• 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.

Acme Users Unite!!!

#242
Wilbyman said:
Hey guys-

I've been having this idea of getting two Low B-1's (4ohm) and getting them with stand receptacles. The idea would be to run both bass, (maybe sax) and keys through them for a low-med volume jazz quartet. What do you think? I was kind of thinking about running everything into my little yamaha mixer and than using two AI amps (I have three) as dedicated power for each B-1. Is this a CRAAAAAZZY idea?

W
Click to expand...
Which model/series AI amps ?

Bluesy Soul :cool:
 
#243
Wilbyman said:
Hey guys-

I've been having this idea of getting two Low B-1's (4ohm) and getting them with stand receptacles. The idea would be to run both bass, (maybe sax) and keys through them for a low-med volume jazz quartet. What do you think? I was kind of thinking about running everything into my little yamaha mixer and than using two AI amps (I have three) as dedicated power for each B-1. Is this a CRAAAAAZZY idea?

W
Click to expand...

i've done this for coffeehouses and cafes, and works like a charm. really, you'd be surprised at how much they put out the low end and everything else you wish. add in something like a nice dBX driverack PA, and prepare to be stunned.
 
#244
While building a 12 x 30 deck during these "holidays"(??), tunes would be handy. Studio-quality would be better. Why use a cheap jambox when this works MUCH better?
AcmeDek01Fxd.jpg

Triumverat, Camel, Dixie Dregs Live, Kutless, E. Power Biggs, Nightwish, Clatter, Misc. Metal...
AcmeDek02Fxd.jpg
 
#245
Allright, I am hearing that a 4ohm B4 needs atleast 1200 watts or so to really start singing. I play really hard and my drummer is like animal from the muppets so I need that volume. What is the max that these cabs will take. Check out some photos of my rig at "saevusband.com"
 
#246
wellgo said:
Allright, I am hearing that a 4ohm B4 needs atleast 1200 watts or so to really start singing.
Click to expand...
I totally disagree. They are more power hungry than most of their 4x10 brethren, but they really sound quite nice with far less than 1200 watts. In fact, I'd be hesitant to regularly put that kind of power through them (though it should be mentioned that I'm driving my 8ohm B2 with a PLX2 1804.)

Anyway, there was once a bassist who I gigged with a couple times who used an SWR SM-900 into a series 1 B4. His rig was what totally sold me on Acme.

"Animal" or not, 1k watts through a B4 has the capability to bury an unamplified drummer.
 
#249
SMASH said:
I think putting massive power into these is how so many people get creased cones.
Click to expand...

I disagree - it's the combination of massive power and too much bottom - usually the result of bass boost.

msquared said:
"Animal" or not, 1k watts through a B4 has the capability to bury an unamplified drummer.
Click to expand...

Assuming the tone you're putting into them is the kind of tone that gets heard and not some overly scooped boom and click...

Alex
 
#250
Andy asked what kind of amp & power per cab I'd be using. When I mentioned the QSC2402(700 watts in a 2 x 10) he did say to be careful to which I agreed and responded that I'd had SVT's(with 2 8x10 cabs) that never got turned up past 10 or 11 o'clock because I value my gear and my hearing. We both agreed that not everyone can drive a 'Vette without wrapping it around a tree.

I use the 50 Hz filter(Thunderbirds have some to spare) and keep an eye on the levels.
 
#251
Johnny Crab said:
I use the 50 Hz filter(Thunderbirds have some to spare) and keep an eye on the levels.
Click to expand...

Useful thing I've discovered about these filters. With a sealed cab the cone excursion quadruples every time you halve the frequency. However, with a ported cabinet the cone excursion is the same until the port comes into play and then as the frequency decreases, the cone excursion increases at a slower rate than you'd expect, then stops increasing and then starts to decrease reaching practically zero excursion at the tuning frequency. Below the tuning frequency the excursion then increases hugely.

So in the case of the Acmes which have a tuning frequency of 30Hz, the excursion at 30Hz is minimal. Maximum excursion is likely to be closer to 60Hz, and then it decreases as you head downwards.

Therefore, if you want to get maximum output from the Acmes, you're much better off having your low cut filter set at 30Hz than at 50Hz, to protect the Acmes from frequencies below the tuning frequency whilst also taking advantage of the high output between 30 and 50Hz.

This makes more difference with 5-string basses, where knocking out the low note fundamentals puts more strain on the Acmes in the second harmonic area where it is least able to cope, but I've noticed a difference from A down to E on the 4-string, in that the extra bottom from the fundamental fills out the tone without demanding more bass from 80-100Hz.

I know people talk a lot about the low note fundamentals being muddy, unnecessary, boomy etc but I'm definitely finding that with the right bass and rig you can actually end up with a fatter clearer tighter rounder sound by spreading the bass output between the fundamental and second harmonic and thus having bottom between 30 and 120Hz instead of it all being forced to come from the 60 to 120Hz area where you're more likely to collide with kick, keys and guitar.

Alex
 
#254
Hey guys and gals, I am on my way to melting another power amp with my B4. I had a Crown XLS 402 but it clipped 10,000 too many times. I switched to a QSC RMX 1450 and this thing still clips. It does slighty better but I can't get the cabinet loud enough without seeing those frightful red lights glowing. For anyone that plays aggresive music through a B4 please let me know what amp matches well for you.
 
#258
wellgo said:
Hey guys and gals, I am on my way to melting another power amp with my B4. I had a Crown XLS 402 but it clipped 10,000 too many times. I switched to a QSC RMX 1450 and this thing still clips. It does slighty better but I can't get the cabinet loud enough without seeing those frightful red lights glowing. For anyone that plays aggresive music through a B4 please let me know what amp matches well for you.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you have too little midrange and too much bottom in the sound you're feeding the cab.

You could also be suffering from your cab being in the wrong place relative to the room boundaries, so all that bottom you're putting out is being cancelled by out of phase reflections.

Also, like all speaker cabs, the sound is somewhat directional - 4x10"s are a lot shorter than the average bass player - consider tilting the cab up somewhat to get the sound to your ears.

I'm sure this rig can go loud enough for you, just a question of using it right.

Alex
 
#259
OMG. I just got a used Acme B4 cab and I love it! I hear minor nuances in the tones from my setup that I've never heard from any bass rig before. Now I too understand what is meant when you guys have talked about "taking the shades off!"

(And no, I don't have the subharmonic function activated on the Ashdown! ha!)

I want another asap! And lots more power! All you non-believers, please go about your business and leave those Acme bargains to us! ;-)


Anyone running a Carvin B1500 with Acmes? It would only be about $100 more than a nice power amp and would allow me to sell off my Ashdown pre to offset the expense!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back