• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

#3,843
Dee-man said:
I've been drooling over getting an 18 and wondering if someone could please describe the tone. I'm familiar with the 16, 46 and the 110S, and wondering if the 18 tends more toward the open/woody cab tone I hear from the 16 vs. the more "regular" speaker cone tone from the 46, if that makes any sense. Thanks for any thoughts, DM
Click to expand...

Hey, brother. I was checking back on this thread and noticed that no one responded to your question. I haven't heard any of the cabs you mentioned, but the (tweet-equipped) 18 is the most open, transparent (balanced, no noticeable peaks) cab that I've heard. I can definitely hear the 'wood'... :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stumbo
#3,844
spiritbass said:
I've never heard the 109, but I dig the Bodai 110's. Never played a Markbass either, but I know this rig rocked the house. :cool: It is a nice, small footprint, and having the Bodai at ear level is the best 'monitor' you could have...
Click to expand...
The Markbass amp is a discontinued model from about 10 years ago. It's probably this best amp Markbass ever made. It's a very powerful(1200 watts), warm
but punchy amp. Markbass aficionado's say it's very similar to the F1/F500 amps (except with endless head room). There is a thread on them.
TB'er RPSANDS says"The Sd1200's ridonkulous lows have me using my MiniDSP to high pass my signal". I needed an amp that could push my MAS 109.
When I bought "Kesslari's 109(by it's self) I was using a Genzler Magellan 800 or Shuttlemax 9.2 with it and it was eating those up, AND those amps are normally plenty loud enough with traditional cabs. Now, I have no problem!(Powerful, portable, good sound and not expensive[bought used])
With Mike's BigE cabs, I set it flat with a slight attenuation of the Bass shelving control. I am now selling 8 out of my 9 bass cabs (Traditional) because I'm sold on the design. Plus, I could use the dough. LOL It's a bitch getting rid of Bass cabs.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Superbird, John D Harris, nbsipics and 1 other person
#3,847
3rdcurve said:
Are you running the full stack most of the time?
Click to expand...
I just got the WD-800 on Friday, so thus far it's been at home only, and for convenience there I have the stack set up, so yes.
For rehearsal on Thurs I will just bring the 1,8, which is perfect for that situation. No upcoming gigs. I size the rig to the gig (and currently don't have any gigs in the near future), so I don't know when I'll rock the full stack, or even the B28 at a loud-ish volume.
 
#3,849
thumbs&fingers said:
I have been using my wd800 with the Bodai 115. Haven’t even taken a moment to use it with the bodai 112 as it sounded so good. I’m sure the 12 will be just as good. My neighbors hate me right now! The 15 is brutal but the hpf really cleans it up.
Click to expand...

Ooh - what a combo. I was always intrigued by Mike's description of the 115 as "having a bass drum under your fingers". :cool: I would love to play one...
 
  • Like
Reactions: kesslari
#3,850
The B28 was really really good on the first gig. I always struggle with tone in that room (hollow stage ). Tons of good sound on stage, but less volume out in front. I didn’t get out too far, maybe 15 feet so hard to say. The low end off the upright was the best yet. MA109 like and plenty more of it. Unlike anything before. The E string was just a blast to hit. The depth control on the Fishman pre was critical. Too much deep, covered some mids up. The 900w out of the Shuttle Max seemed good, although a 1000w plus amp would be fun to experience

Round 2 this weekend...
 
  • Like
Reactions: mntngrown and kesslari
#3,857
Superbird said:
wow
Click to expand...

I should probably elaborate a bit. I did bump up the master volume a touch on my Postive Grid Bias Head when I first switched from the TC stack to the B28. But I didn’t touch the master again when switching back and forth between the MAS and TC cabs. It was my first time using the RS212s. They sounded good, but there was a richness or quality to the sound from the B28 that really let more nuance of the Orange tube amp model come through; sounded great in the band mix with electric geetar and drums.

Using my eyes, I sort of expected the 4x12 to produce more low end girth. However my ears told me the smaller single box was more than enough — and sounded “better”. However that rich sound does come with brutally honest clarity- maybe a pro or a con depending on the user.

Edit: I was playing a Dingwall Super PJ5 (neck pup solo) strung with TI flats > DSM OCSD > PG head.
 
  • Like
Reactions: spiritbass, Superbird and kesslari
#3,858
Kind of a similar story - in Oct I did an outdoor gig, no PA support, with the B28. Oh, and... with a great guitarist who likes to play loud. The B28 was plenty loud and clear.
When we finished the bass player for the next band came up and told me how big and great the bass sounded. He was kind of blown away when I showed him that the B28 was all I was going through.
He then proceeded to set up his GK 115/410 stack.
Different paths to the same end... But the B28 sounded better :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Superbird, eff-clef, wave rider and 3 others
#3,859
whirledpeas said:
I should probably elaborate a bit. I did bump up the master volume a touch on my Postive Grid Bias Head when I first switched from the TC stack to the B28. But I didn’t touch the master again when switching back and forth between the MAS and TC cabs. It was my first time using the RS212s. They sounded good, but there was a richness or quality to the sound from the B28 that really let more nuance of the Orange tube amp model come through; sounded great in the band mix with electric geetar and drums.

Using my eyes, I sort of expected the 4x12 to produce more low end girth. However my ears told me the smaller single box was more than enough — and sounded “better”. However that rich sound does come with brutally honest clarity- maybe a pro or a con depending on the user.

Edit: I was playing a Dingwall Super PJ5 (neck pup solo) strung with TI flats > DSM OCSD > PG head.
Click to expand...

Mike is to cabs what Sheldon is to basses. Both are in a different league...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Superbird, thumbs&fingers, Razman and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back