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Considering 15" cab to augment EA CXL-112

Discussion in 'Amps, Mics & Pickups [DB]' started by RMacBass, Jul 7, 2003.

  1. Jul 7, 2003 #1
    RMacBass

    RMacBass Bass Commander

    Jun 2, 2003
    Victoria, BC, Canada
    Hiya,
    I've basically used a Nemesis 210 combo for my whole bass career, and I recently acquired an EA iAMP350 head and CXL-112 cabinet. I'm wondering about adding a 15" or 18" cabinet for those times when I'm really looking to crank it in a larger club.

    I noticed the Avatar 210 review and ad in Bass Player, and went to their website to look at their 15" models. Does anyone know if one of those would be a suitable complement to the CXL-112? I've never really combined speaker makes before, and I love the sound of my basses on their own, so I don't want to color the sound (which is why I bought the EA stuff).

    Any opinions/advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2003 #2
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    Since you are the only one who knows what you want your amplified sound to sound like, you'll be the only one who can know if you're getting it or not. Having said that, there's an old thread around here somewhere about larger speaker sizes, and if I remember it correctly not many DBers liked them. I own a CXL-112, and have tried it with my Bag End 15, only to discover that it does nothing more than muddy the sound to my ears. When I really need to break down some walls with the DB, I pair the EA 112 with a Bergantino HT112...plenty of punch and power without losing the clarity. YMMV.
     
  3. Jul 7, 2003 #3
    LM Bass

    LM Bass

    Jul 19, 2002
    Vancouver, BC
    I'm with Chris here, I don't like 15's for my upright bass. I use a CXL-110 with a Mesa Walkabout lately, and I'm pretty happy. I can't imagine playing my bass at levels that would require 2 cabs. . . But stylistically, I only play jazz and classical gigs with it, so my experience is a bit limited re: louder gigs. The Avatar stuff is really good from what I can tell, and Bag End is renowned for making good cabs. Maybe you should try adding another 112 cab?

    best,
    LM
     
  4. Jul 10, 2003 #4
    RMacBass

    RMacBass Bass Commander

    Jun 2, 2003
    Victoria, BC, Canada
    Ok, thanks for the input!

    Regards,
    Ross
     
  5. Jul 10, 2003 #5
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    I have a 15" cab which I use for larger gigs with my big (13-piece)Latin band - I have tried it with my EUB and it does tend to make it sound more like Bass Guitar - to the point where I don't use it and tend to think - well I might as well use BG for the whole set if it's not going to sound that much different anyway?

    Whereas, whenever I play my EUB through just an EA VL208, I always get people asking about how I get that thing to sound so good - so much like a DB!! ;)

    It happened again on Tuesday night - regular Jazz jam thing and I've ben using my EUB there for almost a year now, but I still got three people (musicians) asking me about it and saying they couldn't believe how much like DB it sounds. :)
     
  6. Jul 22, 2003 #6
    DaveB

    DaveB

    Mar 29, 2000
    Toronto Ontario
    I've got a CXL112 that I use with my upright and I almost never need a second cabinet. But when I do,I have a Bag End 12 and a Bag End 15 that I can use. Ixnay on the 15. Even with the EA it just doesn't do anything for the upright other than make the sound muddy.The Bag End 12 is a much better choice to pair with the EA.I actually used the Bag End 12 for awhile as my upright cabinet. It did a credible job...but not anywhere near the EA.However, if you need to move more air than your CXL112 can provide then the Bag End S12D is an alternative. But for me, if had to move that much air regularly I would buy a second CXL112.

    Oh yeah, don't take this as a complete dis on the Bag End 15.My comments are for upright only. I still use the BE S15D for my electric gigs. I like it better for electric than the CXL112.(But the EA is a better "doubling" cab)
     
  7. Jul 22, 2003 #7
    farmerdude

    farmerdude

    Jul 12, 2001
    Rural Kansas City
    I have a bass that produces very low sub frequencies that I want reproduced through my amped system. At the volume I'm required to play in one particular group, I add an 18 to a 210 cab. If the 18 had a tweeter, it would work by itself. I am very particular about my sound... I have great sounding basses and want them to amplify that way.

    Large speakers can work and may be the ticket in some situations.
     
  8. Jul 29, 2003 #8
    563

    563

    Jul 27, 2003
    Seattle
    I was thoroughly impressed with Bag Ends stuff and bought a 15 of theirs. But I was really impressed with the low end abilities of their smaller cabs as well. They make versions of their cabs with an integrated "tweeter". It looks like the dome on a speaker is red instead of black (the model numbers have an X in them). Maybe a 15 with the tweeter would suit you?