AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[Thumper]

I've never had to plug ports, I credit the Fdeck, I always use just a touch (1 notch, say 1/12th of the travel), using my 410 (2 210 Markbass), a touch more, say 2 notches), best $100 I ever spent. I use a Gramma pad on wood stages, and always have the Para EQ when needed.

 

[Type-55]

Thanks. The Fdeck might be worth a look.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

First time on this thread in ages, so my apologies if I throw down on some issues that were raised pages back...

On the Markbass thing- the LM II and III definitely have a subtle odd-order harmonic distortion going on in the upper mids. I find it more noticeable at low volume than when they're pushed. I particularly noticed it on double stops up around the 10th to 14th fret...

This comment is not intended as a knock on Markbass heads. I've noticed that the "bark and bite" is actually a selling point for many users. It seems that some people are more sensitive to it than others, and the transparency of Duke's cabs definitely make it more noticeable.

On the Neosoul thing: The Walkabout has a lovely, airy zing that is hard to tame with the onboard EQ. Gorgeous sound, but hard to kill that edge and clarity when you don't want it.

The Thunderchild cabs definitely have a smoothness that would help, but I would be looking at electronics first. Cheaper, and more flexibility available from adding one or more of these options to your Walkabout/1533 rig:
- Empress Para EQ
- Diamond BCP compressor
- Mesa Subway DI pedal
- Tech 21 FR5

The Mesa Subway head is capable of much darker, smoother tones than the Walkabout. Great head, and an interesting contrast to the Walkabout. Would also provide a high-wattage alternative for outdoor gigs, and cheaper than buying a TC115.

The Diamond and the Fly Rig have become my favourite warmer-uppers. They are now an always-on part of my electric bass rig.

I wouldn't look to a compressor to tighten low end- if the blocking the ports doesn't get you where you're going, an FDeck is a much better approach.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Note to Duke, after my first coffee-house gig with an NS Design NXT electric upright:

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you...

Simply no words for how well the Thunderchild 112 with the AF option works in this context. Boomy, concrete block church basement, would have had the port plugs in with my electric basses, but not needed with the NXT. Tone control off and pizz switch down on the NXT.

The enveloping low end, the 3D sense of air from the open ports and rear tweeter, the delightful acoustic detail, the punchy attack envelope, the ability to hear my intonation...

...magic.

The crazy thing, is that I used my G-K Fusion 500 head with the Diamond compressor (compression barely off zero, mostly used it for a little warmth). Not the sort of neutral head I would have associated with amplified upright.

After the first couple of tunes, I opened up the EQ from the darker, more scooped settings that seemed to work at home- Contour off, treble between 9 and 10 o'clock, upper mids at 11 o'clock, and just a little push on the low mids. Tone control at noon on the compressor pedal.

I just can't seem to go wrong with my Thunderchild!

 

[engedi1]

Great comments Steve on using the NXT. I really became a believer in the AK stuff on my first upright gig. I was AMAZED at the difference using the exact same rig and just swapping out my old TC Electronics cabs with the TC115 I had at the time. Totally blown away. For the first time my upright amplified sounded like my upright. Right then and there I learned how much cab's are coloring our tone and how 99.99% of them are designed to make an electric bass sound good with added lows and low-mids usually-especially the TC Electronic 212 which is a very dark cab. The TC line is a game changer for upright to be sure.

 

[Type-55]

Steve is right on as usual.
Interesting comments on the Markbass tone interpretation.
I'm having some issues with my Mesa D800 and my TC-115
composite cab. The eq points Mesa uses for the low mids and high mids reveal themselves as somewhat hard and boxy sounding. I never really noticed this with other cabs. Also the low end is immense so the Fdeck sounds like a good idea.

 

[Passinwind]

I just can't seem to go wrong with my Thunderchild!

Duke has mentioned that a bit of his inspiration for the TC AF implementation came from hearing me play EUB through the original TC112 at a Seattle GTG.The first time I heard the TC112AF v1 with my BSX bass I could tell more or less instantly that it was a home run. I still feel the same way about that 6 years later too.

 

[steubig]

The eq points Mesa uses for the low mids and high mids reveal themselves as somewhat hard and boxy sounding. I never really noticed this with other cabs. Also the low end is immense so the Fdeck sounds like a good idea.

when nostatic and i were doing a cab comparison day, we used the 800, 800+ and a bit of my puma 500 with a mas (something), tc112, hathor 1203 and a subway 12.

i too noticed the boxy character, but i thought they might have some tube simulation thing going on after the pre to make it approximate a "normal" bass amp (or maybe just get the "signature mesa sound").

as usual, i have nothing to back this last bit up.

 

[nostatic]

Steve is right on as usual.
Interesting comments on the Markbass tone interpretation.
I'm having some issues with my Mesa D800 and my TC-115
composite cab. The eq points Mesa uses for the low mids and high mids reveal themselves as somewhat hard and boxy sounding. I never really noticed this with other cabs. Also the low end is immense so the Fdeck sounds like a good idea.

The D800 has a built-in HPF at 30hz. The D800+ has the variable HPF as well.

Are you boosting or cutting? Also, mess with the voicing and deep switch. There are a lot of tones in the Mesa, though it does have some inherent voice (as all amps do).

If you have "too much bass", then I'd probably run the voicing flat (full CCW), deep off, and cut some bass. But you also could try adding the deep and cutting more bass and/or moving the voicing around. I usually run the voicing around 9:00, deep switch on or off depending on the room and situation. Also depends on how loud you're playing.

 

[Marial]

This is all helpful, so thank you. It's still looking like the Quilter may be best for what I'm going for.

 

[engedi1]

when nostatic and i were doing a cab comparison day, we used the 800, 800+ and a bit of my puma 500 with a mas (something), tc112, hathor 1203 and a subway 12.

i too noticed the boxy character, but i thought they might have some tube simulation thing going on after the pre to make it approximate a "normal" bass amp (or maybe just get the "signature mesa sound").

as usual, i have nothing to back this last bit up.

I haven't played the Mesa, but it makes sense as they designed that head for a Mesa cab which adds it's own eq profile to the mix. I found that I no longer enjoyed my TH500 anymore when I got the AK tc115. The TH500 killed with my TC electronics cabs though. The AK cab brought out something I didn't like in the baked in eq of the Aguilar. That's just me though, I know plenty of people loved their TH500 with the AK, and I didn't have the time to really figure out how to EQ it for the TC before I had to sell it int he divorce fire sale.

 

[nostatic]

imho there really isn't a way to eq out the inherent tone of the TH500. In my hands it was a one-trick pony, but I totally get why a lot of players like that trick. There are guys who say they can push the tone around, but I was never able to do it without gutting the vibe of the sound.

 

[monsterthompson]

imho there really isn't a way to eq out the inherent tone of the TH500. In my hands it was a one-trick pony, but I totally get why a lot of players like that trick. There are guys who say they can push the tone around, but I was never able to do it without gutting the vibe of the sound.

I felt similarly about the DI pedal.

 

[adam montminy]

Actually directed toward Thumper, but I'm looking for all opinions on what amp people are using with the TC-115.
I just picked up a used TC-115 composite and using a Mesa D800. The combo has almost too much bass so I'm wondering if I
should try another amp or try a High Pass Filter or a compressor.
All info appreciated.

I don't mean this to sound rude at all, but why not just turn down the bass knob? I don't think I've ever had a problem with "too much bass" after turning down the bass knob, regardless of whatever amp and cab.

 

[adam montminy]

On the Neosoul thing: The Walkabout has a lovely, airy zing that is hard to tame with the onboard EQ. Gorgeous sound, but hard to kill that edge and clarity when you don't want it.

That's exactly how I would describe the Walkabout. I absolutely love the tone for most styles but it is a little tricky to get that edge out of the sound when you want it rounder and smoother. I'm not really into pedals to be honest but I have tried a D-800 and I would agree that it definitely leans more towards round and smooth and I will probably get one some day when I have the cash, just to have a different flavor.

 

[adam montminy]

imho there really isn't a way to eq out the inherent tone of the TH500. In my hands it was a one-trick pony, but I totally get why a lot of players like that trick. There are guys who say they can push the tone around, but I was never able to do it without gutting the vibe of the sound.

I completely agree. I owned a TH500 very briefly and honestly couldn't stand the tone. To me it just sounded like a whole lot of distorted mids and not much else. I couldn't get any smooth, deep tones from it and it always just sounded gritty and distorted, which I suppose must be why so many rock players love it. It wasn't my cup of tea whatsoever.

 

[Marial]

I completely agree. I owned a TH500 very briefly and honestly couldn't stand the tone. To me it just sounded like a whole lot of distorted mids and not much else. I couldn't get any smooth, deep tones from it and it always just sounded gritty and distorted, which I suppose must be why so many rock players love it. It wasn't my cup of tea whatsoever.

I haven't had quite such an extreme experience with mine, but it's definitely wooly and a not a 'clean, deep, lows' machine. The control are definitely different, which is another reason the Quilter appeals to me - simplicity.

 

[engedi1]

I completely agree. I owned a TH500 very briefly and honestly couldn't stand the tone. To me it just sounded like a whole lot of distorted mids and not much else. I couldn't get any smooth, deep tones from it and it always just sounded gritty and distorted, which I suppose must be why so many rock players love it. It wasn't my cup of tea whatsoever.

It's a rock in roll head for sure I was using for upright gigs as well and let me tell you that was a stretch lol.

 

[Thumper]

I don't mean this to sound rude at all, but why not just turn down the bass knob? I don't think I've ever had a problem with "too much bass" after turning down the bass knob, regardless of whatever amp and cab.

That's a fair question. My bass tone was good through the cab only, as my main rig it is pretty much dialed in. It got too "wooly " with the sub on, which is where I made my on-board adjustment on the fly.

 

[adam montminy]

This is all helpful, so thank you. It's still looking like the Quilter may be best for what I'm going for.

I owned the Quilter at one point when they first came out and I would say that it's absolutely fantastic as long as you don't find yourself needing to adjust the mids AND treble at the same time. I suppose if you play active basses with onboard EQ, it's probably not an issue, or if you're using pedals with EQ. I like a little scoop in my mids and a little cut in the treble with most rigs and I found that once I scooped a little mids with the Quilter, I was left without a treble control and it was just too bright for me. Rolling off the tone knob on my passive J was the only way to cut a little treble but I really don't like what it does to the overall tone. To my ears, rolling off the tone knob just eats all of your tone up and makes it muddy - much different from a treble control on an amp. Honestly, if the Quilter had just one more knob for treble, it might have been perfect for me.