Cabinet choices

lwrthnwhalepoop · #1 11-24-2008, 09:44 PM

I need a new cabinet. My Hartke 410XL isn't quite cutting it, meaning it doesn't do my SKB2006 justice in the low frequency department. I've just started back playing and I'm ready to switch to a new cabinet.

I like the punch and response of 10" drivers, so those will be my focus for now.

I've seen mention of most of the major manufacturers' cabinets, and I've tried a few of them. Liked the Eden 410XST Neo, the SWR not so much.

Anybody have experience with Acme cabinets? I like the approach, and I've heard they've got monster low end response.

I appreciate whatever help you guys can give me.

CactusmanDoug · #2 11-25-2008, 12:00 AM

Hey Bro,

There's alot of nice cabs out there that some of the fine folks on this forum will steer you to. I saw this review on youtube the other day and this might be something to look at.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=uoMKLKXqxa8

Have a great Thanksgiving and welcome aboard.

Doug

JOME77 · #3 11-25-2008, 05:09 AM

Welcome back to the world of bass!

I really like the sound of the Epifani UL cabinets. Both the 310 and 410 models really sound good.

I also really like the sound of the 12's. The Bergintino HT112 cabinets sound very good with the Roscoe's (especially when paired). A little warmer sounding than the 10's (although not quite as tight and compressed sounding with slap style).

RalphL · #4 11-25-2008, 09:14 AM

I have both Acme and Eden cabinets, plus I make my own cabinets using a computer program and Thiele parameters. They are apples and oranges. The Acme is uncolored and therefore very transparent. Similar to that is Basson cabinets (but they weigh much more!). Both need rather large amps to push them. They have the best low end and are very rich sounding.
The Edens are more colored and add something of their own to your bass sound. They are very articulate and can cut through a mix well. A little more difficult to get that deep bass "throw" from these. I love them in smaller clubs but use both Acme and Eden for larger venues. Good combination.
Both cabinets can be tweaked with EQ to get more of what you are after.
But this is always the issue with both amps and cabinets: Do they have a "color" of their own or are they just amplifying my bass signal with little coloration? Ampeg amps and speakers have their own rich "rock and roll" color, as another example.
I have actually taken my amp to the local music store and tried out different cabinets. hard to make a mistake that way, but remember a music store is not a stage; every venue is different and presents different obstacles to creating that perfect bass sound.

I hope this helps!
party on and be excellent to people!

R

Gard · #5 11-25-2008, 09:16 AM

I used to use the original Eden D410XST (pre-Neo model), and liked it quite well. Now I'm using an Epifani UL310 Series II, and am head over heels in love, thinking about scoring a second!

Also, consider what you're using for an amp, as that will absolutely affect the tone. I'm using an older Eden WT550, which I just think kills for the size and weight, and it's stable to 2 ohms (and I've run it there to be sure). Loud, fat, well-defined, and very flexible.

lwrthnwhalepoop · #6 11-25-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks so much for the useful info thus far, and keep up the good work.

FWIW, I'm using an early/first generation SWR SM-400 for amplification.

lwrthnwhalepoop · #7 11-25-2008, 11:22 AM

Just looked at the Basson cabs on their website. The 4x10 weighs 128 lbs. Does it come with a forklift? A gift certificate for a hernia repair? Holy cowbell.

RocketMusic · #8 11-25-2008, 11:32 AM

Genz-Benz makes a really nice 410 in the XB2 series. I've used one for 15+ years, WAY before I became a GB dealer... and their new Uber Bass series (neo spkrs) looks intriguing, although I can't say I've heard any of those cabs yet.

d sage · #9 11-25-2008, 11:55 AM

If you can stand the weight I think the Bergantino 322 is a great cab. I play through AccGroove 210 and 115. They sound great, too, and my back is much happier.

ubone · #10 11-25-2008, 11:59 AM

You should seriously look into the Bergantino cab lines. I currently run a Eden WT800 into 2 Bergantino HT115 cabinets and am very happy with it.

VroomVroom · #11 11-25-2008, 10:48 PM

For years I was an Eden XLT guy - 210 and a single 410. Epifani lured me away, though, and I haven't looked back. I LOVE 'em, and I still kinda' giggle every time I lift one (or more) into the back of my truck. My UL 410 weighs less than the Eden 210XLT it replaced. Just amazing.

Anyway - my 210 and 410's are Series 1, and my 310 is Series 2. I love 'em all. The 310 is an incredible cab - the perfect 'tweener - and I use it on easily half of my gigs. The cabs all hit hard, and hit quick...plenty of lows, but no boominess. They're VERY clean as well. I've been playing these for almost four years now, and I still love 'em. They're certainly not for everyone, but I'd unhesitatingly recommend that you put them on the list of products to try.

One other I'd consider too: AccuGroove. GREAT sounding cabs. I've played through the three way cabs with 10" and 12" drivers. A Roscoe instrument through a Tri-112 is a beautiful thing.

Good luck!

lwrthnwhalepoop · #12 11-26-2008, 01:45 AM

Thank you one and all. I really appreciate it. In my first bass-playing life, these sorts of discussions had to take place in smoky bars when I was half crocked, or in crowded music stores with some sales guy all over me like a wet dress on a fat girl. I much prefer my cozy office, at this stage of my rebirth at least.

I've got some shopping to do. A couple of dealers here in St. Paul/Minneapolis stock some of the cabinets mentioned. A couple of the recommended cabinets are discontinued, but I'll keep an eye out for them on ebay. I might buy one sound-unheard if the price is right. I'll keep the shipping box in case it doesn't work out. I should have done that with the ex-wives.

Live and learn.

I'm tending toward an uncolored sound, though if I get back to gigging a more focused sound has an easier time finding a home in the mix, so I need to keep that in mind.

I'll put some fresh strings and batteries in the SKB and grab my amp and hit the trail. I think, as RalphL points out, you need your axe and amp to really get a feel for how you'll sound through a rig, and even then the music store isn't the most realistic environment.

I'll keep y'all posted. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

chadds · #13 11-26-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwrthnwhalepoop

and even then the music store isn't the most realistic environment.

I'll keep y'all posted. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

What do you mean?

The music store is just like a bar. Loud, full of aggressive disillusioned hopefuls, burnouts, and legends in their own minds. And that's just talking about the sales staff.

Happy Thanksgiving too!

lwrthnwhalepoop · #14 11-26-2008, 09:42 AM

Chadds -
LOL!
Wow, I had forgotten about the music store atmosphere, since I haven't had to venture into one yet. Your post had me chuckling. I remember seeing the mouth-breathing gear geeks at our local GC torturing a Jackson through a full Marshall stack and realizing that this, and their mom's basement, were their only gigs. Pretty sad.
Same goes for clinics, as I remember, though to a lesser degree. Ever hear Tribal Tech's "Clinic Troll" off the Thick disc? Great stuff.

RalphL · #15 11-28-2008, 02:59 PM

Chadds,
You are so right! But difference is, at a music store you have to bring your own booze!

CliffD · #16 12-01-2008, 11:13 PM

I've owned an Ampeg classic 8x10 (stolen in vegas

), an SWR 4x10 (great 4x10 but sold to fund basses), an Eden 4x10 XLT (great 4x10 until I heard a Mesa rig), and finally a Mesa PH1200. I think Mesa's stuff is the best for bass. I run it with a Mpulse600 or BB750 and love the tone, I've used it for jazz at UCSD or reggae on 101. It's got a plush bottom and punchy midrange but is a bit heavy.

RocketMusic · #17 12-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Mesa bass gear KILLS. We had a head come in for repair a few months back, and I was blown away. If only they weren't sold EVERYWHERE, I'd become a dealer...

GCool · #18 12-05-2008, 11:34 AM

I love my SVT 810 for my LOW B!

Bassmanbob · #19 12-05-2008, 01:56 PM

I've been using the Eden Metro which is their amp/210 cab and then the XLT-115 to "warm it up" a bit. I have to admit it took my years to find a good setting for the Metro, but this was my own fault. I had to set the low parametric eq to the 1 or 1:30 possition to boost the low end, but not-too-low end so it wouldn't be too mushy. It gave it the low end I had been looking for for so long. I used to have it straight up or even at 11 o'clock possition and then raising the bass eq. But like I said, it gave me a mushy tone. Now I have more punch with the low end I want and can still hear definition without being too midrange driven.

Now that I'm playing again, maybe I should check out the Bergies and the Epiphani. Na... Gotta get a new Roscoe first after paying off that hurricane debt.