What are your favorite small cabinets?

Mark Nye · #1 03-04-2013, 09:54 AM

Hey, TB-ers.

I've recently taken on a few more projects, and as such, am travelling a lot more for rehearsals and gigs. I'm considering something smaller than my current cabinet setup (2 x Ampeg SVT210HE 2x10 cabs) for rehearsals and small club gigs. Still need to keep up with a full band, but something more compact and lighter would make life a lot easier.

The question: What cabs in this class do you use and for what applications?

Just for a point of reference, I'm considering a TC electronic or Markbass 1x12 at the moment, but I'm open to any brand or other configuration. I guess I'm looking for the holy trinity, here: small, light, and loud enough. (Bonus points for cost effectiveness.) It will be powered by a Genz Benz Streamliner 900.

Cheers,
Mark

bassgod0dmw · #2 03-04-2013, 10:01 AM

Bag End S15D's...and they sound great with a Streamliner which isn't something that can be said with all cabs.

JimmyM · #3 03-04-2013, 10:17 AM

Just to clarify, the holy trinity is low, loud and light. And you have to pick any two.

I'm loving my little SVT 210av cabs. They're not real heavy duty but they have a sound. Wouldn't use them with an SL 900, though. Going to be hard to find a small cab that'll let you use an SL 900 wide open, but should be easy enough to find one that'll get loud enough. Just bear in mind that little cabs ARE little cabs no matter how much power the manufacturer claims they can take.

Fretlessboy · #4 03-04-2013, 10:24 AM

The Xsonics 212cf for 40 pounds and small make a lot volume for a small cab

**CL400Peavey** · #5 03-04-2013, 12:31 PM

With the 900, you should be looking at a fEARless 112. I spent a couple days with a 35 pound model and it will get stunningly loud. Will go deeper than just about any commercial cab, and has the mid presence to pair well with the streamliner.

**Chef** · #6 03-04-2013, 12:40 PM

www.baeramps.com/ml-112-bass-cabinet

ErikW · #7 03-04-2013, 12:56 PM

Like Jimmy said, be careful. I toasted a GB 212 neo with my streamliner 900. Melted the speaker coils. I am currently using a 210 neo and using great restraint with the gain knob. It still gets very loud and is super light.

**Chef** · #8 03-04-2013, 12:59 PM

The SL900 is capable of killing just about any small cab, when used indiscriminately.

Wilkins · #9 03-04-2013, 01:12 PM

I love my EA VLZ 110's. I've got 2 of them and bring them both to a new place. If I think I need them both I hook up. If not I stack them and use either the top or the bottom one depending on the room. I'm using a GB Shuttle 6.0 and I've never even felt like I was getting close to hurting them.

4-string · #10 03-04-2013, 01:28 PM

I don't know if Markbass has those crappy piezo tweeters in their standalone cabs as well, or just the combos. Avoid those.

Munjibunga · #11 03-04-2013, 01:33 PM

My favorite small cab of all time is the Bergantino AE210 - and you get all three - loud, low and light. Ken Jung likes it too.

Tractorr · #12 03-04-2013, 01:34 PM

That Walkabout Scout cab is killer. I hope to buy a used one someday.

bgavin · #13 03-04-2013, 01:37 PM

S2010 + Alpha6a, crossed passively at 500 Hz.

I had this combination working on my test box, and really liked it.
Both are very close in output.
S2010 does nicely in 0.94 cubic feet at 60 Hz.
3/8" baltic birch is nice and light, fun to work in small boxes.

FrenchBassQC · #14 03-04-2013, 01:46 PM

My Accugroove Tri210L and for rehearsal or small venues my Berg HT112.

Matt Dean · #15 03-04-2013, 02:44 PM

Since I'm a little anti-tweeter, I'm a pretty dedicated TL606 user and Mesa's Diesel 115s are my favorite variants.

Russell L · #16 03-04-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

I don't know if Markbass has those crappy piezo tweeters in their standalone cabs as well, or just the combos. Avoid those.

They do. In my 151Ps I can hardly hear them, though, since I'm not putting out enough highs anyway by running flats and rolling off the high eq some, so no problem. Plus you can turn them off. But some Markbass cabs have a compression driver instead (like in the NY Randy Jackson cabs). Now they sound good.

Jools4001 · #17 03-04-2013, 03:21 PM

It's all quite subjective and depends on the genre. A few years back when I played in a celtic influenced band, using my fretless 5 to underpin mainly acoustic instruments and playing with a good drummer who had proper control of his dynamics I liked my pair of Eden CX110's (a bit old hat now).

Now that I play in a loud classic rock band I like my Barefaced 15/6 cab. Actually I like it loads more than the Edens for everything, more than the various Trace Elliot rigs and more than anything I've played through in the last 40 years.

OK, so it's not physically all that small, but at 40 something pounds I think it could claim to be in the same territory schlepwise

Russell L · #18 03-04-2013, 06:07 PM

I've seen great reviews on all Barefaced cabs.

Woodstockz · #19 03-04-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgavin

S2010 + Alpha6a, crossed passively at 500 Hz.

I had this combination working on my test box, and really liked it.
Both are very close in output.
S2010 does nicely in 0.94 cubic feet at 60 Hz.
3/8" baltic birch is nice and light, fun to work in small boxes.

+1 on the S2010. It is a really nice speaker. Surprising amount of sound in a small package.

Passinwind · #20 03-04-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Nye

The question: What cabs in this class do you use and for what applications?

Thunderchild 112 Acoustic-Friendly. Jazz, country, soft alt-rock in wineries mostly, so 50-150 people tops, with no bass in the PA usually. Before that I had an EA CxL--112, Accugroove Tri-112L, and fEARful 12/6 at one time or another.