fEARful™ Part Eleven (11)

[christw]

Okay guys. My future big rig will probably be an LDS built 15/6 and either another 15/6 or 15 sub. I was thinking of the Streamliner 900 as my first choice in amp (so I don't run off and try to buy an SVT again) and then maybe a Shuttle or ShuttleMAX. This is at least a year out so it's subject to change.

What do you guys think would be the smarter choice? I'll use it for everything from reggae to metal. Basically, there is no genre that I won't traverse. Would that combination do it all?

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

It's hard to say what will actually work on the gig, so take everything we say knowing each of our ideas about volume is different.

I play in a pretty darn loud classic rock band and I'm using a Carvin BX1200 bridged into a fEARful 15/6. That's 800 watts, although of course I'm never putting that much into it. The last gig I played I was really loud onstage (yet it fit in well with everything) and my volume was just a bit past half way. That was with PA support.

Personally, I wouldn't go any lower than 500 watts, especially if you have no PA support. Even if you don't use it, you'd appreciate the headroom. Someone with a fEARful 15/6 was using a Mesa M9 Carbine and the amphead was hitting it's limit long before he was getting enough volume out of it. That was 450 watts, which I thought for sure would have been enough even for a loud gig.

So I'm not sure what to tell you exactly for your situation. Everyone has their own idea of loud.

Thanks guys.

I think I'll play it safe and go for 500w minimum. Right now its between the Carvin Bx1500 and Little Mark Tube 800.

 

[rpsands]

Markbass apparently offers a transferable warranty with the original receipt nowadays. Seems like the way to go with a "try it" scenario -- unless you can keep it under Carvin's try out period which I doubt.

Have you tried a Shuttlemax 9.2? That's what I'd be using if I had the scratch.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I have had the shuttle 6.0 and shuttle max 6. Nice amps but I am not sure they are right for me.

What frequency is the bass eq knob set at on the shuttle 9?

Do you find the shuttle 9 loud at 8 ohms?

 

[Sundogue]

I've been into using D'Addario Chromes for quite some time, but I had some Sunbeams on my bass when I built my fEARful.

I recently put some new Chromes on my Yamaha BB415 and have been playing through my 15/6 for a couple of weeks now. Typically, in my classic rock band I've been using a pick with the Chromes as I love that "clank" in my sound.

I am really lovin' the clanky Chromes through my fEARful. The bottom end is so tight and clear, and damn that 18Sound mid is just killer with my Chromes! It has such definition and clarity and (of course) backed up by that real tight low end. Superb. I'm digging my fEARful with the Chromes and really appreciating that mid driver more than ever.

Anyone else using flats?

 

[Passinwind]

Anyone else using flats?

T-I Jazz Flats on one BG, Corellis on my EUB. I still strongly prefer having a tweeter, oddly enough.

 

[Sundogue]

T-I Jazz Flats on one BG, Corellis on my EUB. I still strongly prefer having a tweeter, oddly enough.

There's a lot of content even with flats up there...just ain't no zing with that thing.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I have just snagged a Carvin BX1500 from the classifieds. I've had one before and know from experience it will work well for me.

900w bridged at 8 ohms looks perfect for the fEarful 15/6.

 

[thudfromafar]

I've been into using D'Addario Chromes for quite some time, but I had some Sunbeams on my bass when I built my fEARful.

I recently put some new Chromes on my Yamaha BB415 and have been playing through my 15/6 for a couple of weeks now. Typically, in my classic rock band I've been using a pick with the Chromes as I love that "clank" in my sound.

I am really lovin' the clanky Chromes through my fEARful. The bottom end is so tight and clear, and damn that 18Sound mid is just killer with my Chromes! It has such definition and clarity and (of course) backed up by that real tight low end. Superb. I'm digging my fEARful with the Chromes and really appreciating that mid driver more than ever.

Anyone else using flats?

I have a BB414 with chromes. I prefer my ibanez w/ rounds thru the 15/6... different strokes. I'll have to try it again though, didn't give my yammy much of a chance.
The srx350 is just incredible, always get comments on the sound. Often other bass players who ask me why it feels like they're being kicked in the face so hard.
I also have the action really low and there is lots of angry fret noise. Not clack, but kinda like a "mwahh" with frets. I figured it out because the winter/humidity self-adjusted my bass for me, and I was like wow, that sounds awesome. And I'm sure it's better heard thru the nEarful/fEarful design. That is quickly becoming my sound. My favorite bass player is percy jones, no frets for him I know, but still a really similar "out there" bass sound.

 

[BurningSkies]

So last night was my first real chance to gig with the IPR3000, Kern and both cabs... I didn't bridge, I ran one cab off of each channel, roughly 450w @ 8ohms per cab. What can I tell you? Well, I only had the Peavey's attenuators at 9 o'clock and I had my bass volume set at half way up...

The room is small, with room for about 150 standing comfortably and 200 when packed in. Not that many last night, unfortunately due to severe storming. But anyway, We ran vocals, kick/snare keys and one of the guitars through the flown 15's with horns. There was a sub for kick and lows but I don't go through the house in this room.

The two cabs, each being fed a scant 450w was brutally heavy and loud. Out in the room I was shaking walls, vibrating things off of tables. I goofed about during check and turned up from my bass just a little bit extra and I can say that you can get into 'brown note' (I joke) territory. Super heavy but clean and very clear.

I shared backline with the other band on the bill...who were from 5 hours out, so they didn't want to carry all their gear. It gave me a chance to hear the rig from the room, and you'd think it WAS in a very nice PA front end. Very clear, clean and smooth down VERY low. None of the wash, breakup, etc. that you'd expect from carrying a room from the rig. I love sharing backline with this setup because it's such a joy to hear out front. The other band (a great bunch of guys from Burlington Vt), love it as well.

I can't imagine really needing more power than this, although I also haven't hit a point of breakup with these cabs with this amp setup. None of the mid-speaker breakup I was getting with the LMII was present no matter how I dug in. AND I can say that I played cleaner and with more finesse than usual due to the amount of clean headroom and the 'hearability' of the setup.

 

[wcriley]

Glad the Kerm/Peavey/fEARful rig is working out for you!
And to think...someone tried to talk you into the IPR1600 instead of the 3000.
Good thing you didn't follow my advice.

 

[Sundogue]

So last night was my first real chance to gig with the IPR3000, Kern and both cabs... I didn't bridge, I ran one cab off of each channel, roughly 450w @ 8ohms per cab. What can I tell you? Well, I only had the Peavey's attenuators at 9 o'clock and I had my bass volume set at half way up...

The room is small, with room for about 150 standing comfortably and 200 when packed in. Not that many last night, unfortunately due to severe storming. But anyway, We ran vocals, kick/snare keys and one of the guitars through the flown 15's with horns. There was a sub for kick and lows but I don't go through the house in this room.

The two cabs, each being fed a scant 450w was brutally heavy and loud. Out in the room I was shaking walls, vibrating things off of tables. I goofed about during check and turned up from my bass just a little bit extra and I can say that you can get into 'brown note' (I joke) territory. Super heavy but clean and very clear.

I shared backline with the other band on the bill...who were from 5 hours out, so they didn't want to carry all their gear. It gave me a chance to hear the rig from the room, and you'd think it WAS in a very nice PA front end. Very clear, clean and smooth down VERY low. None of the wash, breakup, etc. that you'd expect from carrying a room from the rig. I love sharing backline with this setup because it's such a joy to hear out front. The other band (a great bunch of guys from Burlington Vt), love it as well.

I can't imagine really needing more power than this, although I also haven't hit a point of breakup with these cabs with this amp setup. None of the mid-speaker breakup I was getting with the LMII was present no matter how I dug in. AND I can say that I played cleaner and with more finesse than usual due to the amount of clean headroom and the 'hearability' of the setup.

Cool. Always fun to check out some new gear in a band setting. And it's nice to hear how it sounds out front too, isn't it?

I've noticed how much more aware I am/need to be of my playing with my fEARful. So much clarity, it doesn't let you get away with sloppy playing much does it?

I find it inspiring.

 

[BurningSkies]

Glad the Kerm/Peavey/fEARful rig is working out for you!
And to think...someone tried to talk you into the IPR1600 instead of the 3000.
Good thing you didn't follow my advice.

Well, the Kern sounds awesome. I'm still in the 'getting to know you phase of using it, but it really works. The 1600 is probably more than enough...I was running the 3K at 9 o'clock and it was more than overwhelming. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't like having that power on tap. I like having the power available but only really have the amp idling.

Cool. Always fun to check out some new gear in a band setting. And it's nice to hear how it sounds out front too, isn't it?

I've noticed how much more aware I am/need to be of my playing with my fEARful. So much clarity, it doesn't let you get away with sloppy playing much does it?

I find it inspiring.

Yeah, I'm really comfortable with these cabs after using them for quite a while, but having the new amp setup makes it a brand new rig again... It helps that I feel like I was close to top form in my playing yesterday.

 

[cableguy]

just finished gluing the last piece of my 12/sub together. Sanding tomorrow, then a few days of primer & painting if there FN rain ever stops. (No garage) Had rain & hail today with temps in the 40's, is it spring yet? With any luck my cab will be done by the end of next week-end. After reading some of the last post I already know I'll want more power. If some is good, more is better right? I have a feeling I might want it to go to 11!

 

[Arjank]

I was just reading the fEarful faq:

Can't I just use round ports instead of slot ports?
No. The slot ports are able to move a huge amount of air without creating port noise, while at the same time providing the box with additional bracing, and extra lift which brings the midrange driver closer to the ear.

Slot ports are able to move huge amounts of air without creating port noise.
Not true, round ports with equal port area have less noise and have less "losses" because these have no sharp angles or edges like a slotted port.
And the extra lift can also be achieved when you place round ports under your woofer.

 

[Nightlyraider]

I was just reading the fEarful faq:



Slot ports are able to move huge amounts of air without creating port noise.
Not true, round ports with equal port area have less noise and have less "losses" because these have no sharp angles or edges like a slotted port.
And the extra lift can also be achieved when you place round ports under your woofer.

How are you going to get equal port area in this particular situation though? The ports on these cabs are huge.

As far as noise, I don't know how much better you can do than the dead silent the slot port currently creates.

Also, the structural component is being completely disregarded by you. The construction technique of glue and butt joints is aided by the support of the shelf.

 

[Sundogue]

Not sure why, but some people are hell bent on building a lesser mousetrap.

 

[Arjank]

Also, the structural component is being completely disregarded by you. The construction technique of glue and butt joints is aided by the support of the shelf.

The integration of the port into the bracing of the cab is a good thing. You don't hear me say this isn't true. Also check out the Onken enclosures.

And your remark about getting equal port area. I don't see why it would be hard to use round ports.

 

[Arjank]

Not sure why, but some people are hell bent on building a lesser mousetrap.

I don't build lesser mousetraps, nuff said.

 

[Sundogue]

I don't build lesser mousetraps, nuff said.

Didn't say you did.

I was referring to the fact that the fEARfuls have already been thought through so thoroughly that while some will question the validity of any one single component, the answers lie in the design as a whole.

Ports, in and of themselves, have their own function. In a fEARful it is more than just a port and thus using round ports negates a part of the fEARful's port design. It was more about one questioning why not the use of round ports instead.

By the way, how's the 210 build going? I haven't seen that thread lately. Did you ever get that done?