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Finished my FearFul 15/6 build

H

homeby5

Guest
Aug 21, 2013
33
0
Key Largo
#1
Hey guys,
just though I'd post some pics of my Fearful 15/6 build. Covered it with RESTORE with added sparkles. The sparkles really pop under lights and these pics don't show them too well. Thanks to TDVT here for his 15" he sold me and thanks to the guys over at GreenBoy forum who took me under their wings and guided me through the process.
Yes......it sounds like heaven :hyper:
 

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#4
homeby5 said:
Hey guys,
just though I'd post some pics of my Fearful 15/6 build. Covered it with RESTORE with added sparkles. The sparkles really pop under lights and these pics don't show them too well. Thanks to TDVT here for his 15" he sold me and thanks to the guys over at GreenBoy forum who took me under their wings and guided me through the process.
Yes......it sounds like heaven :hyper:
Click to expand...

Awesome cab! Beautiful work. :hyper:

What head(s)/bass(es) will be pumping through it? :D
 
#5
Using a GB Shuttle 6.2 and a Schecter Diamond Series Bass Guitar. Sounds REALLY good to my untrained ears. When I got turned onto these Fearful Cabs I searched reviews and I literally couldn't find a negative opinion. I'm sure not going to be the first as I love it.
I do feel that it is really wanting more umph than my 6.2 can climb. Don't get me wrong....it is really loud and crystal clear with my 6.2 but I'm sure it could take a whole lot more if the right gig needed it.
What I would like to do is compare my build to another similar Fearful 15/6. Just so I can make sure all of my electronics and everything else is working all right. Basically I would like to compare some apples. I'm a beginner bass player and my ears are not trained. I have a SPDT switch on my crossover feeding my 6" mid that ties in two different filters with the switch up or down with the center position taking the mid out all together. I really can't tell much of a difference no matter what the position. I'm pretty sure all is connected right and all. I did a simple continuity test on the switch feeding the filter resistors and even checked the resistors for value before I hooked them up. It's just hard for me to tell if the midrange is doing much. Remember I'm a beginner bass player. When I play some really high notes they all sound so pretty with plenty of volume so I assume all is well. Any ideas for me to check?
 
#6
homeby5 said:
Using a GB Shuttle 6.2 and a Schecter Diamond Series Bass Guitar. Sounds REALLY good to my untrained ears. When I got turned onto these Fearful Cabs I searched reviews and I literally couldn't find a negative opinion. I'm sure not going to be the first as I love it.
I do feel that it is really wanting more umph than my 6.2 can climb. Don't get me wrong....it is really loud and crystal clear with my 6.2 but I'm sure it could take a whole lot more if the right gig needed it.
What I would like to do is compare my build to another similar Fearful 15/6. Just so I can make sure all of my electronics and everything else is working all right. Basically I would like to compare some apples. I'm a beginner bass player and my ears are not trained. I have a SPDT switch on my crossover feeding my 6" mid that ties in two different filters with the switch up or down with the center position taking the mid out all
together. I really can't tell much of a difference no matter what the position. I'm pretty sure all is connected right and all. I did a simple continuity test on the switch feeding the filter resistors and even checked the resistors for value before I hooked them up. It's just hard for me to tell if the midrange is doing much. Remember I'm a beginner bass player. When I play some really high notes they all sound so pretty with plenty of volume so I assume all is well. Any ideas for me to check?
Click to expand...

Have you posted internal pics of your build and wiring job/switch at the fearful forum? Many helpful folks there. You should be definitely noticing a difference with the mid on or off. More subtle difference between wide open and padded.

That said, what do you think of the Restore? I've used it on decks, thought it would be good for cabs, but haven't tried that yet. Only drawbacks I can see is the "sandy" texture maybe scraping knuckles under something like a strap handle, or being a little too rough on upholstery for people who like to carry their boutique cabs in boutique cars, not that I'd ever do that. I don't drive stuff where I'd have to worry about scratches or dings. ;)
 
#9
homeby5 said:
Using a GB Shuttle 6.2 and a Schecter Diamond Series Bass Guitar. Sounds REALLY good to my untrained ears. When I got turned onto these Fearful Cabs I searched reviews and I literally couldn't find a negative opinion. I'm sure not going to be the first as I love it.
I do feel that it is really wanting more umph than my 6.2 can climb. Don't get me wrong....it is really loud and crystal clear with my 6.2 but I'm sure it could take a whole lot more if the right gig needed it.
Click to expand...

I found my GB Shuttle 6.0 was great with a fEARful, and easier to dial in than my GK mb800. My favorite, though is the Mesa M9 Carbine.

homeby5 said:
What I would like to do is compare my build to another similar Fearful 15/6. Just so I can make sure all of my electronics and everything else is working all right. Basically I would like to compare some apples....It's just hard for me to tell if the midrange is doing much...Any ideas for me to check?
Click to expand...

I too, suggest the Greenboy forums. My ears are too old to be much help, LOL! :D
 
#10
homeby5 said:
...
What I would like to do is compare my build to another similar Fearful 15/6. Just so I can make sure all of my electronics and everything else is working all right. Basically I would like to compare some apples. I'm a beginner bass player and my ears are not trained. I have a SPDT switch on my crossover feeding my 6" mid that ties in two different filters with the switch up or down with the center position taking the mid out all together. I really can't tell much of a difference no matter what the position. I'm pretty sure all is connected right and all. I did a simple continuity test on the switch feeding the filter resistors and even checked the resistors for value before I hooked them up. It's just hard for me to tell if the midrange is doing much. Remember I'm a beginner bass player. When I play some really high notes they all sound so pretty with plenty of volume so I assume all is well. Any ideas for me to check?
Click to expand...
If you're not hearing any change from your switch, I'd be checking that it's even wired in correctly! As another posted, some pics of your crossover & switch wiring would certainly help with remote diagnosis :-P

PS. Nice job with your build!

Peter
 
#11
The switch should not disconnect your mid. All it should do is add/remove the mid's padding.
Like adding a loop in your effects board if that makes any sense.
If you don't hear any difference its time to look at your terminal connections to/from crossover boards.
 
#14
will33 said:
Have you posted internal pics of your build and wiring job/switch at the fearful forum? Many helpful folks there. You should be definitely noticing a difference with the mid on or off. More subtle difference between wide open and padded.

That said, what do you think of the Restore? I've used it on decks, thought it would be good for cabs, but haven't tried that yet. Only drawbacks I can see is the "sandy" texture maybe scraping knuckles under something like a strap handle, or being a little too rough on upholstery for people who like to carry their boutique cabs in boutique cars, not that I'd ever do that. I don't drive stuff where I'd have to worry about scratches or dings. ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah I posted my crossover pics on my build thread over at the GB forum. I'll post it here too.
As far as the texture being too rough....it's really not to my touch. It does go on really rough but as it dries the "peaks of the mountains" seem to lay down and flatten. Don't get me wrong...it IS very tough and not smooth by any means. I wouldn't want to drag it over a smooth piece of furniture or new leather sofa, but it doesn't feel too bad at all against my hands and arms. I believe you could water it down for more of an orange peel texture or brush it on smooth. I choose this type of texture because I wanted thick for maximum protection. Go to HD or Lowes and they have samples that are painted with different textures and you can get a true opinion.
 
#15
Here's my crossover wiring. I don't think it's going to be much of a help as I bundled all the wires together so I don't think you can trace them visually. I do know that I checked the values of the resistors with a meter at the terminal board going to my switch and I checked the switch operation. All seemed fine. I think I'm going to have to do some type of operational test with music or frequencies and listen.
It just sounds so DAMN good right now, all over the neck!!
 

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#16
homeby5 said:
Using a GB Shuttle 6.2 and a Schecter Diamond Series Bass Guitar. Sounds REALLY good to my untrained ears. When I got turned onto these Fearful Cabs I searched reviews and I literally couldn't find a negative opinion. I'm sure not going to be the first as I love it.
I do feel that it is really wanting more umph than my 6.2 can climb. Don't get me wrong....it is really loud and crystal clear with my 6.2 but I'm sure it could take a whole lot more if the right gig needed it.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I built a fEARful 12/6/1 in 2012 and paired it with a Shuttle 6.2. Loved the Shuttle and the way it sounded with the fEARful, but also felt the cab could handle a whole lot more power. Recently upgraded to a Shuttle 9.2, with the crazy Genz Benz prices floating around the TB classifieds, and the extra headroom makes a big difference. I haven't even pushed it yet (not much room to do so in my basement), but the tone at low to medium volumes is exactly what I was looking for.

Great build, by the way. Love the finish.
 
#17
Great color on that cab. Looks really nice.

There's something up with your switching, your padding and your mid. You should definitely be able to hear your mid speaker. It should have more volume than 'I can't tell if its doing much'.

On the switch, It sounds like you've got a 'center position off' switch, or On/Off/On. You really want an on/on switch with no middle position. I don't like the idea of unbalancing your crossover by having your mid 'off', I think you risk crossover failures from that. On the level of padding, the difference should be minor but at least noticeable.
 
#19
After talking to some other 15/6 builders, I think I described my switch function wrong at first. Here is the wiring diagram I followed.

I believe the upper position enables the current to go through the 2.5 and the direct shunt going to the Mid +. The middle position removes the parallel shunt and the current goes only through the 2.5. The bottom position sends the current through the 2.5 but also provides another return path (shunt) of 20 ohms that current goes through without going through the mid.
 

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