Do all cabs feel like a compromise?

[phillipkregg]

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

Those Mesa Subway cabinets just seem to kick ass. I've never heard anything bad about them. It's amazing how they can pack such quality into such a small footprint.

But on the other hand the fender Rumble cabinets were really impressive to me too. For the price I thought they would be questionable, but they sound amazing.

Bass amplifiers and cabinets have come a long way in the last 10 years. You can get some amazing quality for a very low cost. It's a great time to be a bass player.

 

[jnewmark]

LDS and Schroeder build some pretty unique cabs and seem to have ordering options galore. The Greenboys are awesome I’m sure as well. I dig the wedge idea except that I’ve never really understood how guys that run them (as a wedge) keep their class D head in a good spot. Small detail but I’m curious

I think you could probably get one of the Authorized Builders to build a fearless 112 in a standard box shaped cab. I wanted a Bassic 15 built with a tweeter and had no problem with the AB.

 

[asands]

I think you could probably get one of the Authorized Builders to build a fearless 112 in a standard box shaped cab. I wanted a Bassic 15 built with a tweeter and had no problem with the AB.

I like the idea of a wedge cab because I never play shows without FOH these days. I would also like to see like the SWR Redhead setup where it has a two space rack mount to put a class D and have it be an all in one with the option to remove if needed. I do occasionally run my 3015 loaded TL606s for big stages and would want the option to remove occasionally

 

[David A. Davis]

Cheap, light or great sound. Pick any two.

 

[vin*tone]

Bergantino is what you're after.

 

[Laurent]

My Bergantino NV610 might be a compromise to some but it's not to me.
It's hell of a good sounding cab and I can't think of any compromise with it.
The only compromise is from me and it's not turning it up as high as I would like!

 

[ihixulu]

Why do I get the feeling that the OP doesn't want to be happy with anything? If you can't find a cab out there that lets you express yourself musically, go build the magical beast. Right, but that would be too expensive, too hard...

 

[socialleper]

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 used to think this was the case as well. Then I did my research, saved up my money, and bought a Barefaced 2x12 cab. Light weight, rock solid, great cover, loud, clear, and I can get any frequency my bass can produce out of it. Many "too good to be true" brands fall short, but Barefaced delivers. You just need deep pockets and patience.

 

[joebar]

You have to call it a day at some point
You could have the perfect rig and lose all the nuances in a terrible sounding hall/room anyways.

 

[Munjibunga]

Do all cabs feel like a compromise?

No.

 

[Bassheart365]

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.

Sorry, I don't have time to read other responses to your question. You already answered your own question. I own two Greenboy F112s. You don't have to use them in the wedge position, Best cabs I've ever played through:

 

[Korladis]

A week ago, I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but "I Love my FIT!" Sure, it's not a race car, but around here, it's mostly stop and go traffic and you almost never get to turn your high beams on. It's fun to drive and super versatile. I swear it's like a Tardis - bigger on the inside. (I think I have my Dr Who references correct.) Mine is stick and it's just fun to drive. Kudos Honda!

I only turn my high beams on in very out of the way roads that are unlit and have hardly anyone on them.

But yeah, I find myself quite fond of my minivan due to its gear hauling capacity. Not what I would have guessed I'd drive when I was a teenager.

I totally get the rat-fur aversion...cat hair, dog hair, and--bonus!!--in rural areas like where I live, sometimes you have to set your gear down on unpaved surfaces, with crunched-up leaves, gravel, grass clippings, etc...relatively smooth, non-porous coverings are a big plus.

Ignoring perceived Ferrari/Pinto standards for a moment, have you tried the Hartke Hydrive cabs? I have not, but the 112 version looked cool to me because it was light, had a top-mount cast recessed handle (tough, flush for gear-stacking), was 19" or so inches wide (handy for those with rack power amps and stuff), switchable impedance between 4 and 8 ohms...and I have read a few comments that they sound deep and articulate.

The 115 version is an 8 ohm cab but still seemed pretty light to me. As it happened, I acquired an AudioKinesis cab before getting around to trying the Hydrives, but they might be worth a look. Those Pintos might have been flawed efforts as early economy cars...but they weren't Vegas, and the Ford 2.3 OHC was a fine engine that went on to power some pretty cool Ford stuff, post-Pinto. See, that kind of reasoning is so confusing you'll be trying Hartke stuff before you know it, and you won't mind it a bit. You'll even be using one of those Kawasaki-green-fretboard Dean P-basses when you do it. You've been compromised, man.

Did you say that you can load a 810e cab into a Honda Fit? Like, all doors shut and latched, driver's seat in a useable position to operate the car?

That is amazing. I have found Fits to be kind of weird-looking (as opposed to the Versa and Prius V, which I like the looks of) but if what you say is true, I am going to look on those cars with real respect now. That sounds like a good example of form following function, and I feel like a shallow twerp of a car nerd for not realizing it.

Ugh, yeah. Took me forever to get all the little bits of leaves and dirt and so forth off the cab I had that was covered in rat fur before I sold it.

A friend of mine used to load his 810 into a Hyundai compact sedan. The head and his bass went in the trunk and he still had room for a passenger.

My Bergantino NV610 might be a compromise to some but it's not to me.
It's hell of a good sounding cab and I can't think of any compromise with it.
The only compromise is from me and it's not turning it up as high as I would like!

I don't think anyone who knows anything about bass gear would call a Bergantino NV610 a compromise. It's a fantastic sounding cab.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

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.

They sound amazing. Big Baby 2 with Super Midget is an excellent combo.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

AccuGroove is still building fantastic cabs as well.

 

[Interceptor]

One other option to consider would be a Greenboy Bassic. That's the uncompromised approach to a single driver cabinet!

Personally, I built my own cabinet and couldn't be happier. I'm running a TL 606 made out of 1/2 plywood and loaded with a EV EVM-L. It doesn't have the power handling you are looking for, but I'm running either a tube amp or an old Thunderfunk and as such haven't big power anyways.

 

[jnewmark]

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 could ask an AB to build the Fearless in a more traditional box shape. I had a basic 15 built, with a tweeter, no problem.

 

[basscapes]

Quite honestly, as long as the thing doesn't rattle, doesn't fart out on the lowest notes, and can provide the frequency balance/range I want at useable volume levels, I'm perfectly fine with it.

Example- I understand that there are tonal differences in SVT 810s, but if the above criteria are met, I don't care (and why I have and swear by my 2015 SVT810E).

 

[overit]

I think the right cab is out there without compromise (other than realistic physical limitations) but finding the right cab is probably more difficult than finding the right bass or amp. Due to sizing, shipping and the context you’d test them in, its a lot harder to do than experimenting with a bass or amp.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Truck bed liner is the sprayed on textured coating that’s far tougher than the rolled on duratex. BTW - I have some duratex that I’ve never used. If anyone in the Columbia area wants it, it’s yours.

I get that you don't like the wedge format of the F112, but I don't see how that represents a design or build compromise. Also, most truck bed liner materials are very heavy. There are finish compounds that are excellent for cabs while being much lighter.

Another option would be a Greenboy F112 in a non wedge format.

So, buy a fearful 112

First and foremost, the fEARless line has a wedge format, the fEARful 12/6 does not. This is what I would recommend. The plans are free for that matter.

Second, the truck bed liner you are requiring eliminates almost all cabs. It adds so much weight it makes your ask impossible.

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

Depends on what options you want, and what you're comparing them to. If you consider total volume output, they are pretty light.

Example my 50 pound DuallyT has the output of an ampeg 810e. That is pretty light!

 

[aborgman]

What happens if the soft wood underneath dents though?

It isn't soft wood underneath. It's Baltic Birch plywood.

The polyurea bedliner coating itself also has significant structural rigidity, and will stay adhered with small dents - although in 8 years of riding around crammed in with drum kits, mic stands, etc. banging into it - I haven't gotten a dent yet.