Do all cabs feel like a compromise?

[micguy]

I understand the physical trade offs, but there seems to be more of a working towards a price point with cabs in general than basses or amps.

My complaint is there seems to be a tendency towards making cabinets the size that people want them to be, rather than the size they need to be to work. I like my cabinets to work all the way down to 40 Hz, and there are very few that do that on the market. Hence I made my own - my 112 cabinet is larger than a lot of 115's (and also less efficient), but a low E really shakes the place.

 

[Raw N Low]

Basses + Amp + Cab = Compromise....somewhere at some point.

In my experience I've found that most bass players will rotate one rig in at a time. They judge component of that rig based on how it sounds. I've played with combinations that sounded rough, but sounded great when I made a change to one of the big three. They are all musical and tools of the trade. I think bad marketing statements like, "it's the last (insert here) you will need." or "every style of music, every gig."

There is no magical tool out there. I tend to keep 'em if I can and re-purpose them later. If anything, I've found most pedals to be a band-aid or bigger hinder to most of the rig combinations out there.

 

[mmbongo]

I was just going over in my head all the cabs I seriously considered, and the compromises they had. When I set out, I wanted lightweight cabs, no rat fur, handle on top. Price was of course a concern, depending on the other factors.

Markbass- small, light, handle on top..yay! But rat fur, cheap quality, very expensive for what you get.
Bergantino- fantastic quality! But no top handles, heavy, expensive..but worth it.
Barefaced- fantastic quality, very light, very small!! But no top handles, handles they do have are cheap looking. Expensive..but worth it.
Audiokinesis- fantastic quality, great engineering, top handles, cost less than other boutiques. But the looks. Just....the looks.
Mesa Subway- ticked all my boxes. Technically no top handle on the 115, but it's a cube so not needed. The compromise I would say is the shape, it's a little odd to carry.

Outside of my Subway cabs, Audiokinesis are probably the most well rounded design. And of course looks are subjective. I'll try an Audiokinesis one day!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If you're drawing the line at what covering is on the cab & what color the drivers are, it's time to compromise.

 

[agedhorse]

Note that there are a lot of customization possibilities for the Subway cabinets. You just have to order via the custom shop option.

 

[Korladis]

With basses and even amps you can buy no holds barred, high end basses and amps that don’t cut any corners on quality or construction. But cabs always seem to be a compromise - heavy weight, rat fur or tolex, Duartex that’s gooped on, no t-bolts, cut corners on the crossover, etc. I guess the closest to a high end cab that I would consider “ideal” is the Greenboy F112, but I dislike the wedge format. It seems like everyone is trying to keep costs down on cabs where that’s not usually the case with basses. And you don’t hear a bass, you hear the notes from the speaker. I’ve found my ideal bass, but the quest continues for the ideal cab.

My definition of ideal is an 8 ohm cab that I can double up on larger gigs and use singly on smaller gigs. Sub 45lbs per cab (using the single weight plate standard), truck bed liner, handles 400-500W, quality construction, real handles - not the silly straps. Tone and low end extension, of course.

I considered Acme 112FR, but they have low sensitivity so you need to pump up the wattage and then I start to need a bigger amp. Dr Bass’ BL115 checks most of the boxes and I have an older RX series that I use for rehearsal and like. The obvious issue is - will I get the cabs.

Everything seems like you have to make more of a compromise than with basses and amps.

I guess partly because weight doesn't really factor in to my thoughts on cabs, I guess I don't see cabs as compromises.


That said, if weight was a factor for me, I'd be looking at getting a Greenboy Dually.

 

[HolmeBass]

I’ve looked at them, but hats it. Never had a chance to hear one. Two Big Baby II cabs would likely cover what I want, but who knows how they would sound.

By all accounts they sound epic.

 

[HolmeBass]

Can,t believe all the BS I keep readin bout cabs!!! If yet too Lazy to haul around a REAL Bass amp,QUIT!!? Or at least shut-up about it wah!wah! Peace

The amp is not the cab. Two different things, not really interchangeable.

Was your rant/whine really intended to read more like: "If yet too lazy to haul around a REAL bass rig,QUIT!!?" ? (sic) Because the amp is rarely the problem, it's usually the cab that is heavier and larger.

 

[mmbongo]

I guess partly because weight doesn't really factor in to my thoughts on cabs, I guess I don't see cabs as compromises.


That said, if weight was a factor for me, I'd be looking at getting a Greenboy Dually.

The Greenboy cabs are actually pretty heavy by today’s standards.

 

[DigitalMan]

Note that there are a lot of customization possibilities for the Subway cabinets. You just have to order via the custom shop option.

I was just about to say.... a 1x12 in walnut would be pretty sweet.

 

[aborgman]

Mesa Subway cabs tick all of your boxes, except....truck bed liner? Not sure why you’d want that?

Because it's almost indestructible. Same reason I have a face cover for my cab.

 

[Korladis]

The Greenboy cabs are actually pretty heavy by today’s standards.

Not by my standards or those of the genre I mainly play.

 

[aborgman]

My fEarful 15/6 built by LDS meets most of those.

~45 lbs without the grill cover.
Duratex
8 ohm
Can handle about 700W (thermal and mechanical)
No need to double up
Good low end extension.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

With basses and even amps you can buy no holds barred, high end basses and amps that don’t cut any corners on quality or construction. But cabs always seem to be a compromise - heavy weight, rat fur or tolex, Duartex that’s gooped on, no t-bolts, cut corners on the crossover, etc. I guess the closest to a high end cab that I would consider “ideal” is the Greenboy F112, but I dislike the wedge format. It seems like everyone is trying to keep costs down on cabs where that’s not usually the case with basses. And you don’t hear a bass, you hear the notes from the speaker. I’ve found my ideal bass, but the quest continues for the ideal cab.

My definition of ideal is an 8 ohm cab that I can double up on larger gigs and use singly on smaller gigs. Sub 45lbs per cab (using the single weight plate standard), truck bed liner, handles 400-500W, quality construction, real handles - not the silly straps. Tone and low end extension, of course.

I considered Acme 112FR, but they have low sensitivity so you need to pump up the wattage and then I start to need a bigger amp. Dr Bass’ BL115 checks most of the boxes and I have an older RX series that I use for rehearsal and like. The obvious issue is - will I get the cabs.

Everything seems like you have to make more of a compromise than with basses and amps.

You should take a look at the DNS112 by DNA. I have a friend who toured and took two of them. He only used one for most gigs and pulled out the second one when he needed it. they have easy to grab handles on the top corners of the cab. Here are the specs on it:

Power Handling: 450 W RMS - 900 W Peak
Impedance: 8 Ω
Sensitivity: 99dB @2.83V/1M
SPL: 129 dB SPL max
Frequency Response: 32Hz to 14KHz
Size: 14.5"H x 21"W x 16"D
Weight: 34lb
Coverage Pattern: 60 degree

At a street price of $719 for ceramic/$779 for neo's, they are not cheap. I was considering getting two of these myself but it was less expensive to just get the DNS410 ($1049), which is what I have now (and love it!). The DNS112's are worth a look.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you're drawing the line at what covering is on the cab & what color the drivers are, it's time to compromise.

No. It’s not.

 

[Korladis]

I mean, while weight isn't a factor for me, covering definitely is. I won't buy a cab with rat fur.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Note that there are a lot of customization possibilities for the Subway cabinets. You just have to order via the custom shop option.

I’m sure they won’t do duratex style covering, but I’ll have to look into that. I know what’s on the inside will rock. The attention to detail in my Walkabout Scout is truly amazing.

 

[madbass6]

With basses and even amps you can buy no holds barred, high end basses and amps that don’t cut any corners on quality or construction. But cabs always seem to be a compromise - heavy weight, rat fur or tolex, Duartex that’s gooped on, no t-bolts, cut corners on the crossover, etc. I guess the closest to a high end cab that I would consider “ideal” is the Greenboy F112, but I dislike the wedge format. It seems like everyone is trying to keep costs down on cabs where that’s not usually the case with basses. And you don’t hear a bass, you hear the notes from the speaker. I’ve found my ideal bass, but the quest continues for the ideal cab.

My definition of ideal is an 8 ohm cab that I can double up on larger gigs and use singly on smaller gigs. Sub 45lbs per cab (using the single weight plate standard), truck bed liner, handles 400-500W, quality construction, real handles - not the silly straps. Tone and low end extension, of course.

I considered Acme 112FR, but they have low sensitivity so you need to pump up the wattage and then I start to need a bigger amp. Dr Bass’ BL115 checks most of the boxes and I have an older RX series that I use for rehearsal and like. The obvious issue is - will I get the cabs.

Everything seems like you have to make more of a compromise than with basses and amps.

Cant go wrong with Bag end, Mark Bass or mesa boogie! althou mesa biggie a bit heavy but the sound you get is well worth it!!

 

[seamonkey]

I’ve found my ideal bass, but the quest continues for the ideal cab.

When you listen to your bass with a good set of headphones does it sound ideal?
For me, non of my raw naked basses sound ideal just raw.
I find I can usually pull all the tone I need from signal processing.
I don't need to compromises on the amplifier part, or the cabinet, they just have to accurately reproduce the signal I send to them. My own hearing changes at different listening levels, so I do have to adjust the EQ to match my hearing and level, but there are some tricks here too.

 

[CryingBass]

Berg