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Bag End Club.
- Thread starter jackall237
- Start date
I’m considering buying a powered S15 and just using my Noble as a preamp. Anyone else doing this? I’m leaning towards the birch. Any positive / negative experiences? Thanks!
@57pbass does. I bet it sounds glorious…
posted here: Want 1x15 cabinet. Somebody talk me out of it, please.
If you play a bass guitar that goes lower than 40Hz, you might consider a powered S15L-N, whatever the model number for that is - just a bit larger / heavier cabinet.
I would recommend both.
The Bag End 15” cabs are neutral sounding IMHO but really shine when they’re pushed. I’ve been using them for probably 30 years now. The powered cabs are just great and allow you to run whatever pre amp you choose. The Noble is an amazing piece of gear.
Thanks everyone! I already messaged Dan separately but thank you again!
Amp upgrade... anything I need to know about the Speakon connector before plugging a tube head into it?
There was a thread awhile back where a guy bought a new CTM300 and it would not produce sound even though the meter was VU moving. Eventually we figured out the amp had speakON combo connectors, and I suggested he try a 1/4" speaker cable. It turned out the amp was fine and the problem occurred because his speakON cables did not use authentic Neutrik connectors. They worked in his other amps, but not the CTM.
The combo connectors have sort of a greenish tint to them:
Also note the label says combo.
I have actually seen a couple of threads where cables with off-brand or black market speakON plugs did not work, and they seem especially problematic in the combo connectors.
New Cabs Day. S15B-D x2. Added to the collection!
As a Deadhead, I love reading this:
ABOUT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS
Musical Instrument Systems, especially loudspeaker design for use with stringed instruments, require more than just technical expertise. Over the years Bag End® has employed the highest degree of technology into these systems, but beyond that, the loudspeaker becomes an extension of the instrument itself. A well designed loudspeaker will reproduce all the characteristics of the instrument, but it also adds its own frequency response, distortion and directivity characteristics. Electronic equalization in the instrument and preamp is also widely used. Our loudspeaker designs include artistic subjectivity along with technical excellence to consider and incorporate these variables. Since before Bag End® was formed in 1976 the founders were both technicians and musicians and they incorporated both good taste and technology into the sound design of the early systems. Over the years some of the original designs proved to be exactly what many musicians wanted and therefore, have not changed for over 4 decades.
In the 1970’s early Bag End instrument systems were single and double 12” and 15“ models. These early models were inspired by cabinets Alembic built for
Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and others. At that time we designed a modular system of dimensions for arraying and stacking cabinets in various configurations and refined the hardware and finish. The first cabinet built by Bag End was a double 12, serial #1. We sold this one to Mike Sassetti in 1976 and 35 years later Mike bought his second double 12 and he gave us back the #1. While we have refined manufacturing processes and now offer a variety of options, over time our products have remained remarkably consistent and compatible. Rather than changing models every year we standardized our basic dimensions and designs and kept our products consistent over long time periods. Some of the earliest system designs remain in production today and are virtually unchanged. Among them our single 12 and single 15 have become industry standards. Based upon timeless designs and principles they are hard to beat. You might say, if you get it right the first time you don’t need the new improved version. Bag End systems are made to sound great, last long, and be serviceable. Used Bag End cabinets demand the highest price because most musicians keep them. Its an investment for a lifetime.
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ABOUT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS
Musical Instrument Systems, especially loudspeaker design for use with stringed instruments, require more than just technical expertise. Over the years Bag End® has employed the highest degree of technology into these systems, but beyond that, the loudspeaker becomes an extension of the instrument itself. A well designed loudspeaker will reproduce all the characteristics of the instrument, but it also adds its own frequency response, distortion and directivity characteristics. Electronic equalization in the instrument and preamp is also widely used. Our loudspeaker designs include artistic subjectivity along with technical excellence to consider and incorporate these variables. Since before Bag End® was formed in 1976 the founders were both technicians and musicians and they incorporated both good taste and technology into the sound design of the early systems. Over the years some of the original designs proved to be exactly what many musicians wanted and therefore, have not changed for over 4 decades.
In the 1970’s early Bag End instrument systems were single and double 12” and 15“ models. These early models were inspired by cabinets Alembic built for
Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and others. At that time we designed a modular system of dimensions for arraying and stacking cabinets in various configurations and refined the hardware and finish. The first cabinet built by Bag End was a double 12, serial #1. We sold this one to Mike Sassetti in 1976 and 35 years later Mike bought his second double 12 and he gave us back the #1. While we have refined manufacturing processes and now offer a variety of options, over time our products have remained remarkably consistent and compatible. Rather than changing models every year we standardized our basic dimensions and designs and kept our products consistent over long time periods. Some of the earliest system designs remain in production today and are virtually unchanged. Among them our single 12 and single 15 have become industry standards. Based upon timeless designs and principles they are hard to beat. You might say, if you get it right the first time you don’t need the new improved version. Bag End systems are made to sound great, last long, and be serviceable. Used Bag End cabinets demand the highest price because most musicians keep them. Its an investment for a lifetime.
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Speaking of driving powered BE cabs - the Arkham Oracle and the Shaw Tube Injector preamp pedals are also great options for that purpose.
Exactly.. you can change up your sound so quickly.
I plug in my Boss ME-50B to the cab. Awesome results.
Also run my Sadowsky pedal through them and a MESA pre amp..
I had been using a Shift Line Olympic mkiii. Felt like I wanted something else so I got a WR Goliath. I had been really interested in that one for a couple years. I had an HX Stomp I was messing with so, I figured I'd try them all against each other and see which I liked best with my PS-15. I was kinda curious how all these fancy devices compared to something "less fancy". So, I borrowed a friend's Tech 21 VT Bass DI and tested them all for a few hours. Surprisingly to me, the VT DI won the battle.
I don't have a powered cab, but running a Sadowsky JJ > Arkham Oracle > (2) Bag 115's is just glorious to me - particularly, as mentioned above, when they are pushed. Currently using the power section of a WD800 but have one of Arnopol's 1200 watt power amps in the mail, can't wait to see how that adds to the recipe.
Hello
I'm looking for a single 12" cabinet and researching Bag End speakers. I was wondering if anyone has experience on the oiled vs Nebula finish? The oiled looks amazing, just wondering if there are any issues with the oiled version? I noticed a few posts here show corner protection added to the cabinets.
I'm looking for a single 12" cabinet and researching Bag End speakers. I was wondering if anyone has experience on the oiled vs Nebula finish? The oiled looks amazing, just wondering if there are any issues with the oiled version? I noticed a few posts here show corner protection added to the cabinets.
I bought an oiled S15 in 1992 and bought corners for it when I added an S12 (black carpet) later that year. I will say the corners usually take the most abuse so it made sense to me to have them covered... plus I like the look "fancy but rugged".
When I ordered my current D12-B, I had them send a set of corners... and I just ordered a second one today, also with a set of corners.
I modded my new Ashdown with feet and handles, and the second D12-B (4 week lead time from BE) will make it a vertical array 4x12 stack
I bought an oiled S15 in 1992 and bought corners for it when I added an S12 (black carpet) later that year. I will say the corners usually take the most abuse so it made sense to me to have them covered... plus I like the look "fancy but rugged".
When I ordered my current D12-B, I had them send a set of corners... and I just ordered a second one today, also with a set of corners.
I modded my new Ashdown with feet and handles, and the second D12-B (4 week lead time from BE) will make it a vertical array 4x12 stack
View attachment 4404710
Yeah, bet that looks amazing in person. I was thinking of adding brass or relic metal corner caps, something you seen at Restoration Hardware. Four weeks is faster than I've seen mentioned by other customers, is that typical of their wait times?
Thanks, I think they look amazing, back in the day I had people laugh while asking if I built the S15 myself... until I played through the rig and moved more air and had more presence than the typical GK/Hartke stacks everyone was playing.
I think my current D12-B was about 6 weeks. Brass corners would look killer! I originally did it so the S12 wouldn't dance off the S15... I like there to be something keeping things together.
I actually like the look of the raw wood and stain, my father has some old cabinets made out of plywood and reminds me of his work. Not intended to tour or travel with these so my worry is really chipping corners or getting them wet.
That's a good point and I e-mailed BE about the feet on the oiled finish. I couldn't tell what if any feet are there and it's handy to have something interlocking.
