some rig....