Bass Cab as PA Speaker?

[BassistForHire]

Has anyone out there ever used a pair of 1-12" full range bass cabinets, like Schroeder 112+ or Bergantino AE-112, for PA speakers? Looking to consolidate functions and equipment. Tried it the other way around, used JBL Eon-G2's for a bass cab and didn't like it.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

used JBL Eon-G2's for a bass cab and didn't like it.

For the same reason you wouldn't like the sound of a bass cab on PA. Very few give accurate reproduction of the signal sent to them; most are highly colored. OTOH PA cabs have far less coloration, and if coloration is what you like you won't like a PA cab.

 

[BassistForHire]

Good Point! I guess my wife will just have to put up with the G2's in the spare bedroom.

 

[MNAirHead]

I always chamber and 3 way my custom cabinets.. turn off the tweets unless used for a monitor etc..

I'd be more likely to say a PA cab for a bass.. I do this frequently..

World can care less about bass tone.

 

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

I am using a Bag End 4x10 for some more bottom end to give the key's and drums extra kick and it works very well also doubles as a good stand for my 6 space/board rack.
I did have to put a attentuator on the cab to chillout the coaxial speaker.

 

[richnota]

my accugroove tri110 (three way speakers) sound wonderful as a PA.

Not sure a twelve and a piezo tweeter optimized for bass will work but the high-end three and four way cabs seem to get the job done.

On the other hand a lot of budget PA cabinets I've seen are loaded with pretty crappy speakers. Serious high end PA cabinets? pretty nice sound.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

There's a pic around here somewhere of Tom Bowlus using his EA bass cabs as PA cabs... or maybe it was bergantinos....

 

[bass4worship]

I use my Carvin BXR210 as PA speakers sometime they sound great.

 

[tombowlus]

There's a pic around here somewhere of Tom Bowlus using his EA bass cabs as PA cabs... or maybe it was bergantinos....

Both, really. Here is an older (and crappy!) shot showing the EA's:

And here are some shots of my "typical" PA:

Note the VL-110 monitors. Also, "Leather Pants Guy" is no longer in the band.

A rear shot of the Berg PA:

I will definitely agree that in most situations, using a stack of bass cabs for PA use may be less than ideal. I initially tried the EA's and Berg's on PA as a lark, but I found that they worked really well. In fact, I have had some sound techs who are not familiar with the Bergantino brand ask me about these "PA cabs" and tell me that it's one of the best mixes they have heard.

In all honesty, I bet I probably could put together a better PA using dedicated SR cabs, but all in all, I am pretty happy with my "Berg PA."

Tom.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Tom, is that last pic a beach gig next to a swamp?

 

[tombowlus]

Tom, is that last pic a beach gig next to a swamp?

Pretty much, yes. That is on the Sandusky River (just downstream from my house, actually!), and the "bar" is an artificial peninsula built up from like 70 tons of sand. The "swamp" is a natural wetland next to the peninsula (on the edge of the river).

A few more shots from that gig:

Oh yeah, that's a Glockenklang Duo wedge.

Tom.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Thanks. I can see the scenic Sandusky River in the background...

 

[nostatic]

While not implemented to Sandusky Standards,™ I used my old EA VL110 speakers as a small PA for coffee house gigs, and hope to use the Berg AE112s in the same way.

 

[DAcat]

Pretty much, yes. That is on the Sandusky River (just downstream from my house, actually!), and the "bar" is an artificial peninsula built up from like 70 tons of sand. The "swamp" is a natural wetland next to the peninsula (on the edge of the river).

A few more shots from that gig:

Oh yeah, that's a Glockenklang Duo wedge.

Tom.

Tom I think your Berg PA would blow away most house PAs I've heard or played thru at bars...Peace...DAcat