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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

#1,041
OK, since putting together a Jule Monique rig last August, I have been researching new cabs for my rig. I knew I wanted a pair of 12s. I was also looking closely at weight, wanting to shed a few pounds compared to the Aguilar GS112’s that I currently gig with.

I actually became interested in the Bergantino CN112. Then I started looking at the Baer ML112. I read all of the post of the above mentioned cabs. The Baer really got my attention due to the mid-driver configuration (no tweet) and the 38 pound weight.

Then I saw a post of the Hathor 1203. This really got my attention! A compact, light cab, with a 12 and a 3, plus good power handling. Another plus was the finish on the cabs. I’m not really fond of going back to tolex if I don’t have to. The placement of the handle is also a plus.

At this point, a pair of 1203s has got my total attention. It seems to be on the same plane as the ML112 but with differences. I also like the lower weight and the DuraTex finish.

The audio clips that NoStatic posted here REALLY helped. The tone and volume he was achieving without the single cab seeming to strain or being pushed at all really gave me a good idea of this cabs live characteristics.

So, I play passive Precisions (mostly) and Jazz basses, I don’t use effects, no slapping. I like a smooth solid, clear sound. No mud! Currently with my Monique, the Sensitivity rarely gets past 10:00 with the Precision and not past 1:00 with the Jazz (both in the “in” position). I gig with two GS112s.

Whether using the Monique rig or either of my Thunderfunks heads, I almost ALWAYS (99% of the time) find myself needing to back off on the lows (or bass) and boosting the mids.

I rarely have to play without great FOH support. I don’t have to push my cabs at all. With my current gig, I mostly do Americana stuff, Neil Young, Stones, The Band, Dylan, Byrds, and some Classic Country & Classic Rock.

So with the GS cabs to compare to, give me your thoughts. I am looking for a cab with more mids and less bottom than my current cabs that would allow me to dial in some lows and maybe mids without my tone getting all muddy and lifeless. What’s your thoughts.
 
#1,042
I've never cared for the GS cabs - not nearly enough mid presence for my taste but I know guys who dig them. I had a variety of Bergs and gigged the snot out of the Baers (well over 100 shows). Still really like the cabs, but last night I had a residency gig at a place where we're crammed into a corner of the room. The size/weight of the H1203 is total win. Don't miss the Baer which is saying something.
 
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#1,043
@ dmrogers.....I'm thinking anything less scooped than the GS's will be the right move towards your tone goals. I'm thinking a TC212, a pair of 8ohm TC112's, or a pair of 1203's will do you. The TC's being a blank canvas for you to EQ....while the 1203's already have a little bit of that color baked in. You need to pick what's best for you. However, I can honestly say whatever you pick you'll love. Trust me, I'm a doctor.
 
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#1,048
Yeah I bought a LeCover for my TC112 and it's great. I was hoping someone did the measurements already for the 1203 and ordered covers, preferably from LeCover because they make good quality covers at affordable prices.
 
#1,049
Since Larry at LeCover already has the dimensions for the TC112, this might help:

The Hathor 1203 is exactly 4" shorter, same width, and exactly 1/2" less deep. Also, the handle on top runs side-to-side on the H1203, rather than front-to-back.
 
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#1,051
So I played my first outdoor gig on the beach with my TC112. I used my Nordy VPJ5, Read Custom Purity Pre, and Crest Pro lite power amp.

All I can say is WOW! That cab is the ultimate outdoor cab. Duke it is truly a gem. I've played this place many times and my bass never sounded so full outside. It kicked some serious booty. I had the EQ bypassed on my Read pre so it was just Basically the tone control and pickup blend on my Nordy. My guitarist said it was the best tone I ever had at that venue.

Eventhough I have a pair of 1203's on order (and I can't wait to gig with them), I couldn't imagine using anything but the TC112 for outdoor gigs. It was absolutely tonal bliss. With every note I hit, the cab spit out such meat behind the note, excellent clean bass response. The feel of the cab was incredible. Btw, I left the ports out because I really wanted to open the amp up and see what the cab could do.

I highly recommend 1000 percent Duke's TC112 V1 cab. Absolutely fantastic and it is a keeper for sure!!

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1402280197.339636.jpg
 
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#1,053
I haven't A/B'd them directly, but from memory, the tonal character of the TC112 (I have v.1, no AF) and the TC212 (also v.1, no AF) is basically the same, but because the 212 has 2 woofers, it goes lower and has more low-end authority than the TC112 as I recall. The top end seemed the same. Hope this helps. Great cabs whichever you choose.
 
#1,054
it's been a while, but i thought the tc112 felt more focused and more controllable. the tc212 felt more massive, but also felt like you were ggonna have to be careful about definition. at least for the way i play. my guess is for a bigger, louder thing, it might be the shizzle. since i mostly play smaller group jazz stuff with horn players, i can't get to crazy and tend to need more focus and control when i do get crazy.

if that makes any sense.
 
#1,055
That's kind of what I expected. The reason I ask is that Passinwind had intimated vaguely that there were some differences. I've gone with the TC212, just heard from Duke and it looks like it's shipping out tomorrow! Now I just need Demeter to ship my amp and I should be in tone heaven!
 
#1,056
Marial said:
That's kind of what I expected. The reason I ask is that Passinwind had intimated vaguely that there were some differences. I've gone with the TC212, just heard from Duke and it looks like it's shipping out tomorrow! Now I just need Demeter to ship my amp and I should be in tone heaven!
Click to expand...

Should be a great rig Fritz. I haven't heard the second version TC212 yet, hence my vagueness regarding the early production one I did hear, which I think may have been the very first 212 Duke built, or at least showed anyone. Tweeters matter a whole lot to me and the compression driver in the 212 I did hear was outstanding, FWIW. That driver would be complete overkill in a 112 though.
 
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#1,057
maisbass said:
So I played my first outdoor gig on the beach with my TC112. I used my Nordy VPJ5, Read Custom Purity Pre, and Crest Pro lite power amp.
All I can say is WOW! That cab is the ultimate outdoor cab.
Click to expand...

Great to hear it's working for you!

The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is how powerful that amp can be (depending on how you have it configured). Let me explain:

The good thing about the TC112 is, it can be pushed hard without farting out. And the bad thing about the TC112 is, it can be pushed hard without farting out. In other words, fart-out gives warning that you're starting to push the cab past its comfort zone, and I can't say for sure that the TC112 will fartout before the voice coil overheats.

What will happen is, the cab will start to compress... that is, you won't have as much dynamic headroom as you should have, as the voice coil gets real hot. Unfortunately, this is a lot harder to notice than fartout. But if you know the cab is being pushed hard, just pay attention for the onset of thermal compression, and back off a bit when you hear it.

The reason I try to design cabs with ports both above and below the woofer magnet is, to get some chimney effect cooling... that is, hot air tends to exit via the upper port(s), drawing cooler ambient air into the lower port(s). I don't know how much real-world difference this makes.

I went into a bit more detail about the evils of thermal compression in another thread. Here's the link:

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/demeter-vtbp-m-800d-namm.1049089/page-28#post-15957712

The phenomenon that causes chuffing - turbulence, primarily at the inner end of the port tube - helps to mix up the warm and less-warm air inside the enclosure, which generally facilitates cooling. Imo there are too many sonic downsides to chuff-prone ports for me to use that technique for thermal management, but thought I'd pass that along just for fun.

Passinwind said:
Should be a great rig Fritz. I haven't heard the second version TC212 yet, hence my vagueness regarding the early production one I did hear, which I think may have been the very first 212 Duke built, or at least showed anyone. Tweeters matter a whole lot to me and the compression driver in the 212 I did hear was outstanding, FWIW. That driver would be complete overkill in a 112 though.
Click to expand...

The compression driver used in the TC212 has shown up in quite a few of my high-end home audio designs, as well as in all of my custom studio monitors so far. So it's pretty decent.

The combination of stock 3012LF woofers and decent internal volume results in the TC212 having a bit more low-end energy than my 112 cabs, not to mention the greater SPL from having two woofers instead of one.
 
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#1,060
DukeLeJeune said:
The compression driver used in the TC212 has shown up in quite a few of my high-end home audio designs, as well as in all of my custom studio monitors so far. So it's pretty decent.
Click to expand...

I think it's perfect in the TC112 for what I want that class of cab to do, for sure.
 

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