I'm moving gear around and loading up for tonight's gig, so I put everything on the scale:
12/6 cube in 1/2 baltic birch with the Alpha 6A mid: 47 lb. I was surprised that it was that much, before I loaded the drivers and crossover, I figured it would come out under 40. I can't say enough good things about this cab. It was by far the cheapest to build with the less expensive Alpha. It fits in the trunk of the Corolla, with the amp rack and a bass a gig bag. I put two scoop handles on it, so it's comfortable to carry with two hands, and I can grab it with one. It has gone to every gig and practice since I finished it. It stacks perfectly on the 15/6/1 and the two together are stunning.
I try to put the 12/6 on a table or barstool at the rear of the stage for better height.
The first 15/6/1 I built out of 3/4 ply that I had left over from another project: 65 lb. Lesson here: follow the plans! The 1/2" BB ply to build the second 15/6/1 cost only $40.
The second 15/6/1 in 1/2" baltic birch: 55.2 lb. I still need to build and install the crossover so another couple pounds there, call it 57 finished.
I expect the pair of 15/6/1's to be a tiny bit of overkill,
but every now and then those bigger outdoor gigs come along. I'm expecting these cabs to serve PA duty as well.
For comparison, my four space SKB X shallow rack with Korg tuner and the GK 1001 rb2 weighs 37 lb. I usually make two trips from the car, bass and head, then the cab.
Tonight's thing is in a concrete tunnel of a loading dock, with a cavern of a warehouse and brewery behind the stage and a metal and glass roll up door at the other end of the room. Brutal acoustics. The key is keeping the volume down, so the 12/6 is all I'm taking. The place can be fun in the summer when the rollup door is open and people can hang out side, but it's sub freezing tonight. I'm just hoping for some heat in the space.
As far as the 30 watt amp goes, if it will handle the B string on the Dingwall, you are good to go. These cabs are going to give you a whole new idea of lows. The first run with the 15/6/1 revealed a whole new range from the GK and the Dingwalls. The 12/6 sounds the same, just less volume. Still plenty loud for most gigs, and any gig with decent PA and monitors.
I just tested a couple amps. The TC didn't cut it, as it underpowered the lows and turned my B string into mud. That's not the Dingwall B string we know and love. The GK and the Carvin BX500 both have what it takes to run the bottom with authority. Most guys are leaning towards more headroom. I like tubey gooeyness as much as anybody, but I won't sacrifice fast response and full power for it. I'm not saying you can't run these cabs with less watts, just that you want to make sure the amp has all the range you need to do the Dingwall justice. Once you've heard what the fEarfuls can do, you'll really miss it when it's gone. You'll never look at provided backline the same way.
I'll be trying the Carvin HD 1500 power amp next week. We'll see if the Zoom B9 has enough output to serve as a preamp. If not, I'll be looking at pre amps or using the Carvin to power the two 15/6/1's after the mixer. For straight bass playing the GK will remain my steady rig. But some days will call for the pair of 15/6/1's and 1500 watts
I use the Parts Express solid speakon connectors with blades on the back. Any little input jack holes will whistle when you wind these cabs up.
A number of guys are running 12/6 or 15/6 with their respective size subs. I think you would need to go with the 18sound mid driver for the 12/6 and a sub. My tests with the 12/6 cube with the Alpha 6 and a sub (15" with CBG lowpass) where too scooped for my taste. I think most guys running subs can switch off the Lpad on their main cab.
I was lucky to find a cheap 18sound mid and decided to build out the pair of 15/6/1's rather than have a dedicated sub.
If there was any way you could hook up with a fEarful owner in your area, you'd see what we're talking about.
