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Double Bass 112 cabinets

Jeff Kissell

Jeff Kissell

Supporting Member
Nov 21, 2004
1,984
1,593
Soquel, CA
#1
OK, here's the deal, I've decided to replace my trusty GK MB150 with more power. The bass is a New Standard Cleveland ply with a Rev. Solo. I've decided on the new AI Clarus III as the amp, but am looking for some imput on 112 cabs. The two that stand out are the Flight 112 w/out a horn, and the Bergantino EX 112, also w/out a horn. The Flight/Clarus combo would almost exactly duplicate the size and weight of the GK. Unfortunately I can't a/b them without buying the Flight. I also have a 112 Mesa Boogie (sealed back/front ported) that I use as an extension cab with the GK currently, but I'm looking for something more articulate as a single/main cab. This rig will also double with a slab (p-bass) on occasion. The GK with the ext. cab. sounds pretty sweet in an old school sorta way at lower volumes, so I guess what I'm looking for is more headroom without giving up the portability.
thanks in advance,

JK
 
#2
Hi Jeff,
recently, I had the same idea. Originally, I purchased the Flite 112 cab to use it as extension for my GK MB 150. Later I decided to A/B the GK and AI through the Flite cab. So I borrowed the Clarus combo (don't exactly remember the type)from a friend and use it as a head through the Flite cab. The result was terrible, unfortunately. To be more specific, the sound was very middle-sounding, with the most terrible kind of middle you can imagine and there was no way to cut it down or to dial some kind of pleasant sound (unless you love completelly sterile and middle rangey sound). Then I run the Flite by the GK used as a head only and the result was much much better - it sounded like a bass (I don't say "my bass only louder", but it was a BASS sound). Because I couldn't believe this could be the truth, I repeated the A/B test two more times, each time in a different venue. The result was always the same. It's hard to believe, but this is my experience. I was using my old great sounding bass with the Realist.
By the way, after reading a great post sent by DRURB I reconsidered using the Flite as an ext for the GK MB 150. It sounded great at some venues but at others I experienced some resonance problems, which after reading the DRURB analysis I can understand. The best ext. for GK MB combo is the GK MBX cab. It looks like toy, but together with the combo sounds unbelievably great. However, the Flite cabinet will sound great with some amp head - not with the AI though, unfortunatelly. But this was only my experience, my ears and my taste...
 
#3
JeffKissell said:
OK, here's the deal, I've decided to replace my trusty GK MB150 with more power. I've decided on the new AI Clarus III as the amp, but am looking for some imput on 112 cabs. This rig will also double with a slab (p-bass) on occasion. The GK with the ext. cab. sounds pretty sweet in an old school sorta way at lower volumes, so I guess what I'm looking for is more headroom without giving up the portability.
thanks in advance,

JK
Click to expand...

Jeff,
I've used a number of different EA Cabinets with my Walter Woods, so
I can't see why the Whizzy 112 extension cab wouldn't work well in this
situation. Unfortunately it weighs more and costs more, so it may not be an option. The EPI 112 was supposed to have been designed for DB but I've never actually played through one, and once again they are pretty pricey. Then LDS could built you anything you want with a 12" woofer. One of my favorite DB cabinets was the Ampeg SB 12, but that's ancient history at this point.

Ric
 
#4
Jaromir said:
So I borrowed the Clarus combo (don't exactly remember the type)from a friend and use it as a head through the Flite cab. The result was terrible, unfortunately. To be more specific, the sound was very middle-sounding, with the most terrible kind of middle you can imagine and there was no way to cut it down or to dial some kind of pleasant sound (unless you love completelly sterile and middle rangey sound).
Click to expand...
I have a Flite 1x10 and am quite happy with it. The cab isn't so good if it's not coupled with the floor. Did you raise it by any chance? Mine gets really mid-rangey if I raise it up higher. I use it with a Focus SA and it's fine to me.
 
#7
In my experience, most of the Flite cabs are not in the same ballpark as EA, Bergantino, Epifani, etc. I tried them all (with my Walter Woods and DB) at the "factory" (it's really more of a workshop at a guy's house in Connecticut, and he's super-nice and cool to deal with) and the 1x10, 1x12, and 1x15 did not really measure up all that well with higher-end stuff. However, he makes a three way cabinet with a downfiring 10" speaker, a midrange tweeter and a horn that sounds fabulous and both compares well with high-end cabinets when used with a Walter Woods and a DB and which can be cranked really loud when used with BG and a different amp (I used it with an Eden WT400 in a super-loud club date band for a couple of years, and it cut the mustard as a stage amp/monitor). It's larger than the GK combo but not any bigger than a Bergantino or Epifani 1x12, and it's amazingly light (like twenty-some pounds, no trouble carrying it with one hand).

As for the others, I haven't heard the EA or Bergantino stuff but a friend of mine has the Epifani 1x12; his DB + Realist into an Eden head sounds really beautiful through this rig.
 
#8
Thanks for the info. everybody. The wizzy can certainly be a possibility. My local music store has the Bergantino so I can try before I buy, and they have a used EA cxl110 that I'll try also. It seems like I'll paying a weight penalty, but if the size is right, and more importantly, the sound is right I can deal with it. My biggest concern is too much midrange as the volume comes up, and it sounds like the Flight cab. might be a gamble in that direction without hearing it first. I still have to wait for the Clarus anyway so we'll see if anyone eles chimes in.

thanks,
-JK
 
#9
However, he makes a three way cabinet with a downfiring 10" speaker, a midrange tweeter and a horn that sounds fabulous and both compares well with high-end cabinets when used with a Walter Woods and a DB and which can be cranked really loud when used with BG and a different amp
[/QUOTE]

I used to own two Flite 2x8 and I really liked those cabinets. You do have to be more careful with them and since intense heat can damage them you really have to have the covers. It's a trade off between lightness and sacrificing a little durability. Kurt is a great guy to deal with, he once mailed me an emergency tweeter to Atlanta, Georgia and didn't even charge me for it.

Ric
 
#10
hdiddy said:
I have a Flite 1x10 and am quite happy with it. The cab isn't so good if it's not coupled with the floor. Did you raise it by any chance? Mine gets really mid-rangey if I raise it up higher. I use it with a Focus SA and it's fine to me.
Click to expand...
Probably a little misunderstanding - I don't blame the Flite cabinet, I do blame the AI amp. In my opinion, it's sterile and middley-sounding amp, however controversaly this can sound. The Flite cab may not be the greatest cab, but it sounds deep and mellow...with the GK head, for example.
 
#11
I wouldn't shy away from an HT112, either. The Bergantino tweeter is not harsh at all (IME/IMHO), and I think it adds to the proper level of left hand finger noise (I like a little but not too much; of course, opinions will vary on this). To me, it would come down to the Wizzy or the HT112 (or the CxL-112, if you want even more left hand "presence"). I haven't tried the new Epifani UL-112, but my T-112's have a bit of a midrange scoop that tends to make my upright sound a tad "electric." I found my T-110UL's to be much better for upright. The UL-112 (or T-112UL) is supposed to have more midrange presence, though, so it may be a different story.

Tom.
 
#12
Jaromir said:
Probably a little misunderstanding - I don't blame the Flite cabinet, I do blame the AI amp. In my opinion, it's sterile and middley-sounding amp, however controversaly this can sound.
Click to expand...
Hmm... that's kinda odd to me too because when I compare my AI Focus SA to an iAmp 500, they're both pretty close. I guess the Clarus could be alot different. The Flite 1x10 has been serving me well and I don't have any intense heat issues here in SF. Thanks for the heads up about all that stuff anyways guys. I hope to try a wizzy at some point too but it's been easy toting my 22 lb 600 watt rig around. :D
 
#13
I've A/B'd my GK with a Contra and the eq on the Contra, I thought, sounded really good. I just couldn't get the volume I needed so I ran it through my Mesa cab without the Contra cab plugged in and it sounded good also. I think I prefer the directness(?) of a front loaded cab. I'm willing to trade a little fidelity for volume, but it should still sound like a double bass, and I don't want to give up portability. My amped gigs are with voice, drums and two electric guitars mostly, but I'm lucky enough to be able to play the bass quite a bit without an amp for other projects. As for the slab, a single 12 is, I think, the best size for small stages and tight quarters. I can always add another 112 cab and/or PA support for that.
When the Clarus arrives I'll have two weeks to try it with as many 112 and 110 cabs as I can get my hands on.Thanks (AH) Bob G.! I'll keep everyone posted on my progess, and THANK YOU! to everyone who's responded. Between this thread and all of the threads I've read before I started this one, there is a TON of info on small combos (and amps in general) for DB. Talkbass is a great place!!
Regards,
-JK
 
#14
Hey Tom, I was born in Fremont, and lived in a small town called Bettsville until I was ten. I'm highjacking my own thread I know, but I've always appreciated all the info that you and the other "gearhead'ish" type people have put up on TB. It is really helpful for people like me to make choices about equipement. I can't thank you guys enough!

-JK
 
#15
JeffKissell said:
Hey Tom, I was born in Fremont, and lived in a small town called Bettsville until I was ten. I'm highjacking my own thread I know, but I've always appreciated all the info that you and the other "gearhead'ish" type people have put up on TB. It is really helpful for people like me to make choices about equipement. I can't thank you guys enough!

-JK
Click to expand...

Wow! Small world! I was born and raised here, and I'm back after my time at THE Ohio State University, and some years working in Columbus thereafter. So yes, I am sure familiar with Bettsville. What year were you born here? [Feel free to PM me!].

And I am also very appreciative for the wealth of knowledge and friendship shared here on TB. I've learned tons from the people on this site. I'm glad to contribute in some small way myself.

Take care, Tom.
 
#16
I have been using a Flite 112 w/ a Focus II for about 6 months now. I also originally bought it for the GK combo. The Flite sounds great with my mid 50's Pollman (strung with gut strings) and a Realist. I also use a mic with the whole rig. All in all it is light, powerful and is my bass louder. I am curious to try EA cabs and Bergantino 112's. What about the LDS system with the Focus? Anyone using that system (LDS) with a mic as well?
 
#18
RShew said:
. What about the LDS system with the Focus? Anyone using that system (LDS) with a mic as well?
Click to expand...

Well I know that Macmrkt did have that setup and posted a very detalied review of the Focus with his LDS 2x8. Now that I have
the Macmrkt LDS 2x8 Series II, I'll let you know, but I'm not playing out with it until this Thursday evening and I haven't got my AMT microphine as yet.

Ric
 
#19
Hey Jeff--you can come check out my Wizzy and 2 Berg HT-112s if you want--send me a PM. Also, let me know if you still have the MB150--which model (E or S) and your price.

I prefer the Wizzy for DB and the Bergs for BG. As you know I have a similar setup (Cleveland, various pickups, GK amp). A guitarist friend came by with his Clarus combo last week, I had a real good time checking it out. AI's internal speakers sounded quite good, but I thought it sounded better into the Wizzy. I'd also consider the Acme B-1 and the Accugroove Tri 110--haven't heard either, but they look interesting.
 
#20
Hey Winston,
Thanks for the invite, but I've got a local music store that carries Bergantino and AE stuff, so I'll be able to try the speaker cabs here in town. The GK is a MB150S, I got it 6/02. It's not quite for sale yet, but I'll let you know if/when it is. Bob G.(All Hail) says that the Clarus shipped from the factory yesterday, so it should be here soon.
Cheers,
JK
 

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