AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[Lowendtech]

Covers, eh? I got covers. Covers from all those guys! And from Custom Amp Covers (Tuki's sister company).

I really don't have a favorite, they are all just slightly different.

Custom Amp Covers. These are non-padded vinyl covers so they are some of the lowest cost. But for what they are, they are fantastic. They obviously don't offer the same protection as the more expensive padded options, but these are the most liquid, cat, dust, and grime proof. Liquid will roll right off and cats completely ignore these since there's nothing to scratch. They are not stiff so they hug the cab very well. They are actually very thick. Available in a multitude of colors, with 2 tones and piping available.

Studio Slips. I have the 'clamshell' fully padded covers for my Mesa 115 cabs, as I wanted full coverage. These will be the most expensive (cheaper of course if you don't want the clamshell full coverage). I love them. They may not be as thick as the thickest padded covers from Tuki or LeCover, but they hug very well and fall down flat when you take the cabs out. The outer material is a canvas, kinda feels like blue jeans. The inner padding is kinda like those big thick moving blankets. Available in black or brown.

Tuki. I have a padded Tuki for my Mesa 112 cab. I also got a full coverage zippered bottom on this one. It was a good bit cheaper than the Studio Slips. It's stiffer and a little thicker than the Studio Slips. Since it's stiffer, it does not hug quite as well and holds it's shape when not in use. It's nicely padded with a thick foam, the outside is a slicker poly type fabric. Cats would probably love this one most, but I my gear stays in a cat-free seperate room so I don't know for sure! These are available in any color you want, as long as it's black.

LeCover. I traded for a pair of LeCovers for my GK cabs. Honestly, they are much nicer than I thought they would be. They are stiff like the Tuki's, but it has a more 'fabric' feel whereas the Tuki has more of a 'foam' feel. These also hold their shape when not in use. Available in black, brown, tan, or orange.

Well I said I didn't have a favorite, but I guess I'd have to put the Studio Slips just a hair above the others, but they are also the most expensive. I just like the way they drape over the cabs instead of being like a 'shell' over the cabs. But really, I have nothing negative to say about any of the covers. It's all in what you want.

With THAT being said, I think my next cover will be LeCover. Simply because I want to give him some business, as the LeCovers I have I traded for and the rest I bought so I like to spread it around! Plus, I want a tan cover for my next cab (which will be an AudioKinesis of course). That way I can tell them apart easily.

Thanks for all that info. Very appreciated. I’m gonna need some covers for a couple of AK cabs. Now to decide which covers. The cover for my Baer cab sounds kind of like the LeCover and I’m pretty fond of them.

 

[mmbongo]

Thanks for all that info. Very appreciated. I’m gonna need some covers for a couple of AK cabs. Now to decide which covers. The cover for my Baer cab sounds kind of like the LeCover and I’m pretty fond of them.

Yeah man!

I should add that the LeCovers I have are the thick padded type, not the basic covers.

 

[srcTW]

I've had the best luck with snug fits from Tuki over several purchases (not just for these cabs). Studio Slips have always been a tad loose for me which was a problem when storing the cab on its side in the trunk... YMMV.

 

[noahw1]

Thanks everyone for all the great information. Sounds a little bit like I can’t really go wrong.

@mmbongo thanks for the detailed run down.

 

[MarkA]

I'm hoping that Duke eventually comes out with a single 112 speaker cab. He's toyed with the idea but hasn't been completely satisfied. I love a clear sound leaning towards more vintage.

With that said, I'm sure a Hathor would be wonderdul as well.

Awhile back, Duke made some tweeterless "Thundertots" for TBer @loopee. Perhaps he or she could comment on them more. I don't know if they'd be possible (or practical, if possible) currently -- and perhaps Duke's thoughts on a single driver cab have evolved since. There is the little 46 that he makes -- might suit your tonal jones -- though I don't remember its size and weight.

maybe a hathor where you can turn the 3 off.

...Not speaking for Duke here, but a cab with a lone 12 would require a different driver probably. Also another option maybe Duke could consider is further attenuation of the mid driver beyond what's there already.

I think the Hathor uses a stock 3012 LF woofer (correct me if I'm wrong). From what I understand, that wouldn't be the best candidate for a single-driver, full-range cab, but I could be wrong. I don't know what Duke used in the Thundertots, but some "smoothing" of the response was mentioned in my brief skim of the first few pages after the linked post.

 

[loopee]

Awhile back, Duke made some tweeterless "Thundertots" for TBer @loopee. Perhaps he or she could comment on them more. I don't know if they'd be possible (or practical, if possible) currently -- and perhaps Duke's thoughts on a single driver cab have evolved since. There is the little 46 that he makes -- might suit your tonal jones -- though I don't remember its size and weight.





I think the Hathor uses a stock 3012 LF woofer (correct me if I'm wrong). From what I understand, that wouldn't be the best candidate for a single-driver, full-range cab, but I could be wrong. I don't know what Duke used in the Thundertots, but some "smoothing" of the response was mentioned in my brief skim of the first few pages after the linked post.

Awhile back, Duke made some tweeterless "Thundertots" for TBer @loopee. Perhaps he or she could comment on them more. I don't know if they'd be possible (or practical, if possible) currently -- and perhaps Duke's thoughts on a single driver cab have evolved since. There is the little 46 that he makes -- might suit your tonal jones -- though I don't remember its size and weight.





I think the Hathor uses a stock 3012 LF woofer (correct me if I'm wrong). From what I understand, that wouldn't be the best candidate for a single-driver, full-range cab, but I could be wrong. I don't know what Duke used in the Thundertots, but some "smoothing" of the response was mentioned in my brief skim of the first few pages after the linked post.

hello, loopee here.......yes, the ThunderTots are tweeterless, very vintagey yet modern sound can be had no problem............sadly they've been sitting in my den and hardly used ever since I got them because my band broke up just 2 weeks after getting them. So I use them occasionally in my den for a few minutes once in a while....I doubt the speakers have broken in yet.....I don't remember what speakers are in them, I think Eminence.....Duke should know......I love them still, would be nice if I could gig them occasionally but I just don't gig anymore......they really should be gigged.....

 

[McFarlin]

Glad to hear your comments on the Hathor vs. the Changelling T, @tombowlus. Weight and portability was a huge factor in my choosing the regular Hathor but I've had a few moments where I've thought maybe I should've gone T for the bigger low end. This helps ease my mind that i'm not really missing anything.

I'm officially in the original window of completion that Duke gave me (8-10 weeks) so while I still feel it will be a full 10 weeks before completion I'm certainly hoping to hear something sooner.

I know there's been talk on here about covers; Tuki, Le Cover and Studio Slips. Anyone have a personal preference? Good experience? Bad?

My gigging was sporadic during the second half of 2017, so I didn't get to use it much, but in a few rehearsals and performances the 1203 never gave the feeling that something was missing. I think regarding low end, this fits the quantity vs. quality idea.

Before the Hathor I used a larger cab, similar design, with a bit more speaker surface area; one that is known for bigger-sounding low end from direct comparison to the 1203. Matched with the rest of my gear, the Hathor 1203 gave more of what I wanted to hear.
(FWIW, I played only one venue where I had previously used my larger 12+6 cab. It was a small stage built into a corner of a crowded venue, with PA support. I was standing about 2 ft. in front of the Hathor with no other monitor.)

Also, I could be wrong, but I think "8-10 weeks out" means your build should begin in 8-10 weeks. That seemed to be the timeline for my soon-to-arrive 1533, assuming my memory and math skills are working today.

 

[Lowendtech]

Duke’s been quiet lately so the wood chips must be flying.

 

[emjazz]

hello, loopee here.......yes, the ThunderTots are tweeterless, very vintagey yet modern sound can be had no problem............sadly they've been sitting in my den and hardly used ever since I got them because my band broke up just 2 weeks after getting them. So I use them occasionally in my den for a few minutes once in a while....I doubt the speakers have broken in yet.....I don't remember what speakers are in them, I think Eminence.....Duke should know......I love them still, would be nice if I could gig them occasionally but I just don't gig anymore......they really should be gigged.....

If you ever think about selling one of them ley me know!

 

[MarkA]

hello, loopee here.......yes, the ThunderTots are tweeterless, very vintagey yet modern sound can be had no problem............sadly they've been sitting in my den and hardly used ever since I got them because my band broke up just 2 weeks after getting them. So I use them occasionally in my den for a few minutes once in a while....I doubt the speakers have broken in yet.....I don't remember what speakers are in them, I think Eminence.....Duke should know......I love them still, would be nice if I could gig them occasionally but I just don't gig anymore......they really should be gigged.....

Hello, Loopee, thanks for chiming in. I'm sorry to hear of your band's breakup and the malaise of your 'Tots, though I'm glad to hear that they do get played once in awhile, even if in the den. Perhaps, if gigging doesn't seem to be in the cards right now, you can find some people to get together with -- at your place or elsewhere -- to play. You might even consider taking out an ad for such -- like musical dating -- though, like dating, you'll have to beware weirdos and crazies... come to think of it, I was never that great at the dating thing, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I wonder, though, if you might find some other musical get-togethers in your area where you and the 'Tots could get out to play? In any case, I wish you a happy and musical new year.

Take care,
Mark

 

[MarkA]

@emjazz (and whomever else might find it interesting), here is another installment in the unintentional series Late-Night Phone-Recordings of the Hathor 1203 -- the impetus for this one being the discussion you guys were having about how various switch settings might approximate a single-driver cab.

Little riff played on the neck pickup, with:

1. both switches up
2. top (treble) switch down
3. bottom (mid) switch down
4. both switches down

The recording was made at very low volume -- I live in an apartment and it was past 1:00 A.M. -- with my phone on a music stand, not quite two feet in front of the cab. The resulting file was very quiet and the level had to come up a lot when normalizing -- aside from that, no EQ, compression, or any effects were applied to it. Some EQ was used on the amp -- slight boosts to the lows, upper mids, and treble -- but the controls are all within 15 "minutes" or so of "noon" (straight up). The single port is unplugged and the cab is elevated.

Again, the recording was made with a phone on a music stand, so no claims are made regarding the accuracy of representation/tonal balance, but it should give an idea of the settings relative to each other.

 

[Marial]

@emjazz (and whomever else might find it interesting), here is another installment in the unintentional series Late-Night Phone-Recordings of the Hathor 1203 -- the impetus for this one being the discussion you guys were having about how various switch settings might approximate a single-driver cab.

Little riff played on the neck pickup, with:

1. both switches up
2. top (treble) switch down
3. bottom (mid) switch down
4. both switches down

The recording was made at very low volume -- I live in an apartment and it was past 1:00 A.M. -- with my phone on a music stand, not quite two feet in front of the cab. The resulting file was very quiet and the level had to come up a lot when normalizing -- aside from that, no EQ, compression, or any effects were applied to it. Some EQ was used on the amp -- slight boosts to the lows, upper mids, and treble -- but the controls are all within 15 "minutes" or so of "noon" (straight up). The single port is unplugged and the cab is elevated.

Again, the recording was made with a phone on a music stand, so no claims are made regarding the accuracy of representation/tonal balance, but it should give an idea of the settings relative to each other.

They all sound great, especially for a phone recording. Nice! I think tall Hathor might be pair really nicely with my TC... not being in a band and not gigging makes it unnecessary, but, I think that's the way I'd go if I ever need another cab.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

For me the less reflective bass sound on stage the better, so I opted for the Hathors.
I have a 1203, and eagerly awaiting a 1203T. I think it gives me plenty of flexibility.
1203 for acoustic and rehearsals and smaller venues. 1203T for most of the other
time, with the 1203 sitting in my car if needed (at least until I feel comfortable). and the pair for outdoor and no FOH situations. After my first show recently with the 1203, the keyboard player on the other side of the stage was amazed I was not in the monitors. Happy camper. My LDS 15/6 is almost sold.

 

[Snaxster]

@emjazz (and whomever else might find it interesting), here is another installment in the unintentional series Late-Night Phone-Recordings of the Hathor 1203 -- the impetus for this one being the discussion you guys were having about how various switch settings might approximate a single-driver cab.

Little riff played on the neck pickup...

Lovely music and playing, Mark. Thanks.

Even though I won't comment on what you intended, comparison of Hathor 1203 switch settings, I thought you'd find this interesting in a pomo kind of way:

Working at home today, by chance I was listening to music through my elevated 1-port Hathor 1203 (Mac / Decibel > Blue Rock mp3 in, no preamp > 1-port Hathor 1203, treble switch up). Even with summed stereo, that **** sounds alright!

Taking a moment to check TalkBass, I saw this post of yours and thought "Come on, you have to." So I listened to your sound clip of a Hathor 1203 through my Hathor 1203... which was kind of reflexive, ironic, or what have you. It sounded good.

 

[3rdcurve]

@emjazz (and whomever else might find it interesting), here is another installment in the unintentional series Late-Night Phone-Recordings of the Hathor 1203 -- the impetus for this one being the discussion you guys were having about how various switch settings might approximate a single-driver cab.

Little riff played on the neck pickup, with:

1. both switches up
2. top (treble) switch down
3. bottom (mid) switch down
4. both switches down

The recording was made at very low volume -- I live in an apartment and it was past 1:00 A.M. -- with my phone on a music stand, not quite two feet in front of the cab. The resulting file was very quiet and the level had to come up a lot when normalizing -- aside from that, no EQ, compression, or any effects were applied to it. Some EQ was used on the amp -- slight boosts to the lows, upper mids, and treble -- but the controls are all within 15 "minutes" or so of "noon" (straight up). The single port is unplugged and the cab is elevated.

Again, the recording was made with a phone on a music stand, so no claims are made regarding the accuracy of representation/tonal balance, but it should give an idea of the settings relative to each other.

Sounds great, what amp are you using?

 

[MarkA]

They all sound great, especially for a phone recording. Nice! I think tall Hathor might be pair really nicely with my TC... not being in a band and not gigging makes it unnecessary, but, I think that's the way I'd go if I ever need another cab.

I've wondered how the Hathor might pair with another, or a Thunderchild, or a Changeling, or the tall version of either, or a 1533 -- one reason for the last being that I could set the 1203 atop it sideways, which would make it a good platform for a tube amp (also, the increased efficiency of the 15 vs. the 12 might be good for a tube amp), though I suppose you could set two of the smaller cabs sideways, too.

I've been playing mine, in various orientations, with my MAS 110 sub. With taller feet on the Hathor, it clears the top handle of the sub fine and they make for a slender vertical stack. The sub adds a lot of punch and booty. The two together are a fatter, "juicier" voicing than the Hathor by itself, but, to my (initial) surprise, the mids/highs on the Hathor don't seem to have any trouble keeping up -- with the stack, I'm generally not boosting the lows and am boosting the highs a bit, but nothing crazy. I've haven't taken the pair on any crazy-loud outings, but they've been on two or three pretty loud ones without issue. When I play them together, I plug the port on the Hathor, but I recently tried unplugging it when they were stacked vertically and that seemed to work well, too. With the cabs horizontal, unplugging resulted in more upper-bass/lower mid than I wanted.

Lovely music and playing, Mark. Thanks.

Even though I won't comment on what you intended, comparison of Hathor 1203 switch settings, I thought you'd find this interesting in a pomo kind of way:

Working at home today, by chance I was listening to music through my elevated 1-port Hathor 1203 (Mac / Decibel > Blue Rock mp3 in, no preamp > 1-port Hathor 1203, treble switch up). Even with summed stereo, that **** sounds alright!

Taking a moment to check TalkBass, I saw this post of yours and thought "Come on, you have to." So I listened to your sound clip of a Hathor 1203 through my Hathor 1203... which was kind of reflexive, ironic, or what have you. It sounded good.

Thanks for the kind words, Snaxter. All we have to do now is record me playing through my Hathor through your Hathor so I can listen back to it through my Hathor and compare it to the original sound through my Hathor, through headphones.

What did you mean by "pomo" above? I'm afraid that the term eludes me. Google yielded some interesting results...

• Finnish for help
• Permanent Open Market Operations (via Urban Dictionary, with some interesting commentary attached)
• apple, in Esperanto or Italian; Etymology. From Esperanto pomo, from French pomme, Italian pomo, from Latin pōmum (“fruit”).
• a Native American people living in what is now the Western United States.

...but I'm not sure that any of them are what you intended.

Sounds great, what amp are you using?

(Sigh.) Dude, you've outed me.

I bought another amp (preamp). I would say something noncommittal, but that would only delay the inevitable. It is a Wayne Jones pre -- the two channel one with the XLR mic input (like a giant EA Doubler without the power section). I've had it for about 48 hours. It's what was hooked up at the time. Can't say much about it yet except that it's clean, has a fairly flexible EQ, and that the notes seem to have a healthy weight (not so much, maybe, when played at a loud whisper and recorded with a phone). The gent who sold it to me said that it closely resembles his Avalon 737 (indeed, Wayne Jones cites that as an influence), but I've never played through one, so I can't compare. In this example, I think that anything fairly clean and full-range without a lot of bump-age would've sounded fairly similar (though, of course, not exactly the same).

 

[loopee]

If you ever think about selling one of them ley me know!

I was thinking of doing that a while back but I'm not sure now........I really do love them....I have covers for them too....only used them once (the covers that is)....lol

 

[loopee]

Hello, Loopee, thanks for chiming in. I'm sorry to hear of your band's breakup and the malaise of your 'Tots, though I'm glad to hear that they do get played once in awhile, even if in the den. Perhaps, if gigging doesn't seem to be in the cards right now, you can find some people to get together with -- at your place or elsewhere -- to play. You might even consider taking out an ad for such -- like musical dating -- though, like dating, you'll have to beware weirdos and crazies... come to think of it, I was never that great at the dating thing, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I wonder, though, if you might find some other musical get-togethers in your area where you and the 'Tots could get out to play? In any case, I wish you a happy and musical new year.

Take care,
Mark

Hi Mark.....thanks......Happy New Year to you too and all other TBers.......the reason I don't use them is that the jams I go to have rigs there already, to bring my rig would be superfluous though I'd prefer using my AK's. Also, I'm not getting any younger and have enough trouble carrying my bass and pedal board which is getting heavier by the day as I keep buying more pedals to make the jam space amp sound better. But, yes, I do play at least once a week with friends at a jam space......but haven't had a band in almost a decade now.....at first I missed it but then it was nice not having to carry tons of equipment every weekend.....I have arthritis and a bad back (many whiplashes) so the Tots were just perfect for me....I think they weigh 22 lbs each with my head and bass my rig came to 56 lbs, but my board weighs almost half of that now...lol....but still.....a rig of doom for less than 50 lbs. Hard to beat. Musical dating....now there's a thought....lol.....yep, lots of crazies and weirdos out there, I've met a few already doing audition for bands or selling stuff (effects, amps, instruments) locally......

 

[HaphAsSard]

I thought you'd find this interesting in a pomo kind of way

What did you mean by "pomo" above? I'm afraid that the term eludes me. Google yielded some interesting results...

• Finnish for help
• Permanent Open Market Operations (via Urban Dictionary, with some interesting commentary attached)
• apple, in Esperanto or Italian; Etymology. From Esperanto pomo, from French pomme, Italian pomo, from Latin pōmum (“fruit”).
• a Native American people living in what is now the Western United States.

...but I'm not sure that any of them are what you intended.

Euros to donuts Snaxster meant "postmodern".

 

[Snaxster]

Thanks for the kind words, Snaxter. All we have to do now is record me playing through my Hathor through your Hathor so I can listen back to it through my Hathor and compare it to the original sound through my Hathor, through headphones.

What did you mean by "pomo" above? I'm afraid that the term eludes me. Google yielded some interesting results...

• Finnish for help
• Permanent Open Market Operations (via Urban Dictionary, with some interesting commentary attached)
• apple, in Esperanto or Italian; Etymology. From Esperanto pomo, from French pomme, Italian pomo, from Latin pōmum (“fruit”).
• a Native American people living in what is now the Western United States.

...but I'm not sure that any of them are what you intended.


(Sigh.) Dude, you've outed me.

You're off the hook, Mark. Accidentally omitting the hyphen, I should have written "po-mo":

po-mo informal

adjective
short for POSTMODERN: po-mo literary theory.

noun
short for POSTMODERNISM: po-mo has become mainstream.​

I'm sorry for subjecting you to that. But now we know how to say "help" in Finnish!