Specifying the perfect standalone 10 inch cab

[Ukiah Bass]

Looking for suggestions for the woofer and other components for a custom coffee house cab useful for electric bass and acoustic bass guitar. Low weight is important; it should be 15-20 pounds. It also should be small in size. The amp for this cab is a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 so the cab s/b 4ohms to take advantage of its 300 watts.

My main cabs are LDS 15/6 and 12/6 both crossed over @ 800Hz. I'm using the 3015LF / 3012LF and the 18Sound 6ND410 mid driver in those cabs driven by an EA iAMP Pro, which provides an idea of the sound I'm after. Volume is not as important as tone - I'd like this cab to approximate the near fEearfuls but it's not essential to exactly match the 2-way effect.

I am a neophyte at spec'ing something like this and would appreciate suggestions. I was looking at an EA Wizzy 10 but got scared off by its kick in mids. The Genz Benz 10 is an obvious alternative but wondering if I can do better w/a custom design. Thanks!

[loopee]

Interested in the responses also

[tekhedd]

I think if you're looking for a single 10 to handle 300 watts continuous, let's hope you're looking for a *lot* of midrange in your tone. You're probably going to run into excursion problems before you run out of power handling with just about any 10, unless it's a sealed cab. (Doesn't Ampeg make one?)

[Ukiah Bass]

Well, the cab probably won't handle the full 300 so there will be extra headroom in there. I like lower mids, not extra mid or upper mids or highs. No slapping or tapping. Just regular, old fashioned fat bass. Holding down the groove. I'm open to sealed or ported. Whatever accomplishes the goal.

One thing I like about the near/fEarful design is the off-axis clarity, especially at close range. This would be helpful in the perfect 10 inch cab as small or non-existent coffee house "stages" do not allow much room for gear or musicians.

[B String]

I've always had good luck with my Epifani UL110-S1. Very loud, very light, and pretty wide frequency response for a 110.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by B String

I've always had good luck with my Epifani UL110-S1. Very loud, very light, and pretty wide frequency response for a 110.

big +1. just played one and it sounded HUGE! If I were ever to get a single 10 it would be that one without question.

[agedhorse]

300 watts (real world) at 4 ohms in a reasonable sized (and weight) production cabinet is going to be a bit of a challenge. There are options, but involve a pretty substantial driver to support real low end.

We have found keeping with a 10" driver (for "your" desired tone) and high power, you are generally better off doubling up to a 210 to get a more reasonable tradeoff in power handling and displacement. Not too much you can do about cabinet size though. The problem is developing real low end in a cabinet that is traditionally favored for compact size and light weight over low end. True of all manufacturers too.

IF you are careful (and also because the Shuttle 3.0 has a very steep asymmetrical sloped HPF down in the mid-high 30's), you might get away with a 110 cabinet but you would need to keep an eye on guest players who might think that some big bass eq and slapping would be ok...

This it the main reason why the STL-10 cabinet is 8 ohms, it's rating is better matched to the 8 ohm rating of the Shuttle 3.0. It's also why (without the caution above) I wouldn't recommend the STL-10 with the Shuttle 6.0 which puts out >350 watts at 8 ohms. Too much chance for accidental damage in the hands of some.

[Top_Ten]

Maybe not exactly what you had in mind -- and a bit heavier than your stated range -- but have you considered an Accugroove Tri110?

[rpsands]

Use a 3012HO in a tiny box - it can provide significant bass output in as little as 1 cubic foot. I'd recommend 1.5cf gross internal. Be sure to get at least 20 square inches of port area, more is better (I'd recommend two 4" ports).

I build one with 3/8" plywood and it weighed 20.5lbs before any tweeter/crossover.

Cross it over to a horn around 1.5khz or so (little lower or higher is fine)-- I'd recommend something very nice, like a BMS4552nd, knowing your tastes -- if you need highs.

Also: With something as sensitive as the 3012HO, you won't give a crap about 4 ohms or 8 ohms.

[PaulNYC]

Check out the BFM Jack 110, 30 pounds and a very full sound.

[James Simonson]

I had Don at LDS build me the smallest custom 10' he could. Sounds great but I believe it's the only one out there. I use a mesa walkabout head (300 watts) into a single 4 ohm 300 watt driver. It's good enough for all little gigs. Fits on my bicycle and I gig with it on off nights all the time. Perfect with a passive jazz 4.

I added a phase flip to the cab to make sure it's matched with the p.a. That can make a huge difference.

With a tube front end and a great d.i. out, I'm killin it. I've definitely made more cash with this set up than any 8x10. (even though i have one and love it) Quick and easy. The technology is there for a passive 4 string to get it done with this. In Detroit, a lot of working bands are rocking small amps on 10. It's great!

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by rpsands

Use a 3012HO in a tiny box - it can provide significant bass output in as little as 1 cubic foot. I'd recommend 1.5cf gross internal. Be sure to get at least 20 square inches of port area, more is better (I'd recommend two 4" ports).

I build one with 3/8" plywood and it weighed 20.5lbs before any tweeter/crossover.

Cross it over to a horn around 1.5khz or so (little lower or higher is fine)-- I'd recommend something very nice, like a BMS4552nd, knowing your tastes -- if you need highs.

Also: With something as sensitive as the 3012HO, you won't give a crap about 4 ohms or 8 ohms.

Kinda what I did, but used the LF, and a 200 watt Selenium tweeter , built for me by LDS. It is literally a one handed grab (it only has one handle), and is very easy to Schlepp. 8 ohms though. I only use it for grab and go rehearsal with an F1 head, but it's plenty loud.

[SteveC]

I know you're looking for the ultimate, but I gigged the Shuttle 3.0-10T combo for a long time and it was great for the type of gig you are talking about. I went to a 6.0-12T but have considered more than once going back to the 3.0-10T. They really are that good - IMO.

[KJung]

The only 110 cab I'd bother with for a stand-alone is the Acme B110. It doesn't get very loud, but it is deep and full, and has a similar tone profile as your 15/6 and 12/6 cabs, given its 'subwoofer with mid driver' type design. The tweeter is VERY subtle, and it pretty much disappears in a mix (one of the things I don't dig about the Acme's).

However, for your tone goal and context, this cab would be perfect. And, you can order it in 4ohms, which makes it match PERFECTLY to the little Genz Shuttle 3.

MUCH superior to the Accugroove 110 IMO, and less expensive and smaller.

[agedhorse]

Note that the 15-20 lbs reqt. makes this even more difficult. How low does it need to go and how loud?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by agedhorse

Note that the 15-20 lbs reqt. makes this even more difficult. How low does it need to go and how loud?

The Acme is about 30 pounds, but is just tiny, and again, is the only 110 that I know of that can give the OP the tone of his 12/6 (it is a bit more low end extended, and not quite as bright up top, but that would be a good thing for the OP, knowing his tone preference).

And, given that it comes in 4ohm version and also can take quite a bit of power, it would be the perfect stand-alone for the OP with your very nice Genz 3 head.

Any very lightweight 110 with a full range driver is going to sound IMO thin, especially compared to what the OP is used to.

Of course, if I were the OP, I'd just get a Kart-a-bag super 600 and use the 12/6 for all small gigs. With the stair walkers on that lightweight, folding cart, that schlepp would be easy.

[gruvlow]

I have a brilliant idea... Have the guy from Genz Benz (aged horse) build you one!!! He can go ahead and build two...hehehe

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by gruvlow

I have a brilliant idea... Have the guy from Genz Benz (aged horse) build you one!!! He can go ahead and build two...hehehe

I have!

Hence my comments about the real world practical limitations and issues likely to be encountered. It's not a trivial excercise and unlikely to be successful if compact, loud, light and low must all co-exist. Add inexpensive to the mix of variables and you would be better off buying a lottery ticket

[lomo]

I'd give a serious listen to the GB 8 ext cab, if you haven't already.

[tombowlus]

You've had some good suggestions so far, but I would definitely throw a MOjO Sonic Mini 10T into the equation.

Tom.