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fEARful?

brianvp

brianvp

Nov 13, 2009
19
2
41
Hamilton Ohio
#1
Ok, so we all know TalkBass is super trendy, one of us sees another buy something and reads some testimonial " this amp/cab is great bla bla" and run out to buy/order said cab. We all have GAS. What is the deal with this fEARful stuff I keep seeing lately? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. I don't buy anything unless I play through it though, and with Marc Serio kind of shenanigans, I'm apprehensive about ordering custom cabs online.
Can someone please elaborate on why these cabs seem to be trending around here?
Thanks!
 
#2
These cabs aren't trending. They are already popular, and for good reason. They sound great. DIY build kits are one way to go if you're handy. Authorized builders are pretty good guys. There were some builders who weren't, but they've been removed from the authorized builder list.

There are plenty of threads on how these sound, and the good weight/volume ratio.

greenboy.us speaker enclosures
 
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#5
I think the popularity of the greenboy designs (which have been around for a few years now) has more to do with using new, quality technology to its potential, ever improving neo speakers, that is. I wouldn't call that trendy. That, and with the fearful stuff, gaining converts who are all about DIY. When you build something yourself, you tend to be a little more attached to it and willing to sing its praises. There are a few of the greenboy authorized builders (fearless/dually/bassic stuff) on TB and you can get int touch with them, read their posts, and see for yourself if they have a body of work which you could trust for an online transaction. Lots of posts on the different greenboy designs if you want to school yourself.
 
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#7
brianvp said:
...TalkBass is super trendy... ...What is the deal with this fEARful stuff I keep seeing lately?...
Click to expand...

fEARful trendy? Hardly.

The "deal" is that if you want cabs that are clean, clear, loud, with the ability to go low and have way less "baked-in" low mid bump (or what ever), fEARful is one of the best designs to deliver those characteristics, and have been available to the DIY crowd for over 5 years.

With the exception of finish, grill, and external hardware, they are not custom cabs. They are built to strict specs, though there are several designs, i.e., 15/6/1, 15/6, 15sub, 12/6/1, 12/6, 12sub, etc.

Join Greenboy forums, and also pay a visit to greenboy.us speaker enclosures

I also recommend this video:

and this kit vendor: fEARful 15" Kits, fEARful 15/6 Flat Pack Deluxe Kit | Speaker Hardware

Were I to build one, I'd get the 18sound HF driver, and both prebuilt cbg pre-built crossovers, and the best hardware. I bought all but one of mine used, and they were all built by the same builder.
 
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#8
Jim Carr said:
fEARful trendy? Hardly.

The "deal" is that if you want cabs that are clean, clear, loud, with the ability to go low and have way less "baked-in" low mid bump (or what ever), fEARful is one of the best designs to deliver those characteristics, and have been available to the DIY crowd for over 5 years.

With the exception of finish, grill, and external hardware, they are not custom cabs. They are built to strict specs, though there are several designs, i.e., 15/6/1, 15/6, 15sub, 12/6/1, 12/6, 12sub, etc.

Join Greenboy forums, and also pay a visit to greenboy.us speaker enclosures

I also recommend this video:

and this kit vendor: fEARful 15" Kits, fEARful 15/6 Flat Pack Deluxe Kit | Speaker Hardware

Were I to build one, I'd get the 18sound HF driver, and both prebuilt cbg pre-built crossovers, and the best hardware. I bought all but one of mine used, and they were all built by the same builder.
Click to expand...


I think the flat packs would be a great way to go, even with decent wood working skills. Reasonable pricing, save a ton of work and get the highest quality fit and finish.
 
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#9
brianvp said:
What is the deal with this fEARful stuff I keep seeing lately?
Click to expand...
fEARful cabs have an internal crossover which splits the incoming signal to a 15" or 12" woofer, a 6" mid-driver, and (sometimes) a tweeter. The cabs are designed to work with specific drivers, and the specs are exacting.


brianvp said:
Can someone please elaborate on why these cabs seem to be trending around here?
Click to expand...
Perhaps because they are (imho) the best cabs available...? :D I have a 12/6/1 and a 15/6/1, and my rig has the best sound (and modularity) that it ever has.

As others have said, check out the greenboy forums for more info.
 
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#10
The hottest thing about a fEARful 15/6 (to me) was building it myself. As soon as it was finished, the newest hottest thing about my fEARful was the jawdropping sound that belches out of it. I quickly built a 15/Sub to match it.

Mine was from scratch, started with a 5'x 5' sheet of Baltic plywood, cut down on a table saw using the Greenboy cutsheet pattern. By taking my time (measure twice, before cutting once) nothing was really hard about the whole thing.

I'm not a smart man, but even I was able to build that miraculous Cheap But Easy crossover. In fact, being able to make my own slight customizations (handle style, placement, finish, color) it turned into a super prideful project that I'm using 6 years later, and really proud to talk about with the people who hear it.


I've never even considered getting any other cab after creating this one.
 
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#11
I've been using fEARful cabs for quite a while now. I built all of my cabs by myself and it's very cool to part of the fEARful family. (or cult for some on TB) I started with a 12/6 just to check out the hype and got bigger from there. I haven't gigged in a while, but my cabs will be ready when I start up again........
Final shots-5.jpg
 
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#15
Ooo.. ooo... I'll throw in pics as well

1472422809433-1302330135.jpg


@brianvp ... I'm not as well versed as most of these guys about frequencies, crossover points and whatnot , definitely haven't been playing as long... but I can honestly say that I'll never play anything other than a Greeboy cab...
That said, this is my fEARful 12/6, a Fearless F210
I took a leap of faith and purchased the F210 without even hearing a Greeboy, other than on YouTube.. not even in the same ballpark, built by Paul Tollini from Scabbey Road... great guy... as far as the sound and volume these tiny cabs are capable of..
I've had the F210 as loud as a good 410 with more to give. Even used it for an outdoor gig just fine... the 12/6... this little thing blows my mind.. there's just no way possible a single 12 should be able to do what it does.. but it does.. EASILY! and begs for more. Just for giggles, I'm considering building a 15/6 to go with, or without my 12/6
Do what I did.. read the Greenboy thread here, sign up for the forum on the Greenboy site.. read more until your eyes cross.. ask questions, lots of questions... these guys are all awesome and willing to help...
Then buy one, and wallow in the pure awesomeness that is Greenboy..you'll never regret the purchase.
Robert
 
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#16
brianvp said:
Ok, so we all know TalkBass is super trendy, one of us sees another buy something and reads some testimonial " this amp/cab is great bla bla" and run out to buy/order said cab. We all have GAS. What is the deal with this fEARful stuff I keep seeing lately? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. I don't buy anything unless I play through it though, and with Marc Serio kind of shenanigans, I'm apprehensive about ordering custom cabs online.
Can someone please elaborate on why these cabs seem to be trending around here?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

As others have pointed out, you are a few years late to the party :) Also, allow me to clear something up. You say "I'm apprehensive about ordering custom cabs online." "fEARful" cabs are Greenboy's DIY line. The design plans for those are free, as far as I know. Greenboy's "Fearless" line of cabs are the cabs made to order from authorized builders. (I admit its a little confusing.) The Fearless line is proprietary and generally considered an upgrade over the DIY fEARful cabs.

There are only a handful of Greenboy authorized builders. Most, if not all, are also bass players. They are not going to rip you off. That would get out pretty quickly. I have ordered three Fearless cabs from Jhawk, who is the Western US. Greenboy authorized builder. His work is impeccable and he is completely trustworthy.

Yes, Greenboy (both fEARful and Fearless) seem to be discussed a lot here on talkbass. I plug them every chance I can get on TB. When you buy a Fearless cabinet you are supporting good people (the builders and designer Dave Green), and not some corporation. The glowing reviews here are on the mark. Ed Friedland gigs with Greenboy Fearless cabs exclusively. If you don't know who that is, check out his review of his Fearless F112 on youtube. He also owns an F110 and an F215. The Fearless line are 3-way PA-like speakers and the frequencies to each are perfectly crossed over for bass. The woofers used are Eminence LFs, and the mid range and hf drivers are Faital Pros. I own two F112s. They are compact and lightweight. If you opt for the light weight ply, the F112 weighs only 32 lbs. And one of these is enough for most gigs. They can handle huge amounts of power and can get VERY loud. The bass is tight and focused and never muddy. I will never buy another cabinet. They are expensive, but worth every penny if you care about how you sound on stage and out in the club. Believe the hype, because it's the truth!
GB 2016.jpg
 
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#19
Bill Whitehurst said:
There is not really a downside.
Click to expand...
I think that's the biggest benefit.
as there is no "baked in" voicing there can't be a bad surprise the cab don't meets distinct sound goals.
Those cabs are easy to EQ to any needs and personal taste.
drawback is (it's only little drawback) they can't emulate voicings like EVM voicing.
Players who look for voiced cabs should look for different cabs anyway.
 
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