Bag End Club.

[Michael Vee]

Jay, in my listening to the video, I just heard something funny on just a few pitches. The rest of it sounded pretty darn good! Are those few notes in the middle register the notes that are sounding distorted? Normally if a speaker is "fried," it involves either the whole range of the bass, or sometimes the notes below a certain point.



In evaluating any weird sounds from a bass into amp rig in any live playing environment, including playing at home, you have to always make sure it is not something other than the piece you suspect of causing the problem. Only then can you narrow it down to that suspected piece.

It may not be a gear issue at all. It can be as simple as what is in the room with the amp - some notes cause sympathetic vibrations with certain items in the room, or the room itself, with all other notes not exhibiting that effect. The louder you turn up, the more items you will hear vibrating, increasingly regardless of the note played.

Andy Field of Mesa has answered many noise issues reported here on Talkbass and by customer contact, with "Are you sure it isn't the power you're supplying to the equipment? Does this same problem recur with the power in another location?" I'm not saying that's the case for you, but it is one of the not-always-easy possibilities to have to rule out. Bad power is everywhere in 2025, whether from the distribution grid or from your house's (or other places') wiring.

Please do try contacting Bag End. The contact info is in this thread, and also at www.bagend.com

 

[markwrob]

I've got a more naive question. Assuming this model has an open port, can you see if anything has gotten inside? Sorry if asked and answered.

 

[jaysbassspace]

Hi, just wondering what your typical signal chain is when plugging into the cabinet? The PS15-B needs an external preamp to drive the built in power amp. What have you used in the past that worked? How long has it been since you used it?

Peterson tuner > origin Cali compressor > noble > 1/4" into cabinet. Bought the cab 2 years ago or so. Only gigged with it once. Haven't used it in over a year.

 

[jaysbassspace]

Jay, in my listening to the video, I just heard something funny on just a few pitches. The rest of it sounded pretty darn good! Are those few notes in the middle register the notes that are sounding distorted? Normally if a speaker is "fried," it involves either the whole range of the bass, or sometimes the notes below a certain point.



In evaluating any weird sounds from a bass into amp rig in any live playing environment, including playing at home, you have to always make sure it is not something other than the piece you suspect of causing the problem. Only then can you narrow it down to that suspected piece.

It may not be a gear issue at all. It can be as simple as what is in the room with the amp - some notes cause sympathetic vibrations with certain items in the room, or the room itself, with all other notes not exhibiting that effect. The louder you turn up, the more items you will hear vibrating, increasingly regardless of the note played.

Andy Field of Mesa has answered many noise issues reported here on Talkbass and by customer contact, with "Are you sure it isn't the power you're supplying to the equipment? Does this same problem recur with the power in another location?" I'm not saying that's the case for you, but it is one of the not-always-easy possibilities to have to rule out. Bad power is everywhere in 2025, whether from the distribution grid or from your house's (or other places') wiring.

Please do try contacting Bag End. The contact info is in this thread, and also at www.bagend.com

Thanks. Yep I’m contacting them tomorrow. The distortion is there on every note. Yeah, I tried everything, different cables, outlets, different basses, removed everything in my signal chain… you get the idea.

 

[jaysbassspace]

I've got a more naive question. Assuming this model has an open port, can you see if anything has gotten inside? Sorry if asked and answered.

Will check it out. Thank you.

 

[steelin4u]

Hi all! I bought a used D10BX-D with a blown coaxial driver (a known issue at purchase). I was hoping to get it re-coned at a highly-regarded shop, but they said they couldn't do it. A new driver is around $300 (luckily, I think the HF driver is fine).

Does anyone have a co-ax driver for sale or know of a NOS source? I can drive to Bag End and get the updated one if there are no other sources. Thanks!

 

[Bergerman]

I’m sure you could send it to these guys…they have re-coned several BE drivers for me over the years…including a 10” coax. Great guys…call and talk to Ron.

 

[Sbasstik]

I’m the very happy owner of a S15-D .. So: close to me some dude has put up for sale a pair of PA subwoofers «series 2» each sporting an 18" speaker of model E-18 in a solid front ported cabinet. I tried to Google specs but couldn’t come up with information.

I don’t need a PA system, but was curious if could pair one of these with my S15-D to beef up my bottom end. According to seller it’s not uncommon for bassists to use an 18’’ in a stage rig..(btw I only want one of them.)

What are your thoughts? Do you recognise these at all? Would I have to power these separately （S15-D + 18’’. Any and all info on combining the S15-D with an 18’’ is much appreciated..

 

[James Hart]

S18B-C They look like large box 18" cabs in black carpet like they came in the 80s & 90s. Similar to the big box 15, I think the port might have had a cover to make it sealed or ported.

here is the data sheet

https://bagend.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/S18B-D.pdf

 

[Sbasstik]

I’m the very happy owner of a S15-D .. So: close to me some dude has put up for sale a pair of PA subwoofers «series 2» each sporting an 18" speaker of model E-18 in a solid front ported cabinet. I tried to Google specs but couldn’t come up with information.

I don’t need a PA system, but was curious if could pair one of these with my S15-D to beef up my bottom end. According to seller it’s not uncommon for bassists to use an 18’’ in a stage rig..

What are your thoughts? Do you recognise these at all? I

S18B-C They look like large box 18" cabs in black carpet like they came in the 80s & 90s. Similar to the big box 15, I think the port might have had a cover to make it sealed or ported.

here is the data sheet

https://bagend.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/S18B-D.pdf

Thanks! Would it make any sense to pair the two in a rig for stage, you think? Would it work in smaller venues? Would it generally just be too sub-boomey?
I don’t see many bassists around with 18’’s in their tigs after all..

I truly think the S15-D is the most versatile, musical single 15’’ I’ve played, but occasionally I crave for lower freq.

 

[Wasnex]

I’m the very happy owner of a S15-D .. So: close to me some dude has put up for sale a pair of PA subwoofers «series 2» each sporting an 18" speaker of model E-18 in a solid front ported cabinet. I tried to Google specs but couldn’t come up with information.

I don’t need a PA system, but was curious if could pair one of these with my S15-D to beef up my bottom end. According to seller it’s not uncommon for bassists to use an 18’’ in a stage rig..

What are your thoughts? Do you recognise these at all? I

Thanks! Would it make any sense to pair the two in a rig for stage, you think? Would it work in smaller venues? Would it generally just be too sub-boomey?
I don’t see many bassists around with 18’’s in their tigs after all..

I truly think the S15-D is the most versatile, musical single 15’’ I’ve played, but occasionally I crave for lower freq.

If you only need a bit more lows, a second S15D may give you what you need.

Mixing cabs may or may not work. Before buying an different model of cab, I suggest trying it with your S15D.

You may actually like the sound of the 18s by themself. I used to run an SWR Big Ben. I believe the one I had was loaded with a Bag End 18. It was a bit fuller down low than the S15D, but still not super dubby.

If buy the 18s, I think best results will be with all of your cabs stacked together vertically. If you separate them, it will produce comb filtering. Comb filtering basically means the frequency response will vary depending on where you are standing.

 

[Sbasstik]

If you only need a bit more lows, a second S15D may give you what you need.

Mixing cabs may or may not work. Before buying an different model of cab, I suggest trying it with your S15D.

You may actually like the sound of the 18s by themself. I used to run an SWR Big Ben. I believe the one I had was loaded with a Bag End 18. It was a bit fuller down low than the S15D, but still not super dubby.

If buy the 18s, I think best results will be with all of your cabs stacked together vertically. If you separate them, it will produce comb filtering. Comb filtering basically means the frequency response will vary depending on where you are standing.

Yeah! Thanks your reply.. I realise pairing the two might open a rabbit hole of all kinds: should I use separate power strips? Probably. Filtering? Will there be time issues.
Yeah, not sure I’m ready to head down that path… but: I did some digging around and found that the cab comes highly recommended stand-alone or as a pair. So I might consider getting one as an alternative rather than a supplement.

I’m still not entirely convinced it is the same as the S18B-C(?)/S18B-D mr @Hart suggests above (couldn’t find any “B-C” but it does look similar to what’s listed here, apart from the connector area on the back (seems to be smaller and dark coloured- maybe a speakon addition).

Seller repeatedly calls it “Series 2”, but I can’t find anything with that designation online. According to seller they’ve been used as subs in PA system. This information too does help my google searches. Hart’s opinion is definitely the closest I have found visually.

 

[James Hart]

The -C was black carpet covering before they released the -D "Deep Red" stuff in the late 90s specs were mostly the same.

Yes the large box single 18 was more useful as part of a bi-amped PA system, but can also kill for a large bass rig.

 

[James Hart]

Email [email protected] and ask what they are.

I've been a Bag End user since around 1992. Almost bought a large box single 18 a few times... -C, -D, and -B versions

 

[James Hart]

Series 2 is likely early 80s. A picture of the jack plate would help. Probably banana plug only, my first cabs from them were like that.

 

[Sbasstik]

The -C was black carpet covering before they released the -D "Deep Red" stuff in the late 90s specs were mostly the same.

Yes the large box single 18 was more useful as part of a bi-amped PA system, but can also kill for a large bass rig.

I see! Thanks.. I really appreciate that!

I am seriously considering it. Seller asks 577 USD for the pair. I don’t know if that’s a fair price? They are very clean for age and cones has no issues whatsoever.

Unfortunately my studio/practice space is already overflowing with gear, so I believe I’d have to pass on both.
But: Would 300 be over-paying if he accepts to part with one?

 

[Sbasstik]

Series 2 is likely early 80s. A picture of the jack plate would help. Probably banana plug only, my first cabs from them were like that.

No closeups of the connection plate, these zooms are the bes I could do..

 

[James Hart]

No closeups of the connection plate, these zooms are the bes I could do..

The top one was drilled out for a Speakon connector, while the bottom one looks like the banana plug version. The cabinets are definitely of different ages since they have different control plate shapes.

 

[Sbasstik]

The top one was drilled out for a Speakon connector, while the bottom one looks like the banana plug version. The cabinets are definitely of different ages since they have different control plate shapes.

Yeah, that makes sense… I‘ll message him for a quote tomorrow. In your opinion - granted they play/sound - do you think the price is right or should I try even lower?

 

[James Hart]

$300 each or $577 for the pair is a fair price for sure, not a big resale potential on an 18 inch bass cab in the light weight world of today.... so you may end up just eating the price.

I've always been drawn to the S12 and D12 cab tones, but there is something killer about those BE 18" cabs. They are huge and deep sounding, but not as boomy as some.

I recently tried to get Jim to make me a birch big box 18" powered cabinet to run as a sub with my 200 watt tube rig and pair of D12. In chatting on the phone, he sold me on the idea of a powered Infra D12 built to match my current pair of regular D12. The gig I was planning that beast for fell through, but I might have it build eventually anyway.