AudioKinesis Cabs V!!!!

[anderbass]

I've been getting pm's to further describe my 1544, so I thought I'd just copy/past one of my replies here for anyone else that was interested:

Hey man, how do you think the Hathor cab compares to the NV610 in terms of low mid punch and tight, compressed bottom end? Is their any grit to the sound or is it more clean and neutral? Thanks. Chris

I cant think of any smaller/lite-weight cab that compares very favorably to my NV610's low-mid punch and tight, compressed bottom end.
Although the 1544 can be very punchy, it goes both lower and higher, so it would just naturally have less-pronounced low-mids.

The 1544 simply gives a brutally honest reproduction of what your bass, effects and amp gives.
Kinda like what a really good set of studio monitors do.

I dont think the 1544 cab itself gives as much grit as my NV, but Its not as loud, so it allows me to crank my tube power sections up much higher, where I get a much better sounding type of compressed grit, but at a much more realistic volume-level that I can actually use on the stages I gig. (w/o pissing off the soundman)

When I started beta testing this cab, I told Duke I compare all cabs against how well my NV610 blends with my bands mix on stage. I told him that several of the 1544 lower-register notes were boomy and much louder, and that's what I typically dont like about most ported cabs I've tried to gig.

At that point I shipped the cab back to Duke for further mods. He told me he was going to try to make it work more like my sealed cab. And when I got it back from him... It definitely did!

Now I get a very even volume and heft/thickness to most all the notes, up and all the way down my fretboard, just like my NV610 does.

I cant say If you'll prefer the 1544 or not, but I can say Duke has a very fair return policy

 

[ACB0015]

I recall comparing my old rig of Ashly BP41 preamp/QSC MX700 power amp/ Eden 210 XLT cabs to an SVT "fridge" -- had never owned one wanted to see whether I was missing anything. The SVT sounded twee in comparison and weak in the lows. However, I believe the original intention of the SVT "system" was that one would use the head with TWO 8x10 towers, which would change the game. I know it was pictured in Ampeg ads this way and I recall Bruce Thomas playing it this way when I saw Elvis & the Attractions at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, he always sounded great. But you'd have to be Hathor to get people to carry that much around for you in these times.

 

[anderbass]

I do think the "vintage aesthetic" is a big deal for SVT guys. If you can do a grille cloth, that would probably go over pretty well.

I plan to only cover both of the metal grills of my 1544 with grill cloth. I picture It'll end up looking like an old fashioned (upside down) key-hole pattern. Besides appearance, I picture It's outline will kinda signify the key to better tone... Lol

I think It'll look really cool and sugested that Duke could offer this as an option, either using any grill cloth the customer supplied, or stocking just a few of the more common types.

Berg NV cabs? I think that proved a modern take on the fridge doesn't have to have cloth or tolex (although, I do love me grill cloth and tolex, despite the pain they are).

I plan to instal grill cloth on my NV610 too. But I also wanna keep my stock metal grill on for extra protection. Right now I'm just trying to figure out the best method to keep the cloth from rattling against my stock metal grill.

I do indeed appreciate you getting me thinking in that direction!!

There's an idea I've been kicking around that starts out at 22" wide, and I think it would be a better "fit" as an SVT-friendly cab than the Hathor 1544. It might have a rolled-off horn on the top end, with (I promise) no horn nasties. Same as in the TC112, see IntrepidCellist on the subject in post number 87 on the previous page. Do you think that using a horn would psychologically be a deal-killer for SVT fans, or if it sounds good, could they get over it?

A horn wouldnt be a deal-killer for me, but I'd certainly like to hear what my SVT sounded like with its volume knob nooned/power-section heavily over driving. I can tell you your pair of 4's sound awesome like that on my 1544.

Here's what my blueline looks like on the 1544 placed upright:

I've also got my 85lb. SVT positioned back far enough so its not covering either of the 2 the 'sound-holes' on the cabs top. Even though the head is overhanging the back by 3" like this, It still seems very stable, I purposely bumped into my head/cab just like I might accidentally do dancing around on stage. Its VERY stable like this. However, I did have to simply remove the 2 rubber feet from the bottom/center of my SVT to stack on the Hathor like this

(and by the way, I do believe those 6-sound holes in my Hathor do indeed make it much easier for me and my bandmates to hear more clarity on stage)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Ugh. I hate doing grill cloth. I hate spending so much time on something that adds nothing to the sound; I'm just not a visual guy (as you can tell by looking at my cabs!!). But you're probably right.

I think he is right, and after you see my Hathor with Its key-hole grill pattern grill cloth installed, I think you'll agree too.

Read all the illogical, opinion-based, dead-end arguments on TB, and look at how many otherwise intelligent people get sucked into them, including me.

Musicians in general, but especially people into traditional gear, listen with their eyes.

You can get away with a horn if it sounds good enough (which you are obviously capable of), but only if you cover it with grill cloth.

I dont prefer grill cloth because it hides anything, I just think It just gives less of a cold/industrial appearance compared to expanded metal or the round grills Duke uses.

Steve is right about the grill cloth.

I agree.

I recall comparing my old rig of Ashly BP41 preamp/QSC MX700 power amp/ Eden 210 XLT cabs to an SVT "fridge" -- had never owned one wanted to see whether I was missing anything. The SVT sounded twee in comparison and weak in the lows. However, I believe the original intention of the SVT "system" was that one would use the head with TWO 8x10 towers, which would change the game. I know it was pictured in Ampeg ads this way and I recall Bruce Thomas playing it this way when I saw Elvis & the Attractions at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, he always sounded great. But you'd have to be Hathor to get people to carry that much around for you in these times.

I own that same model Ashly preamp and have compared it (w/SS poweramps) to my SVT's, that are fully serviced and equipped with nos GE powertubes. I dont know what kind of condition that SVT (head or 810 cab) was in that you tried, but I can absolutely guarantee you that not all tube powered SVT's/Ampeg 810-cabs sound and feel the same on stage... Its very possible the SVT you tried needed some servicing to get the best possible results.

 

[rpsands]

I have run my Hexavalve dimed into my TC115 and the horn is no issue from a sound pesrpective. It sounds great.

 

[ACB0015]

Might want to check this out: Invalid Link Removed Hope it doesn't put a damper on things.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

I wasn't aware of "Hathor Acoustik", but predating that post by several years, D+S Sound Labs came out with a fifty grand high-end home audio speaker called the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I wrote to them and they said they didn't have a problem with me using the name for my bass cab.

After reading ACB0015's post I tried to look up contact information for Hathor Acoustik so I could see if they are okay with my use of the word, but they no longer have a website, so I assume they won't be objecting.

A far more obscure use of the word is, the name of a character I played in a low-budget movie "released" in 2006.

 

[anderbass]

Um... I'm sure I'm mistaken, but it kinda looks like yer loading a bong there in your new avitar pic Duke

 

[kringle77]

Duke, on the 1512, are both drivers run fullrange to get some breakup, or is there a highpass/lowpass thing happening? I would think that a crossed over setup would be very clean and a fullrange would be more bass cab like.

 

[babebambi]

You do know that Duke is world renown for (being overly obsessive about, just kidding) his crossover design, right?

I can't imagine any of his cab design without a crossover.
I bet crossover design being the first thing in his mind when he wants to make a cab.

 

[rpsands]

Duke, on the 1512, are both drivers run fullrange to get some breakup, or is there a highpass/lowpass thing happening? I would think that a crossed over setup would be very clean and a fullrange would be more bass cab like.

the 12 is a guitar twelve it'll break up if you look at it funny.

 

[Bmorefoozler]

the 12 is a guitar twelve it'll break up if you look at it funny.

I'd say it's safe to assume that the 12 has a Hipass for sure. The 15? That may be dukes secret.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Um... I'm sure I'm mistaken, but it kinda looks like yer loading a bong there in your new avitar pic Duke

Ummm, like no, no way dude... that's solder smoke... yeah... and I hardly ever inhale, and if I do and like hold my breath, it's totally by accident...

You do know that Duke is world renown for (being overly obsessive about, just kidding) his crossover design, right?

I can't imagine any of his cab design without a crossover.
I bet crossover design being the first thing in his mind when he wants to make a cab.

Good call! I'm like the dude whose only tool is a hammer, so if the situation doesn't look like a nail, I don't know what to do about it...

There is indeed a crossover, and I'd like to keep what I'm doing there under my hat for now... that kinda builds the mystique, you know...

There's a switch on the back that allows you to toggle between two voicings, the one being quite upper-mid (2.5k ballpark) prominent, and the other still aggressive but not as much upper-mid prominent. And of course there's some crossover circuitry going on with that.

But the real secret is the solder smoke...

 

[Chef]

Duke; I love you man!
I hadn't laughed all day, and this really got me good, thanks <3

I'm like the dude whose only tool is a hammer, so if the situation doesn't look like a nail, I don't know what to do about it...

 

[KJung]

Had a great weekend with the new TC115 Composite Compact. Saturday was the first time I really pushed it with the Aguilar TH500. Large band (three singers, bass, drums, guitar, keys, imbedded DJ), partying crowd and a very 'dry' room.

I've played this room many times with various cabs, including my AE212. The low end of the TC115 is really something. Absolutely NO fall off going down the B string, and no compression when really digging in at high volumes. Bigger and rounder down low than the AE212, but a bit more relaxed up top (and 2/3rds the size and weight).

I was using the Aguilar TH500 and the Nordy VP5. VERY fat and warm, but still nice note separation. In this 'dry' room (lots of carpets, wood, draperies, low ceilings and packed with people), the top end was pretty relaxed (partially due to the nature of the TH500), but it worked really well with the P.

Amazing how small and light that cab is, and how much 'bigger' it sounds than most traditional production cabs (even very good large ones), and also how nicely voiced the low end is (big, but controlled and 'fat' sounding, without being 'too much'). Also, the '3db increase' over the TC112 seems right on the money. Noticeably bigger and louder, and less compressed when pushed with 500 watts at the end of the night.

Totally dig it. I'm going to check out my Markbass F500 with it next weekend to see what a more 'modern/clean' sort of voicing will do with it. Fun!

Excellent, excellent cab. As I've posted before, the best ratio of 'wump/size/bottom/weight' that I've experienced.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Thank you very much, Ken! Much of the credit goes to Jerry McNutt, the Eminence designer who designed that woofer (and the stock Kappalites, and much more). He has probably done more to revolutionize (or at least evolutionize) bass cabs here recently than anyone else.

Glad you liked that one, Chef! Occasionally I manage to plagar-mangle-ize something that someone besides me finds amusing.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Something I'd like for ya'll to be aware of: Moderator bassybill (yes, the "smooth moderator") recently went way above and beyond to help me out with something. Here's a bit more about it:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/no-need-ask-hes-smoooooooth-[bassybill-content]-921212/

Chef and Bill and the other moderators may have to occasionally swing the thudstick, but they are damn good people, putting a lot of energy into making this little corner of the world a better place.

 

[Chef]

fwiw:
swingin' the ThudStick, as in my sig, is a "Mike Watt-ism" for playing bass

 

[DukeLeJeune]

fwiw:
swingin' the ThudStick, as in my sig, is a "Mike Watt-ism" for playing bass

Ah, thanks! I was picturing you with your big smile, and behind your back a big stick, sort of vintage Warner-brothers-cartoon style...

 

[Chef]

Ah: that'd be the Mod-Stick.



Walk softly, and all that................

 

[GregC]

fwiw:
swingin' the ThudStick, as in my sig, is a "Mike Watt-ism" for playing bass

Indeed! I'm going to see him in 8 days, I can't wait. I imagine he's coming to your burg as well.