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fEARful 12/6 or Avatar SB126?

lildrgn

lildrgn

Jul 11, 2000
1,872
6,935
Seattle, WA
gwonchang.blogspot.com
#1
I've looked through most threads but haven't seen much with a direct comparison, given the fEARful 12/6 is a little older, it seems. I'm in communication with someone local who has a well-loved fEARful 12/6 for a good price. It doesn't look great, is missing a grill cover for the 6" speaker, but he says it's functional and sounds great.

I have some Avatar speakers (B212 and B210) and they are fine and dandy. I am interested in the SB126 due to weight and that 6" speaker, but and would buy new.

AI is telling me the fEARful 12/6 is a more transparent cab, flat, showcasing the bass, amp and pedals put in front of it, while the SB126 colors the sound a little, which is fine by me. TB shows me that nearly everyone that's used the 12/6 is astounded by it.

I think it's worth my time to test out the local 12/6 despite its appearance. The SB126 will be there no matter what I decide, but that other one may not be.

Anyone with experience with either and have any thoughts?

Cabinet in question, seller's pic:
482207757_10236996090064622_2175123047956584030_n.jpg
 
#3
If you get the Avatar be sure to spec the neo Kappalite 3012LF, not the alt ceramic driver. And if you get a fEARful the True 2 or 3 way crossover is a bonus over the original Cheap But Good variant.

Edit: it appears they’ve now downgraded their neo option to an OEM Deltalte II woofer, which only comes in 4 ohms. Another strike against, IMO. But still maybe a decent value at the price if a four ohm 112 makes sense for your use cases.
 
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#6
I built my own Fearful 12/6 It smokes my bergantino. They are fantastic designs in a league of their own.
The risk you get the Quality Control and warranty of random builders
But if it was built to spec it will be great. Try it out if possible.

I have no experience with Avatar

tom-g said:
Look at the joints. Look at the baffle board. Why is there color missing all around?
Click to expand...
That's dried PL glue. Looks like the baffle and interior cab were painted before assembly
 
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#7
Both are good cabinets and each will have their strengths and weaknesses.

This is one of those times when only you can decide which cabinets sound/tone/tuning is right for your ears. Unfortunately others can't tell you, you'll have to go play through the different cabs for yourself.

The Fearful 12/6 and the Avatar 12/6 are well thought of here at T.B., as are several other custom boutique builders. I can personally vouch for Avatar's B210 Neo cabinets as being good sounding, well designed and built cabs.

I've never had (or seen in live use) a Fearful cab so I've no opinion, but over the years I've personally owned and gigged with several of those boutiques only to later sell them and return to my old cabs because they just work for "my ears".
 
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#8
well, it's all moot now as that cab sold to someone else. It's in the greater Seattle area and it was worth a look at $200. The guy had a matching 12/6/1 that he sold separately last year. I may simply plunk the $399 and shipping for a new SB126. My cabs currently for shows are either the big Avatar B212 (thankfully on casters) or a multi-trip-from-the-car Avatar 210 + Ashdown 15. Though, ironically enough, I don't think I've gigged with any of those for the past 6 months or so, have simply been using other bands' rigs.
 
#9
shoot-r said:
Both are good cabinets and each will have their strengths and weaknesses.

This is one of those times when only you can decide which cabinets sound/tone/tuning is right for your ears. Unfortunately others can't tell you, you'll have to go play through the different cabs for yourself.

The Fearful 12/6 and the Avatar 12/6 are well thought of here at T.B., as are several other custom boutique builders. I can personally vouch for Avatar's B210 Neo cabinets as being good sounding, well designed and built cabs.

I've never had (or seen in live use) a Fearful cab so I've no opinion, but over the years I've personally owned and gigged with several of those boutiques only to later sell them and return to my old cabs because they just work for "my ears".
Click to expand...
I've seen your posts when I'm doing my research: you are a big proponent of the double 210 stack! It's got me tempted to find that configuration but can't seem to do so locally. Also, lugging 2 of those around is not exciting to me, but for the right price, I could be tempted.
 
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#10
OK, this is the difference between apples and a Rolls Royce.

Avatar is the budget king. One of the best values. Excellent cab build, reasonably priced. Good components. BRICK HEAVY. Even with a Kappalite they’re heavy. Will last decades if used properly.

A fEARless costs 3x as much as an AVATAR, sounds far superior, (its essentially a high volume, broad frequency studio monitor) uses the most premium components, a lighter, thinner wood cabinet. And will also last decades. But will be well under the weight of the Avatar. And the resale value is one of the best on the market. So, if you want a mercilessly clear cab, the fEARless is hard to beat. If you’re happy with a really great sounding traditional bass cab, and don’t mind the weight, the Avatar will be more than adequate.

But i wouldn’t go near the one you’ve pictured there. There’s plenty available used at GC, and you can return it if you don’t like it. Just maybe bring a small luggage carrier, or a hand truck. …just sayin’……
 
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#11
mambo4 said:
I built my own Fearful 12/6 It smokes my bergantino. They are fantastic designs in a league of their own.
The risk you get the Quality Control and warranty of random builders
But if it was built to spec it will be great. Try it out if possible.

I have no experience with Avatar


That's dried PL glue. Looks like the baffle and interior cab were painted before assembly
Click to expand...
Looks like someone tore out the wooden support for the grill.
 
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#13
Hey I know that cab! The dude out in North Bend, he was trying to sell those for a couple years. I really didn’t like that they only had a single 1/4 input.

Depending on your budget maybe try to find a used Mesa Subway 112. Pretty similar to the fEarful in terms of relatively uncolored (I have heard, no first hand experience), much lighter usually, and only a couple hundred more than the Avatar if you get used.
 
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#14
I've had the SB126. It was OK. Nothing to write home about. I built fEarful 12/6 cabs and they rocked! I also built the mat h8 g subs. Those are still in use with a local sound company in their drum monotor rig.

I have yet to hear an off the shelf cab that can compare. The Avatar isn't even close... that said I could likely do all my gigs with just 1 SB126. How much kill is overkill ?
 
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#17
Balog said:
Speaking of cabs for sale locally, there's a 1515661 posted (also in North Bend, oddly enough) for a grand and I am steadfastly reminding myself that I have neither the space nor the need for it.
Click to expand...

I had a 15/6... Crazy loud... how much overkill is too much ? Form factor was a PITA at best. IMO the 12/6 was the fEarful sweet spot.
 
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#18
Balog said:
Speaking of cabs for sale locally, there's a 1515661 posted (also in North Bend, oddly enough) for a grand and I am steadfastly reminding myself that I have neither the space nor the need for it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's @cableguy, he brought it to at least one TB GTG at the brewpub south of Seattle.
 
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#19
lildrgn said:
I've seen your posts when I'm doing my research: you are a big proponent of the double 210 stack! It's got me tempted to find that configuration but can't seem to do so locally. Also, lugging 2 of those around is not exciting to me, but for the right price, I could be tempted.
Click to expand...


Yes Sir, stacking two, 210 cabinets as a vertical 410 has worked very well for me.

Last fall, the band I'm with greatly downsized our backline, parked our large FOH system till it's needed for outdoor jobs, and bought a small club sized p.a. with subs to use for smaller, indoor jobs.

I downsized to using one 210 set vertically along with FOH support. The cabs I have came loaded with Eminence 2510 Neo drivers, (cabinet weight, 39.5 lbs.). I'm driving it with a GK MB800 Fusion head (560 watts into a 8 ohm cabinet), to my ears that combination is proving to be more than capable of working well and sounding very good on a live stage.

For this summer's outdoor fairs, festivals, bike events, ect., where we're using the larger system, I'm gonna experiment, one 210 maybe adequate.
 
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