Too many very-similar cab options in a product line = consumer confusion = unnecessary $$$ in fixtures, jigs, etc.
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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
- Nov 24, 2008
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- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
That's kind of been my thinking.
Not that I won't ever go back and do a specialized version of this or that cab, but I'm more likely to spend R&D time & funds developing a completely different product, competing in a different category, first.
i guess i'm lobbying for the current hathor. if you start making the taller one, i'll make sure to buy the short one before you do.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
Well since the wood I have on order is for the short one, you're safe!
Have you considered having a discussion with Fender?
Add me to the taller is better camp, thanks.
I have seen some quite tall, narrow, shallow cabs stacked up with no ill effects. So long as the drunks are kept at a safe distance.
Duke,
Thanks for the reply and info on the trapezoidal design. Much appreciated.
I also think it's great that you participate in this forum and Bounce ideas off everyone here and listen to ideas as well. Seem like a real humble guy and I wish you great success. People like you who are attentive to the customers needs and requests deserve it.
Vinny Fodera is like that too. An amazing luthier working with top players, but yet still very humble. He was at my gig last Friday and came up and played guitar with the band I was filling in for. Really good guitar player too. The point is, seven years later and he was still concerned with how I was enjoying the bass he built for me, and said bring it by the shop if I have any problems , or just to say hello.
It's just nice to see that no customer is too big or too small, and that everyone is treated the same. Treat people like that and you'll have customers for life.
Best of luck Duke with your new designs, not that I think you'll need it.
Thanks for the reply and info on the trapezoidal design. Much appreciated.
I also think it's great that you participate in this forum and Bounce ideas off everyone here and listen to ideas as well. Seem like a real humble guy and I wish you great success. People like you who are attentive to the customers needs and requests deserve it.
Vinny Fodera is like that too. An amazing luthier working with top players, but yet still very humble. He was at my gig last Friday and came up and played guitar with the band I was filling in for. Really good guitar player too. The point is, seven years later and he was still concerned with how I was enjoying the bass he built for me, and said bring it by the shop if I have any problems , or just to say hello.
It's just nice to see that no customer is too big or too small, and that everyone is treated the same. Treat people like that and you'll have customers for life.
Best of luck Duke with your new designs, not that I think you'll need it.
I'd vote for tall and shallow. Losing the top handle isn't a deal breaker for me if it is shallow enough and has a vertical strap handle on the side so it carries nicely one-handed like a suitcase. Having a grab point on top is nice for positioning on stage though. Also, if say 20" is too wide to fit the stage, the other guys have too much gear.
That said, I dig the Hathor 1203 dimensions and have been eyeing it as a possible solution for fitting my whole load out in my trunk out of sight (including a 2 bass gig bag). I can't quite do that with fEARful 12/6 cube, nor might I with a taller format Hathor.
That said, I dig the Hathor 1203 dimensions and have been eyeing it as a possible solution for fitting my whole load out in my trunk out of sight (including a 2 bass gig bag). I can't quite do that with fEARful 12/6 cube, nor might I with a taller format Hathor.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
FWIW, I just love the 1203's dimensions. Two of them make for a wonderful stack.
I agree that it is a very nimble cab ! The next step up is the tc112v2 if you need something slightly bigger.
Fwiw I have a couple of criteria based in the way I schlep and the places I play.
First is a complete setup stays in my vehicle all the time (no basses though). Cabinet has to fit in the back hatch space along with other stuff. One is enough as I can load the second for larger gigs. But playing a couple times a week, I don't want to haul everything in out.
I hate surface mounted strap handles. As in hate them. I'm not a fan of the 4-position recessed either. Dukes recessed strap is an elegant solution that is comfortable to carry. Other than that I typically prefer a recessed handle but that presents design challenges on small cabs.
While depth is my biggest issue, width is second. I play some very tight spots. It isn't about how much gear the other guys have. One place I play barely fits a piano trio. Also, vertical cabs put drivers close toe ears and are easier to hear.
All depends on your situation, but that's why I have evolved those criteria when I look for gear.
First is a complete setup stays in my vehicle all the time (no basses though). Cabinet has to fit in the back hatch space along with other stuff. One is enough as I can load the second for larger gigs. But playing a couple times a week, I don't want to haul everything in out.
I hate surface mounted strap handles. As in hate them. I'm not a fan of the 4-position recessed either. Dukes recessed strap is an elegant solution that is comfortable to carry. Other than that I typically prefer a recessed handle but that presents design challenges on small cabs.
While depth is my biggest issue, width is second. I play some very tight spots. It isn't about how much gear the other guys have. One place I play barely fits a piano trio. Also, vertical cabs put drivers close toe ears and are easier to hear.
All depends on your situation, but that's why I have evolved those criteria when I look for gear.
Agree. If you want a bigger Hathor, go for a Thunderchild. Even if it is voiced differently. Too many options in a product line aren't always helpful. The Hathor looks pretty amazing for the size already, and is already on my GAS list.
Sent my Demeter M800D to a friend in need whose head is out for repairs. So I dusted off the WW green stereo for a spin with the 1203s.
The Skjold's tone shines through this wonderful combo!
The Skjold's tone shines through this wonderful combo!
While I did say taller is always better, this cab is designed to perform like a taller cab in a shorter format, so feel free to ignore all this XT business.
Yeah this does make sense..... And it gives me a reason to have both.
TC112 arriving today!
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
There is definitely a taller Hathor cab in the words, but it's a fifteen. It will be 22" tall by 17" wide by 14" deep (same height and depth as the TC112, but 3" wider, corresponding to the 3" larger cone diameter). If all goes well, this cab will be available in 4 ohms, and in two versions, using the same box but changing woofers: Low-E version (won't fartout on low-B, but down about 4 or 5 dB at 62 Hz); and low-F# (will easily handle low-B). Obviously the low-F# version will be a lot less efficient, but it will also handle a lot more power, so max SPL will be similar if you slap a kilowatt-class amp on it.
Why now "low-B" version? I can't find an off-the-shelf 4-ohm 15" woofer that would be "optimized" for low-B in the size box I want to use. Why not just shrink the box for the low-F# woofer? Because then the mids and port wouldn't fit!
Why now "low-B" version? I can't find an off-the-shelf 4-ohm 15" woofer that would be "optimized" for low-B in the size box I want to use. Why not just shrink the box for the low-F# woofer? Because then the mids and port wouldn't fit!
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
None of the 18Sound woofers that I've examined look like good choices for what I want to do. The ones Mike's using have parameters that result in a rather "lean" low end in a small reflex cab, though they work very well in his MVW cabs. Truly great woofers, just imo not the right tool for my job.
so whats the basic difference in sound between the TC 112 and the Hathor 1203. sometimes i feel the tc 112 goes too deep, even with the ports in and i use a ton of high pass filter but still dont really get the definition i want. is the hathor what i want? (i play upright bass).
edit:ive been having good luck with cabs with 10" speakers in them. does it sound like a 12 is just not for me?
edit:ive been having good luck with cabs with 10" speakers in them. does it sound like a 12 is just not for me?
