Double Bass Grace Felix users; powered cab or amp

[Fat bob]

Hi fellow Grace Felix users, or Alix, or even other preamp users! Wondering what other gear you pair with your preamp for live use? Powered monitor? Felix into amp? Preamp into line in (bypass amp pre)? I have this wonderful pre sitting around and I do t feel liken running it through the front end of my Markbass is letting me get the most out of it. Thank you for your responses!

 

[AgostoMortal]

anything you throw after a Grace device (Felix, Alix or Bix) will sound good! Just pick whatever you like and works for you.

 

[Ric Vice]

Powered cabinets, specifically designed for Double Bass or Acoustic Bass Guitar aren’t all that common. There are many powered P.A. Speakers that will work with the Grace especially those made by QSC. GR Bass in Italy has a whole line of powered bass cabinets. Mile Arnopol built several models, but he closed his shop years ago.

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Mike Arnopol posted on Facebook recently that he is making cabinets again from his new place in Portland.

 

[neddyrow]

in-ears

 

[oren]

I go out of my Felix into my Markbass, and it works fine. I mainly use the Felix when I double on a gig, so I can have each channel set up for each instrument.

i didn’t know Mike is inPortland, and that he’s making cabs again. Anyone have contact info?

 

[John Chambliss]

Michael Arnopol Soundworks

 

[AgostoMortal]

For the powered QSC PA cabs, I like the CP better than the K line, not just for bass. They are more compact and almost half the price.

 

[Earl]

For the powered QSC PA cabs, I like the CP better than the K line, not just for bass. They are more compact and almost half the price.

Yes, my CP8 sounds great!

 

[AgostoMortal]

Yes, my CP8 sounds great!

yeap I have the CP8 CP12 and K10..and I like in order: CP12, CP8 then K10

 

[Ric Vice]

Michael Arnopol Soundworks

John,
Thank's for that recent link to Mike's Facebook account. They are very well built, have a very natural sound, their footprint is quite small. Since Mike
hand built he changed the setup for each batch he made so their were several small modifications from one batch to the next. I'm pretty surprised he
is considering building them again.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Mile Arnopol built several models, but he closed his shop years ago.

He's back at it! Don't think he's doing powered cabs now.

 

[statsc]

John,
Thank's for that recent link to Mike's Facebook account. They are very well built, have a very natural sound, their footprint is quite small. Since Mike
hand built he changed the setup for each batch he made so their were several small modifications from one batch to the next. I'm pretty surprised he
is considering building them again.

Glad to see that Mike is building again; his cabs are truly special! His array of different models and modifications is dizzying. I’m also glad that my MAS portfolio is filled out: 2 16’s and 2 18’s; if one goes down I’m still in business!

 

[Ryan in PDX]

yeap I have the CP8 CP12 and K10..and I like in order: CP12, CP8 then K10

@AgostoMortal and @Earl - tell me more, please. I think we're still on topic...

I have been using a K10 for years, and wouldn't mind something smaller/lighter for double bass. I've been thinking about the K8.2, but CP8 is slightly smaller and lighter... and yes, half the price. No catch, you say? Are you using the carry bags/covers?

 

[Fat bob]

Earl what’s the limit of the cp8, with drums? Do you ever put on stand or just at floor. Thank you

 

[bassically_eli]

Interesting to hear about the CP8 and CP12. I've always thought those looked about perfect for DB on paper but have never used one. I have several MAS cabs and a TC112 (I need to sell some stuff) and have been wondering how the CPs might compare for DB, BG, and PA use.

 

[AgostoMortal]

Ryex, the different between the K10 I have and both CP is not day and night, but they are more compact. the 12 looks shorter but maybe a bit fatter sideways than the K10. I don't remember all the specs but they sound amazing and have a incredible price. There is no catch, My guess is that they don't have all the fancy DSP and screen and that may allowed them to reduce the price, it is also a new design so they probably learned a lot from the K's experience over the years and were able to come up with something more budget oriented that kick ass. I any case I don't use them regularly with DB nor EB because they are still very heavy compared to any light cab like a Thunderchild 4x6 that you can carry in one hand for blocks of parking lot..while having a small head in a bagpack. That modularity is unbeatable to me.
I use these cabs as PA or monitors and they work great on both basses when for one reason or another I can't bring a bass rig. Last time I had to use the CP12 on an emergency situation (didnt have access to my regular heads) with a loud top40 band and I was worried I would come up "short" on sound. It delivered with spades, definitely not as loud/headroom as the Thunderchild 15 but the sound was incredible with an ALIX on the floor (and some other pedals). it sounded more like a recording than a live rig but in a good way.
The bottom line with the CP line is that they cost half of the K and they sound surprisingly as good or better with less bells and whistles but they better options if you look for light rigs.

 

[bassically_eli]

The catch is that the K2 series has more power. The K12.2 has LF woofer gets 1800W peak vs. 800W for the CP12 woofer. Max SPL is also 6dB for the K12.2 according to QSC specs. However, the K is 9lbs heavier and 3.4" taller, and $400 more.

 

[Earl]

Earl what’s the limit of the cp8, with drums? Do you ever put on stand or just at floor. Thank you

I always put it on a stand or chair. I just play straight ahead and improvisational jazz and have had no problem with volume with drummers. The thing about PA speakers is that they are designed to throw the sound out to the audience. Since using it no one has said they can't hear me.You need to use a preamp with it for impedance and EQ. I use the Headway EDM1.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I am tempted to buy a CP 8 and a Tech 21 Q strip as backup for my Walter Woods/MAS 18.5. The Q strip would also be handy for using when not bringing my own amp/speaker. The double parametric mid control of the Q strip is something that the Grace Felix actually does not have. Plus I do not need two channels, and to spend 3 times as much. Although I am sure the Grace is superb.