fEARFUL the solution to everything

[HolmeBass]

"fEARFUL the solution to everything"

Why yes, that turns out to be the case. Oh happy day! In addition to various medical problems they cure already discussed above, they would also cure world hunger and cause world peace...

If only you Luddites would adopt and start using them!

But seriously: better, lighter, louder (if you have enough power; they are bit power-hungry, but not terribly so).

 

[makohund]

Not at all, just don't say that the other stuff is crap and that the people playing them are stupid. Plus I don't think a new bassist would really understand the concept of fearful and get involved in the building of a cab. I believe fearful probably more intended for experienced gigging bassist.

It takes really thin skin to translate anything I've read into what you're saying is being said.

A similar mistranslation might be "All new bassists are too stupid to understand them, or to build anything. Only experienced players are smart and skilled enough for that."

 

[jason weatherby]

I'd rather rehearse more and play more gigs than build cabs and fearful-like claims make me, well, fearful.....

 

[jasonbraatz]

And this is where the fEarful crowd does themselves a disservice. People get sensitive around their gear. When you suggest to someone that their choice of gear somehow demonstrates their ignorance of the physics of live sound and that they have made an uneducated choice.....well.....you get threads like this. And we can all pretend that it doesn't happen, but it does.

Exactly this. I don't think anyone here has a problem with people loving and recommending their gear, no matter what it is - but in the last month (since I've become personally interested in buying a fEARful, mind you) I've seen some stuff on the forums here that I haven't seen before, and in my twelve years here I've seen plenty of gear trends come and go.

I mean, if someone's asking for a $500 cab, people should know better than to suggest a $1000+ cab and then not to jump down their throat when they say it's too expensive, right?

 

[makohund]

I'd agree with that. Except I haven't seen anybody do that. I'm puzzled where the claims of it happening are coming from.

Quotes?

 

[Warwick Qc418]

It takes really thin skin to translate anything I've read into what you're saying is being said.

A similar mistranslation might be "All new bassists are too stupid to understand them, or to build anything. Only experienced players are smart and skilled enough for that."

Well, see it as you like. If someone wants to start playing bass with the high end stuff, why not, hope he's going to like playing bass!

Of course nothing has been said exactly like that and I'm sure (if you're here a lot) you know what I'm referring to.

 

[Sundogue]

To the OP, here's the thing...

To many of us who own and gig with them, a fEARful actually is the solution to everything, which is why we not only recommend them, but explain WHY. And not just in superflous terms of endearment but with actual data to back it up. By that I mean not only listening with our ears, but also scientifically provable data to confirm what we are hearing.

We give our heartfelt answers when people ask questions like "Which cab should I get that will..."

Q: Give me more low end? A: fEARful
Q: Help me hear my mids and highs better? A: fEARful
Q: Lightweight? A: fEARful
Q: Get stupid loud so my guitarist(s)/drummer don't drown me out? A: fEARful

etc, etc, etc. and the answer for most of us fEARful owners is that a fEARful will cover just about any question posed because most all of us have had them answered by building a fEARful. It's that simple. Nothing more.

Because we've been in the same boat as everyone else on TB...searching for tonal nirvana at a volume that can be heard anywhere onstage from any position, and we've found that a fEARful does that for us, we keep recommending them.

It is interesting that despite what our ears are hearing and the data that keeps supporting it, we fEARful owners keep getting vilified for recommending a cab that we know from our experience would benefit someone who is asking for advice.

If we owned an Ampeg ( or any other for that matter) and did that, it would be nothing but fine for everyone, despite the fact that most all commercial cab manufactures and owners can only give anecdotal high fives without any supporting data as to their true capabilities.

Some don't wanna know why cab A sounds better than cab B and that's fine. But then don't expect fEARful owners to not defend their equally deserved recommendations when someone starts slamming us.

No single cab is for everyone, but a fEARful is the answer for every single question a fEARful owner has posed. That's why we own them, gig with them and recommend them. When people disagree, then by all means tell us why we're wrong. A little raw data would help your cause if you can find it.

I'm not meaning to be antagonistic with this response. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, even us fEARful owners.

 

[mbelue]

I'd rather rehearse more and play more gigs than build cabs and fearful-like claims make me, well, fearful.....

Truth be told that is a great point.
If you aren't looking for DIY then the appeal is arguably less so. At least it was to me.
One of the biggest reasons IMO to suggest one is it is an out-of-the-box solution. Great for folks who want something "different" as you can't really get much more different than fullrange speakers vs. two-way/three-way.
That is the beauty of new tech to me. The products that go in a different direction than the rest.
The dumbest part is its not that new, other companies tried it before, SWR triad comes to mind. Difference being SWR keeps all the monies, and you schlep a heavy cab.
OP: I get your complaint but I'd point it more at boutique P's and J's if it was me to complain.

 

[jason weatherby]

Anyone ever seen a fearful cab on a "real Pro" band's rider? Just curious.....

 

[Warwick Qc418]

I know for a fact that, when I started playing bass at 15, I was kind of stupid and if I had built my own cab I would have probably messed it up

 

[Sundogue]

I know for a fact that, when I started playing bass at 15, I was kind of stupid and if I had built my own cab I would have probably messed it up

I did. And I did. I thought it sounded great at the time, but actually it did suck and it was messed up. But I kept designing and building my own cabs for the next 30 years anyway ( to go along with buying commercial offerings as well).

Building a DIY cab certainly isn't for everyone.

 

[makohund]

And when I started at... yeah, I think I was the same age, I would have been tickled to try and build one, and probably had the time to do it. (Not so much time now... so I purchased from a builder.)

Not that hard. Way easier than rebuilding the blown up motor in my Tri-Z. Less greasy, too.

 

[guy n. cognito]

To the OP, here's the thing...

To many of us who own and gig with them, a fEARful actually is the solution to everything, which is why we not only recommend them, but explain WHY. And not just in superflous terms of endearment but with actual data to back it up. By that I mean not only listening with our ears, but also scientifically provable data to confirm what we are hearing.

We give our heartfelt answers when people ask questions like "Which cab should I get that will..."

Q: Give me more low end? A: fEARful
Q: Help me hear my mids and highs better? A: fEARful
Q: Lightweight? A: fEARful
Q: Get stupid loud so my guitarist(s)/drummer don't drown me out? A: fEARful

etc, etc, etc. and the answer for most of us fEARful owners is that a fEARful will cover just about any question posed because most all of us have had them answered by building a fEARful. It's that simple. Nothing more.

Because we've been in the same boat as everyone else on TB...searching for tonal nirvana at a volume that can be heard anywhere onstage from any position, and we've found that a fEARful does that for us, we keep recommending them.

It is interesting that despite what our ears are hearing and the data that keeps supporting it, we fEARful owners keep getting vilified for recommending a cab that we know from our experience would benefit someone who is asking for advice.

If we owned an Ampeg ( or any other for that matter) and did that, it would be nothing but fine for everyone, despite the fact that most all commercial cab manufactures and owners can only give anecdotal high fives without any supporting data as to their true capabilities.

Some don't wanna know why cab A sounds better than cab B and that's fine. But then don't expect fEARful owners to not defend their equally deserved recommendations when someone starts slamming us.

No single cab is for everyone, but a fEARful is the answer for every single question a fEARful owner has posed. That's why we own them, gig with them and recommend them. When people disagree, then by all means tell us why we're wrong. A little raw data would help your cause if you can find it.

I'm not meaning to be antagonistic with this response. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, even us fEARful owners.

There it is........

Honestly, with a few notable exceptions, the "fEarful is the answer for everything" rhetoric has died down here, and the members that were the most antagonistic with their responses have moved on to the GB forum.......although they make the occasional cameo. Of course, if the fEarful was the answer for everything, then concepts such as the Dually should never exist......

I've been around here long enough to see this phenomenon happen with a number of different brands. Accrugroove, Schroeder, MarkBass.......the list goes on and on. It always dies down with the passage of time, especially when regular members begin to tire of the constant barrage of posts.

Of course, one trend in all of Sundougue's comments is that you must be able to prove why your brand is better if you like it better than a fEarful. What this line of argument neglects is that most bass players don't buy cabinets based on their paper ratings, but rather with their ears. I COULD go to every Ampeg owner I know, and try to convince them that my 15/6 is superior, in every way, to their gear. I could try to convince them that my 15/6 could cop the tone that they love, in a lighter and more compact package. I could try to convince them that they are better off building a fEarful, then spending hours turning knobs in an effort to regain the tone they loved with their old cab. Will they listen? No. They are happy with their gear, because it sounds good to them. And there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[dukeorock]

Anyone ever seen a fearful cab on a "real Pro" band's rider? Just curious.....

In the rider? Doubtful, simply because the odds of a backline company having one are so slim. As far as touring pros, I can name myself (Legendary ShackShakers), Geoff Firebaugh (Hillbilly Casino), Chris Rhoades (Two Tons of Steel) and Kevin Smith (Willie Nelson) off the top of my head.

Maybe not the biggest name players out there, but we are all touring pros who make our living from music, exclusively

 

[Sundogue]

There it is........

Honestly, with a few notable exceptions, the "fEarful is the answer for everything" rhetoric has died down here, and the members that were the most antagonistic with their responses have moved on to the GB forum.......although they make the occasional cameo. Of course, if the fEarful was the answer for everything, then concepts such as the Dually should never exist......

I've been around here long enough to see this phenomenon happen with a number of different brands. Accrugroove, Schroeder, MarkBass.......the list goes on and on. It always dies down with the passage of time, especially when regular members begin to tire of the constant barrage of posts.

Of course, one trend in all of Sundougue's comments is that you must be able to prove why your brand is better if you like it better than a fEarful. What this line of argument neglects is that most bass players don't buy cabinets based on their paper ratings, but rather with their ears. I COULD go to every Ampeg owner I know, and try to convince them that my 15/6 is superior, in every way, to their gear. I could try to convince them that my 15/6 could cop the tone that they love, in a lighter and more compact package. I could try to convince them that they are better off building a fEarful, then spending hours turning knobs in an effort to regain the tone they loved with their old cab. Will they listen? No. They are happy with their gear, because it sounds good to them. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Did you miss the part where I said it was the answer for everything to us fEARful owners? Or do you just like to argue?

Did you miss the part where we listened with our ears AND had the data to confirm it? Or did you only see the "data" part and want to argue some more?

Did I say one shouldn't be happy with the gear they currently own? Even once? Nope. I would assume if someone is asking for recommendations, then one could conclude they aren't happy with their current gear and that's why they are asking for recommendations. Well duh.

You just want desperately to argue. Point taken. You win. Enjoy.

 

[JimmyM]

Anyone ever seen a fearful cab on a "real Pro" band's rider? Just curious.....

Seriously now! What do you think the odds are of getting a fEarful anywhere in the world? I'll tell you...about the same as getting a number of different brands that many pros use but can't get from a backline company. There are only 5 brands you can get on a regular basis. Does not invalidate Fearfuls as a choice any more than it invalidates Epifani or Bergantino or any other brand as a choice.

 

[Warwick Qc418]

To the OP, here's the thing...

To many of us who own and gig with them, a fEARful actually is the solution to everything, which is why we not only recommend them, but explain WHY. And not just in superflous terms of endearment but with actual data to back it up. By that I mean not only listening with our ears, but also scientifically provable data to confirm what we are hearing.

 

[Warwick Qc418]

To the OP, here's the thing...

To many of us who own and gig with them, a fEARful actually is the solution to everything, which is why we not only recommend them, but explain WHY. And not just in superflous terms of endearment but with actual data to back it up. By that I mean not only listening with our ears, but also scientifically provable data to confirm what we are hearing.

We give our heartfelt answers when people ask questions like "Which cab should I get that will..."

Q: Give me more low end? A: fEARful
Q: Help me hear my mids and highs better? A: fEARful
Q: Lightweight? A: fEARful
Q: Get stupid loud so my guitarist(s)/drummer don't drown me out? A: fEARful

etc, etc, etc. and the answer for most of us fEARful owners is that a fEARful will cover just about any question posed because most all of us have had them answered by building a fEARful. It's that simple. Nothing more.

Because we've been in the same boat as everyone else on TB...searching for tonal nirvana at a volume that can be heard anywhere onstage from any position, and we've found that a fEARful does that for us, we keep recommending them.

It is interesting that despite what our ears are hearing and the data that keeps supporting it, we fEARful owners keep getting vilified for recommending a cab that we know from our experience would benefit someone who is asking for advice.

If we owned an Ampeg ( or any other for that matter) and did that, it would be nothing but fine for everyone, despite the fact that most all commercial cab manufactures and owners can only give anecdotal high fives without any supporting data as to their true capabilities.

Some don't wanna know why cab A sounds better than cab B and that's fine. But then don't expect fEARful owners to not defend their equally deserved recommendations when someone starts slamming us.

No single cab is for everyone, but a fEARful is the answer for every single question a fEARful owner has posed. That's why we own them, gig with them and recommend them. When people disagree, then by all means tell us why we're wrong. A little raw data would help your cause if you can find it.

I'm not meaning to be antagonistic with this response. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, even us fEARful owners.

Had problem with the quote thing

You know what, I think you just pointed out a big problem and what my main problem is. Since it's hard to hear or try them you have to describe it all whenever you recommend the cab. Then an interesting light read thread becomes a technically heavy thread and eventually a fearful thread.

I'd recommend just referring people to other thread or other site and of course not discard other choices.

I also don't see where the fearful owners are bashed or slammed or whatever, I honestly never saw this.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Not at all, just don't say that the other stuff is crap and that the people playing them are stupid. Plus I don't think a new bassist would really understand the concept of fearful and get involved in the building of a cab. I believe fearful probably more intended for experienced gigging bassist.

I agree, saying other people's stuff is crap and they are stupid is insensitive and I always aim to be a nice guy. Being an ass will get me nowhere.

However, I read this amps forum alot and read almost every single fEARful thread and to be honest I dont really see other fEARful guys being insensitive to the degree you are implying.

 

[guy n. cognito]

However, I read this amps forum alot and read almost every single fEARful thread and to be honest I dont really see other fEARful guys being insensitive to the degree you are implying.

It's definitely gotten better, but it would be revisionist history to pretend it didn't use to happen with regularity. Most of the egregious offenders have long self-banished themselves to the GB forums.