AudioKinesis 112 Cab

[jnewmark]

So, from what I gather from reading about what little info on the 212 has leaked out that, it is somewhat different, tonewise, than the Thunderchild, and if you are in love with the tone of the 112, and want to be able to go louder with more power to cover, say, gigs with no FOH, or just plain loud ass bands, then your best move would be to get two Thunderchild cabs for the same price as the 212, right ?

 

[John D Harris]

...

Now, if you could (as was mentioned above), get proprietary 8ohm 3012LF's that matched your current 4ohm voicing, and created a 'Thunderchild 2 4ohm' with the same small footprint, 212 and the same horn for a price that is the typical 20% less than 2 x Thunderchild, I think you would sell a bunch of them!

+1

From Ken's description of the Thunderchild's characteristics, I'm thinking one Thunderchild would cover 80% or more of the gigs I do with my current band (and I might be able to stretch it to cover all of them -- waiting on some significant post-gig reports).
Having said that the 212 Thunderchild version would cover 100% of my gigs with no doubt.
I'd rather do a little extra lifting in situations where I'm not sure about the venue and FOH, just for the peace of mind in knowing I can hammer whatever needs covering.

If my finances allowed I would ideally get one of each (1x12 & 2x12).

 

[JimmyM]

So, from what I gather from reading about what little info on the 212 has leaked out that, it is somewhat different, tonewise, than the Thunderchild, and if you are in love with the tone of the 112, and want to be able to go louder with more power to cover, say, gigs with no FOH, or just plain loud ass bands, then your best move would be to get two Thunderchild cabs for the same price as the 212, right ?

i have no idea tonewise what the difference would be, but i can't imagine they're worlds apart. and for some, maybe two thunderchildren would be the ticket, although they'd need a stereo amp or one that does 2 ohms. but i'm telling you, two thunderchildren is not going to be the same as the 212 cab. of course, it seems like the only way to convince people of that is going to be seeing it, because even though duke and i have said it many times, people just aren't understanding. which, again, is fair...but trust me...it ain't thunder child sr.

 

[Bernie Connors]

Is there a date when the 212 will debut? Or is it still undecided?

 

[naturalkinds]

Let me take this mid-thread moment to give Duke some serious props for not only designing a really cutting-edge cab, but in sharing the design philosophy with us on Talkbass. It's great to see a commercial designer explaining their design philosophy in earnest with the public.

Thanks, Duke!

 

[jnewmark]

i have no idea tonewise what the difference would be, but i can't imagine they're worlds apart. and for some, maybe two thunderchildren would be the ticket, although they'd need a stereo amp or one that does 2 ohms. but i'm telling you, two thunderchildren is not going to be the same as the 212 cab. of course, it seems like the only way to convince people of that is going to be seeing it, because even though duke and i have said it many times, people just aren't understanding. which, again, is fair...but trust me...it ain't thunder child sr.

that's kinda what I said, the 212 is not the Thunderchild x 2.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Is it, per chance, named after the torpedo ram from War of the Worlds?

Aye, that she is, sir! Took second money in a big fight, she did. Perhaps more specifically, named after the song by the same name on Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds.

...for which I have some name ideas, but as they would possibly give hints to the design, I'll PM those to you, if you like.

That would be fine. I have a name in mind, but will certainly consider suggestions... and, thanks for not spilling the beans!

But my head is also spinning with regard to all the different ways to work an MRL or two into either my bass rig or PA.

Just so you can say it in your head the way I say it in mine ( if you want to), I pronounce it "Merle".

That's almost exactly what the El Whappo Jr Costs too... I don't think they sell A LOT of them, but they sure sell some.

My 2x12 aspires to compete with the Whappo Jr.

Is there a date when the 212 will debut? Or is it still undecided?

Soon as JimmyM gets his first cab, it's launched... hopefully by the end of the month, but Jimmy's heard that song before.

Let me take this mid-thread moment to give Duke some serious props for not only designing a really cutting-edge cab, but in sharing the design philosophy with us on Talkbass. It's great to see a commercial designer explaining their design philosophy in earnest with the public.

Thanks, Duke!

Thank you very much, naturalkinds. I am impressed that so many bass players get out of their comfort zones and dig into this geeky stuff.

 

[thudfromafar]

I agree that the Thunderchild is going to be the big hit for Duke. Talkbass gigging man's cab of choice. However, I'm not just a bass player, and it looks like the MRL will be slightly better suited to other acoustic instruments, recordings, vocals, etc. I need a great cab to use with other instruments basically. But bass too if I want. Also gotta mention that I love my fEarful cab.

 

[Chef]

yes!

I think this is a lot better angle than the other 2x12. It'd be as loud as an AE212 or some other high end 2x12 with twice the power handling and superior dispersion =) That there's a big market for.

But, I haven't seen the magic yet that is in the new 2x12 cab.

 

[KJung]

I agree that the Thunderchild is going to be the big hit for Duke. Talkbass gigging man's cab of choice. However, I'm not just a bass player, and it looks like the MRL will be slightly better suited to other acoustic instruments, recordings, vocals, etc. I need a great cab to use with other instruments basically. But bass too if I want. Also gotta mention that I love my fEarful cab.

Just FYI, but having played a lot of 12/6 and 12/6/1 cabs with the stock 8ohm 3012LF in a slightly larger box, I don't think you would miss ANY low end for your usage contexts, and would gain some SPL with the 4ohm impedance (depending on what head you were using). Just IMO, and a lot of IME.

However, one thing for sure is that lowering the crossover frequency of the horn (which the stock 3012LF requires) will result in (IMO) a bit of a wider, smoother,slightly less punchy tone (i.e., closer to a PA cab than a cab optimized for bass). So, in that sense, you are most likely correct. IMO, the main driving decision between the two models would be the ampification choice versus anything else. 500-600 watt into 4ohms, and a desire for a single cab solution..... it would be the TC all the way for me. A dual mono head like the Eden WT800 or whatever that puts its full wump out into 8ohms, and a desire for a more 'PA cab' type response, the larger 8ohm version would probably be beautiful (along with the various 8ohm 12/6's and 12/6/1's available now).

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Ken, do you have any gig reports to share with us? What sort of gigs did you take it on?

 

[KJung]

Ken, do you have any gig reports to share with us? What sort of gigs did you take it on?

Not yet. I've been in San Antonio with my wife all week for a bit of a vacation. Just got back. I'll have the cab out this month.

The cover arrived but is at my neighbors (he was nice enough to grab the box for me when I was out of town. I'll get it today and post a pick after I make sure my measurements were correct.

K

 

[KJung]

Cover fits great, so these are ready to order from Larry at LeCover. Stock padded for the Thunderchild is $45. No LeCover logo is an extra $10, tie down velcro strap is an additional $10.

Edit: I forgot to specify the tie down strap on mine, but it is nice and snug... not really needed.

 

[Chef]

no logo costs more?

 

[KJung]

no logo costs more?

Yes. I'm not a fan of that big LeCover logo on all his covers. However, minor thing, but it is nice that he offers the option to not have it screened on the cover. Best way to think about it is that he gives you a $10 discount to advertise his brand.

Great quality covers, and the delivery time is excellent.

 

[rodneyat]

Yes. I'm not a fan of that big LeCover logo on all his covers. However, minor thing, but it is nice that he offers the option to not have it screened on the cover.

Great quality covers, and the delivery time is excellent.

The cover does not bother me on his stuff. But, I will agree with Ken. It is good quality stuff and Larry is great to deal with. Heck, he makes the majority of the covers that are on the market these days rather they have his name on them or someone else's.

 

[KJung]

The cover does not bother me on his stuff. But, I will agree with Ken. It is good quality stuff and Larry is great to deal with. Heck, he makes the majority of the covers that are on the market these days rather they have his name on them or someone else's.

+1 Very honest cat who does a great job. Another company I enjoy doing business with.

 

[KJung]

Man, this cab is an easy schlepp... a true 'long distance one hander' with the slightly taller, more vertical profile versus most 112's, the much higher quality and comfortable and perfectly placed handle, and the light weight. Really comfortable and easy to carry.

The 'little things' are great... the fact that there is finally a small cab with a handle that is on the top (and hence 'lined up' with the rubber feet on the bottom for schlepping), but that still allows any micro head to sit flat on the top of the cab due to the 'cut out' design. That alone is a step above anything else out there that I'm aware of.

Continues to impress me on every level... weight, tone, quality, volume, low end extension, punch... everything.

 

[Bmorefoozler]

Is the Schroeder up for sale soon?

 

[KJung]

Is the Schroeder up for sale soon?

They are just so totally different sounding that I don't really view one as a replacement for the other. However, if I find that this cab reaches the SPL of the 115L+ (of course, the tone, low end, etc. is totally different), then the 115L+ will probably go.

The 115L+ gets so freakin' loud due to it not having much low end. It works quite well in some of the boomy rooms I gig in that have very difficult load ins (i.e., big hotels on Michigan Ave. in Chicago... ditto with Hotels on Washington Ave. in St. Louis, where you might have to walk a few blocks or more from your parking spot to the gig).

My 115L+ is in a different location, so I can't do a direct comparison, but every bone in my body says this cab will get 'almost' as loud in an absolute sense, with a much fuller, better tone.

That was my typical longwinded way of saying 'probably yes'