Will a fEARful 15/6 cab handle a low F#?

[ArmoredAngels]

I am looking for a cabinet that will faithfully reproduce a low F# string on a bass guitar, the bass is tuned F#-B-E-A-D.

fEARfuls are known for their ability to fully reproduce the frequencies associated with a regular 5 string, but some have said they really only handle a low A.

Would you recommend a 15/6 + 15 (tuned for lower frequencies, an option on the fEARful website) or getting a PA Sub like this one from Danley http://www.danleysoundlabs.com/produ...y-subs/dts-20/

Thanks

[CL400Peavey]

Get a 66 with a port extension.

[ArmoredAngels]

As in a 1515/66 with a port extension?

[ThisBass]

Originally Posted by ArmoredAngels

fEARfuls are known for their ability to fully reproduce the frequencies associated with a regular 5 string,

That's appro 60Hz on a flat response for "fully" reproduction.

Calculate the frequency of 2nd Harmonic for F# and have a lock to their response drawings. Then you should know it.

If the 2nd Harmonic is on the -3dB point or below the reproduction is probably a little bit weak.

[Downunderwonder]

BFM will have something to steal fearful's lunch but you have to biamp a sub.

[rpsands]

I've tuned as low as G# on my fEarful 1515/66 and had no real issues even with the stock tuning.

I think if you tune down to F#, it might be to your advantage to look into the port extension, and a steep high pass filter like the FDeck pre.

With F#, you really are caring only about the first harmonic, since no speaker can reliably put out 21.8hz -- 44hz however is totally doable by a fEarful with a slight tuning adjustment.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by ArmoredAngels

As in a 1515/66 with a port extension?

Correct.

[ArmoredAngels]

Originally Posted by delta7fred

Correct.

ok cool, so that could handle a fundamental frequency of 23hz (F#) and 2nd harmonic of 46hz u think?
I have been looking for the graphic the Greenboy put up where he outlines what the usable frequency response of each model goes but I can't find it. so if anyone has that, I would like to see it

[ThisBass]

Originally Posted by rpsands

I've tuned as low as G# on my fEarful 1515/66 and had no real issues even with the stock tuning.

I think if you tune down to F#, it might be to your advantage to look into the port extension, and a steep high pass filter like the FDeck pre.

With F#, you really are caring only about the first harmonic, since no speaker can reliably put out 21.8hz -- 44hz however is totally doable by a fEarful with a slight tuning adjustment.

It's double but doubtful.
The 3015LF needs 3.5 Cu ft for -3dB at 49Hz.
That is 7 Cu ft for 1515!

It is possible to balance the performance a little bit.
Little reducing above -3dB point effects a bit of benefit below -3dB pont.

But the desired 44Hz remains always underexposed.

Maybe some boost with eq "equals" the lack.

[rpsands]

The fEarful 15/6 has an effective net internal space of around 4cf or some odd if I recall correctly. I believe it is tuned to roughly 47hz.

With that alignment, you're -3db at 46hz.

Dropping the tuning to 40hz, you get -4db at 44hz.

Now, the interesting thing is with that alignment you can hit around 1800 watt peaks at 44hz before exceeding xmax.

Realistic combined output at 44, 66 and 88 hz is probably around 1000+ watt peaks (given the saddle region losing control, and the power division in a bass signal).

Combining a 35hz 4th order butterworth with a +4.5db boost at 38hz, you can take 400 watt sine waves safely anywhere, and still get around 120db at 44hz after power compression (assuming 2db of compression at 400 watts, which is probably pretty safe).

bottom line is if you combine a steep high pass, a reasonably low tuning, the 15/6 size box, and a little bass eq, you can get plenty of sound in the mid-40s.

[ArmoredAngels]

Originally Posted by rpsands

The fEarful 15/6 has an effective net internal space of around 4cf or some odd if I recall correctly. I believe it is tuned to roughly 47hz.

With that alignment, you're -3db at 46hz.

Dropping the tuning to 40hz, you get -4db at 44hz.

Now, the interesting thing is with that alignment you can hit around 1800 watt peaks at 44hz before exceeding xmax.

Realistic combined output at 44, 66 and 88 hz is probably around 1000+ watt peaks (given the saddle region losing control, and the power division in a bass signal).

Combining a 35hz 4th order butterworth with a +4.5db boost at 38hz, you can take 400 watt sine waves safely anywhere, and still get around 120db at 44hz after power compression (assuming 2db of compression at 400 watts, which is probably pretty safe).

bottom line is if you combine a steep high pass, a reasonably low tuning, the 15/6 size box, and a little bass eq, you can get plenty of sound in the mid-40s.

wow.... sounds really good, Im gonna need some serious time to process all the terms you just threw out there haha thanks for the education, really good stuff lol stay metal

[ThisBass]

http://greenboy.us/fEARful/shelfextension.htm

This cuts off a lot of energy between 47..100Hz but the benefit below 47Hz is weak.

Nice to have.
I think it is a useful feature for a lot of users. Let's say make your own tuning as you like it.

But it is not possible to make F# similar strong performed like B0.

[rpsands]

It'll perform like B0 with bass boost, up to about the thermal limits of the driver. So it won't get as loud as B0, but it can be made to perform pretty similarly.

300-400 watts into a 15/6 is pretty damned loud.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by ArmoredAngels

ok cool, so that could handle a fundamental frequency of 23hz (F#) and 2nd harmonic of 46hz u think?
I have been looking for the graphic the Greenboy put up where he outlines what the usable frequency response of each model goes but I can't find it. so if anyone has that, I would like to see it

Best head on over to the fEARful forum and get the facts straight from the designer.

I'm not the best qualified to answer questions on FR (just a happy user).

Is this the graphic, under point 8. http://greenboy.us/fEARful/faq.htm#enclosure_specs

[ThisBass]

Originally Posted by ArmoredAngels

fEARfuls are known for their ability to fully reproduce the frequencies associated with a regular 5 string, but some have said they really only handle a low A.
Thanks

I did not told it's never possible with F#.
I only told it is probably different.

[ThisBass]

Originally Posted by rpsands

It'll perform like B0 with bass boost, up to about the thermal limits of the driver. So it won't get as loud as B0, but it can be made to perform pretty similarly.

300-400 watts into a 15/6 is pretty damned loud.

no doubt about it.

[walterw]

i'm skeptical that even that first harmonic of a low F# is very prominent on anything with a normal 34-36" scale.

every one i've ever heard was mostly sour-sounding upper partials and string noise (including the sound of the bass itself with my ear against the back of the neck)

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by rpsands

With F#, you really are caring only about the first harmonic, since no speaker can reliably put out 21.8hz -- 44hz however is totally doable by a fEarful with a slight tuning adjustment.

More importantly, no ear can reliably hear it.......

[inmate13]

Hey ArmoredAngels!!!

I dig your problem, cuz i wanted to do something similar, but like guy n. cognito said '' More importantly, no ear can reliably hear it....... '' Do you play along with 8 string guitars?

What i did was actually tuned my bas in same octave as guitar, it wasn't F# but it was F. F A# D# G# C#. I boosted a lil 50Hz on my TE and added some drive. Result was kinda like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOR0hUIGb4Y

[wcriley]

Greenboy was (and maybe still is) exploring extended range bass before he designed the fEARfuls.

Drop into the fEARful forum and I'm sure he'll enjoy discussing this with you.

http://greenboy.us/forum/index.php