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Do all cabs feel like a compromise?

#141
chriscrob said:
I searched this thread and it doesn't seem like anyone has mentioned Avatar---they sound good, use real handles, and can build your cab the way you want it as far as aesthetics.
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The compromise there is sound and weight. They just 'build a box and stick any driver in there' without properly tuning the enclosure to the driver. They work, but not as well as others mentioned here.
 
#142
Only cab I've ever had that was the real deal, with the exception of being easily dented, was a Flite 112MH...sounded huge for it's size, and LOUD. That thing sounded so damn good, and weighed under 20 lbs. It was made of some composite material, which was like some foam or something, but my God it was nice.
 
#144
I've never thought about it in such detail. I have a Tecamp 212 that takes 500 watts just fine and is rather light. All I really need.

In terms of Mesa, they used to send me gear for touring and I just told the rep what the tour was and he dialed up an appropriate rig. I barely ever thought about that, lol. Maybe you can reach out to them and ask. They know their stuff.
 
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#146
ihixulu said:
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...
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There is no free lunch but, I like how this thread is suggesting some possibilities that I didn't know about. I'm lucky in that I seem to be able to get my sound with a fairly pedestrian rig. And now that I'm older (67) the class D amps and neo drivers are making load in and load out doable. One thing my age and experience has taught me is that many of the sound details a lot of us players get so anial about, never get past the back of our legs.
 
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#148
MultiScaleMale said:
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.
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Damn, this is a long thread. It's hard to believe there is even live music out there since the issue of selecting a bass cab is so complicated. Oh, wait, it isn't. Many famous, respected guys are playing thru production cabs and sounding great.
 
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#150
Ant Illington said:
Damn, this is a long thread. It's hard to believe there is even live music out there since the issue of selecting a bass cab is so complicated. Oh, wait, it isn't. Many famous, respected guys are playing thru production cabs and sounding great.
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They’re mostly going direct. And I’ve seen guys “playing” a Fender amp onstage only to have an SVT head behind it that’s what they’re actually plugged into.
 
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#151
Ant Illington said:
Damn, this is a long thread. It's hard to believe there is even live music out there since the issue of selecting a bass cab is so complicated. Oh, wait, it isn't. Many famous, respected guys are playing thru production cabs and sounding great.
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If it's a decent sized gig, you're not hearing their amp. The PA has speakers in it that are designed to work well - that's what you're hearing most of the time.
 
#153
People that frequent this form come from all walks of bassplayers :D. Some are full time touring, some are weekenders, some play with friends and family and some play by themselves. Some of us are obsessed with finding the perfect guitar or amp head, or cab, or preamp tube. While others are satisfied with whatever gets the job done. Say what you think but, be kind.
 
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#155
I got an email recently from someone that read like this...

"I need a cab that can handle the fundamental of my low B. If it weighs an ounce over 30lbs I will demand a refund. It should handle 600-800 watts, I should be able to carry it with the ease of a briefcase and I won't pay a nickel over $600."

Yeah, I'll get right on that :)
 
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#156
dukeorock said:
I got an email recently from someone that read like this...

"I need a cab that can handle the fundamental of my low B. If it weighs an ounce over 30lbs I will demand a refund. It should handle 600-800 watts, I should be able to carry it with the ease of a briefcase and I won't pay a nickel over $600."

Yeah, I'll get right on that :)
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The customer is always. ... right? Heh
 
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