Acme Users Unite!!!

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Fixed that for you.

Perhaps, but my experience with using a B2 along with a EVM 15L (in a TL606 cabinet) in a way too loud bar band was that the Acme just couldn't take it and the 15 did most of the work. It's the low efficiency that hurt the Acme.

My point was that even though Acmes sound wonderful, a B2 can only cover so much (and in my opinion, much less than a more efficient 2x10).

 

[msquared]

My point was that even though Acmes sound wonderful, a B2 can only cover so much (and in my opinion, much less than a more efficient 2x10).

Of course.. and that could be said about any 2x10 other than the most efficient 2x10 ever built. I'm not saying that you're wrong, but these statements do deserve a bit of context.

I have been gigging with a B2 for a few years now. I've found that there have been an awful lot of loud bar band situations where it could keep up as well as a few where it couldn't. None of those "couldn't" situations ever made me think that I would be better off with a different 2x10 for that particular gig.

 

[bigbajo60]

My .02...

If what really floats your boat is "accuracy of tone"... you're golden.

If what you're after is either "grunt", or "coloration", or sheer "efficiency" (i.e. - volume), then you're probably better off with another maker's 2x10.

My two favorite 2x10's have been the Acme Low B2 (owned it x2) and the Mesa Boogie PowerHouse (played through it several times).

Totally different, but awesome animals!

 

[wahrocker]

Either one, probably. Problem is, Acmes only get so loud, no matter how much power you throw at them. How loud do you play?

I play rock and funk, with a loud drummer

 

[BassmanPaul]

I play rock and funk, with a loud drummer

A pair does all I need. Or did I already say that? Long thread.

Paul

 

[abarson]

Hey guys, just wanted to ask something about the Acmes. I own one and play bass through it, and I was wondering (after reading how people use it as a PA speakers, playing CDs through them etc.) is it really good for those stuff or is a cab only for bass?

I m the singer of this new band and I was wondering if I can use it for my voice instead of buying a new active PA speaker, and maybe in near future as a cab for my sons electric guitar through his electric guitar preamp!? Can it work like any other professional non-bass cab?

Any thoughts? Cheers.

I heard an Irish party band use a pair of B1's as PA cabs, and it sounded great! That said, the band played only acoustic instruments and added vocals.

 

[mntngrown]

two 4 ohm B-2s driven by a shuttlemax12, and a lousy photographer playin the bass.

 

[mntngrown]

I play rock and funk, with a loud drummer

Classic rock, funk blues in medium venues with a heavy handed drummer and a second band that has a screamin SRV Hendrix guitar player. The Genz SM12 at 600 watts per cab is excellent through the 2 4 ohm Acme B2's but I do have a custom fEarful style 1515/66 on it's way for unsupported outdoor and large hall gigs. Bought one of my Acmes from a young player who managed to crease both tens pushing them too hard. Got an essentially new cab for 300.00.
Don't expect 1 cab to rock a bar gig with a guitar player who insists on tube breakup through 12's and a loud drummer.

 

[MCN]

two 4 ohm B-2s driven by a shuttlemax12, and a lousy photographer playin the bass.

Hey, what are you doin' with my rig?

But seriously, what eq settings are working for you?

 

[JoshuaTSP]

I haven't seen too much talk about the B4 cabs in this huge thread.....

....I just bought a pair of them.

Does anyone play with OD or gain with the Acme cabs?

Can you turn down the tweeter enough to avoid harshness?
Will attenuating the tweeter substantially, blow anything?

Right now, I'm playing a 800RB into a SWR 2x15 (with kappalites).
Will the acme cabs be drastically different?

 

[bassbrock]

I haven't seen too much talk about the B4 cabs in this huge thread.....

....I just bought a pair of them.

Does anyone play with OD or gain with the Acme cabs?

Can you turn down the tweeter enough to avoid harshness?
Will attenuating the tweeter substantially, blow anything?

Right now, I'm playing a 800RB into a SWR 2x15 (with kappalites).
Will the acme cabs be drastically different?

I've played fuzz and high gain overdrive (specifically from my Aguilar Tone Hammer "AGS" circuit) into the Low B4 cabs you've just bought.

I always ran all my Acme's full range with no attenuation on the tweeters or midrange driver. If you chooose to attenuate the tweeter, all that will blow if too much power is given is the light bulb inside that acts as a fuse. The attenuators themselves also turn energy into heat so they can possibly blow. It is pretty simple to get to, just remove one speaker and replace it. That being said, I only blew a bulb once after several years of Acme ownership, and that was with feedback when I turned my bass around and the tweeter and my pickup were in line with one another. Bulb protected the tweeter - that was in a Low B2.

To my ears, Acmes are pretty flat and balanced sounding. I found that they only put out what you put in them and didn't particularly accent any group of frequencies over the other, or attenuate any either. You'll love 'em!

 

[JoshuaTSP]

I've played fuzz and high gain overdrive (specifically from my Aguilar Tone Hammer "AGS" circuit) into the Low B4 cabs you've just bought.

Whew....that's good to hear...since it seems like most people aren't using gain or playing heavier music.

In the band I'm in, I use fuzz or dirt 85% of the time.

I always ran all my Acme's full range with no attenuation on the tweeters or midrange driver. If you chooose to attenuate the tweeter, all that will blow if too much power is given is the light bulb inside that acts as a fuse. The attenuators themselves also turn energy into heat so they can possibly blow. It is pretty simple to get to, just remove one speaker and replace it. That being said, I only blew a bulb once after several years of Acme ownership, and that was with feedback when I turned my bass around and the tweeter and my pickup were in line with one another. Bulb protected the tweeter - that was in a Low B2.

So over attenuating could lead to possible problems?

I've never really used a cab with mid-range drivers.
My 2x15 has a tweeter, but I've never turned it on.

To my ears, Acmes are pretty flat and balanced sounding. I found that they only put out what you put in them and didn't particularly accent any group of frequencies over the other, or attenuate any either. You'll love 'em!

Anything has got to be better than my 2x15.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

Plus, how loud do you people play?

How can the cab not be loud enough?
Maybe I won't discover this until I get the cabs and learn for myself?

Using the 800RB and 2x15.....I've never had a situation where I have needed more volume?

 

[bassbrock]

No I don't think you can over-attenuate, only over power. And it takes a lot to overpower an Acme. My power amp of choice was the Behringer EP2500 - have three of them, all used in various setups with the total of seven Acme cabs I have owned over the last few years. And with that power, never had a problem blowing the crossover, the tweeter protection bulb nor the attenuators. And I play about 50/50 clean/dirt depending on the song.

Regarding volume: Never had an issue obtaining performance/gig/war level volumes from any of my Acme cabs. The least I powered them with was from a 250W@8ohms Crown power amp I had... it would occasionally clip at higher volumes, but that was the amp, not the cabs. I never found the Acmes to be as power hungry as others around here have experienced. After a certain amount of power, power compression comes into play. An Acme cab is less sensitive that some, but not by much.

Anything has got to be better than my 2x15.

+1 - You are in for a treat. I hate that I had to sell mine... I'll get more someday. I'm selling my made in USA G&L L-2500 as well to pay some bills. I'm reduced to a Mackie SRM450 as my 'bass monitor' and a a cheap SX BG205 for the time being. Times will improve, I know it.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

No I don't think you can over-attenuate, only over power. And it takes a lot to overpower an Acme. My power amp of choice was the Behringer EP2500 - have three of them, all used in various setups with the total of seven Acme cabs I have owned over the last few years. And with that power, never had a problem blowing the crossover, the tweeter protection bulb nor the attenuators. And I play about 50/50 clean/dirt depending on the song.

That's good.....I like a nice clear warm tone....
I'd hate to be stuck with overbearing shrill highs.

Seems like a lot of Acme owners run a preamp/power amp set up.
Never ventured into that realm at all.

Although, one could run an amp into one cab, and line out from the amp into a power amp for the other cab?
(I suppose, at that point it's probably easier, lighter and more efficient to just get a preamp and power amp rig)

Regarding volume: Never had an issue obtaining performance/gig/war level volumes from any of my Acme cabs. The least I powered them with was from a 250W@8ohms Crown power amp I had... it would occasionally clip at higher volumes, but that was the amp, not the cabs. I never found the Acmes to be as power hungry as others around here have experienced. After a certain amount of power, power compression comes into play. An Acme cab is less sensitive that some, but not by much.

I'm going to talk out my butt here....for while.....

After some research, I've discovered that my 2x15 has a sensitivity rating of 100-103dB.

A single B4 is rated at 96dB....adding a 2nd B4 would bump it up to 99dB. If I'm not mistaken?

Should all be within the same volume ballpark......on paper.

Will I notice much change?
How much quieter is 4db difference anyway?

+1 - You are in for a treat. I hate that I had to sell mine... I'll get more someday. I'm selling my made in USA G&L L-2500 as well to pay some bills. I'm reduced to a Mackie SRM450 as my 'bass monitor' and a a cheap SX BG205 for the time being. Times will improve, I know it.

My 2x15 has little to no high end response.
It was hard to deal with until I got the 800RB.

Thanks again sir.
They are going to a good home.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Are you planning on running both B4s from the 300 watt amp of your RB800? That might not be enough juice...

 

[JoshuaTSP]

Are you planning on running both B4s from the 300 watt amp of your RB800? That might not be enough juice...

For amps, I have the 800RB, a 700RB, a 100w Traynor tube amp, and a Mesa M2000.

Not sure which will sound best for me?
(I have the Mesa up for sale...but I may hold on to it until the cabs show.)

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about it.

I could always sell all of the above, and get something beefier?


-I don't completely understand why the Acme cabs are any different than other cabs?
300w is more than enough power normally?

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

...

-I don't completely understand why the Acme cabs are any different than other cabs?
300w is more than enough power normally?

It's my understanding that there are three "L"s that have to be balanced in loudspeaker design: Little, Loud and Low.

Acmes are capable of producing lots of Low bass and they're relatively Little in size...consequently, they're not very Loud relative to other cabinets. To make up for this, and you can only go so far, you have to use a lot more power.

If you look at www.acmebass.com, Andy recommends up to 500 watts for a single B2... A B4 would probably like more!

 

[JoshuaTSP]

Maybe I can power one cab with the M2000 and line out to a power amp....to power the other? (since I have a power amp sitting around)

So Acme cabs don't work well with tube amps?

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

...So Acme cabs don't work well with tube amps?

Define well. Could sound great, just not clean and loud..