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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
Sounds great. I'd imagine that the TC series would be awesome for working with digital modeling gear.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
Just exchanged messages with Duke... my TC118 should be on its way to me within the next couple of weeks. I've been excited about this cab for nearly a year now...
I met Selta and Mrs. Selta at the Seattle GTG last March. He organized the event, and I think it was mentioned in the thread that his wife would be there with her electric violin. Well that was a challenge... the TC118 was in the pipeline, and I thought it might work pretty well for electric violin, so hurried to have it ready in time. I thought it would be kinda neat if a 118 bass cab could do a decent job on electric violin, but it wasn't as much of a stretch as might seem at first glance... Faital makes a very nice 18" woofer that's virtually tailor-made for this sort of thing.
Anyway I have been hoping ever since that one day Selta and Mrs. Selta would have a TC118 in their lineup, and since I'm trying to lighten the load before our move to Texas, the timing was right all around. In fact the 118 that's in my living room (which will be going to them) is the same one I brought to the show. I've used it as a reference for comparing with some far more expensive home audio speakers, and more than once it sent me back to the lab to re-work a crossover design because the darn bass cab sounded better.
Yes, some of those modern 18's are really nice (Faital, Oberton), these don't deserve the somewhat bad name here on TB. I stil want to do a 18+8"coaxial combo 
My first-gen Acoustic Friendly TC112 sounds awesome with modelled electric guitar.
Of course, it sounds pretty amaing wiht my acoustic guitars, for that matter. The Karol acoustic baritone in particular, is breathtaking.
Duke,
I absolutely agree, on all parts here. I approached the TC118 as I would've any "normal" cab at that time. That was my first mistake. My second, and just as stupid, was assuming that no matter what, a bass cab will have certain sacrifices for electric violin. Between the Mrs. and I, we play a host of instruments - my 6 string bass and her violin represent the extremes (range wise) that we normally play.
When I first plugged in with my bass, I was quite, quite pleased with what I was hearing. It took every watt we threw at it and seemed to not notice or care. It took EQ changes in stride as well - going from thumpy, deep lows to bright and grinding with OD mixed in for good measure. At this point, I was already convinced I needed one. I kept in the back of my head, for some stupid reason, "If this doesn't work out for violin, that's fine, I'm still buying one".
A short while later, still high from that experience (of somewhat signifigant note, I've played through various incarnations of fEarfuls as well, and IMO, the TC115 / TC118 kill them), I grabbed Mrs. Selta and had her plug into the same amp I was using (one of Passinwind's creations), and just play. At near range, I was startled. There was no way what I was hearing was real. It didn't sound OK. It didn't sound good. It sounded amazing. The cab brought out so many nuances that I haven't heard in her playing (well, when she plays her acoustic, but not when playing her electrics), with such accuracy and brilliance, but no distinguishable dips or spikes as she floated around on the fingerboard. I walked around and confirmed with Duke (and others), in sheer amazement.
Truth be told, I still think Duke knew what to expect, and was playing coy with me
. In any regard, it showed to me, and everyone else there, that he damn well knew his stuff and could make a killer cab. From that day forward, it was sold. It was just a matter of time before it could "come home". As Duke mentioned above, the stars all aligned recently and soon enough it'll be here. The very cool thing being, my wife got herself into a 2nd project now, so we'll get to really make this thing stretch it's legs with bass, guitar, violin and other instruments. It might ignite a slight war here, as we fight over who gets the new toy. Hey, I smell a 2nd one getting ordered
@DukeLeJeune I think I've read that you are in fact moving to TX. Any idea on an area? I know we've spoke over the phone about a move but I had no idea it's came to fruition. I live in McKinney TX. If you need any help or advice shoot me a PM. Also, I'd be more than happy to show you around a bit (and grab a beer) once your down here. Best of luck on your new move.
PS...you're gonna need to open up a storefront cause there's gonna be a ton of DFW bass players wanting to swing by your shop to try out your cabs!!
PS...you're gonna need to open up a storefront cause there's gonna be a ton of DFW bass players wanting to swing by your shop to try out your cabs!!
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
We're looking at houses in and around McKinney (Melissa, Wiley, Princeton). Gotta have a workshop and no HOA so I can run my business from home.
If all goes well, my wife and I will share an office space in McKinney. She'll use it during the day and in the evenings I'll use it for either bass cab or home audio auditions by appointment (I will be spending most of my time building cabs instead of manning a store).
We will be exhibiting home audio speakers at the Lone Star Audio Fest the first weekend in May, and I'm talking with the show organizers about us possibly doing a bass cabinet room as well.
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svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
McKinney is a great area. Great downtown shops, stores, eateries... Mellisa is some nice country and horses.. Princeton is weird to me.. Its by the Lake BUT we are in a drought so the lake is real LOW.. It gets REAL hot in the summer.. Get ready to pay the TOLL on 121 if you want to go to Fort Worth of the DFW airport... It can add up.... But it beats goig south around N Dallas 635 mess..
I lived in Denton for 10 years. .It too is a great area.. If you dont mind the heat in the summer it will be great. .If a Guy from New York City can adapt here. .anyone can..
Dont forget the Dallas Guitar shows that happen in Spring and Fall. One of the biggest Shows in the USA.. 3 days of fun and music and the Denton Jazz Fest that is each year is a HUGE draw for international and national acts.. I usually get to play it each year.. Hopefully not this year.. They could use some nice Bass Gear stuff there..
I lived in Denton for 10 years. .It too is a great area.. If you dont mind the heat in the summer it will be great. .If a Guy from New York City can adapt here. .anyone can..
Dont forget the Dallas Guitar shows that happen in Spring and Fall. One of the biggest Shows in the USA.. 3 days of fun and music and the Denton Jazz Fest that is each year is a HUGE draw for international and national acts.. I usually get to play it each year.. Hopefully not this year.. They could use some nice Bass Gear stuff there..
Well, a nice big box was just dropped off... wonder what it could be
I had to get into work shortly after that, so no time to open it or anything. When I get home tonight though, you better bet it's going to get some play time
Mckinney is uber nice. I've been tryingt to talk my wife into moving out to east TX. She's not having it. She loves McKinney. Very nice town indeed.
Got the 4 ohm Hathor 1855 today, and had about 30 minutes to mess with it.
This thing can go REALLY low, and be REALLY clear while doing so. I found myself digging the sound of two ports plugged. I can imagine a Dub player going for all four ports open.
Overdrive sounds wonderfully smooth - much better than through tweeter equipped cabs I've used.
I love the sound of the switches in the "full nasty" position - it really sounds like the cab's going to cut through a mix. I can't wait to give this thing a spin with the band.
It can get stupid loud without farting out. The limit light was flashing on my Shuttle 9.0, but speakers didn't sound like they were stressed at all. Hopefully the neighbors don't hate me now.
To top it off, its a lot easier to move around than I anticipated. The handles on the side plus the holes for the mid chamber make it easy to grab, and the whole thing only weighs 14 lbs more than one of my old Genz Benz NeoX 112T cabs. I almost always needed a pair of those for anything other than a relatively low volume rehearsal.
This thing can go REALLY low, and be REALLY clear while doing so. I found myself digging the sound of two ports plugged. I can imagine a Dub player going for all four ports open.
Overdrive sounds wonderfully smooth - much better than through tweeter equipped cabs I've used.
I love the sound of the switches in the "full nasty" position - it really sounds like the cab's going to cut through a mix. I can't wait to give this thing a spin with the band.
It can get stupid loud without farting out. The limit light was flashing on my Shuttle 9.0, but speakers didn't sound like they were stressed at all. Hopefully the neighbors don't hate me now.
To top it off, its a lot easier to move around than I anticipated. The handles on the side plus the holes for the mid chamber make it easy to grab, and the whole thing only weighs 14 lbs more than one of my old Genz Benz NeoX 112T cabs. I almost always needed a pair of those for anything other than a relatively low volume rehearsal.
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Speaking of 1855s, look what the FedEx guy just dropped off for me:
