Tech Soundsystems 2x12 cab reviews???

cosmo440 · #1 07-11-2011, 06:31 AM

I've got an opportunity to buy (2) Tech Soundsystems aka Tec-Amp (2x12) bass cabs, one with a concentric horn and one without. Can anyone give me a real-life user review of these since I can't find diddly-squat online. The only spec i know is that they're 300w/pair. They are (supposedly) what Jorg copied for his Schroeder cabs. I'm running a Mesa Boogie D-180 and I play both 4 and 5 string basses. If you can help me out (before they're sold out from underneath me) I'd really appreciate it.

jnewmark · #2 07-11-2011, 06:44 AM

Is this what you are talking about ?

TecAmp S212/Puma500 Ultra Light Rig

bucephylus · #3 07-11-2011, 08:41 AM

It so happens I still have exactly that pair of speakers!

At the time they were made, Fred Reitz at Totally Cool Bass Gear, Midland MI, was the sole US Rep for The company that is now Tecamp; then Tech Soundsystems. I knew the guys in the shop who were actually building the enclosures. Kim Stone, Rhonda Smith, and Gary Grainger were just a few of the cats who played them in their day.

They are 300W each at 8 ohms, but will push obviously twice that at 4 ohms. Very efficient cabs; and with a good amp you can really light them up. I just did a gig with mine about a month back, and they sounded great. Indeed, they were the original angled baffle that Jorg implemented. I do not think they are quite as boxey sounding or mid-humped as Jorg's stuff. They are also not as bass shy, but I believe that is due to the drivers.

At 52 pounds each, they are now a little heavy compared to the neo boxes. So, I don't use mine that often, and would actually move them if I found the right person. If you can get a good price, you should like them.

funkytoe · #4 07-11-2011, 10:55 AM

I played them several times in the mid- 1990's as a supplied backline with the Tech Soundsystems 300 watt head. I was really impressed. Every bit as loud as the SWR -900/Golliath II 4x10/Big Ben rig I was playing at the time. Punchy and quick. I actually wound up using rack compressor to tame them a bit. Liked everything about them except the hot pink badges. If you can get them for a good price, I would say go for it.

cosmo440 · #5 07-11-2011, 12:53 PM

These cabs were originally owned by Gary Grainger but were sold to the current seller a while back.

bucephylus · #6 07-11-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo440

These cabs were originally owned by Gary Grainger but were sold to the current seller a while back.

There ya go!

cosmo440 · #7 07-11-2011, 07:53 PM

I've also got the chance on getting a Bill Fitzmaurice Omni15 Tall Boy cab loaded with Eminence 12LFA's and an 8MRA. It's the cab I settled on building if, and that's a BIG if, I had the time. It can also handle 1000watts. Sellers asking $420 and won't ship for less than $100. What are some opinions comparing the BFM cab with (2) of the Tech Soundsystem 2x12 cabs? Which would you choose?

cosmo440 · #8 07-20-2011, 07:48 AM

Anybody???

Brad Johnson · #9 07-20-2011, 07:58 AM

I have one of the old 212 cabs and it's still very nice IMO. As mentioned they're not flyweights like many current cabs but they're not that bad to move around IMO. I rarely use mine because of my other rigs but I've been in no hurry to move it either. Cool small cab.

I've heard Gary use that stack a few times in local clubs, for what he does they sounded great. Depends on what you want to do with them I'd guess.

cosmo440 · #10 07-20-2011, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the reply and evaluation. BTW, if you (or anybody else) can send me specs or a link to specs on these 2 cabs? I see that the listing has been updated with that info. They are: C2000c and CX2000

cosmo440 · #11 07-27-2011, 06:03 AM

Nevermind, I just bought them sight unseen. Hope they sound as good as I'm expecting them to sound.

bucephylus · #12 07-27-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo440

Nevermind, I just bought them sight unseen. Hope they sound as good as I'm expecting them to sound.

They should. Keep us posted. GL

cosmo440 · #13 08-14-2011, 06:32 PM

Got the cabs! Although I've only been able to demo each cab separately (waiting on another Neutrik cable to link them) I'm impressed with the tone to a large degree. But... there's something a bit "unnerving" about the drivers. I was slapping some strings as I watched the front firing 12" and it's going inward not outward on the attack. Anyone comment on that? I still think I got a helluva deal.

bucephylus · #14 08-14-2011, 10:38 PM

Hmmm, well the main thing with the drivers is that they are all moving the same direction at the same time. From the "factory," of course, they would have been fine. But, after they've been around and through a bunch of players, you never know.

My cabs still have the original 3 pin XLR jacks. I still haven't swapped them out for Neutrik. If that was done on yours, you will definitely want to make sure the wiring has proper phasing.

I always found that a single 8 ohm cab was kind of underwhelming; but the pair at 4 ohms had some apparent synergy and really light it up.

Hope it all works out.

cosmo440 · #15 08-27-2011, 10:52 AM

All is well with the driver polarity and, after playing these cabs together for a few weeks, all I have to say is freakin YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! I love these cabs AND I really, really love my D-180 with it. I was just about ready to sell that head 'cuz it never sounded good with any cab I've ever demoed it with. My custom 5 string never sounded so smooth yet articulate when I need it to be. Probably a cliche but I've come to the point where I'm actually immune to G.A.S. for a good long time. (Although there's a real, actual Mockingbird bass near me that's been one of my dream basses since I was 15, hmmm...)
Thanks everyone who gave me input on this one, I appreciate it.

bucephylus · #16 08-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Enjoy!

cosmo440 · #17 08-30-2011, 10:03 AM

I forgot to mention one thing that's been bugging me about my new acquisitions: There's not one single piece of sound deadener inside these cabs. Is this common with tech Sound System product? Would it sound even better if I lined it with some 1" mattress egg crate foam?

bucephylus · #18 08-30-2011, 08:36 PM

Honestly... no idea. The whole cab concept runs so counter to traditional acoustic design as I understand it, that I never could figure out any technical basis for changing them. Then too, they sound so darn good that I was never inclined to mess with it. Old age. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I can tell you that the guys that actually built those cabs tried a lot of different things. What they sold was what worked best.

Then again, you never know.