Cab advice.

[Rotkiv]

I have been looking for a setup, where my fretless bass shines through. That means the mids have to be quite present and dynamic sounding. I got my fingers on an Traynor YBA200-2, an Ampeg V4BH and a Musicman HD130. I like them all - especially the Traynor gives the sound I'm looking for with snarling mids.

I have been playing the amps on an Ampeg 410 HLF (dull sound, and the deep bass is loose). Then I borrowed a friends old Musicman 115 RH, and it sounds very much in the direction I want. From reading that Barefaced cabs with 10s should be awesome with tube amps, and having a vintage sound, I bought a Four10 (see image).

When experimenting with the sound this weekend, I found the best sound I could possibly make with the amps and the Four10. Then I switched directly to the MM 115, and the sound became much more transparent and "trombonish" in the mids. It even became louder, which also surprised me. Don't get me wrong, the Four10s is probably an amazing cab. I found especially low end to be tight and fulli and the dispersion is great. Just not my style.

I had a friend coming down, who was skeptical about my opinion. But immediately went "the sound is much more in-your-face with the 115". Today I also tried with a MXR 10 band eq, to see if I could change the character sufficiently. The frequencies I could improve, but the dynamics not at all, to get my - probably special - sound. So I have contacted Barefaced, to see if they are okay with a return.

My question is: going in the direction a Musicman 115 RH delivers, which cabinet would you suggest. It can be a 4ohms also.

 

[FunkHead]

Not sure if a Supertwin would get you there but someone's looking to trade…..
For Trade - Barefaced super twin for 410

 

[Rotkiv]

Not sure if a Supertwin would get you there but someone's looking to trade…..
For Trade - Barefaced super twin for 410

I'm in Denmark, though

 

[FunkHead]

I'm in Denmark, though

Sorry, I missed that.

 

[Aloe]

so, you tried 10"s and 15" and preferred the 15", right? try a 12" now. probably, 10"s are just not your thing. maybe a Super Compact or Midget from Barefaced would fit you better.

MarkBass cabs have pronounced and colored mids, I'd try to play one to see if that's your thing. something like a 112 or 212. EBS also has nice cabs (not that colored, but their 12"s are full and detailed in mids), but harder to find in shops. if you'll have a chance to compare 12" and 15" from one manufacturer, I'd also advice to do this.

 

[SJan3]

I have been looking for a setup, where my fretless bass shines through. That means the mids have to be quite present and dynamic sounding. I got my fingers on an Traynor YBA200-2, an Ampeg V4BH and a Musicman HD130. I like them all - especially the Traynor gives the sound I'm looking for with snarling mids.

I have been playing the amps on an Ampeg 410 HLF (dull sound, and the deep bass is loose). Then I borrowed a friends old Musicman 115 RH, and it sounds very much in the direction I want. From reading that Barefaced cabs with 10s should be awesome with tube amps, and having a vintage sound, I bought a Four10 (see image).

When experimenting with the sound this weekend, I found the best sound I could possibly make with the amps and the Four10. Then I switched directly to the MM 115, and the sound became much more transparent and "trombonish" in the mids. It even became louder, which also surprised me. Don't get me wrong, the Four10s is probably an amazing cab. I found especially low end to be tight and fulli and the dispersion is great. Just not my style.

I had a friend coming down, who was skeptical about my opinion. But immediately went "the sound is much more in-your-face with the 115". Today I also tried with a MXR 10 band eq, to see if I could change the character sufficiently. The frequencies I could improve, but the dynamics not at all, to get my - probably special - sound. So I have contacted Barefaced, to see if they are okay with a return.

My question is: going in the direction a Musicman 115 RH delivers, which cabinet would you suggest. It can be a 4ohms also.

How much volume do you need?

 

[Rotkiv]

How much volume do you need?

I'd like the cab to deliver high volume from my amps. They are "only" 100 and 200 tubeamps. The Musicman is actually louder than the BF.

 

[Rotkiv]

so, you tried 10"s and 15" and preferred the 15", right? try a 12" now. probably, 10"s are just not your thing. maybe a Super Compact or Midget from Barefaced would fit you better.

MarkBass cabs have pronounced and colored mids, I'd try to play one to see if that's your thing. something like a 112 or 212. EBS also has nice cabs (not that colored, but their 12"s are full and detailed in mids), but harder to find in shops. if you'll have a chance to compare 12" and 15" from one manufacturer, I'd also advice to do this.

Will check out Markbass. I'm sure it's also the character of the driver in the cab. I used to have some old Fender 4x10 I loved.

 

[SJan3]

I'd like the cab to deliver high volume from my amps. They are "only" 100 and 200 tubeamps. The Musicman is actually louder than the BF.

Are you using two Musicman 15" cabs?
If so, you may want to try the Mesa Subway 15". It gets a lot of love here. If above budget consider the MarkBass NY151. Whether of not you'll need two cabs is up to you. As another option, I can tell you that the MarkBass traveler 102P is very mid forward. I have 2 of them and they would likely provide what you're looking for if it's that fretless "whaa" you seek. Just some options for you to chew on..

 

[Rotkiv]

Are you using two Musicman 15" cabs?
If so, you may want to try the Mesa Subway 15". It gets a lot of love here. If above budget consider the MarkBass NY151. Whether of not you'll need two cabs is up to you. As another option, I can tell you that the MarkBass traveler 102P is very mid forward. I have 2 of them and they would likely provide what you're looking for if it's that fretless "whaa" you seek. Just some options for you to chew on..

Sometimes I use two, but mostly one. Actually they aren't mine, so I need my own.

Unfortunately Mesa isn't easily available in Denmark. I could order it from Germany, though. It's not above my price range. I will check out MarkBass also

 

[SJan3]

Sometimes I use two, but mostly one. Actually they aren't mine, so I need my own.

Unfortunately Mesa isn't easily available in Denmark. I will check out MarkBass

Ah, yes..you're not in the states. Then yea, I think Markbass has something for you. I own both 2x10" cabs and a 1x12" also. I'm very pleased with all of them and they won't get lost in the mix. They're very light too as a added bonus. Those Musicman cabs must be fairly heavy.

 

[Rotkiv]

Ah, yes..you're not in the states. Then yea, I think Markbass has something for you. I own both 2x10" cabs and a 1x12" also. I'm very pleased with all of them and they won't get lost in the mix. They're very light too as a added bonus. Those Musicman cabs must be fairly heavy.

They aren't to heavy, and actually I only borrow them. But the sound was s quite right for me. Weirdly they give punch in the middle. But it probably could be even better…. Will check Markbass

 

[SJan3]

They aren't to heavy, and actually I only borrow them. But the sound was s quite right for me. Weirdly they give punch in the middle. But it probably could be even better…. Will check Markbass

Good luck and please share how you make out.

 

[Aloe]

Unfortunately Mesa isn't easily available in Denmark.

a friendly hint: write down your location to your profile, so you don't have to explain this each time.

I believe, most people here are from US and they generally expect other people to be from US, unless it's stated in their profile.

 

[Biggbass]

I usually play my fretless thru a Markbass 2x10 cab and a 200 watt Class D amp and it sounds wonderful...exactly how I want it to sound.

 

[two fingers]

I have been looking for a setup, where my fretless bass shines through. That means the mids have to be quite present and dynamic sounding. I got my fingers on an Traynor YBA200-2, an Ampeg V4BH and a Musicman HD130. I like them all - especially the Traynor gives the sound I'm looking for with snarling mids.

I have been playing the amps on an Ampeg 410 HLF (dull sound, and the deep bass is loose). Then I borrowed a friends old Musicman 115 RH, and it sounds very much in the direction I want. From reading that Barefaced cabs with 10s should be awesome with tube amps, and having a vintage sound, I bought a Four10 (see image).

When experimenting with the sound this weekend, I found the best sound I could possibly make with the amps and the Four10. Then I switched directly to the MM 115, and the sound became much more transparent and "trombonish" in the mids. It even became louder, which also surprised me. Don't get me wrong, the Four10s is probably an amazing cab. I found especially low end to be tight and fulli and the dispersion is great. Just not my style.

I had a friend coming down, who was skeptical about my opinion. But immediately went "the sound is much more in-your-face with the 115". Today I also tried with a MXR 10 band eq, to see if I could change the character sufficiently. The frequencies I could improve, but the dynamics not at all, to get my - probably special - sound. So I have contacted Barefaced, to see if they are okay with a return.

My question is: going in the direction a Musicman 115 RH delivers, which cabinet would you suggest. It can be a 4ohms also.

Before you spend a lot of money on cabs, try getting a High Pass Filter. I used to own an Ampeg 610HLF. Yes, the lows are very loose. That was until I put a Broughton Always On HPF in front of the cab. I could clean it up very nicely with that. For the tone you are describing, almost any cab could benefit from an HPF.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I have been looking for a setup, where my fretless bass shines through. That means the mids have to be quite present and dynamic sounding. I got my fingers on an Traynor YBA200-2, an Ampeg V4BH and a Musicman HD130. I like them all - especially the Traynor gives the sound I'm looking for with snarling mids.

I have been playing the amps on an Ampeg 410 HLF (dull sound, and the deep bass is loose). Then I borrowed a friends old Musicman 115 RH, and it sounds very much in the direction I want. From reading that Barefaced cabs with 10s should be awesome with tube amps, and having a vintage sound, I bought a Four10 (see image).

When experimenting with the sound this weekend, I found the best sound I could possibly make with the amps and the Four10. Then I switched directly to the MM 115, and the sound became much more transparent and "trombonish" in the mids. It even became louder, which also surprised me. Don't get me wrong, the Four10s is probably an amazing cab. I found especially low end to be tight and fulli and the dispersion is great. Just not my style.

I had a friend coming down, who was skeptical about my opinion. But immediately went "the sound is much more in-your-face with the 115". Today I also tried with a MXR 10 band eq, to see if I could change the character sufficiently. The frequencies I could improve, but the dynamics not at all, to get my - probably special - sound. So I have contacted Barefaced, to see if they are okay with a return.

My question is: going in the direction a Musicman 115 RH delivers, which cabinet would you suggest. It can be a 4ohms also.

212av

 

[Rotkiv]

I have found out, that the reason why the 115 sounds much better for my purpose, is that the harmonic distortion (in the drivers/cab) sets in quite early compared! That is what gives the "trombonish" growling sound I'm looking for. So I'm actually not looking for a "strong" cab. I have been writing with Alex from Barefaced about it, and I didn't think of that before. The drivers he use are actually to powerful for my sound, I believe. Or I should have gotten a smaller one.