Anyone Disappointed with a Fearful

[CDweller]

I have four fEarful cabs. A 15/6/1 and 12/6/1 built by Leland, and a 12/12/6/1 and 15 sub built by Ron Anchak.

I'm only happy with the the 12/6/1 and the 15 sub. I received the 15/6/1 and 12/6/1 from Leland and immediately perceived a lack in the high frequency response. I mentioned this on the fEarful forum, but didn't really get much of a response. I shortly thereafter replaced the Eminence ASD1000 hf horns with BSM (BGM?) 454 somethings (high $$$), which made the 12/6/1 servicable, but the 15/6/1 was not up to scratch tone-wise, in my book. The 12/6/1 has a 6 db switchable pad on the mid, which allows the hf to be heard when the pad is engaged. The 15/6/1 doesn't have enough mid padding (I believe it's 3db) for the too-high (my opinion) hf x/over point.

Greenboy changed his hf x/over frequency to a significantly lower value a few months after I voiced my dissatisfaction after, I believe, he re-examined his hf x/over calculations.

The 12/12/6/1 has no padding at all on the mid, and in my estimation (a wag based on owning three of these critters), it needs 3db.

I have tested these cabs extensively with a Walter Woods Ultra, an RH-750, and a Mesa 400+. The amps are good amps; I just wasn't getting the hf frequency response and clarity I was hoping for from the 12/12/6/1 and 15/6/1 cabs. I could figure out the component values for the mid pads and install them, but I think I'm just going to sell the 12/12/6/1 and 15/6/1- didn't suit my tonal tastes, and I'm not really interested in tinkering with them too much more. I have to admit that the 12/12/6/1 form factor is sweet, and would cover a lot of ground gig-wise...

I have a Thunderchild on order, and hopefully that will suit. I kind of messed up by ordering all of the cabs sight unseen (sight uh, unheard, actually), and hope that I won't be disappointed with the Thunderchild, either. Not saying that the fEarful cabs' tones are bad; they just didn't have the hf tone I was looking for. Certainly they have bass and midrange! I also consider scientific measurements useful for getting you in the ballpark, but you usually have to tweak after all the math is done- durn human ears and person-specific tastes...

 

[guy n. cognito]

Im glad you dug it. Now I gotta find a way to afford a streamliner!

I hated the Streamliner with my 15/6. Way too much of a good thing bass-wise in a gig setting. I found I had to keep the bass cut to about 9:00 just to make it tolerable with that cab.

 

[dukeorock]

Haven't tried a Streamliner w/ my 15/6, but it's a very popular match...then again, I like it tubby My ShuttleMax sounds great with my fEARfuls

 

[Stumbo]

I hated the Streamliner with my 15/6. Way too much of a good thing bass-wise in a gig setting. I found I had to keep the bass cut to about 9:00 just to make it tolerable with that cab.

Doesn't having to cut the bass make the cab more versatile? I mean, isn't that what eq. is for ? Seems to me that cutting the bass tone on your bass would also add to the versatility.

 

[Derek Kiernan]

Genz builds a fair amount of boost into the low end with the knobs at noon. I don't know if it's fair to call it a "cut" when you dial back a bit from there. Unless your aim is to have greater reduction available, is it a problem? It's not surprising the fEARfuls don't need much boost down low.

 

[smeet]

I hated the Streamliner with my 15/6. Way too much of a good thing bass-wise in a gig setting. I found I had to keep the bass cut to about 9:00 just to make it tolerable with that cab.

I also set the bass control on my Streamliner to 9:00, but I think it sounds great with the 15/6/1. Lots of bass but never boomy.

 

[wcriley]

...I mean, isn't that what eq. is for ? ...

I don't understand why so many people here on TB have such an aversion to adjusting anything on their amps other than the volume/gain knobs.

I have 8 knobs and switches on my G-K amp that affect the EQ, and 3 bands of EQ on my basses. Between room acoustics, my ever changing tastes, and the temperature/humidity/pressure of the air, I use most (if not all) of them on any given night.

 

[tycobb73]

I hated the Streamliner with my 15/6. Way too much of a good thing bass-wise in a gig setting. I found I had to keep the bass cut to about 9:00 just to make it tolerable with that cab.

Most people cut the bass back on the steamliner. We had mine cut when we were trying the cab out. With my 210 and 115 together I cut the bass back to 10 and know many others cut the bass.

 

[tycobb73]

I have four fEarful cabs. A 15/6/1 and 12/6/1 built by Leland, and a 12/12/6/1 and 15 sub built by Ron Anchak.

I'm only happy with the the 12/6/1 and the 15 sub. I received the 15/6/1 and 12/6/1 from Leland and immediately perceived a lack in the high frequency response. I mentioned this on the fEarful forum, but didn't really get much of a response. I shortly thereafter replaced the Eminence ASD1000 hf horns with BSM (BGM?) 454 somethings (high $$$), which made the 12/6/1 servicable, but the 15/6/1 was not up to scratch tone-wise, in my book. The 12/6/1 has a 6 db switchable pad on the mid, which allows the hf to be heard when the pad is engaged. The 15/6/1 doesn't have enough mid padding (I believe it's 3db) for the too-high (my opinion) hf x/over point.

Greenboy changed his hf x/over frequency to a significantly lower value a few months after I voiced my dissatisfaction after, I believe, he re-examined his hf x/over calculations.

The 12/12/6/1 has no padding at all on the mid, and in my estimation (a wag based on owning three of these critters), it needs 3db.

I have tested these cabs extensively with a Walter Woods Ultra, an RH-750, and a Mesa 400+. The amps are good amps; I just wasn't getting the hf frequency response and clarity I was hoping for from the 12/12/6/1 and 15/6/1 cabs. I could figure out the component values for the mid pads and install them, but I think I'm just going to sell the 12/12/6/1 and 15/6/1- didn't suit my tonal tastes, and I'm not really interested in tinkering with them too much more. I have to admit that the 12/12/6/1 form factor is sweet, and would cover a lot of ground gig-wise...

I have a Thunderchild on order, and hopefully that will suit. I kind of messed up by ordering all of the cabs sight unseen (sight uh, unheard, actually), and hope that I won't be disappointed with the Thunderchild, either. Not saying that the fEarful cabs' tones are bad; they just didn't have the hf tone I was looking for. Certainly they have bass and midrange! I also consider scientific measurements useful for getting you in the ballpark, but you usually have to tweak after all the math is done- durn human ears and person-specific tastes...

How much does the 12/6/1 weigh? If you want to sell it I would be interested, PM me.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Doesn't having to cut the bass make the cab more versatile? I mean, isn't that what eq. is for ? Seems to me that cutting the bass tone on your bass would also add to the versatility.

It would seem common sense to me that if one must cut a frequency dramatically just to get back to "normal", that they have lost versatility, not gained it.

 

[JdoubleH]

I was just thinking I could probably have skipped the Lpad on my 15/6/1, since I usually just leave it on full (even though it is generally brighter than I'd usually want to be). I just roll off the highs a little on the preamp. I find I can now actually set the tone knob on my passive jazz to settings other than full without it sounding like I'm playing under water.

I have no complaints about my fEARful. I will admit to being surprised how mid present it is. But when you consider that every cab I've ever owned has had a massive mid deficit, it's not surprising it took a little getting used to. Now that I know what this cab can do, there's no going back. Oh and if scooped mids are what I want, eq makes that easy.

 

[MSUsousaphone]

I haven't gotten to mess with mine too much, but I'm definitely glad I got the L-Pad and put it on the side for easy access. There is a HUGE difference from when it's at noon and when it's off. It just feels like so much is missing when it's off.....clean. When I'm playing with dirt, especially fuzz, that thing needs to be off. So much nastiness when it's on with fuzz. I turn that knob constantly.

 

[12bass]

It would seem common sense to me that if one must cut a frequency dramatically just to get back to "normal", that they have lost versatility, not gained it.

That might be true for a relatively flat response amp. However, the Streamliner has a large bass boost with the controls at noon, such that achieving nominally flat response requires considerable EQ adjustment.

 

[CDweller]

How much does the 12/6/1 weigh? If you want to sell it I would be interested, PM me.

The 12/6/1, with its 6 db of mid padding, is the only fEarful cab I'm keeping.

 

[MSUsousaphone]

If you don't mind me asking, if the problem with the 15/6/1 and 1212/6/1 is the mid padding.....why not just add more?

It sounded way too complicated to me before I did my build....but man...it's pretty easy. And I'm not anywhere near skilled with building things.

 

[Derek Kiernan]

That might be true for a relatively flat response amp. However, the Streamliner has a large bass boost with the controls at noon, such that achieving nominally flat response requires considerable EQ adjustment.

It's an obvious limitation of the design if you're into drastic cuts, I suppose, but people historically and currently use Fender amps with tone stacks that requires rather radical adjustments to get anything approaching flat. Does anyone buy an amp with a Fender-style tone stack and then complain it's not flat with everything "on noon"? Not a suggestion, but I wonder if people would be as unhappy if the Streamliner had Fender-style numbered knobs instead for the bass and treble.

 

[12bass]

It's an obvious limitation of the design if you're into drastic cuts, I suppose, but people historically and currently use Fender amps with tone stacks that requires rather radical adjustments to get anything approaching flat. Does anyone buy an amp with a Fender-style tone stack and then complain it's not flat with everything "on noon"? Not a suggestion, but I wonder if people would be as unhappy if the Streamliner had Fender-style numbered knobs instead for the bass and treble.

Perhaps a Fender tone stack makes more sense for guitar, where close to flat response isn't generally the goal? In a few other posts, I've actually mentioned that I think that the Streamliner would make more people happy if GB made the "baked in" EQ less extreme.

On the fEARful front, I'm in the process of building a 15/6/1. When it is completed, I'll definitely be giving it some critical listening time and adjust the mid padding (if necessary) to get things sounding even across the spectrum.

 

[JimmyM]

It would seem common sense to me that if one must cut a frequency dramatically just to get back to "normal", that they have lost versatility, not gained it.

Versatility is overrated. How many different sounds do you go through in a night? Two? Three? One?

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Agreed. I need one good tone and if an amp gives it to me, I could care less about versatility.

 

[swspiers]

Versatility is overrated. How many different sounds do you go through in a night? Two? Three? One?

There's truth to that.

Speaking only for myself, if I'm obsessed with tone and versatility, I'm only concerned with my own ego. If I'm out there trying to 'wow' the audience with my awesomeness and tone, I'm failing the band.

The only things that really matter are: can my drummer follow me, can my guitarist stand on the foundation I lay down and can the singer count on me to be there, but not drown her out.

My band plays everything from Maiden to Adele to the Police to Zeppelin. I never have to touch my amp. I've learned to get my tone from my bass, mostly from right hand position and maybe favoring different pickups.

More that any other cab I've owned, my 1212/6 let's me do just that. Adjust my amp for the room, adjust my playing for the song. I could do the same thing whether using a 7-Pro, SWR, GK or Hartke.

The fEARful seems to just stay out of my way and let me do it.

IME, IMHO and YMMV