fEARful part 13: the bad luck's done, son

[cableguy]

Update on the Carvin HD1500 power amp. It fried. There may have been damage in shipping, though it was well packed and the box didn't show any obvious signs of abuse, there was some loose debris rattling around in the case and falling out of the vents.

That's not what I want to hear. My HD1500 is on the brown truck as I type. Carvin has always taking care of me if I have had a problem. (Only once on a combo amp) Great CS. Let us know how the replacement works out. Mine should be here in time to keep the in-laws holiday visit short.

 

[mikeddd]

^^Hope your HD1500 works out well for you. Both as an amp and as an Out-law Repellent Device.

 

[Horny Toad]

That's not what I want to hear. My HD1500 is on the brown truck as I type. Carvin has always taking care of me if I have had a problem. (Only once on a combo amp) Great CS. Let us know how the replacement works out. Mine should be here in time to keep the in-laws holiday visit short.

I would imagine it's an exception. We have an HD1500 in our PA that's been pounded on gig after gig and it runs like a champ.

 

[monsterthompson]

So, I'm considering a 15/6 at this point. I've been toying with building a 15/6 tube and considering adding a 15 sub if/when needed. However, the 1212/6 from AoN is only a few lbs heavier (claimed to be under 50lbs, assuming I go with their build, which I think I would for a 1212/6) and doesn't seem to be that much bigger. Since they are built to sound the same, I'd imagine the differences are the 1212/6 is going to be louder because of the extra speaker area and it will run at 4ohms.

I've given up on trying to find a way to make my 30w Little Bastard work in a live band setting, so now I'm planning to run the new cab with my Mesa M6 Carbine, though may consider going to a micro head at some point.

Is the 1212/6 going to be overkill in most settings? I figure the 15/6 has a good rep for filling the room with good sound, and it does allow for the option to add another 15 in the future. However, for the cost of a 15/6, it doesn't seem like much more to step up to the 1212/6. While the idea of two 12/6 cabs has crossed my mind, it seems like the benefit of the modular options doesn't outweigh the extra time and/or cost to build or order the two cabs.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but what else should I be considering before making a final choice?

 

[BurningSkies]

Well, of course, if the impedance load is a concern for you, that may weigh in, what you get from all of these setups is the same tonal profile, but different volume abilities and portability considerations. With the 1212/6 you're going to be somewhere in the ballpark of what a really good 6x10 can do volume wise. A 15/6 can do the volume of a 4x10 or greater depending on how much you feed it. A double 15 fEARful will get you up and beyond what you can do with an 8x10

 

[Horny Toad]

Is the 1212/6 going to be overkill in most settings? I figure the 15/6 has a good rep for filling the room with good sound, and it does allow for the option to add another 15 in the future. However, for the cost of a 15/6, it doesn't seem like much more to step up to the 1212/6.

I like the simplicity of a single cab, so I went with the 1212/6. I don't feel it's overkill at all. With enough power it can get screaming loud, but it sounds fantastic at low volume as well. I think it's a great one cab solution.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

So, I'm considering a 15/6 at this point. I've been toying with building a 15/6 tube and considering adding a 15 sub if/when needed. However, the 1212/6 from AoN is only a few lbs heavier (claimed to be under 50lbs, assuming I go with their build, which I think I would for a 1212/6) and doesn't seem to be that much bigger. Since they are built to sound the same, I'd imagine the differences are the 1212/6 is going to be louder because of the extra speaker area and it will run at 4ohms.

I've given up on trying to find a way to make my 30w Little Bastard work in a live band setting, so now I'm planning to run the new cab with my Mesa M6 Carbine, though may consider going to a micro head at some point.

Is the 1212/6 going to be overkill in most settings? I figure the 15/6 has a good rep for filling the room with good sound, and it does allow for the option to add another 15 in the future. However, for the cost of a 15/6, it doesn't seem like much more to step up to the 1212/6. While the idea of two 12/6 cabs has crossed my mind, it seems like the benefit of the modular options doesn't outweigh the extra time and/or cost to build or order the two cabs.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but what else should I be considering before making a final choice?

To me, its all about portability. Two 12/6s on a hand cart plus my amp (one trip load in please!) would be too difficult. I'd never get a 1212/6 into my car, though I love that form factor. For me the 15/6 is perfect as its certainly loud enough for any venue I play at (though I can my bring my 12/6 as well for those rare times I need more), and since mine is fibreglass, its an easy move. In all honesty a single 12/6 would likely do me well for alot of my gigs, but I just love the extra bigness the 15/6 put under my band.

 

[popgadget]

I just finished a 1212/6/1, it weighs just over 70lbs complete with top and side handles, tilt back wheels and full metal grill. The plywood box by itself weighed 35lbs. So it's entirely believable that a composite build without a HF driver and waveguide could be under 50lbs.

As far as being "too much" goes that's not an issue. It sounds the same turned down as it does stupid loud. Finished dimensions including wheels are about 38" tall, 20-1/2 wide and 15 deep. It's easy to move on its wheels, and not too bad as a one man carry up or down stairs.

I was about to order an AON build, when it was suggested that I build my own. Building my own made sense, I got it much quicker, and could see how I liked the fEARful before investing in the composite. I figured if the weight of a wooden one was an issue I could order a bare box from AON and move my hardware into it, or just sell my finished one.

 

[wcriley]

So, I'm considering a 15/6 at this point. I've been toying with building a 15/6 tube and considering adding a 15 sub if/when needed. However, the 1212/6 from AoN is only a few lbs heavier (claimed to be under 50lbs, assuming I go with their build, which I think I would for a 1212/6) and doesn't seem to be that much bigger. Since they are built to sound the same, I'd imagine the differences are the 1212/6 is going to be louder because of the extra speaker area and it will run at 4ohms.

The only real advantages to the 1212/6 over a 15/6 are the 4 ohm load and the ability to get louder if given enough juice.

As I understand it:
Because of sensitivity differences it takes two 3012LF drivers to equal the acoustic output of a single 3015LF with the same amount of power. However, two 3012LFs have the potential to get louder because they can handle more power than a 3015LF.

 

[monsterthompson]

hadn't been considering the built in wheels factor. that might be a win. rolling>lifting. no need for the extra hand cart. dimensions and weight still reasonable enough to lift into the car trunk (Scion xB). the amp also is closer to hand and eye levels for EQ tweaks.

if BurningSkies estimate is right, a 15/6(4x10) output would be plenty for my needs. A 1212/6(6x10) would be strong but not stupid.

lots to ponder here.

 

[singlemalt]

Update on the Carvin HD1500 power amp: the replacement amp arrived today and has been working flawlessly for the last few hours.

This thing is seriously powerful.

I've got the 12/6 cube on one side and the 15/6 on the other, 300 watts per side at 8 ohm. Bass is going into my MXR-M80 di+ and by xlr to the Yamaha mixer, out to the Carvin. I can bring in backing tracks or drum machine. Everything sounds great. Stupid loud without even pushing the amp. The fEarfuls are very full range, the recorded music sounds really good, but I'm going to re-route the drum machine and ipod into channels with more complete eq control.

I'll let things settle in and try the bridged mode and the Zoom B9 as a preamp.

I called Carvin service on Thursday last week and they had me a new amp today, not bad at all. I shipped the first back Monday on their dime.

$300 for a 1500 watt amp. Can't beat that.

Both Carvin and Zzounds.com have done great with the customer service side of things.

Now to finish the crossover on the second 15/6...

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Cool! Sounds like fun.

 

[cableguy]

Glad to hear it's all good now singlemalt. My HD1500 should be hear tomorrow. I can't wait.

 

[monsterthompson]

Anyone have a pic of a full sized head on a 1212/6 and/or a 15/6 (not the 15/6 tube, though I wouldn't mind peeping that too)? I tried a few searches, but couldn't get the right combo of keywords. I'm trying to get an idea of how an M6 Carbine would sit. I took out the measuring tape, and the outter dimensions of the head are bigger than that of the cabs, but it appears the dimensions of the rubber feet on the head might fit, though it would be close.

 

[tombowlus]

Anyone have a pic of a full sized head on a 1212/6 and/or a 15/6 (not the 15/6 tube, though I wouldn't mind peeping that too)? I tried a few searches, but couldn't get the right combo of keywords. I'm trying to get an idea of how an M6 Carbine would sit. I took out the measuring tape, and the outter dimensions of the head are bigger than that of the cabs, but it appears the dimensions of the rubber feet on the head might fit, though it would be close.

Here are a couple:

 

[singlemalt]

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Can you hear me now?

Usually, I flip the 12/6 cube over so the mids match.

I like how Tom has used the rubber feet to hold the rack, I need to install those so they grab the feet on my SKB.

Right now my Yamaha mixer is the preamp for the Carvin, I have yet to try out the Zoom B9.1 ut as the sole preamp.

Still working on the matching 15/6/1 with reversed baffle. One day I'll get it finished.

 

[monsterthompson]

Thanks guys. I'm still hoping to see a shot of a non-rack full sized head on one of those cabs.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

How about a 2u in a rackbag?

 

[canadian*eh]

what the heck everyone else is putting pics up heres one of my 1515/66/1 with rack on top...sorry i dont have it on top of my 15/6/1...but hey you get the picture..lol

 

[Interceptor]

This is on a 12/6 cube. Same width as a 15/6. This little rig roars! I've got about nine months of gigging on it, and still in love. Works well with a five or a four string, able to crush a Twin Reverb and fits in a car with ease. Works very well as a stage mon when I get the big PA.