Do bigger speakers easily fart out?

[Atshen]

I have noticed that when I play fast tremolo picking through my 2x15 cab, it tends to fart out a lot unless I play very softly. When I do the same through a crappy little guitar combo with a 10" speaker, it sounds just fine.

So, do 15s tend to fart out more than smaller speakers, or are my old 15s just too… old? Thanks for your responses!

 

[ctmullins]

"Farting out" means you're reaching the limits of the speaker cone's ability to move back and forth. This is most likely to occur on the lowest frequencies. It's possible that the guitar combo is filtering out those low frequencies.

There's no inherent link between driver diameter and excursion capability. What drivers are in your 2x15?

 

[Atshen]

"Farting out" means you're reaching the limits of the speaker cone's ability to move back and forth. This is most likely to occur on the lowest frequencies. It's possible that the guitar combo is filtering out those low frequencies.

There's no inherent link between driver diameter and excursion capability. What drivers are in your 2x15?

It's an old Acoustic 106 with the original speakers… Maybe not the best for that style.

 

[ctmullins]

Ah. Yeah, that’s probably already past its expiration date.

You may find this thread helpful: 15" replacement speakers for Acoustic 106 cab

 

[Rick James]

Very few 70s vintage bass drivers meet modern standards. JBL, EV, Gauss, Altec, that's about it, and even those just barely where excursion is concerned.

 

[ctmullins]

One additional thought: you mentioned “fast tremolo picking” - that’s a technique that can result in some very significant string displacement, which generates a significant voltage swing in the pickups, which gets transmitted to the amp for amplification, which then sends a much larger version of that same voltage swing to the ancient voice coils in those ancient drivers, which will attempt to faithfully recreate the amplified version of that same displacement swing. Probably no surprise that the drivers are complaining.

 

[Atshen]

One additional thought: you mentioned “fast tremolo picking” - that’s a technique that can result in some very significant string displacement, which generates a significant voltage swing in the pickups, which gets transmitted to the amp for amplification, which then sends a much larger version of that same voltage swing to the ancient voice coils in those ancient drivers, which will attempt to faithfully recreate the amplified version of that same displacement swing. Probably no surprise that the drivers are complaining.

Good point. Maybe some compression would fix or at least minimize the problem.

I have no problem when playing other styles. Sounds pretty good in fact.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Prob scooping too much mids and pushing lows that are not translating into sound. Speaker size isn't part of it at all.

 

[Atshen]

Prob scooping too much mids and pushing lows that are not translating into sound. Speaker size isn't part of it at all.

EQ is flat all the way, all the time.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

EQ is flat all the way, all the time.

Maybe you should EQ until the cab doesn't fart out. Kinda what eq is for.

 

[Atshen]

Maybe you should EQ until the cab doesn't fart out. Kinda what eq is for.

So, you recommend cutting lows a bit?

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Or bumping mids and cutting volume. Its eq, it can do lots of things. Knobs in the middle probably isn't flat though.

 

[AstroSonic]

Good point. Maybe some compression would fix or at least minimize the problem.

I have no problem when playing other styles. Sounds pretty good in fact.

What you need is a control that cuts the deep bass and allows adjustment of the frequency where cutting starts: an adjustable High Pass Filter (HPF). Such filters essentially filter out the deep lows without touching bass notes. An HPF will cost about as much as a pedal - a few of them are pedals or are a 'feature' on a pedal. It may seem a lot to spend on something that you can't hear. But an HPF would allow you to play those tremolo notes without fart-out. And it will pay for itself in the cost of drivers that you won't have to replace.

 

[monsterthompson]

Which speakers in which cabs
I can see that was already answered.

It isn't the size of the speaker that is to blame. There are a host of other specifics involved. It sounds like the OP has been some decent potential solutions to helping with this issue their cab.

 

[Atshen]

Will try EQ'ing it out. I will report back to this thread once I have experimented a while. Thanks for the replies!

 

[somebrains]

The 15's I played were EV15L's, they sound really good, but you can't push them like a Faital 15.
Same way you don't try to take a Kia Sportage to Tahoe to snowboard without being cautious, even if it says 4x4 on the side and you bought snow tires.

 

[CryingBass]

Berg NV115. End the farting

 

[WardEarth]

If you're speakers are fine you shouldn't have any trouble. Probably just the old speakers.

 

[CryingBass]

Yeh, but where's the fun in not buying new gear?

Also, I am a no slap, no picks, and no Rics* kinda guy. That can have something to do with it.

* Kidding on that last one, I own a Ric, and grew up with Chris Squire and Yes, but it does rhyme

 

[AstroSonic]

Will try EQ'ing it out. I will report back to this thread once I have experimented a while. Thanks for the replies!

It is highly unlikely that you will be able to EQ out the fart-out frequencies without impacting the low, mid and upper bass, making your tone sound thin. It's worth a try, but there is a reason why dedicated High Pass Filters are valued add-ons. A further benefit is the additional power available by not amplifying inaudible signals. These inaudible signals may use as much or even more power than the musical bass signal. By cutting these low, inaudible signals you will gain substantial headroom.