Best single cab solution for small clubs?

[Plutonium244]

Personally I wouldn’t touch a used Barefaced cab. Their reputation for reliability is terrible. The nasty covering scratches, chips and peels. Handles and feet fall off and internal components come loose and rattle around.

I’ve lost track of the number of these I’ve seen with problems. Some less than a few months old as well!

To each their own of course, but I've had a different experience with them with 'em. but I have 5 different Barefaced cabs, both 10's and 12's. Tolex and "stucco". I would not trade them for any cab-- though I know there are others that are objectively comparably nice. I bought one used and 4 new, and I take care of them. They do come in two different cab finishes. I agree the kind of stucco-look covering can chip if you aren't at least somewhat careful. "Common sense care," I'd call it. They also are doing some tweed finish cabs, as well as the "standard" tolex finish.

If I were doing hard grind 6-day-a-week road work where its care is likely deficient, maybe tossed about in and out of trucks, I'd probably go with the Barefaced in Tolex or tweed. And made sure I has the covers. Even a road case if I were doing the road full-on. I'd have a metal grill.

I've never had any problems with handles or feet falling off, though I've read anecdotally of that happening to one or more people. Unlike the olden days, there really is hardly any newer gear that you can beat all to hell and abuse with impunity and expect it to survive. Those Peaveys could be thrown off a truck. They also weighed a ton. But about seeing some cabs that weren't right-- keep in mind too that as they've refined their process, things that happened in earlier models get addressed. Mine are all 3 yrs old or less. No issues with my 5.

These late generation super light cabs are not tanks, so they do need care. Which is fine for me, I try to take good care of all my gear in my middle age (when I was 20 it was a different story-- used the sh!t out of my gear under all kinds of questionable circumstances). My BF stuff survives just fine.

So-- maybe we're getting different intel being on opposite sides of the Atlantic, or just in general have had different experiences with BF (and I am glad to hear yours for the memory banks), but I wouldn't say, IMO, Barefaced has a rep for unreliability or is not reliable. But yeah, bashers (not musically but equipment-wise) might want a different cab that isn't as light and find something built for comfort not for speed.

 

[LHbassist]

I used to HATE 2-10 cabinets. Any time I'd encounter one, on a gig backline, at a jam, or rehearsal, it was bass kazoo time. Ugh. Those Goliath Jr's were the worst. I played one at a jam not too long ago, and hated it, just like I remembered. I had a Euphonic Audio VL-210. A truly nice cabinet. Very accurate three way, nice in a situation where you really don't need to fill a room with a lot of serious bass. Downside- 75 pounds, and side by side, in a room, my Carvins are actually superior in getting the sound into the room. I was never happy with the EA, as highly touted as they are. It always sounded kinda like it was out of steam, and didn't want to move any more air. I sold it.
I like my EA CXL 112, but it, too, weighed a ton. I'm kinda glad the coaxial driver took a dump- it has a Faital neo and a HF horn in it now. Sounds a lot better, to my ears- and it's a lot lighter.
I think the practical way to do gigs now, is to take just what you need, and that's it. I sometimes do a gig out in Wendover- a six hour drive from Reno, where I live. I used to bring two cabs. Last trip, I brought only my Mesa 1-12, and two heads. A Carvin BX500- and my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 as a backup. That little Carvin head is a great amp. It'll do TWO ohms, too. Try finding a class 'd' amp that'll do that! I have the sound guy feed me a bass direct signal out of one of the killer EAW 1-15 foldback monitors.
I used to be a gear snob, having owned the best amps and speakers money could buy, since the mid- sixties. NO ONE is buying big cabinets in this area anymore. When I say big- a 4-10, is considered too big now! The only cats I see with big cabs, are the death metal bass players. Many of the rockers are doing modular now, too- multiple cabs, like say three Mesas, or other 1-12, 1-15 boxes.. and use what the gig requires. Cars are getting smaller, cabs, and sadly, the gigs are fewer and further in-between, too.

 

[Molan]

To each their own of course, but I've had a different experience with them with 'em. but I have 5 different Barefaced cabs, both 10's and 12's. Tolex and "stucco". I would not trade them for any cab-- though I know there are others that are objectively comparably nice. I bought one used and 4 new, and I take care of them. They do come in two different cab finishes. I agree the kind of stucco-look covering can chip if you aren't at least somewhat careful. "Common sense care," I'd call it. They also are doing some tweed finish cabs, as well as the "standard" tolex finish.

If I were doing hard grind 6-day-a-week road work where its care is likely deficient, maybe tossed about in and out of trucks, I'd probably go with the Barefaced in Tolex or tweed. And made sure I has the covers. Even a road case if I were doing the road full-on. I'd have a metal grill.

I've never had any problems with handles or feet falling off, though I've read anecdotally of that happening to one or more people. Unlike the olden days, there really is hardly any newer gear that you can beat all to hell and abuse with impunity and expect it to survive. Those Peaveys could be thrown off a truck. They also weighed a ton. But about seeing some cabs that weren't right-- keep in mind too that as they've refined their process, things that happened in earlier models get addressed. Mine are all 3 yrs old or less. No issues with my 5.

These late generation super light cabs are not tanks, so they do need care. Which is fine for me, I try to take good care of all my gear in my middle age (when I was 20 it was a different story-- used the sh!t out of my gear under all kinds of questionable circumstances). My BF stuff survives just fine.

So-- maybe we're getting different intel being on opposite sides of the Atlantic, or just in general have had different experiences with BF (and I am glad to hear yours for the memory banks), but I wouldn't say, IMO, Barefaced has a rep for unreliability or is not reliable. But yeah, bashers (not musically but equipment-wise) might want a different cab that isn't as light and find something built for comfort not for speed.

Wow, I’m genuinely surprised. They are near legendary over this side of the pond for having issues. Social media has been awash with pictures of peeling tolex on 3-month old cabs.

I think there was a pro (maybe Ed Friesland) who wanted to take one on tour whilst he was here and discovered it had things rattling around inside.

A lot of owners don’t talk about all their issues because they simply decide to sell them in quickly and, unsurprisingly, they don’t want to highlight all the problems.

I’ve always found lightweight cabs from people like Aguilar and Bergantino to be several leagues above anything from BF.

Of course, with cost of importing and/or distributor margins to cover the cost of these is quite a bit higher than BF but the jump in build quality (especially internals and final fit/finish) is huge.

I should add that I used to help manage a retail business that sold Aguilar, Bergantino, Genzler, Hartke, Bag End, Ampeg, GK, MarkBass, Carvin etc. so we got to see how these brands performed over time and whether there were ever warranty problems.

We also took in a lot of equipment in exchange and, after some nasty experiences, there were only three brands we refused to touch - Barefaced, TC Electronics (amps) and Bugera.

 

[FunkHead]

This is mind blowing. I searched for days and could hardly find a single complaint about Barefaced.

I would have thought it would be easy to find based on what you are saying here.

Maybe more of a "Word of mouth" thing local to you??

Wow, I’m genuinely surprised. They are near legendary over this side of the pond for having issues. Social media has been awash with pictures of peeling tolex on 3-month old cabs.

I think there was a pro (maybe Ed Friesland) who wanted to take one on tour whilst he was here and discovered it had things rattling around inside.

A lot of owners don’t talk about all their issues because they simply decide to sell them in quickly and, unsurprisingly, they don’t want to highlight all the problems.

I’ve always found lightweight cabs from people like Aguilar and Bergantino to be several leagues above anything from BF.

Of course, with cost of importing and/or distributor margins to cover the cost of these is quite a bit higher than BF but the jump in build quality (especially internals and final fit/finish) is huge.

I should add that I used to help manage a retail business that sold Aguilar, Bergantino, Genzler, Hartke, Bag End, Ampeg, GK, MarkBass, Carvin etc. so we got to see how these brands performed over time and whether there were ever warranty problems.

We also took in a lot of equipment in exchange and, after some nasty experiences, there were only three brands we refused to touch - Barefaced, TC Electronics (amps) and Bugera.

 

[Molan]

This is mind blowing. I searched for days and could hardly find a single complaint about Barefaced.

I would have thought it would be easy to find based on what you are saying here.

Maybe more of a "Word of mouth" thing local to you??

Could just be a UK thing. I’ve seen lots of pictures of peeling tolex, missing feet, handles coming loose etc. Never bothered saving them because it wasn’t that interesting, easier just to move on and buy/sell something with a better reputation.

Of course, this can be true of lots of brands or individual products. If ever we came across something with repeated issues we’d just delist it very quickly. You have to have a bit of faith that everything you sell is of good quality and won’t let a customer down on a gig.

There is definitely a thing about owners not wanting to go public because they want to shift their cabs quickly.

We heard so many issues in the store about how easily they damaged and saw some first-hand examples. It was enough to stop us taking them in exchange even though we knew they would probably sell fairly quickly.

 

[Maynjo]

Love my new SL 212. I agonized many nights deciding between the SL 4x10 and Sl 212. In the end i took a leap of faith on the 12's. A former 4x10 disiple I was for 25 years i was very nervous. Although not as drastic as drastic as gender re assignment surgery,
going from a 4x10 to 2x12 is still a big decision lol! I love the 12's but still LOVE that SL 4x10. Maybe i will just have to snag an 8 ohm 4x10 and pair it with the SL212 some day.

Ha same. Couldn't decide between the two. I really wanted 2 112's or the 212, but 18" depth scared me away. I am really happy with the 410, but I hear the 12's sound just as killer.

 

[FunkHead]

Most Talk Bass users wouldn't "stick" another guy with a rattling or otherwise compromised cabinet.

It seems like nothing but love for them here.

Anything negative I did find was really old. I know Alex made design changes for a stronger coating and the current one would survive way beyond than normal use.

I know I love mine. Traynor YBA-300 into BF Supertwin = Tonal Bliss.

A 2x12 cab with 810 sound/punch/power is not an exaggeration.

Could just be a UK thing. I’ve seen lots of pictures of peeling tolex, missing feet, handles coming loose etc. Never bothered saving them because it wasn’t that interesting, easier just to move on and buy/sell something with a better reputation.

Of course, this can be true of lots of brands or individual products. If ever we came across something with repeated issues we’d just delist it very quickly. You have to have a bit of faith that everything you sell is of good quality and won’t let a customer down on a gig.

There is definitely a thing about owners not wanting to go public because they want to shift their cabs quickly.

We heard so many issues in the store about how easily they damaged and saw some first-hand examples. It was enough to stop us taking them in exchange even though we knew they would probably sell fairly quickly.

 

[Life of Brian]

Ha same. Couldn't decide between the two. I really wanted 2 112's or the 212, but 18" depth scared me away. I am really happy with the 410, but I hear the 12's sound just as killer.

I know what you mean they are very deep. I haven't played it with a dense band situation yet (horn section or multiple guitarists or layers of keys) but in limited rehearsal I'v been happy with the 212's cut through ability. It's a loud cabinet. Like really loud. I think it's louder than two SL 112's (the mini stack). At least the specs say so too 102 slp . Time will tell I think if i ever regret it and go back to the 4x10 the resale on these SL"s are good enough to sell and buy the other used and not be out a whole lot.

 

[redwood]

A used MAS cab might be the ticket to get you the volume and clarity you seek.

THIS! In spades.
I'm never looking back since getting my MAS 112. I've found that it excels when having to play in a goofy shaped room, or stuck in a corner. It still sounds great throughout the room.
45 lbs., easy to roll in and out.

 

[Djadja]

Do check out the Genzler bass arrays... I’d look at the slant versions first or if a flat version, think about some kind of a stand to get them closer to your ears or at least something to tilt the cab up a bit. The observations are on-target - great dispersion, articulate mids, warm trebles that never get spikey. A surprising number of folk on the Genzler club are finding that a single 10-2 meets their needs. Even more are satisfied with a single 12-3.

 

[bordinco90]

You put an eminence in yours?

Yes I did. It made a huge difference.

 

[Greyvagabond]

My Rumble 1x15 weighs nothing and sounds great. It was $300. You just can't beat 'em.

 

[axelrod]

Greenboys onstage? Anybody got a vid of one being used?

 

[ga_edwards]

Glad I found this thread. I’ve been thinking along similar lines lately, and trying to identify the weak spots in my rig, and my Markbass 121H traveller is definitely a candidate for replacement. I want to keep to a single cab if possible, I don’t drive, so I get a lift or a taxi to local gigs, so I need to keep the rig easy to manage. If I can load in in one trip I’m happy. The Markbass cab is okay, but it sometimes struggles to fill a pub with low end goodness (pesky physics) and get sound a little muddy.

I’ve been thinking either a “super 12” or a couple of “super 10s”. I quite like a traditional tone, so I’m not sure a barefaced 12 design is for me - I’d probably turn the tweeter off anyway! But the two10 or a couple of one10s is definitely appealing. The two10 is barely any different in size to my 121H, and as I understand it, it performs as well as standard 4x10. However, I am perturbed by the negative comments in this thread. As for social media being “awash” with issues, I’m in the UK and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. I take good care of my equipment, everything has a case or a cover, so I can’t foresee any issues unless they are built incredibly badly.

If I do go with them, I’m unsure whether to go with a single two10 and be done with it, or a couple of one10s. A single one10 would be ample for rehearsals, and maybe less raucous function gigs, and I can use the other one when I need it. Or, get one of each! That would cover any gig I think of.

I’ve also looked at the phil jones cabs, and I’m intrigued by the C4 and C8 cabs. Again, a single C4 may be enough for some uses, but a pair should cover most things, as would a C8. They appear to be about the same size as the barefaced stuff too. However, I hear they are power hungry and may not project as well.

I’ve also been looking at the Trace Elliot Elf range. That 2x8 looks tasty, but I’m really not convinced it’ll be enough on its own, and for that price, I may as well pay a little extra and get the barefaced two10. I also wonder how the more realistically price Elf 1x10 cabs stack up against the barefaced one10s.

Anyone care to comment?

FWIW I use a Carvin Bx700, so I have plenty of power on tap if I get it running at 4ohms. I may also pick up either an Elf head or a GK MB200b at some point as a backup, or for rehearsal/small gig usage. I hear these things are fabulous.

 

[Kro]

Greenboys onstage? Anybody got a vid of one being used?

Pictures? Yes. Video? Unfortunately no, but the venues I play more often than not have a full FOH setup anyways, so I'm not too sure how helpful that'd be anyways as far as trying to hear one in action.

Actually, most venues also have some sort of cab backline situation, so I don't get to use mine as much as I'd prefer, but when you're playing in crowded cities like Philly and NYC the benefits of a house cab are undeniable. Still, I do have a couple pics in my recent TB archive. My F115 doing what it does best:

 

[shughey]

This is the first I'm hearing about Barefaced reliability issues as well, but I'm not around many people who play them. I'm skeptical, but that wouldn't keep me from trying one out if I found it at the right price. Unfortunately, they seem hard to find second-hand here, and when I do find them, they sell for as much as a new one. Because of this, they're probably out of my budget for now. The Hathor is within my budget and is an option I'm totally considering.

Also, I'd like to try the Subway 115 (w a wedge underneath this time) and the Fender Bassman Neo 115 again, and I have my eyes on a B100R (yeah, I know, a combo.) I had a B200R back when Ampeg was still making them and that thing weighed a ton, but I remember liking the tone. The B100R is still heavy (approx. 65 lbs) by today's standards, but if I like the tone I'm getting more than w a separate 115/"super 12" and TH500, it may be worth it! As it stands right now, I can get the B100R a little cheaper than the others; the others would be used as well.

Anyone care to comment?

Honestly, it looks like you're looking for exactly what I'm looking for. I would just re-read all these posts. According to them, it doesn't sound like the Barefaced 12 will be too modern at all, it sounds great for what you're trying to do. I can't speak to what pairs well w your Carvin however.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Greenboys onstage? Anybody got a vid of one being used?

Here's Ed Friedland playing live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN with the Mavericks, using what I take to be a Greenboy Audio Fearless F215:


(A couple more videos from the same night:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPtr5MtBFJQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbPOxXTJqQ8 )

 

[ga_edwards]

This is the first I'm hearing about Barefaced reliability issues as well, but I'm not around many people who play them. I'm skeptical, but that wouldn't keep me from trying one out if I found it at the right price. Unfortunately, they seem hard to find second-hand here, and when I do find them, they sell for as much as a new one. Because of this, they're probably out of my budget for now. The Hathor is within my budget and is an option I'm totally considering.

Also, I'd like to try the Subway 115 (w a wedge underneath this time) and the Fender Bassman Neo 115 again, and I have my eyes on a B100R (yeah, I know, a combo.) I had a B200R back when Ampeg was still making them and that thing weighed a ton, but I remember liking the tone. The B100R is still heavy (approx. 65 lbs) by today's standards, but if I like the tone I'm getting more than w a separate 115/"super 12" and TH500, it may be worth it! As it stands right now, I can get the B100R a little cheaper than the others; the others would be used as well.

Honestly, it looks like you're looking for exactly what I'm looking for. I would just re-read all these posts. According to them, it doesn't sound like the Barefaced 12 will be too modern at all, it sounds great for what you're trying to do. I can't speak to what pairs well w your Carvin however.

Thanks for your input. I think I have almost convinced myself to get the barefaced two10, and a cover and be done with it as a do it all rig. If necessary, I can always get a one 10 later as a rehearsal/extension cab. TBH, I quite like the idea of a second cab that I could either angle up toward my head, point at the drummer or even put on the other side of the drum kit.

Anyone care to comment?

This was more aimed at the Elf 1x10 vs barefaced one10. I wonder how they compare as there's a £100 price difference. Apparently, two one10s sound pretty much the same as the two10. So I'm wondering how similarly a couple of the Elf 1x10 cabs compare.

 

[kpc]

Last month I, somewhat foolishly, sold off my Italian-made Jeff Berlin 15" combo. For the last 5-6 years, I was using this rig to play anything from small outdoor events (decks/small festivals), to small clubs/bars. Now, I'm trying to find a lightweight single-cab solution (under 50 pounds or so) to run with my TH500. I tried one of the Ashdown Mag 210s in store and I didn't like it all. It sounded pretty muddy/indistinct to my ears given it's a 210. It sounded even muddier w an Ampeg PF running through it. In addition, I tried one of the new Fender Bassman Neo 115s. I liked that cab more. Also, I haven't been a fan of any GK cabs I've tried in the best. I could get better clarity and decent low end, but I didn't sound better to me (tonally) than the Aggie DB112s I have kicking around my apartment. I would use the Aggie for those gigs, but I hate the form factor, it's too low of a profile for me to just run one, and it tends to get lost in a band more, where the Berlin had no issues.

At this point, I have my eyes on 210s, 15s, and maybe "super 12s" w a more vertical profile. I would like to avoid 212 enclosures. A lot of the stuff I want to try out has been discontinued or hard to find used, i.e., older Epifani stuff. I'm looking for good bottom end and clarity, and evenness in the mids. A little bump in the low mids is fine, just not interested in cabs that are scooped in the mids or aggressive in the upper mids. I'm exclusively playing 4 string passive Fender basses w flats and nickel rounds atm, so I'm not interested in any cab that specializes in extended super lows. Budget: would like to keep it below $750 new or used. Any cab suggestions?

Take a look at Revsound. Light and sound great.

 

[Kro]

As for social media being “awash” with issues, I’m in the UK and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. I take good care of my equipment, everything has a case or a cover, so I can’t foresee any issues unless they are built incredibly badly.

So, I really have no horse in this race, but just to talk about the Barefaced hardware issues, it is something that I've heard in the past - particularly concerning handles, but I feel like it's also something that BF has been trying very hard to improve from the earlier generation models. Whether that's enough for new prospective buyers or not is up to them, but the concerns were obviously enough for BF to write this article about the improvements in that area.

Barefaced Bass - Gen3 & Retro10 Hardware

I say good for them for trying to tackle the issues head on. If I felt a BF was the right cab for me, I personally probably wouldn't let it phase me.