Best single cab solution for small clubs?

[808P123]

I run a Barefaced Super Twin and it's been stellar. It covers everything.

 

[Keef66]

Maybe a Euphonic Audio Whizzy 112? They make great stuff.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

So back to those two Aggie 12" cabinets - if you have a decent and maneuverable 1-15, when would you ever decide to use both Aggies instead of the one-cabinet 15" solution? Sell one Aggie and put the $$$ toward your optimal 1-15" - you'll still have the remaining Aggie for home or small-event use.

I realize this question is probably rhetorical, but I would use my Aggies when I'm playing stages that are less cramped. The idea is when I run two, I'll be running my TH500 at 4ohms. Also, I'm getting more speaker surface area than w a single 15. So unless I picked up a nice 4 ohm 115 cab, I'd be surprised if most 8 ohm 15s could do what the two 12s do. I'll keep you updated when I pull the trigger on something!

Most of my 4-ohm 115's have a "4/8 ohm" switch. I put that in quotes because the actual difference is less than those numbers imply (and will explain the inner workings if anyone is curious and/or skeptical). The idea is, flip the switch to "8 ohm" mode and add a second 8-ohm cab in parallel when you have a loud gig.

 

[Joebone]

Could just be a UK thing. I’ve seen lots of pictures of peeling tolex, missing feet, handles coming loose etc..

Hmmm....could it be the UK weather?

 

[bucephylus]

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 )

I dig Ed’s work and playing. But, I have to say that placing a doghouse right in front of a 215 like that raises my eyebrows more than a little. Can’t possibly be much signal going out of that cab; or else that bass would explode. Looks great. Doubt that it is a good example for the OP Q.

 

[stevieg]

It varies depending on the size of the room. However, I have found my SWR Super Redhead to be extremely flexible and useful in most situations.

stevieg

 

[jmitch]

I just picked up a Fender Rumble 2x10, 500w. Love it. Best tone I've ever had in a combo amp (and I've had quite a few), and surprising bottom end, too. Check the online reviews or play through one in a store.

 

[draygriff]

I just started using the 10" Genzler Bass Array cab and I gotta say this is easily beats everything I've played in the past. I chose the 10" because I like the punch. The 12" is next on my to-get list. Either would be a great choice.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I dig Ed’s work and playing. But, I have to say that placing a doghouse right in front of a 212 like that raises my eyebrows more than a little. Can’t possibly be much signal going out of that cab; or else that bass would explode. Looks great. Doubt that it is a good example for the OP Q.

I'm no doubler, but/and what you say makes total sense to me. I still think that's a 215 - the woofers are somewhat slanted, while the F212 has them vertically aligned. If I'm right this would reinforce your analysis.
Paging @dukeorock, who, IIRC, has quite the experience in playing acoustic upright in loud bands (and has likely taken the largest Fearlesses for a spin in that same context).

 

[Kieran Mulvaney]

If you prefer ceramic drivers definitely check out Bergantino,(although their neodymium offerings are surely top notch as well)I’ve used my HT112 for over 10 years, it’s been all over the country, superior sound, impeccable durability.

 

[lancer]

Bergantino HDN210.

I second that

 

[TomB]

Have you tried turning your DB on end? I ran mine that way for years. Much nicer footprint and easier to hear as a single cab.

 

[ranbunctious]

Just about any cab with an 18 inch driver...

 

[2wheeler]

...
As for elevating or putting a wedge underneath, yes, that does help to a degree. I'm already doing that my smaller cabs w/o casters.

The first time I used a speaker stand (lift and angle), I could not believe the difference. I felt really quite silly for not having tried such a simple solution before.

 

[shughey]

Have you tried turning your DB on end? I ran mine that way for years. Much nicer footprint and easier to hear as a single cab.

Yeah, I've tried that before. It definitely is easier to hear that way, however, I prefer titling the amp w a wedge. With the wedge I get an all around better tone. This "gets me by" in small venues, but I would prefer a single cab w more breadth to the sound. Some other single-speaker cabs I have used, like the NY151, just sound wider and more present. Lots of good suggestions posted so I'm doing my research!

 

[PimasterPearson]

I'm not sure if it would fit the tone you're going for, but I run my TH-500 through a TC Electronic RS210. I didn't have TC Electronic in mind at all until someone suggested I try it out, and I love the sound. It's nice and compact, and not too heavy. I don't love the handle placement, but it's only 37 pounds so that's not as big a deal.

 

[dannylectro]

I love my Schroeder 112 w/ horn. Under 40 lbs, handles 500 watts, and costs less than the Mesa.

 

[b-b-b-bass]

I usually take Yellow Cab to small clubs .

 

[Ian Lewis]

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?

If it wasn't for your price limit I'd highly recommend the Greenboy fearless f112H that I use. I drive it with a TecAmp Puma 500. To give you a idea of it's capability, my 18 piece jazz band played an outdoor gig last Sunday. Drums had one overhead mike, piano was DI'd, brass all miked. I was neither miked nor DI'd yet had heaps of headroom and the tone was (according to a muso in the audience) nice and strong.

 

[DanGR]

Given Kro’s experience, I wonder if the Fearless F112 might do better. Ed Friedlander seems to like it.

+1 for the Fearless F112, but might be hard to find one used under $750. Mine was $1,300 new with all of the weight saving options (33 lbs.), but totally worth it. Buy once, live happy.