The idea of a larger cone producing more lows was proven a myth years ago. Check out how low the Acme B2 goes and it's a 2x10.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
18 inch cab
- Thread starter root fifth
- Start date
The idea of a larger cone producing more lows was proven a myth years ago. Check out how low the Acme B2 goes and it's a 2x10.
Same here, though I was playing an Acoustic 450 head.... I used it for one gig, a 6 week run at Gilley's in Pasadena Texas.... as soon as I got home I sold it and went back to a 2X15 cab. In Gilley's the thing worked well because I was so far from my rig (big stage). but on a regular stage I was to close to hear it, plus the 2X15 cab was smaller and lighter. I really have to add that during this time ('79 to '82) I always had PA support and I was playing country and the band mixed the kick with the lowest frequencies and the Bass on top of that. The kick gave all the "puff" and the bass was used to tie that to the rest of the Band, more like a Keyboard players left hand.
Attachments
I know a bass player (in a band I was doing sound for) who used a Peavey 1x18" with a BW driver in it. Tall, wide and shallow cabinet with aluminum stripes on the grille. It was not very thick sounding or went very deep, but it was loud even with a smallish (150-200W) amp. Other than that, I remember the tone to be quite boxy, with lots of 500-1000Hz "garbage". Part of that boxy sound was surely due to his old Peavey amp, too.
He traded that cabinet for a first generation Hartke 410 XL, and suddenly his active Precision sounded much more articulate and ballsier. I do not recall if the Hartke was as loud as the old Peavey, though.
He traded that cabinet for a first generation Hartke 410 XL, and suddenly his active Precision sounded much more articulate and ballsier. I do not recall if the Hartke was as loud as the old Peavey, though.
Also i am saying the lower end cabs seem to be that the bigger the speaker the more lows it has.I understand ther are some high end 10s out there shaking the ground!
I have a Boogie 118 which I've had forever. I still use it at some of the big outdoor gigs because it produces great, clear lows at high volumes. It's loaded with an EV full range speaker and produces great mid range sounds also. It's in a Boogie Roadready cab and is big and heavy, though much lighter than the Ampeg 810.
"never thougt i would hear that!"
There was a lot of MDF in that folded horn Cerwin Vega box. The 2X15 box was home made of plywood, from a JBL design for D-140s but loaded with Altec 4218Hs. I had a road-case made for it and then it was a little heavier but it toured better.
There was a lot of MDF in that folded horn Cerwin Vega box. The 2X15 box was home made of plywood, from a JBL design for D-140s but loaded with Altec 4218Hs. I had a road-case made for it and then it was a little heavier but it toured better.
That's the big myth that folks have been generally referring to in here. The size of the driver has little to do with the sounds it produces. There are many other much more important factors at play...
The point is this: Why limit yourself just because you have an infatuation/misconception with/about 18"s?
People are trying to educate you so that you can take advantage of the multitude of non-18 cabs that are out there. or maybe just because a lot of people don't like false information being passed around. (raises hand)
18" does not equal cheaper either.
5"? drivers? no bass? right?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
People are trying to educate you so that you can take advantage of the multitude of non-18 cabs that are out there. or maybe just because a lot of people don't like false information being passed around. (raises hand)
18" does not equal cheaper either.
5"? drivers? no bass? right?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
So that cab is huge and high dollar right. So will it make more lows than a huge 18 cab with a high dollar speaker?I am not talking about the high dollar stuff here i understand with big pockets you can get any tone you want.
Is it not good alone due to lack of highs? I dont slap or pop seldom play the d and g string so just looking for lows.
I've got 2 (single) 18" folded-horn cabinets. I love 'em! Very seldom do I get the chance to use both at once, though. They've got wheels & can be moved like 2-wheel dollies, even up & down stairs isn't too much trouble.
I've also got a single 15" that I use for smaller spaces.
Don't be concerned about what catches your eye. Your ear is what's important!
this is true.
however...
if you put a well made 18 cab and a b2 next to each other they may put out the same frequency response,
but sound completely different (i've done it). 18's don't sound like 10's. even in cabs that match freq response.
they move air differently due to the physical cone size.
this is why people still use them despite science, and threads come up about them.
there's a reason pa's still use 18's as a general standard in most situations for sub woofers, and not smaller drivers in low tuned cabinets.
one of my favorite 18's was an older model swr big ben loaded with a bag end speaker.
not too heavy and very articulate.
was acceptable as a stand alone in a lot of situations (maybe not with 2 blaring guitars).
The point is this: Why limit yourself just because you have an infatuation/misconception with/about 18"s?
People are trying to educate you so that you can take advantage of the multitude of non-18 cabs that are out there. or maybe just because a lot of people don't like false information being passed around. (raises hand)
18" does not equal cheaper either.
5"? drivers? no bass? right?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
this is an extreme example...
that cab weighs 220 pounds you know.
if you've played one you know it puts it out the air/ frequency but that it sounds completely different from an 18.
i think the biggest misconception is that if frequencies are matched, then so is the sound.
if it was true that smaller drivers produced the same overall sound as 18's when tuned low, none of the 18 haters would have a negative opinion
about the 18's themselves.
I have a cab with a Peavey BW 18" and horn. It goes low, but it takes a lot of watts to get low AND loud, it doesn't do mids at all, it weighs a LOT, and it's still nowhere near what my fEarful 15/6 can do down low. The Peavey will be sold soon, and meanwhile im building more fEarful cabs.
There's the rub! All too often commercial cabinet are not that well made or designed no matter what size of driver they use. I have played through enough 1x18 and 2x18 cabinets not to want to go back to them. If an 18 gives you what you need that's wonderful - enjoy them. All I am trying to correct is the myth that big cones have bigger lows than smaller ones and that the OP shouldn't limit his options basses on that myth.
Highs and some useful portion of the mids. It does what it does pretty well, but it's not enough to do the whole job.
