AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[McFarlin]

So if I’m going to go for overkill I should just stack another 1533 on top?

I had that 1533+1203 stack right around winter/spring 2018, and only for a couple of months. I moved the 1533 and ordered a Changeling 212.

The 1533+1203 sounded like a fine match to me. When I pressed bandmates for opinions comparing a Baer ML112x2 stack to the 1533+1203 (with the Ashdown ABM500 "flat", meaning shape and e.q. off), the most direct comment was "[ML112] sounds warmer, [Hathor] sounds more punchy".
I think the bright, high-mid heavy Baer was a better match for the kinda-dark sound I get with the Ashdown. That might be where he heard "warmer".

The difference I'm pretty sure we all know is that the 15 driver is more efficient than the 12. I think Duke's previous comments were something along the lines of "212 gets as loud...but takes twice as much power to get there".
I didn't feel held-back by the 1203 when using it with the 1533.

There's a glaringly obvious Hathor family vibe. The difference in voicing, I think, is that the 1203 is more even through the mids, but with more high-mid presentation. The 1533 seems extra low-mid heavy and darker. Duke wrote that what I hear as "darker" is partly due to reduced vertical dispersion with the stacked 3" mid drivers.
Maybe another factor is the flat ABM500 voicing with the 1533 could be a "too much of a good thing" scenario.
With the 1533, I got a strong and quick bap!-bap!-bap! effect with aggressive pick playing, where the 1203 might have been less punchy and a version of grindy that seemed to come from a higher frequency.

I used a Walkabout for a few years before the ABM500. Memory and guessing says the Walkabout might achieve better synergy with the 1533.
If I had to do it again with a Walkabout or an ABM500, I would add a 1203 to a 1533 (instead of another 1533), mostly because I prefer the 1203 sound. And I would like the option/variety of having two different cab sizes.

Also, there aren't many situations where I could really crank two 1533s. I'm basing that assumption on my experience with the 1203 and Changeling 212. Even outdoors (with a WD-800 or the ABM500), just the 212 was plenty.
However, even really pushing it (~300-400W), the 1203 alone wasn't enough on a small stage with PA support.

I liked pushing the Walkabout a bit into the gnarl. I can see why someone who wants loud and clean might opt for a second 1533.

It's worth mentioning again that my comments are based on 3-years-old memory and some guesswork.

 

[Willy B]

I had that 1533+1203 stack right around winter/spring 2018, and only for a couple of months. I moved the 1533 and ordered a Changeling 212.

The 1533+1203 sounded like a fine match to me. When I pressed bandmates for opinions comparing a Baer ML112x2 stack to the 1533+1203 (with the Ashdown ABM500 "flat", meaning shape and e.q. off), the most direct comment was "[ML112] sounds warmer, [Hathor] sounds more punchy".
I think the bright, high-mid heavy Baer was a better match for the kinda-dark sound I get with the Ashdown. That might be where he heard "warmer".

The difference I'm pretty sure we all know is that the 15 driver is more efficient than the 12. I think Duke's previous comments were something along the lines of "212 gets as loud...but takes twice as much power to get there".
I didn't feel held-back by the 1203 when using it with the 1533.

There's a glaringly obvious Hathor family vibe. The difference in voicing, I think, is that the 1203 is more even through the mids, but with more high-mid presentation. The 1533 seems extra low-mid heavy and darker. Duke wrote that what I hear as "darker" is partly due to reduced vertical dispersion with the stacked 3" mid drivers.
Maybe another factor is the flat ABM500 voicing with the 1533 could be a "too much of a good thing" scenario.
With the 1533, I got a strong and quick bap!-bap!-bap! effect with aggressive pick playing, where the 1203 might have been less punchy and a version of grindy that seemed to come from a higher frequency.

I used a Walkabout for a few years before the ABM500. Memory and guessing says the Walkabout might achieve better synergy with the 1533.
If I had to do it again with a Walkabout or an ABM500, I would add a 1203 to a 1533 (instead of another 1533), mostly because I prefer the 1203 sound. And I would like the option/variety of having two different cab sizes.

Also, there aren't many situations where I could really crank two 1533s. I'm basing that assumption on my experience with the 1203 and Changeling 212. Even outdoors (with a WD-800 or the ABM500), just the 212 was plenty.
However, even really pushing it (~300-400W), the 1203 alone wasn't enough on a small stage with PA support.

I liked pushing the Walkabout a bit into the gnarl. I can see why someone who wants loud and clean might opt for a second 1533.

It's worth mentioning again that my comments are based on 3-years-old memory and some guesswork.

The Walkabout through the 1533 sounds glorious to my ears. Just about perfect, really. I guess the only way to know how I like adding a 1203 is to try it. But I might just go with another 1533 or a 1506 (curious to compare those two).

I used to have a stack of 1203s and they were by far my favorite of all the cabs I had tried (and still are, along with the 1533). Only sold them because I wasn’t playing out or with other people at all anymore. Then I regretted it later when I was playing again. I missed out on a few of the 1203s here and ended up getting the barefaced 210, but when the 1533 came up for sale I pounced on it.
Now the place I go to play with other musicians has an ampeg combo, which is not bad at all. So I could just use that. But I guess I’ve just decided, I’m going to get the rig I want, whether I could do without it or not. And that means a stack of Hathors.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

Then I regretted it later when I was playing again.

Aw, you should have said something! I still have one of your 1203s under a TT-800.

 

[Willy B]

Aw, you should have said something! I still have one of your 1203s under a TT-800.

Yeah but would it have done any good? You’re probably not as foolish as I.

I’m really interested in the TT-800. It took some willpower to resist it twice yesterday- one used on Sweetwater, one on here. But I will break eventually I’m sure.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

Yeah but would it have done any good? You’re probably not as foolish as I.

I did end up unloading one of them, realizing I'd never need both.

I can say that the TT-800 plays really well with the Hathor. Sorry I can't save you any money there I never tried the Walkabout so I can't compare. But the TT demos spoke to me in a way the WD demos did not.

 

[Willy B]

I did end up unloading one of them, realizing I'd never need both.

I can say that the TT-800 plays really well with the Hathor. Sorry I can't save you any money there I never tried the Walkabout so I can't compare. But the TT demos spoke to me in a way the WD demos did not.

Man it’s been a while; I forgot you bought the pair.

I actually sold the 1533 as well, to a local TB’er but, he didn’t get on with it. So I bought it back. Close one!

 

[DennyOnBass]

Whoa, totally missed that somehow. I'll have to see if I can get the cash together...everyone else avert their eyes, please!

OK, that puppy is mine! I’ll finally have a pair of Hathor 1203s!

 

[Lowendtech]

OK, that puppy is mine! I’ll finally have a pair of Hathor 1203s!

Nice. Congrats.

 

[SemiDriven]

Yes, it was and it was fun. I will say I discovered the limits of 2 1203's. When a loud drummer and a loud guitarist are mad at each other they won't keep up. The last gig was in a small, trendy, downtown bicycle bar following a solo girl on acoustic. Drummer brought every tom and cymbal he had, guitarist had 100watt twin reverb cranked, my clip light was on continuous...

I tried to imagine myself dragging two 8x10s down the sidewalk into this tiny, empty room just to keep up for a 45 minute set. Like I said, last gig. Now I'm not sure if I even need two hathors.

Hilarious!

Invited back?

Perhaps this is all the incentive Duke needs to make an 8x10!

 

[MarkA]

Yes, it was and it was fun. I will say I discovered the limits of 2 1203's. When a loud drummer and a loud guitarist are mad at each other they won't keep up. The last gig was in a small, trendy, downtown bicycle bar following a solo girl on acoustic. Drummer brought every tom and cymbal he had, guitarist had 100watt twin reverb cranked, my clip light was on continuous...

I tried to imagine myself dragging two 8x10s down the sidewalk into this tiny, empty room just to keep up for a 45 minute set. Like I said, last gig. Now I'm not sure if I even need two hathors.

Hilarious!

Invited back?

Perhaps this is all the incentive Duke needs to make an 8x10!

@nutdog, being that the clip light was on continuously, are you sure that you hit the limits of the cabs and not just the amp? Not saying that you didn't -- or that you want to -- but thinking aloud.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Setting up

 

[/\/\3phist0]

What a killer rig. Was not sure how it would compare with the subway 112/115 stack it replaced. The Thunderchild 115 was a joy.
Clear and present. Crisp with plenty of tight bottom . Left all 4 ports plugged. Rear horn engaged. 8 ohm setting to push the head real goodness. Got just into the tubey bloom, set damping on low, tightened more by raising the hpf on the head, just at the edge of breakup.

 

[Lowendtech]

What a killer rig. Was not sure how it would compare with the subway 112/115 stack it replaced. The Thunderchild 115 was a joy.
Clear and present. Crisp with plenty of tight bottom . Left all 4 ports plugged. Rear horn engaged. 8 ohm setting to push the head real goodness. Got just into the tubey bloom, set damping on low, tightened more by raising the hpf on the head, just at the edge of breakup.
View attachment 4148589

Love the Billy-Bo style bass. Is that a custom piece?

 

[nutdog]

@nutdog, being that the clip light was on continuously, are you sure that you hit the limits of the cabs and not just the amp? Not saying that you didn't -- or that you want to -- but thinking aloud.

This is technically correct, but in reality it was my sanity limit along with the patrons, employees and bar owner. I didn't really ride the clip light the whole time because I wasn't going to risk destroying something in a valiant attempt to drive out the remaining audience.

The cabs probably could have taken a little more power if it was available but it would have been hard to hear the speaker strain between the earplugs and the echoing cacophony of unhealthy emotions being released as an audio assault.

Kind of a shame, as they are good musicians and the music and live show were fun and interesting when it wasn't painful. They pulled all our stuff off the net but here is one of the songs we were working on when it crashed.

Setting upView attachment 4148521 View attachment 4148522

That's a cute little, uh, cab you got there.

 

[mexicanyella]

Love the Billy-Bo style bass. Is that a custom piece?

I was wondering the same thing; that is cool!

 

[slagheap]

There's a TC118 for sale on SF Bay CL, $600. Pretty good deal. I've seen no indication Duke intends to solicit new orders and resume production. Until I know otherwise, hanging on tight to my three AKs.

 

[Lowendtech]

There's a TC118 for sale on SF Bay CL, $600. Pretty good deal. I've seen no indication Duke intends to solicit new orders and resume production. Until I know otherwise, hanging on tight to my three AKs.

I think the same TC118 is in the TB Cl’s.

 

[HotelX]

I wound love to get that tc118. @DukeLeJeune are you ever going to make another tc118?

 

[dave64o]

What a killer rig. Was not sure how it would compare with the subway 112/115 stack it replaced. The Thunderchild 115 was a joy.
Clear and present. Crisp with plenty of tight bottom . Left all 4 ports plugged. Rear horn engaged. 8 ohm setting to push the head real goodness. Got just into the tubey bloom, set damping on low, tightened more by raising the hpf on the head, just at the edge of breakup.
View attachment 4148589

Sparkle, the Dolphin, .... and a Billy-Bo?!

That's some collection!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Love the Billy-Bo style bass. Is that a custom piece?

Yes, I built it
Special Edition Build off - Super Tangerine Billy Bo