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Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia
- Thread starter kesslari
- Start date
Yes Superbird is in San Jose area and was at the little bay area GTG. He said he was curious about a 12 but had to admit the 109 gets it done just fine on upright and electric. Its amazing how the cabs way out play bigger conventional designs. A 1x10 carrying a blues gig at Little Lou's or the previous Grand Dell, would in my opinion have been a joke. Not Mike's 109 apparently. Being paranoid about redundancy, having had a well known crap outer amp head crap out on me mid song once, and (pats self on back), had another head in the car, I took the flex and 46 with me. 46 was plenty. The owner is actually a music fan and said our sound level was perfect. I don't anticipate needing anything bigger than the 46 except for outdoor, with no PA support.
I'd call that Kustom a small head, mntngrwn.Nice kick for a micro, though. Pretty insane with the Flex - will do way more than "moderate volume"!
Would love to hear the Shaw with the Flex. Have had stray thoughts about tube amps (never had a full tube amp), and the Flex seems pretty efficient. Wouldn't be prudent right now, though.
Along the tubey/efficient lines, I tried the Flex with the Mesa Walkabout - just at home so far, but sounded thick with a nice kick. I know that Mike would recommend (and that the cab will handle) more amp, but, based on my experience with the 500 Watt KXB just coasting with the Flex, I want to try the 300 W Walkabout with it on a gig. I don't think the WA's ~165 Watts @ 8 Ohms would do it with my 112, but Mike said it would power the latest, 4 Ohm iteration of the 112 - the one with the new Eminence woofer made for it - just fine. I dunno. I've thought about selling the Walkabout before, but have never managed to put it up.
I have a 'funny feeling' that you may eventually end up with a Shaw.
Providing funds to bribe Kevin to build me one was the only reason that I sold my Walkabout...
I'm going to try to put that thought out of my head for now. But as long as we're talking about it, you find that the Shaw powers the Flex alright?I have a 'funny feeling' that you may eventually end up with a Shaw.
Absolutely. Plenty of push & volume. Congratulations on your ability to put expensive thoughts out of your head when necessary - it's a good survival trait.
I can't tell if there's irony there or not. Regardless, I need all the good survival traits I can get!Absolutely. Plenty of push & volume. Congratulations on your ability to put expensive thoughts out of your head when necessary - it's a good survival trait.
I meant it sincerely, without irony. It also helps to maintain peace with your spouse if you have one!
In that case, thanks, but my success rate with such mental discipline is -- well, it might be a good batting average.I meant it sincerely, without irony. It also helps to maintain peace with your spouse if you have one!
I wish I could do that more often, along with not selling stuff prematurely. I sold coyoteboy my MA109 last fall when it looked doubtful that I'd be able to return to playing. Things turned out better than expected and I found myself without a decent speaker when I was ready to start playing again. I talked to Mike about getting another 109, but I was messing around with a low power tube amp at the time and went with his suggestion of the 112LPT. The tube amp didn't work out and I went back to my trusty Walkabout, but for my purposes now the 112LPT is way overkill. Still thinking about what to do that makes sense. I doubt that I'm pushing the 112LPT hard enough to really get the benefit of the MVW technology.
Mike's cabs are simply in a whole 'nuther league in output, clarity, and projection compared to conventional designs. One would have to hear and feel how a 110, 2-5 and tweeter can feel like a 'super 15' cabinet to really believe it's possible. The best 115 I ever had was the AccuGroove Tri-115 and the 110 Flex blows it completely out of the water. Combined with a good all-tube amp and you've got punch and tone that will inspire you to no end. Seriously! 
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The last Little Lou's gig was the best upright tone I've ever had (15yrs of experiments). At least from three feet in front of the cab. It was vertical on 2 gramma pads and my empty amp suitcase (8 or 10 inch rise). Just uncanny, I've been shopping got a new box recently, but the 109 just adds so much definition. Not selling now. The slab is being a little more finicky in the tone department. 12 year old flats may have something to do with it. Afraid to change them. It's probably just the Shuttlemax 9.2 EQ setup. Struggling with the right mid clarity. Not as clear and round as the upright, but still usable for sure. I'm very interested in the MAS109 project. Please reply if you've heard some news. It might be a good partner to the 109 if I get on a huge stage or outdoors maybe. The 112 just may be upright overkill in the typical bar setup. I keep slapping the snot out of the 109 and it just delivers. I do use a tiny bit of compression from my Fishman pre. It was a great gig. Band and patrons happy.
Mike's cabs are simply in a whole 'nuther league in output, clarity, and projection compared to conventional designs. One would have to hear and feel how a 110, 2-5 and tweeter can feel like a 'super 15' cabinet to really believe it's possible. The best 115 I ever had was the AccuGroove Tri-115 and the 110 Flex blows it completely out of the water. Combined with a good all-tube amp and you've got punch and tone that will inspire you to no end. Seriously!
My keyboard buddy uses the Tri-115 and LOVES IT. I need to pipe him into the 109 for a bit
My keyboard buddy uses the Tri-115 and LOVES IT. I need to pipe him into the 109 for a bit
He may have eargasms.
A few months ago, I put a 20" riser under my Flex. That bit of elevation evens out the low end response nicely. It's over-emphasized when it's at floor level IME...
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46 likes to be on a chair, or like Friday, a milk crate. It sounds great that way,(horizontal).
About a month ago I purchased a used MAS210 Flex from fellow TB'er thumbs&fingers. I've used the cab on 14 gigs now, and after about 40 years of searching for my ultimate tone, the quest has ended. I don't know how much I can add that hasn't already been said about these cabs, but I'll give my impressions anyway. The first thing I noticed is that the sound is so even. From drop D tuning to the highest registers of my bass, all the notes have the same volume and punch. My band SLAMABAMA plays Modern Country and I only drop D on a few songs, but when I do, the D notes are simply amazing. I will actually start laughing every time I hit one, it's that crazy! I was able to add a graphic eq pedal to my board to bring out even more highs and lows, because the Flex is able to reproduce it. My tone is very articulate and crushing at the same time. The Flex hits very hard if you let it. In the photos posted below, the first one is from Mike Arnopol's Facebook page, before I bought the cab. The second one is from a recent job I did. In the third close-up, my Mesa Prodigy's master volume is the sixth knob from the left. You'll notice how low the knob is set, it's barely on. That setting will fill a good sized stage, the cab is that efficient! I'd like to thank Steve and Tom at Big E for their incredible technology, Mike Arnopol for building this cab and setting up the transaction, and finally thanks to thumbs&fingers for going out of his way to meet me and give me such a sweet deal, and for just being an all-around great guy!
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Sweet rig!!!
It is such a luxury not feeling like you need to spend more time and money looking for something that 'your rig' is lacking.
It is such a luxury not feeling like you need to spend more time and money looking for something that 'your rig' is lacking.
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Nice rig. If I had the scratch I'd pick up mntngrown's Flex and trade my Buster in on a 400 or 400+. I think one of the Carbines would sound great through it too.
I swear, every time I see the Flex ad get bumped, I check my bank account and yell at myself for not being able to scoop it up. That price is insane and I completely do not understand how it is still available.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Very nice! I love my Flex210 with both the Prodigy and the Strategy heads. This cab definitely plays nicely with both tube and solid state amps.
I think it's still an unknown to most folks, but, yeah, best deal going now on a beastly, beastly cab.
Ever try your Walkabout through it, Tom?Very nice! I love my Flex210 with both the Prodigy and the Strategy heads. This cab definitely plays nicely with both tube and solid state amps.
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