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Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

#2,522
Gab124 said:
I can't get over the fact that tonight I was so supportive without dominating everything. I did not get to walk around the room and listen unfortunately, but, it was like I had multiple bass cabinets surrounding the circle we were playing in. The keys across the way were clear, with bass nearby; guitar also clear with a bass nearby.. Strange and I apologize for trying to explain the experience because I don't have the right descriptors.
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No need to apologize -- that's a good description. Others (myself included) have tried to tackle the surrounding/immersive aspects of the way these cabs present, but I don't think anyone's put it quite that way. The way you put it rings true with my experience.

As for "being so supportive without dominating everything," I find that I can hear myself better and hear everyone else better, which I like. That's not to say that it automatically solves any and all mix and EQ problems for everyone on stage, but it does help clean things up as you're not contributing boom and bloat, which makes people less likely to fight you for space.

In my home I was afraid it might be too sterile for me, but tonight it was very organic and very present. I felt like I could have turned up even louder and still been ok, but knew I didn't have to for it to work.
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I practice through my 112 at home (though it's overkill for that) and like it pretty well there, but I always like it more when I get to play it out.

I can say this...I have played bass for nearly 33 years using high end, low end and classic gear. I have never been so dumbfounded by a cabinet in my life. It let me stop fiddling so much and just get into the groove. I am not saying I plugged in and left all knobs were they were, I had to tweak just a couple times, but then it was just there, or maybe I should say everywhere.

I know this is long winded, sorry. I don't want to come across as saying this is better than s3x equipment. It does not have a unicorn horn on it or anything and I don't think it could fart rainbows. I can tell that for me my Streamliner might not be the best match with it, but man it was just there regardless of a few niggles in tone. Simple, supportive, clear bass that sat where it should be.

IDK, count me as someone who is really getting into the Big E thang. I still have some gigs coming up, so I will make sure that this was not an anomaly of some kind. But tonight was really fun for me.

Oh, and I did get lots of compliments after practice, so yay for that :smug:
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Cool. Hope your initial good experience is a harbinger of more good ones to come!
 
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#2,523
Ewo said:
Yep, that's the special sauce of these cabs.

If you can get ahold of a Mesa D-800, try that micro with the MAS112 cab.
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I'll see if I can test one out sometime. Tonight, and/or tomorrow, I will be trying the PF800 with my cover band, curious to see what it sounds like. I was never a big Ampeg player, their stuff is ok and definitely iconic, but I do like that amp. Friday gig will be with the DB751. At 4ohms all my amps will give plenty of juice. I did notice that with my Streamliner I normally am very close to the same eq settings regardless of cab used, but with the MAS112 I ended up in a very different position, but not extreme - still have the standard bass cut with that amp though - the mids on the MAS are where I seem to be searching and testing. Normally on the Streamliner I boost either 250 or 600 depending on room, last night I had a slight boost at 2.5. I don't think the PF and DB have built in HPF like the GB so I am curious how that will affect the low end through it.

I forgot to mention the form factor. I read that Mike said that was a bit of an accident, but the size and shape is pretty easy for me. The best thing is it perfectly slides behind the seats of my Tacoma extended cab, not quad cab. I build a platform back there for gear and dogs to stand on and the 112 slides in, with amp, gig bag and bass all while allowing the two front seats to lean back in a natural position (my wife will like that).

The only thing I could complain about, and this is with all cabs that have the built in rollers. The material the wheels are made out of is always really hard, and when going across a parking lot or something ruff there is zero cushion/shock absorption. Some type of more rubber based wheel would be better, but then you may run into longevity issues. That niggle is not a Big E thing though, I see that on all cabs with this design. Smooth surface is great though and easy to walk with particularly with the built in handle, that is brilliant and I like its addition.

Lastly - are there any covers available for these?
 
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#2,526
Talk about a brother-in-bass...
My 109/sub is delayed. Worth waiting for, but a bummer for my gig Friday - first gig with a nine piece soul band.
@mntngrown cheerfully offered me a choice of his "gallery of MAS greatness" to do the gig. I'll be picking up his Flex210 and know that I will bring the booty-movin' bottom with the amazing clarity that bad mutha' of a cab provides.
Thanks, Pat.
And if you're on the fence about picking up one of these bad mamajammas for yourself, his is for sale...
 
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#2,527
kesslari said:
Talk about a brother-in-bass...
My 109/sub is delayed. Worth waiting for, but a bummer for my gig Friday - first gig with a nine piece soul band.
@mntngrown cheerfully offered me a choice of his "gallery of MAS greatness" to do the gig. I'll be picking up his Flex210 and know that I will bring the booty-movin' bottom with the amazing clarity that bad mutha' of a cab provides.
Thanks, Pat.
And if you're on the fence about picking up one of these bad mamajammas for yourself, his is for sale...
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That is fantastic. Always love a good ending. I will most definitely be getting another MAS at some point (and I do like the look of those 210's). For now I need to spend time with the 112 and see where and what I would need. Not sure if this will do nearly all my shows then I just get something for small practice spaces or coffee house type stuff. Maybe a 109 IDK. I want to believe I can get a 109 and pair it with the 112 at the biggest venues, but from what I have read that might not match up as well as I have in my head. Good luck on your show this Friday - mine looks to be getting cancelled as the singer may have damaged his vocal chords,, which I hope is not true.
 
#2,528
I had band practice tonight with the other band. This takes place in a small empty bedroom with little sound reinforcement. I always wear ear plugs cause the drums even at low volume can hurt - horrible space but it is what we have. I knew the 112 was overkill here, but just wanted to see anyway (normally have a 210 avatar in here). Two guitars by the way. I just can't understand this cab and how it can sound like it does. Again it was inside the mix, not overbearing or on top and not completely under it either, just everywhere. I know I was too loud a few times but it was still not bad. I could still hear the guitars easily and all my lines, from lowest note to highest. Everyone mentioned that it was solid but not fatiguing in any way. I really am dumbfounded. So far it is still unlike anything I have ever played through.
 
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#2,531
mntngrown said:
yep game changer for me. As I previously posted,the guitar guy, playing both gigs at the same club thought my MAS46 powered by kxb500 sounded way better than the full on Ampeg 300 watt classic tube through a fridge 8x10 in the same venue. We both were in agreement
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kesslari said:
Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. :bassist:
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Game changer is a great way to describe what it is, and Kesslari I know I am preaching to the choir as it were. I was still thinking about this last night. I could be wrong, but I would be willing to bet that those that really get into this speaker line will be the more mature musicians, not from an age perspective, but bassists who tend to play for the music. There are so many musicians that play very selfishly and want to be the one that stands out the most - "look at me I'm a rock star" kind of thing - these are the same guys and gals who have no eye contact and never communicate with their bandmates while playing. I think this cabinet allows you to mix in from a team perspective and that in my experience has come from individuals that have a much more broad sense of what a good mix is and how that serves the music for the listeners. I believe there will be alot of bassists that could play this cab and notice the missing "earful" of sounds and mistake that for not standing out enough. This cab, to me, almost sounds like there was some mastering work done on the mix, but in situ. I could be completely off base with this though, wouldn't be the first time!!
 
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#2,536
J.Wolf said:
Haha, thats a hell of a marketing platform ;) MAS- shut up and play it.

PS, I'll be listing my FLEX MOD 210 (full face grille) in the classifieds soon, as I'm moving towards a different MAS setup. if you're interested shoot me a PM.
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What set up are you going to? Great playing by the way, I looked up your stuff and had to show our drummer as well since the percussion it pretty impressive.
 
#2,537
thanks man. That percussionist (River Guerguerian) is an old friend and he is just astounding. No doubt why he's in very high demand.

I'm thinking about a 109, or two. Heard one a while back and I really dug it. The flex is just an amazing setup, I just found the 109 fit my needs a little better and I am preferential to the '2 identical cabs' modular setup. Also still considering a 46 for certain kinds of gigs.
 
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