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Best single cab solution for small clubs?

Greenboy Bassic 1x15 with Faital driver.

Lightweight, LOUD, and sounds great. It’s rated at 99dB sensitivity which is just 1 dB less than what an Ampeg 8x10 is rated at.

May not fall within your budget, though.

Let's not get carried away though. Max SPL for a modern Ampeg 810 is listed as 130dB.

A Bassic 15 likely maxes out somewhere in the realm of 123dB. That is a BIG difference.

As a reference, an F112 should be able to put out around 122dB, and an F115 126dB at max excursion (and at lower frequencies, though I realize that isn't the goal here).
 
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I shot out a bunch of boutique/super single cabs awhile back, and the clear winners for me were Audiokinesis and Barefaced.

I'd really love to find a used Barefaced Super Compact 12 or similar.

Bergantino HDN210.

Fender + flats isn’t hifi, so the Mesa 15” would be worth a try.

I highly recommend trying out the Baer ML115 with a 15” and 6”, no tweeter. Delicious warm yet articulate tone, esp with flats.
 
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Fender + flats isn’t hifi, so the Mesa 15” would be worth a try.

I highly recommend trying out the Baer ML115 with a 15” and 6”, no tweeter. Delicious warm yet articulate tone, esp with flats.

Neither the Audiokinesis or Barefaced designs are arbitrarily "hi fi".

I didn't have a Mesa or Baer in the test, Mesa wasn't interested in sending me a loaner and Roger couldn't get me one in time, but I've heard great things about both as well.
 
If you can find a used GK Neo212 that would cover most bars I've played in and would be in your cost tolerance. Otherwise a Bergantino CN212 or HDN212 covers your tonal interests but exceeds your budget by $400.
 
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Let's not get carried away though. Max SPL for a modern Ampeg 810 is listed as 130dB.

A Bassic 15 likely maxes out somewhere in the realm of 123dB. That is a BIG difference.

As a reference, an F112 should be able to put out around 122dB, and an F115 126dB at max excursion (and at lower frequencies, though I realize that isn't the goal here).

Very true, but the Greenboy and Fearful/Fearless stuff still does put out a ton of volume for those small boxes. And we are talking about the need for a cabinet for small clubs. Not sure you really need more than 126 max dB? I stack my 2nd Bassic on top when I really need he volume but that is when I am no longer in small club territory.

The Bassic is plenty for small clubs. As are the F112 and F115.
 
Not sure you really need more than 126 max dB?

No way. I consider my F115 to be completely excessive for my needs. Rock and roll and all. :)

For "small clubs" a Bassic 15 would definitely get the job done. I just had a knee-jerk reaction (sorry about that) to the comparison to an 810. While it isn't wrong, I guess I'm just not necessarily as big of a fan of comparing sensitivity ratings of cabs that are so different in so any other ways in this day and age of cheap/light watts.
 
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No way. I consider my F115 to be completely excessive for my needs. Rock and roll and all. :)

For "small clubs" a Bassic 15 would definitely get the job done. I just had a knee-jerk reaction (sorry about that) to the comparison to an 810. While it isn't wrong, I guess I'm just not necessarily as big of a fan of comparing sensitivity ratings of cabs that are so different in so any other ways in this day and age of cheap/light watts.

No worries at all, you are right, it wasn’t really a fair comparison.
 
Unless you've already tried it, the GK Neo 115 III might be the ticket. I've got two. It's the right price and based on your description, sound. It's a bit low-mid forward and I find this useful. Not a super-deep cab. The tweeter does a lot of the high-mid work so if you want less of that, roll it off. If you want more of a 'rock' sound, turn it up. It's a bit bulky compared to some others but I think it's worth it, at 40 lbs.
 
For a small single cabinet, I'm a big fan of the Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12. They are light, easy to move around and they sound really good.

Me too! The biggest compliment I can give the Whizzy 12 is that the more I use it, the more I like what I hear. It’s not as bright as a lot of cabinets with HF drivers, but there are no discontinuities with coverage either. It’s a great box!
 
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