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Barefaced Bass 'BIG TWIN' ... lets talk about it...

#23
I have never seen or played a Barefaced, although I really wanted to buy one the cost was too much.

I ended up building a 15/6/1, and as people have said, I think there are many similarities between the Barefaced and fEARful lines. I can't speak to the differences unfortunately.

But, I have done lots of comparisons between my 15/6/1, GB Uber410, and GBNeoX 212. The Uber sounds VERY mid-focused and congested compared to the fEARful. It's more efficient, but the lows aren't there. The NeoX has a much flatter response, sounds more like the fEARful, but the low end and the clarity are still much better on the fEARful.
 
#24
pablomigraine said:
I wonder how the fearful would do with better drivers... like maybe THESE... might have to increase the length of the port shelf a touch.... but listen to me go on as if I know anything about audio.... which I dont...
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The faital pro 12s won't have the same low end extension most likely. Low Q and higher Fs. Also, I suspect their sensitivity numbers may be just a smidgen inflated by confusing ohmage, but I could be wrong.

I'd hesitate to call them "better."

On an interesting note I think Barefaced does use a 6pr150 mid.
 
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#25
rpsands said:
The faital pro 12s won't have the same low end extension most likely. Low Q and higher Fs. Also, I suspect their sensitivity numbers may be just a smidgen inflated by confusing ohmage, but I could be wrong.

I'd hesitate to call them "better."
Click to expand...

I was going to chime in with the same thing. Less low end, less high end, same sensitivity. The only advantage I can see is maybe they can take more power, but the specs for that are never reliable and it doesn't include the xmax limit, which is really where the limiting factor would be.

Robby
 
#26
johnk_10 said:
i'm sure that you could build a great cab with those faital's, but the fEARful was designed to optimize the drivers that GB selected for them. you'd have to redesign the cab to substitute another driver.
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No no I'm sure..... I was just daydreaming...

Seems from the pictures the FF 1212/6 is physically much larger than the big twin... or are my eyes fooling me....
 
#28
rpsands said:
* Main advantage of Barefaced over fEarful is the super quality wood Alex has in his cabs -- they're just lighter.
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fEARfuls can also be built with high quality lightweight wood. I don't know what Barefaced uses, but any cab made of Okoume will be strong, light, and durable.
 
#29
Reading the original OP I would bet big that TWO fEARful 1515/66 cabs would meet your needs. Seems you need a huge amount of clear low-end. They will deliver.

I have owned a barefaced Compact 115 and I am familiar with the wood used. It is very lightweight and thin. My Compact weighed 27.4LBS which is insanely light for a 115 that is not fibreglass and doesnt cheat on the low-end (ie schroeder). Personally, I LOVE lightweight cabs and the Compact really fit my needs. However, reading your description of what you need I would *really* reconsider using light wood. Yes, its light, but it does have its drawbacks. Cabs that are really light and can go really loud will bounce around like you would not believe. I'm talking one or two inches right off the ground. I had a 44LB LDS 15/6 and a 39LB fibreglass fEARful 15/6 and they both do the same thing. When presented with alot of power they jump.

That said, two 1515/66 cabs made from Baltic Birch should do very nicely. You owe it to yourself to at least see who is local to you and give one a serious listen.
 
#30
::::BASSIST:::: said:
That said, two 1515/66 cabs made from Baltic Birch should do very nicely. You owe it to yourself to at least see who is local to you and give one a serious listen.
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I think that may be me?? I'm not sure where in NY you are, but you are welcome to come try out my 1515/66. [That goes for anyone willing to make the drive.]
 
#31
I have a Barefaced Big One (discontinued) and I think I might have the only one in the US, at least I know I had the first one in the US. I'd compare it in volume to a good 4x10 but by any other metric it is way better than a 4x10. Lighter, better off-axis dispersion and fuller bottom end.

Based on my experience I don't doubt that the extra cone area of the Big Twin (compared to the Big One) and the taller enclosure (closer to ear level) would probably come close to a good 6x10 in volume, but it should beat the 6x10 by the other measurements I listed above. Also it is 4 Ohms which ought to make it a little louder than my Big One which is 8, so yeah I don't think Alex's claim is outrageous.

I still get a kick from how light my Big One is, one hand carry no problem. I bear hug it if I have to carry it a more than a block but for a short trip I can handle my bass, amp (class D 'micro' in a shoulder bag) AND cab in one trip.
 
#32
barryaudio said:
fEARfuls can also be built with high quality lightweight wood. I don't know what Barefaced uses, but any cab made of Okoume will be strong, light, and durable.
Click to expand...

I don't know what Alex is using right now, but no 1/2" plywood is capable of achieving a 57lb 1212/6/1 so far as I am aware. Maybe 60-65lbs. I think he's using 9mm, but might be even smaller.

Composite fEarfuls can top Alex's SPL per pound but only just.
 
#33
rpsands said:
I don't know what Alex is using right now, but no 1/2" plywood is capable of achieving a 57lb 1212/6/1 so far as I am aware. Maybe 60-65lbs. I think he's using 9mm, but might be even smaller.

Composite fEarfuls can top Alex's SPL per pound but only just.
Click to expand...


He uses an Italian Poplar variant, I believe. It is very light for plywood. I can get 52 lbs from a composite 1212/6/1, so I'd bet high 50's is possible with a very lightweight plywood.

Robby
 
#35
::::BASSIST:::: said:
However, reading your description of what you need I would *really* reconsider using light wood. Yes, its light, but it does have its drawbacks. Cabs that are really light and can go really loud will bounce around like you would not believe. I'm talking one or two inches right off the ground. I had a 44LB LDS 15/6 and a 39LB fibreglass fEARful 15/6 and they both do the same thing. When presented with alot of power they jump.
Click to expand...

Alex uses some very clever bracing, no bouncing or unwanted vibrating IME. I have always had to secure my setlists with a bit of gaffa tape in the past, no need to on top of the Big Twin.
 
#37
::::BASSIST:::: said:
Interesting. Mine would jump after about 800+watts.

What's the max power you are putting in yours?
Click to expand...

TC RH750. ;)

And my Ashdown MK500. Granted, there are more powerful amps out there, but from my experiences with the BT I doubt there would be similar problems with.

It would be interesting if someone with a Big Twin AND a couple of kilowatts would chime in.
 
#38
pablomigraine said:
Sweet! What kind of cabinets have you used in the past that you could compare this one to?
Click to expand...


I used to have a Gallien Krueger 410MBX, which isn't exactly a high-end cab. Obviously the Big Twin T is in every way much better. I can't remember which Eden 4x10 it was that I used a few times, it wasn't mine but a friends. Didn't really try how loud it can go, but when it comes to tone the Big Twin T is more of what I prefer. I've also tried some GK neos in a store and the Big Twin is also much better IMO tonewise. I haven't tried any 6x10 cabs, but comparing my experiences with some 4x10's I feel that the Big Twin could very well reach the SPL of a good 6x10. With the limiter on in my MB Fusion I can crank it to about full volume and the cab sounds like it's just warming up...
 

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