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ACME B1 - with a second cab?

S

SpottedBass

Mar 12, 2012
86
59
#1
ACME B1 users - do you ever pair this cab with another non ACME cab? I've used an ampeg 210av with it and loved it. But then I had a case of GAS and sold the ampeg. Tried the acme with an Eden d210xst and found the eden with two very efficient drivers left little juice for the power hungry B1 and you really didn't get much B1 in the mix (the Eden was so much louder than the Acme). Now I find myself needing more volume (I'm using an Aguilar TH500) so I'd like to find another used ACME locally but have not yet. Wondering what other B1 users do when a second cab is needed? There is an Ampeg SVT-210he I can get my hands on as well as an SWR Triad, Aguilar gs112 and a markbass 15 (the one with the horn, not the piezo). Should I just be patient and order another B1? Kind of would like to have one for this weekend however so I am considering something I can find locally as well. Anyone have experience with a B1/non B1 mix?
 
#5
It's an 8ohm series 2. I auditioned for a group tonight using the B1 sitting on top of an Epifani PS-210 powered by my Aguilar TH500 and I gotta say... The sound really blew me away. These really do seem to be working together after all
 
#6
ACME B1s are a special breed of cabinet. People buy them for the tone, NOT for their percieved volume output and they need to be fed at least twice the rated power. Sound comes out with less, but something majic happens when they are fed well. I use an 800 Watt Acoustic Image Focus or a occasionally a borrowed Thunderfunk 650 head with a pair of B1s and it s perfect.Alone, a single B1 is not much use, but a pair is very nice; three are even better! I've combined mine with about 20 different other cabs and by far the best combination is with another B1 for upright bass and with a B2 for electric ( B1 + B2 is fantastic unless you have a drummer who plays like he has ear damage....). When you are not on a gig, try hooking them up to your stereo at home- HUGE dynamic sound! I've been looking, advertising, and searching everywhere I can find for another 8 ohm B1 for over a year without any luck. There is a reason they don't come up for sale very often and when they do the move fast! Even at the new price from Andy, they are still a great price.

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com
 
#7
I would double up on the ACME and drop a Carvin BX1600 on them. Two built-in amps, each with it's own volume and plenty of power and EQ options. You could also bridge the two amps into one if your cabs are both 8 ohms. In dual-mono or bi-amp mode, you could drive two 4 ohm cabs or four 8 ohm cabs!!
 
#9
I used to run an Eden WT600 with the B1 hanging off one am and an Eden D21xst on the other amp. I loved having two amps to balance the two. Running those two in Biamp mode de also gave a whole different texture. I do miss that amp at times although I really like the aguilar I replaced it with. I think I'll hold on to the B1 and maybe buy another next year.
 
#10
Of the cabs listed, the Ampeg SVT-210HE is probably closest to the Acme. I have the Ampeg model, and with its deep extension, high power capability, fairly linear, long excursion woofers and low efficiency it seems like a workable extension.
Please note: I regularly run my LMII into limiting (300W/8Ohms) at band practice with the 210. And we are a moderately loud blues rock trio.
 
#11
fenderp63 said:
If your B1 is a series II and 4-ohm and you want to send it to a good home where it will be loved, PM me. I'm looking for one.
Click to expand...

FENDERP63: FYI - If you are still looking for a 4ohm ACME Low B1 Series II, Guitar Center in Jacksonville Florida has one right now for $249. I'd buy it myself (and pay shipping to California from Florida), but I would need the 8ohm version with my amp in order to use with my existing 8ohm B1.
 
#13
james condino said:
ACME B1s are a special breed of cabinet. People buy them for the tone, NOT for their percieved volume output and they need to be fed at least twice the rated power. Sound comes out with less, but something majic happens when they are fed well. I use an 800 Watt Acoustic Image Focus or a occasionally a borrowed Thunderfunk 650 head with a pair of B1s and it s perfect.Alone, a single B1 is not much use, but a pair is very nice; three are even better! I've combined mine with about 20 different other cabs and by far the best combination is with another B1 for upright bass and with a B2 for electric ( B1 + B2 is fantastic unless you have a drummer who plays like he has ear damage....). When you are not on a gig, try hooking them up to your stereo at home- HUGE dynamic sound! I've been looking, advertising, and searching everywhere I can find for another 8 ohm B1 for over a year without any luck. There is a reason they don't come up for sale very often and when they do the move fast! Even at the new price from Andy, they are still a great price.

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com
Click to expand...

Yes, I am resurrecting a zombie thread....

I'm thinking about an Acme cab, possibly a pair of B-1's since the B-2 is too heavy for me to lift/move. I read one review where they used a 1000 or maybe 2000 watt amp with the B-1 but am confused by the low power ratings. I understand about being careful and all, but these things are supposed to be inefficient and yet Acme only recommends a paltry 250 watts. I was thinking about something like the Demeter 800 but am a little worried about damaging the drivers. With less power I start to wonder about not having enough to push them given the inefficient (but awesome sounding) design.
 
#14
Doner Designs said:
Yes, I am resurrecting a zombie thread....

I'm thinking about an Acme cab, possibly a pair of B-1's since the B-2 is too heavy for me to lift/move. I read one review where they used a 1000 or maybe 2000 watt amp with the B-1 but am confused by the low power ratings. I understand about being careful and all, but these things are supposed to be inefficient and yet Acme only recommends a paltry 250 watts. I was thinking about something like the Demeter 800 but am a little worried about damaging the drivers. With less power I start to wonder about not having enough to push them given the inefficient (but awesome sounding) design.
Click to expand...

Well, they recommend 1000 watts for the B-4 so 250 for a single 10" sounds about right. I use anywhere from 300-500 (...depends on my amp rotation) for a single B-2.

I also use (2) Epifani 310's. They do get louder but with a markedly different tonal character.

Riis
 
#15
Zooberwerx said:
Well, they recommend 1000 watts for the B-4 so 250 for a single 10" sounds about right. I use anywhere from 300-500 (...depends on my amp rotation) for a single B-2.

I also use (2) Epifani 310's. They do get louder but with a markedly different tonal character.

Riis
Click to expand...

Right, but I hear people talk about feeding these beasts with way more than the recommended power. Just trying to understand what the safe zone is for someone who is careful, uses a compressor and is not a heavy handed player. I'd like to use an 800 watt amp with a pair of B-1's.
 
#16
Doner Designs said:
Right, but I hear people talk about feeding these beasts with way more than the recommended power. Just trying to understand what the safe zone is for someone who is careful, uses a compressor and is not a heavy handed player. I'd like to use an 800 watt amp with a pair of B-1's.
Click to expand...

You'll be fine. I've used an XLS 2500 in both dual-mono and bridged modes to fuel (2) Acme B-2's. Just use your good judgement and don't push them beyond their limitations. Word of caution: a single B-1 or even a B-2 won't be very loud and is better suited for the "calmer" venues. Sounds like a neat rig!

Riis
 
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#17
Zooberwerx said:
You'll be fine. I've used an XLS 2500 in both dual-mono and bridged modes to fuel (2) Acme B-2's. Just use your good judgement and don't push them beyond their limitations. Word of caution: a single B-1 or even a B-2 won't be very loud and is better suited for the "calmer" venues. Sounds like a neat rig!

Riis
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's consistent with one of the reviews I read where they fed a B-1 with 2000 watts which is 10x the recommended power.

Not very loud depends on what you are comparing to I suppose. I play a lot at home and my only real gig is at church. If we have a drummer at all, it's typically a cajon. Bass is the only instrument with stage amp. Usually no electric guitar. The acoustics and piano are DI only. The engineer always takes a line from me, but generally turns me down in the mains and turns up my amp. Currently am using a Markbass 1x12 combo with the extension cab but the extension really isn't needed...but I have it so why not. I was thinking that a pair of B-1's with adequate power would move about the same amount of air as the two 1x12's but would add the extended low end.

Besides the 800 watt Demeter head, another amp option I was thinking of is to add a Demeter Minnie 800D power amp to the Noble DI/pre that I already have. That would make for a super compact setup. Not much tone control there, but I have an Empress parametric pedal and 4 band EQ on my basses, so I really don't need much control on the amp itself. In that case, 800 is the only option, but the power amp and preamp both have volume controls, so it would be harder to be stupid by accident (though my wife would say I have a gift for being stupid and clumsy). :-)
 
#18
I own a B1 and a B2, both 4ohm. When I believe the B1 won't be enough, I bring the B2. As you can imagine, I bring the B2 more. I don't have a gig where I need more than one B2, but I have PA support most of the time. In the past year or so, I've relegated the Acme's to the big band work I sub in for and it's plenty. Cover/wedding band gigs get the Berg AE212 exclusively.
 
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#19
mrpackerguy said:
I own a B1 and a B2, both 4ohm. When I believe the B1 won't be enough, I bring the B2. As you can imagine, I bring the B2 more. I don't have a gig where I need more than one B2, but I have PA support most of the time. In the past year or so, I've relegated the Acme's to the big band work I sub in for and it's plenty. Cover/wedding band gigs get the Berg AE212 exclusively.
Click to expand...

I wish they had a composite version of the B-2. If they got it down to 40 pounds I could probably live with that. At 50 it's too much for this old man. Somehow it's so much easier to carry a pair of 30 lb boxes than one 50lb box (to me).
 
#20
Doner Designs said:
Thanks. That's consistent with one of the reviews I read where they fed a B-1 with 2000 watts which is 10x the recommended power.

....the power amp and preamp both have volume controls, so it would be harder to be stupid by accident (though my wife would say I have a gift for being stupid and clumsy). :)
Click to expand...

Wear it like a badge of honor.

I'd stick with the Demeter head. I used a Demeter preamp with my B-4's and it sounded really hi-fi...almost too much given the project at hand.

Hey...no more old man slams. Bassman Paul and I are older and still knocking around a handful of B-2 enclosures like we're still teenagers. Of course, we need naps later...Aleve...Ben Gay...etc.

Riis
 
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