Double Bass BAREFACED SUPER MIDGET...The Gear Junkie Review

[rickwolff]

I just received a Barefaced Super Midget which I will be putting through the usual paces: some videos in the studio as well as GIG REVIEWS and videos.

I'm also planning on taking the cab out to visit several friends at their gigs and plug it in for them to try.

I couldn't believe it when I got the email from Alex YESTERDAY, saying the cab had shipped - FROM ENGLAND. I checked the tracking number and it said it would arrive Today. WHAT??? Well it wasn't even 10 AM when the doorbell rang (and the dogs went crazy, as they always do) and it was FedEx with the box. ONE DAY FROM ENGLAND TO MY DOOR.

I know we're not allowed to talk politics but does anyone else think maybe we should just turn the federal government over to FedEx to run?

I haven't even plugged it in yet, but here is a picture (because no picture - it didn't happen) and, of course, there will be much more to follow.

 

[Jay Corwin]

In the future I would love to see you A-B some of these boo-teek priced cabinets with similar, cheaper, off-the-shelf brands. Literally apply the exact same signal chain form one to the other. As we've discussed in (secret), I'm of the opinion that the returns are often negligible on tone in a live environment with the high priced stuff. Opinions vary.

 

[rickwolff]

In the future I would love to see you A-B some of these boo-teek priced cabinets with similar, cheaper, off-the-shelf brands. Literally apply the exact same signal chain form one to the other. As we've discussed in (secret), I'm of the opinion that the returns are often negligible on tone in a live environment with the high priced stuff. Opinions vary.

That's a great idea. The only 'off the shelf' speaker I have is the GK Neo 112 which is, in my opinion, a really nice speaker. (And at $469 retail, about half the price of most of the 'boo-teek stuff). The GK is {30 pounds} CORRECTION: 34 POUNDS and a bit large but still quite 'scheppable'. I used that as an extension to the Genzler/Gollihur amp to cover a really loud gig. One of the first things I'm looking to determine with the Super Midget is whether it will cover any gig I have WITHOUT an extension. Since it can handle up to 600 watts AND I will be driving it with a Shuttle 6.2 I rather expect it will be loud enough for everything I do (I don't do rock - or even play slab anymore, for that matter).

One difference between the GK and the Super Midget is that the SM is only 21 pounds (with the cloth grill which I have). Sometimes its 'the little things' (like weight) that you pay the big bucks for. You can get to the gig in either a Chevy or a Mercedes - or a city bus if it goes that way. Different strokes.

It would also be interesting to me to compare the SM with my Contra EX as well as the UpShot. Till now however I have really tried to review each speaker on its own merits rather than comparing. I'm a bit reluctant to do that since personal preference and intended use are such critical factors.

That said, I may be getting together with Adam Booker (I've asked him about lessons) and I would bring up the whole stable of gear and get his impressions. If he is amenable I'll video that and post it here. Adam is a very knowledgable and accomplished bassist and I have enjoyed the excellent videos he shares from time to time.

I'm expecting this to be a very interesting 'extended test drive' of the Barefaced Super Midget and hope y'all come along for the ride.

 

[Jay Corwin]

That's an impressive power to weight ratio.

 

[rickwolff]

That's an impressive power to weight ratio.

Maybe instead of comparing a Chevy to a Mercedes I should have compared it to a Tesla (in terms of power to weight ratio).

 

[Plutonium244]

Looking forward to your take, Rick. I really like my Super Midget; it's my most-used cab.

 

[chief bogan]

I've been eyeing one of these, so I'll look forward to the review. I agree that a comparison review with lower priced cabs would be useful. Did you have to pay any custom charges to bring this cab into the country?

 

[rickwolff]

First Gig with the Barefaced Super Midget

I didn't waste any time getting the new cab out 'into the field'. We had our weekly jazz jam session at C Grace in Raleigh tonight and I brought it and my GB Shuttle 6.2 to give it whirl in the 'real world'.

As usual, the jam was a bit loud, I played the ISCHELL CONTACT MIC on my 7/8 carved Shen. I had absolutely NO PROBLEM with feedback even though I was playing loud. If I had needed to get Stupid Loud I could have blended it with my KNA piezo which has a hotter signal and a bit more 'in your face' but not as much MBOL as the Ischell.

Here is a short video clip of the trio:

 

[rickwolff]

Another tune from last nights jam session. Ischell Contact Mic>GB Shuttle 6.2>Barefaced Super Midget

 

[alexclaber]

As we've discussed in (secret), I'm of the opinion that the returns are often negligible on tone in a live environment with the high priced stuff.

I may be considered biased but I'd suggest it's actually the other way around. Consider a Ferrari vs a Toyota. Drive both to and from work, staying within the city limits (and thus below 30 or 40 mph). Is there any practical difference? Now take both to the Nurburgring for a track day. Drive both as fast as possible around the track for multiple laps. Notice a difference now? Gigging is like taking a car on a track - you push your gear SO MUCH HARDER on gigs.

And amps change at their limit and speakers start changing (going non-linear) as they get louder, and often the less expensive the speaker, the sooner that happens. That's why I say trying cabs in shops usually tells you less than nothing, because you can't turn them up loud enough.

If I was designing a cab solely to sound good in a shop I could make it with a remarkably cheap 8" speaker and it would be the best sounding shop speaker ever - it wouldn't need a tweeter or mid, it would sound incredible. But as soon as you cranked it, all the limitations would show up and that low volume tone would be gone!

 

[yodedude2]

^^ the wisest thing i ever heard my ex-band leader say: all cabinets sound good at low volume.

 

[Adam Booker]

That's a great idea. The only 'off the shelf' speaker I have is the GK Neo 112 which is, in my opinion, a really nice speaker. (And at $469 retail, about half the price of most of the 'boo-teek stuff). The GK is {30 pounds} CORRECTION: 34 POUNDS and a bit large but still quite 'scheppable'. I used that as an extension to the Genzler/Gollihur amp to cover a really loud gig. One of the first things I'm looking to determine with the Super Midget is whether it will cover any gig I have WITHOUT an extension. Since it can handle up to 600 watts AND I will be driving it with a Shuttle 6.2 I rather expect it will be loud enough for everything I do (I don't do rock - or even play slab anymore, for that matter).

One difference between the GK and the Super Midget is that the SM is only 21 pounds (with the cloth grill which I have). Sometimes its 'the little things' (like weight) that you pay the big bucks for. You can get to the gig in either a Chevy or a Mercedes - or a city bus if it goes that way. Different strokes.

It would also be interesting to me to compare the SM with my Contra EX as well as the UpShot. Till now however I have really tried to review each speaker on its own merits rather than comparing. I'm a bit reluctant to do that since personal preference and intended use are such critical factors.

That said, I may be getting together with Adam Booker (I've asked him about lessons) and I would bring up the whole stable of gear and get his impressions. If he is amenable I'll video that and post it here. Adam is a very knowledgable and accomplished bassist and I have enjoyed the excellent videos he shares from time to time.

I'm expecting this to be a very interesting 'extended test drive' of the Barefaced Super Midget and hope y'all come along for the ride.

Totally amenable! Four ears are better than two!

 

[rickwolff]

I may be considered biased but I'd suggest it's actually the other way around. Consider a Ferrari vs a Toyota. Drive both to and from work, staying within the city limits (and thus below 30 or 40 mph). Is there any practical difference? Now take both to the Nurburgring for a track day. Drive both as fast as possible around the track for multiple laps. Notice a difference now? Gigging is like taking a car on a track - you push your gear SO MUCH HARDER on gigs.

And amps change at their limit and speakers start changing (going non-linear) as they get louder, and often the less expensive the speaker, the sooner that happens. That's why I say trying cabs in shops usually tells you less than nothing, because you can't turn them up loud enough.

If I was designing a cab solely to sound good in a shop I could make it with a remarkably cheap 8" speaker and it would be the best sounding shop speaker ever - it wouldn't need a tweeter or mid, it would sound incredible. But as soon as you cranked it, all the limitations would show up and that low volume tone would be gone!

Alex, I'd say you have definately earned the right to be 'biased'. Or, maybe just plain proud of a very fine product you have made.

It may not have been the Nurburgring last night, but it was one of the loudest gigs I play regularly (the jam session).

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the first things I wanted to determine with the Super Midget was whether it could hold up without using an extension speaker. Suffice it to say I have put that question to rest. I wasn't getting anywhere near the upper limits of what this speaker can do. I had the chance to have several other bassists sit in last night so I got to not only experience the 'stage sound' but also hear what it was like for the audience. Both were outstanding.

I know it may sound like I'm a bit biased myself but I really don't believe that is the case. True, I had rather high expectations after reading some other bassists experiences with the SM, especially 'HDiddy', Slim Pickens and others. My expectations were pretty high, and that's a big part of the reason I wanted some of my local bass pals to check it out.

Here's what my friend, Gene Barrio, had to say last night after playing the SM for the first time:



I'd like to add that I am only interested in how this speaker works for Double Bass, since that is all I play these days. Gene (the guy in the video above) however, does play Bass Guitar on rock gigs and other louder settings. For the benefit of doublers (and anyone from 'the other side' who may be lurking, I think I'll loan the speaker to Gene for one of his 'really loud gigs' and give him a chance to see how it hangs in that setting. He's a professional and I know he won't abuse it, IF he gets anywhere near the limit he'll hold back so as not to damage the speaker, but frankly I don't even think that's going to be an issue.

 

[Jay Corwin]

I may be considered biased but I'd suggest it's actually the other way around. Consider a Ferrari vs a Toyota. Drive both to and from work, staying within the city limits (and thus below 30 or 40 mph). Is there any practical difference? Now take both to the Nurburgring for a track day. Drive both as fast as possible around the track for multiple laps. Notice a difference now? Gigging is like taking a car on a track - you push your gear SO MUCH HARDER on gigs.

And amps change at their limit and speakers start changing (going non-linear) as they get louder, and often the less expensive the speaker, the sooner that happens. That's why I say trying cabs in shops usually tells you less than nothing, because you can't turn them up loud enough.

If I was designing a cab solely to sound good in a shop I could make it with a remarkably cheap 8" speaker and it would be the best sounding shop speaker ever - it wouldn't need a tweeter or mid, it would sound incredible. But as soon as you cranked it, all the limitations would show up and that low volume tone would be gone!

That is part of my point, that they all sound good in the shop as you say. To the remainder of my point, or rather my experience with the higher end gear is that the subtle nuances that one might detect "in the shop" are often lost in a live mix for the average musician. I'm talking about those of us playing in local scenes with less than optimal acoustics, sound systems, etc.

Now I'm not implying that your product won't outperform a cabinet that costs half the price. I'm sure the design, and top end components would likely bare that out. What I am saying is that it's not likely going to be a perceivable, audible difference to the listener in the types of venues that us weekend warriors are usually playing in. So when I speak of diminished returns, that is what I'm referring to.

In the case of Rick demoing stuff on professional jazz gigs, then yes I would expect it to matter more in those scenarios.

BTW I'm not saying anything good or bad regarding your products. I haven't tried them. Rick and I (and others) have a running dialog about a lot of different gear, and have talked about the topic I brought up before....hence the idea to A-B shoot out the higher priced stuff with the rest. It's going to sound good with Rick playing through it anyway.

 

[alexclaber]

That is part of my point, that they all sound good in the shop as you say. To the remainder of my point, or rather my experience with the higher end gear is that the subtle nuances that one might detect "in the shop" are often lost in a live mix for the average musician. I'm talking about those of us playing in local scenes with less than optimal acoustics, sound systems, etc.

Ah, you've missed the critical point! Yes, there are often only subtle nuances different in the shop. But crank the cabs up LOUD and all the non-linearities change the sound, causing various distortions, changes in frequency response, changes in transient response, and so on. So two cabs that sound near identical in the shop can sound TOTALLY DIFFERENT when playing LOUD.

And then there's what happens in the mix on the gig. You're unlikely to be standing in the ideal spot, so a cab with better dispersion will perform better - even though you won't notice that in a shop. And a cab with better transient response will feel much more connected to your fingers and thus be more audible to the player. And in a room with poor acoustics, a cab with better dispersion will sound more consistent than a cab with worse dispersion. Etc etc etc.

 

[rickwolff]

..... What I am saying is that it's not likely going to be a perceivable, audible difference to the listener in the types of venues that us weekend warriors are usually playing in. So when I speak of diminished returns, that is what I'm referring to.

Jay, thanks for weighing in. Part of the answer to your issue may come from Gene Barrio playing the speaker on one of his 'loud rock gigs with less than ideal acoustics'. We'll have to wait for his report on that.

I do think I can speak to the issue at least from the perspective of my jam session gig last night.

As I have mentioned before, it is the loudest gig I play - though not likely anywhere near the volume you experience.
There are two things I noticed:

1. The Super Midget didn't strain a bit - there appeared to be massive head room left, but perhaps more to your point

2. The 'subtle nuances' of the sound I try to get (the infamous MBOL) were far more evident last night than they have been with other speakers I have used. Some of the others have kept up with the volume required but they ended up sounding less like "My Bass". Some of that is likely due to the fact that I was using the Ischell Contact Mic last night rather than the piezo. If there is an upper limit to the volume the Ischell can handle before feedback I haven't found it. You very likely would on one of your gigs. At that point if you are switching to a piezo those 'subtle differences' are pretty much gone already. Wouldn't you agree? Also, as Alex mentioned, this speaker doesn't go 'non-linear' as you push it harder. Gene mentioned it didn't 'flap' on the low notes. I think he was just cleaning it up for the general audience but what he meant, and what he said 'off mic' was that it never 'farted out'. I think that is the more useful expression.

As yours is opinion I respect and value, I would be willing to consider shipping this cab out to you to try for a couple weeks (after I've played with it for a while). The little monster only weighs 21 pounds so shipping probably wouldn't be bad. I think you would be the best person to answer the question you raise and this would give you a chance to do that.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Ah, you've missed the critical point! Yes, there are often only subtle nuances different in the shop. But crank the cabs up LOUD and all the non-linearities change the sound, causing various distortions, changes in frequency response, changes in transient response, and so on. So two cabs that sound near identical in the shop can sound TOTALLY DIFFERENT when playing LOUD.

And then there's what happens in the mix on the gig. You're unlikely to be standing in the ideal spot, so a cab with better dispersion will perform better - even though you won't notice that in a shop. And a cab with better transient response will feel much more connected to your fingers and thus be more audible to the player. And in a room with poor acoustics, a cab with better dispersion will sound more consistent than a cab with worse dispersion. Etc etc etc.

No I understood your point loud and clear, and I don't disagree with it in theory. My point is that for the money, there is not enough of a perceptible difference (for me) to justify the cost.

Again this is based on experience with other high end products I've amplified my double bass with, and not yours.

 

[alexclaber]

No I understood your point loud and clear, and I don't disagree with it in theory. My point is that for the money, there is not enough of a perceptible difference (for me) to justify the cost.

Again this is based on experience with other high end products I've amplified my double bass with, and not yours.

Fair enough but I would add that I wouldn't have bothered starting Barefaced if I'd been able to find any compact high accuracy cabs with serious output - so maybe you're comparing cabs that all suffer similar limitations? Or maybe you're just not playing all that loud?

 

[Jay Corwin]

Jay, thanks for weighing in. Part of the answer to your issue may come from Gene Barrio playing the speaker on one of his 'loud rock gigs with less than ideal acoustics'. We'll have to wait for his report on that.

I do think I can speak to the issue at least from the perspective of my jam session gig last night.

As I have mentioned before, it is the loudest gig I play - though not likely anywhere near the volume you experience.
There are two things I noticed:

1. The Super Midget didn't strain a bit - there appeared to be massive head room left, but perhaps more to your point

2. The 'subtle nuances' of the sound I try to get (the infamous MBOL) were far more evident last night than they have been with other speakers I have used. Some of the others have kept up with the volume required but they ended up sounding less like "My Bass". Some of that is likely due to the fact that I was using the Ischell Contact Mic last night rather than the piezo. If there is an upper limit to the volume the Ischell can handle before feedback I haven't found it. You very likely would on one of your gigs. At that point if you are switching to a piezo those 'subtle differences' are pretty much gone already. Wouldn't you agree? Also, as Alex mentioned, this speaker doesn't go 'non-linear' as you push it harder. Gene mentioned it didn't 'flap' on the low notes. I think he was just cleaning it up for the general audience but what he meant, and what he said 'off mic' was that it never 'farted out'. I think that is the more useful expression.

As yours is opinion I respect and value, I would be willing to consider shipping this cab out to you to try for a couple weeks (after I've played with it for a while). The little monster only weighs 21 pounds so shipping probably wouldn't be bad. I think you would be the best person to answer the question you raise and this would give you a chance to do that.

For the record, I do love this thing on paper - especially the power to weight ratio we spoke of earlier. I appreciate the offer to test drive it. When I find out what my gigging schedule looks like in the new year, I'll revisit the idea. I want to be sure that I'm busy to enough to give it a proper run through. In recent months I have not been.

 

[rickwolff]

For the record, I do love this thing on paper - especially the power to weight ratio we spoke of earlier. I appreciate the offer to test drive it. When I find out what my gigging schedule looks like in the new year, I'll revisit the idea. I want to be sure that I'm busy to enough to give it a proper run through. In recent months I have not been.

Maybe next summer. We're coming North (as we typically do in the Summer). You live in a great part of the country - I've been interested in visiting Hamilton ON sometime so maybe we'll be coming through your way and I could drop it off. Stranger things have happened !