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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
TC212 users.....
Any comments of your likes/dislikes about this particular cab would be appreciated. Also, would like to know what version y'all have. And how it stacks up with any AudioK cabs you might own now, or have owned in the past. Really on the fence with this particular cab. I'm thinking I "need" a 4ohm 112 for small combo work and rehearsal. Then keep the 212 on reserve for the times when a single 12 just won't cut it. Thoughts?
Any comments of your likes/dislikes about this particular cab would be appreciated. Also, would like to know what version y'all have. And how it stacks up with any AudioK cabs you might own now, or have owned in the past. Really on the fence with this particular cab. I'm thinking I "need" a 4ohm 112 for small combo work and rehearsal. Then keep the 212 on reserve for the times when a single 12 just won't cut it. Thoughts?
Quick impressions (TC212 4 ohm): It is the warmest (not dark, WARM) and most articulate cab I have ever played through. One thing to consider is the amp you use. I'm using the new Demeter VTBP-M-800D, which is the best amp I've ever used. Period. Where the tone coming from the amp blends with the cab is something I can't exactly tell you because I haven't tried a different head with the cab or a different cab with the head (Silkysmoov and I hope to get together to try some different combinations at some point), but, having used the head as a preamp for recording (anyone thinking about getting this head: I cannot recommend enough springing for the Jensen DI upgrade, just do it), I think the cab beautifully translates what the head puts out.
Playing my Squarmoth fretless Jazz (Squier VM Jazz body, Warmoth goncalo alves/bocote neck, SD Antiquity II pups w/Aguilar OBP-2 pre, Sadowsky light gauge flats), the rig was wonderfully warm, not wooly at all, with smooth, musical, musical highs, rich mids, and lovely bottom end. It's a full-spectrum cab and, simply put, I'm getting the exact tone I prefer.
Now, all that being said, it is absolute overkill unless you need big volume. The TC212 is a beast volume-wise. I don't have the funds currently, but a smaller cab is definitely in my future. Whether it's a TC112 (4 ohm), some sort of PJB, a fEARless F112, or what have you, I don't know yet, but I definitely need a smaller cab.
The only weirdness I've experienced was with my Victor Bailey Jazz V. E through G sounded phenomenal, but the B string produced some farting. My theory is that this was caused by the bass itself, either due to pick up height or some other set-up related issue, or a need for new batteries. The TC212 by all reports has NO problem handling B strings. The bass is currently in the shop so I won't be able to find out for another week or so.
It's also LIGHT. This is an enormous boon to someone like me who has an unpredictably gimpy back. I do wish there was a handle on top, however.
Bottom line? At least with the Demeter head, it's hands down the best sounding cab I've ever played through. I think the best way to describe the cab is musical. It is just incredibly sweet sounding. I don't personally have much use for a grindy, snarly, tone at this point, but I suspect with pedals and EQ it will do that without much fussing around. From what I've read in this thread, for that kind of sound a Hathor may be a better choice, but for buttery smoothness, the TC is definitely the way to go.
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I just chatted with duke on the phone again last night. Between duke and mike arnopol, I don't think I've met two nicer, down to earth guys in the industry ever ( I think I'll add Jason Desalvo and the fodera guys in too). Duke and I chatted for over an hour and all I've ever bought from him was one tc112. I don't understand how he was able to give me an hour of his very precious time to talk with me. Every time I talk with duke or mike arnopol they always treat me like a friend, not a customer. They always want to know what's been going on in my life and how things are going. They are just fantastic human beings and amazing bass cab designers. I just wanted to say thanks to duke for always taking time to talk with me and I hope one day that our paths will cross. Keep up the good work Duke!
So I've been running the TC112-8 at home in my studio, but last night had a gig at our monthly residency and took a single H1203. Funny because at first I was missing the low end of the TC112. Funny how your ears acclimate. But a quick very minor eq tweak on Monique and I didn't notice a thing. Different lineup (again), playing with a guitarist who I only know from another brief project. Trio plus vocals, and the YYD very much at home in straight jazz. H1203 articulate and carrying the room (though there is a tad of bass in FOH)
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Talked to my tech yesterday afternoon regarding my Victor Bailey V and he seems to think the TC212 may not be able to reproduce the low B accurately. He said it's too small of a box. Everything I've read about the cab would indicate it should NOT have any issues (and I very much doubt he's familiar with Duke's cabs), so the working theory now is that the 18 volt preamp on the bass is slamming the preamp section of the VTBP-M-800D, or it was a battery issue. I haven't heard anyone here talk about issues with a TC212 and a low B strings, so it will be interesting to see what happens when I get the bass back this afternoon. Given that the fartiness was occurring at very low volume my hope is that it was simply a battery issue. The rig sure sounds sweet with my four strings...
i have no problem with the tc112 with a low b, so i doubt that the 212 would have a problem. of course, your low b needs might be different than mine.
i was wondering if the demeter was having a hard time with the input or the note.
what happens when you zero out the eq so it's "flat"?
i was wondering if the demeter was having a hard time with the input or the note.
what happens when you zero out the eq so it's "flat"?
I haven't tried that yet, but it's on the list of tests to run. I know others who have had the VBs have swapped out the preamps, so that might be an option if there is a still an issue. I'm a big fan of Auderes.
I think your tech is wrong. I briefly had a TC212 and it had no problem with low B. The Hathor is half the size and handles the low B (1st harmonic iirc).
I do too. 
I suspect it's either too hot a signal hitting the Demeter or it was a battery issue. He's adjusted the action to my preference and lowered the pick ups on the B side a skosh, so we shall see. I probably won't be able to do too much today because we're getting ready for hosting the reception after our son's welcoming ceremony tomorrow morning.
I suspect it's either too hot a signal hitting the Demeter or it was a battery issue. He's adjusted the action to my preference and lowered the pick ups on the B side a skosh, so we shall see. I probably won't be able to do too much today because we're getting ready for hosting the reception after our son's welcoming ceremony tomorrow morning.
There is absolutely no way there is a problem with the TC212 and the low B handling. You have 2 of the finest drivers for low end reproduction (the Eminence 3012LF) in that box, which is correctly sized and ported. Your tech is not a reliable commentator on the matter, although I am sure his knowledge of guitar electronics will be better than his knowledge of cab physics.
+1
I have a TC112 v1 also and there is absolutely no low B issue at all. In fact, I also play synth bass and some of my patches have sub harmonics below what a low B on the bass would generate and it handles it just fine. I have used the following gear with my TC112 with no issues:
Fodera Emperor Elite II (5 string)
Nordy VPJ 5
Korg R3 synth
Monique / Minnie
Glockenklang Blue soul
Read purity / Crest prolite 2.0
Gk mb200
I think your problem may be with clipping the input stage of your demeter pre.
Yeah it sounds like your clipping the input. Try turning down the gain and the master up. Or maybe that bass has a trim pot inside.
I thought the 800D has internal gain/trim. If it is just one bass then maybe easiest to trim that, but if they all do that then I'd adjust the amp.
