Is there a timeline available for the different Greenboy cab models? Are some models better designed than others because they were designed later or are all the designs tweaked and improved as necessary as more field reports come in?
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Avatar or Greenboy?
- Thread starter Rajesh Arjan
- Start date
They all have different goals. The fEARful line was aimed at greenboy's personal tone quest for low F#. The fEARless line started out as a response to amplified upright bass player's needs, but grew in to something more. They have all the benefits of a 3 way cab, but have a more traditional voicing. The "greenboy" line (Bassic's, Dually's, Crazy's) are Dave's answer to those that dont prefer a 3 way cab. None of the lines are inherently better than any other, as they have different targets.
It looks more like this, check out the cover screw locations and that there is no aluminum bezel around the perspex cover. This actually covers [no pun intended] several Ferrari models.!956 O.S.C.A MT4 Silverstone owned by Sheena Ringo, perhaps?
Yes, it gives you the best of both worlds: a traditional, full range sound in a single driver cab, with the latest in modern bass cab building techniques and advancements. Win/win for me.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Yes, like most TB members I am a snob, and just joined a little while ago in 2006. I read those TB153 threads and PM'ed 3 different TB153 owners. I talked to Avatar. Fine cabs. Not for me.
I bought Ron Achak's last 15/6/1 from him. If you do the same research I did, you might come to different conclusions, whether or not you are a snob, right?
BTW, did Jesus get back to you on this? I always am interested in what he has to say.
If this was an Ampeg vs Peavey cab choice thread and most were opting for Ampeg, no mention of the word "snobs" would be made.
So you never tried one or even auditioned one? hmmm.... Nothin to see here folks!!
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Wrong, my good man! I heard the TB153 live and in several live recordings. Same for fEARfuls.So you never tried one or even auditioned one?...
"What a sparkling analysis; those who prefer Greenboy designs to Avatar cabs are snobs and those who prefer Avatars are magnanimous, self-actualized beings. Who knew? I guess I have been schooled. Now where is that sarcasm emoticon?"
"BTW, did Jesus get back to you on this? I always am interested in what he has to say"
You guys think too much. Or are in love with your own voices. Relax.
"BTW, did Jesus get back to you on this? I always am interested in what he has to say"
You guys think too much. Or are in love with your own voices. Relax.
I researched the Fearful/Fearless cabs for literally a year before I decided that I was even interested in the 3-way design. I read through hundreds of pages of reviews, build progressions, specs and technical stuff etc. here on Talkbass, over on the Greenboy forum and anywhere else on the web that a search turned up information. Finally I determined that this design might well be for me. I purchased a F115 to test out and liked it enough that I flipped it for a loss and placed an order for a custom pair of F115's from Joseph with Greenboy Audio.
I've owned a Dually (with Faital drivers) for about 2.5 years. It's a truly spectacular cab and for someone who doesn't vibe with the mid-loaded boxes I couldn't recommend it enough. That said, once I was able to run my effects rig through the Fearless cab I was sold on them. With two of them I don't ever have to worry about stage volume, competing with obnoxious guitarist or going FOH if I don't want to. Plus, they can used for damn near any other audio application you choose and sound authoritative and clear. Some have described these cabs as a "blank slate" where you can really sculpt you tone in any direction that you see fit...I would tend to agree for the most part. Don't misunderstand that to mean that they don't sound sound like fantastic bass cabs or that they don't work "straight outta the box", though. Some guys hate fiddling with knobs and dialing in their sound. I love the versatility that the Fearless cab affords me. It's just another tool at my disposal to create what I love only louder and clearer than before.
If you can try one out then I would highly recommend it. If the Avatar sounds great to you and will cost you much less, then go with that. Ultimately we're all playing the same 7 notes, it's just what inspires each of us, and in turn what each of us creates, that is unique.
I've owned a Dually (with Faital drivers) for about 2.5 years. It's a truly spectacular cab and for someone who doesn't vibe with the mid-loaded boxes I couldn't recommend it enough. That said, once I was able to run my effects rig through the Fearless cab I was sold on them. With two of them I don't ever have to worry about stage volume, competing with obnoxious guitarist or going FOH if I don't want to. Plus, they can used for damn near any other audio application you choose and sound authoritative and clear. Some have described these cabs as a "blank slate" where you can really sculpt you tone in any direction that you see fit...I would tend to agree for the most part. Don't misunderstand that to mean that they don't sound sound like fantastic bass cabs or that they don't work "straight outta the box", though. Some guys hate fiddling with knobs and dialing in their sound. I love the versatility that the Fearless cab affords me. It's just another tool at my disposal to create what I love only louder and clearer than before.
If you can try one out then I would highly recommend it. If the Avatar sounds great to you and will cost you much less, then go with that. Ultimately we're all playing the same 7 notes, it's just what inspires each of us, and in turn what each of us creates, that is unique.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Yes. Thinking more may increase the value of each word said. IME, the same is rarely said for name calling, swearing, and anti-intellectual pompousness. On TB, we love all voices, as long as they are respectful, right? Disagree with me or anyone, but please give us an informed opinion.
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Most people don't react with relaxation when insulted. I truly wish I was more Zen but when poked I generally poke back. No worries either way, but your choice of words was certainly not neutral. Happy thumpin' through whatever cab you choose
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Oops, forgot to offer this: If you or anyone in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Denton, Texas area would like to try a fEARful 15/6/1, PM me.So you never tried one or even auditioned one? hmmm.... Nothin to see here folks!!
When it comes to religion, politics, and speaker cabinets, people have strong feelings that they staunchly defend. 
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
When it comes to religion, politics, and speaker cabinets, people have strong feelings that they staunchly defend.
+1
And we defend each others right to speak openly and disagree without being disagreeable.
Have you actually seen an avatar cab? I have the 410 and it is made of birch ply and well braced along the seams and it also includes cross bracing... I got mine for a song, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but they're no slouch of a cab in any way.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Sounds heavy.
Top it off with the face that they use a few cab sizes and replace the baffle and porting for different alignments. Not my cup of tea.
That isn't to say they are dog poo, that is to point out that they are mass produced, and it shows that they are optimized to leave decent profit margins. If they fill someone's tonal needs, that is awesome.
Be happy with your gear, and I'll be happy with mine.
There were a few smallish changes/refinements/options added to the open-source fEarful plans in the early days, I think from report back from users as well as Greenboy constantly on the lookout for possible improvements, etc.
One may've been a crossover tweak, or the offering of a couple different types of crossovers. One may've had to do with part sourcing so people didn't have to pay so many shipping charges getting different small parts from as many different sources without compromising the parts quality. One early one I think might've been a little tighter driver spacing in the baffle layout. One was an optional extension of the shelf port to give a little tighter bass response for those who didn't want as huge of lows all the way down to extreme low-freq. downtuned heavy string or synth range. One was when 18sound came out with a neo version of the original mid used, etc.
More recently was a "true 3-way crossover mod" for those who used their tweeter all the time and wanted a more "PA-like" voicing. The other way of running it is to let the mid run out to the top of it's range, then highpass a tweeter on top of it, so that tweeter could be shut off and just use the paper cones for folks who use overdrive/distortion type effects, or just didn't want the extra "air" on top.
Another was spec'ing various different tweeters and filters for different tastes.
Basically got to watch the evolution of design, and options for various different players wants and needs, all of which are high-quality, no-compromise designs. Which one is "best" largely comes down to individual players tastes and goals, they're all "good", from the first to the last.
That was all for the opensource Fearful cabs. The following Greenboy designs are proprietary, yet are still "open" in that you know the drivers used, their performance data, etc. More designs for different goals, from the little Crazy8 thumper than can do what most any 10 can do, to the Fearless line, which is a little more compact and even more refined fullrange 3-way design, to the Bassics and Dually's which are more traditional cabs that still use high quality drivers and place good engineering and tone over saving a buck here and there.
Etc., etc., etc.,.....
No such thing as a "budget", or "cost cutting" Greenboy cab. Just high quality stuff with different strokes for different folks.
