Help Spend My Money! (Cab advice for a dream rig)

[ric4682]

I've been a semi-musician for about 15 years and have lusted after the venerable Aguilar DB751 for at least the past 5. I finally decided to treat myself after a busy gigging season and ordered the head.

Here's my question: what cab should I eventually pair with it? I currently have a Bad End S15/S15X that I love the sound of, but could use a bit more fullness and depth, especially since I know the DB751 is capable of producing it.

I don't want to spend much more than $1000 but I'm okay buying used, so that should open this up to most things.

Despite buying this famously heavy head, I prefer things that are lightweight, or easy to move around. Preferably both.
The logical choice is the Aguilar SL410x, but what else would pair well with this head? I also used to own 2 SL112s and didn’t love the sonic profile of them.

I'm playing weddings and rock band gigs, with occasional jazz and jamband shows with a large pedalboard for octave and synth tones.

I'm very intrigued by a Barefaced or GR Bass 2x12, but I don't love the idea of the head being wider than the cab its sitting on. I guess I could set the amp (in a rack case) on its side on the floor next to the cab, but that’s kinda lame too.
Sonically I really love a rich and punchy midrange and don't love a cab that feels "slow" or "pillowy" (looking at you Ampeg). Probably why I haven't been able to beat the Bag End stack yet.

What do I want?

 

[gtirard]

I would get a Barefaced Super Compact or a Three10

 

[pepj]

Get the Aguilar DB212. You will love it with that amp.

Some people prefer the GS model but I preferred the balance of the DB series over GS.

 

[Jazzjames]

May as well go the whole hog and get a DB cab. I really liked the DB112s, which sound noticeably more punchy than the SLs in my opinion.

 

[pepj]

I've prefer the DB line over all of them ...the SL were my least favourite out of DB, GS and SL.

 

[ric4682]

I would get a Barefaced Super Compact or a Three10

View attachment 7186876

I didn’t even bother to check the dimensions yet because I assumed the DB751 was wider than the Barefaced stuff, but you’re right! It looks like the head would fit pretty perfectly on the cab without the rack ears.
Hmmm

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Bag Ends are very good cabs and will likely sound deeper and fuller paired with the Aquilar DB751 head. However, there are plenty of light weight great sounding cabs to choose from. The Bag Ends are on the heavy side by today's standards.

 

[burgerdj]

As a Bag End S15 stack player, I understand where you’re coming from. For me, the only cab that I’ve liked more than my BE was a Mesa Subway 212. I can’t cough up that kind of dough at the moment, so I remain pleased with my Bag End

 

[ric4682]

Get the Aguilar DB212. You will love it with that amp.

Some people prefer the GS model but I preferred the balance of the DB series over GS.

May as well go the whole hog and get a DB cab. I really liked the DB112s, which sound noticeably more punchy than the SLs in my opinion.

I've prefer the DB line over all of them ...the SL were my least favourite out of DB, GS and SL.

Interesting! Since this will be my “big show” rig I’ll probably get the 212 or 410. I only have experience with the SL cabs, but from everything I’ve read it sounds like the DB cabs are the favorites of the Aguilar stuff. At least tonally. I do still like the idea of a lighter weight cab though.

Anyone using an SL410x with their DB head?

 

[SpiderBass1965]

I pair mine with a Bergantino 4/10" HD cab and matches very well

 

[TheDialog]

I’d go with a used pair of Aguilar 210’s for the easier transportation, versatility, tone, and aesthetic.

 

[Lammchop93]

I would go with 12's or 15's based on your tone descriptions. The Aguilar sl212 might be worth checking out. It's out of your budget, but the new genzler ba212 would also be a great pairing I bet

I’ve never played them, but the mesa subway 212 or 215 could be a good pairing. The 215 would be LOUD with that head.

 

[MVE]

If it were me, I would be getting a Berg HG 310.
It’s just a bit wider than that amp and has that amazing Berg voicing that might match well with that amp.
Sorry, its definitely over 1k, but if you’re really looking to get the most out of that amp.?.?.?

 

[ric4682]

Bag Ends are very good cabs and will likely sound deeper and fuller paired with the Aquilar DB751 head. However, there are plenty of light weight great sounding cabs to choose from. The Bag Ends are on the heavy side by today's standards.

As a Bag End S15 stack player, I understand where you're coming from. For me, the only cab that I've liked more than my BE was a Mesa Subway 212. I can't cough up that kind of dough at the moment, so I remain pleased with my Bag End

They're great cabs! I think I bought both cabs together for $550. You're right, they are a bit heavy but not unmanageable like an old SWR 4x10 or something, and they do sound great. Definitely my favorite sounding cabs I've ever owned, just not my favorite to move around.

Good to know about the Mesa 212! I don't know that I've had a chance to play one yet.

 

[ric4682]

I pair mine with a Bergantino 4/10" HD cab and matches very well

If it were me, I would be getting a Berg HG 310.
It's just a bit wider than that amp and has that amazing Berg voicing that might match well with that amp.
Sorry, its definitely over 1k, but if you're really looking to get the most out of that amp.?.?.?

Good to know! I definitely check the classifieds here pretty regularly so I’m sure I could wait for a decent deal on a Berg cab.

I don’t have much experience with them though. How would you describe the “Berg voicing”?

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Good to know! I definitely check the classifieds here pretty regularly so I'm sure I could wait for a decent deal on a Berg cab.

I don't have much experience with them though. How would you describe the "Berg voicing"?

They sound very clean with a great rounded bottom end. I use them with all my amps. Aguilar, Mesa, Ampeg, Fender, Traynor, Bergantino, etc...

 

[Lo-E]

My recommendation would be to try the head out with the Bag End cabs first and see if you really have a problem to solve.

If you decide you need (or want) new cabs, I agree that Barefaced and Mesa are good choices for what you’re describing as your target tone.

I’m not familiar enough with the Aggie DB series to weigh in but if you didn’t like the SL112 stack there’s a good chance you’re not going to like any of the SL cabs as they’re all in the same tonal ballpark. (I have an SL112 that I’m not in love with, either)

 

[Lo-E]

They sound very clean with a great rounded bottom end.

That’s a pretty accurate description.
I actually find the bottom end of Berg cabs to be a little hard to control in some rooms.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

That's a pretty accurate description.
I actually find the bottom end of Berg cabs to be a little hard to control in some rooms.

Adjusting the bass equalization on the amp, pedals, or preamp on the bass fixes that fast.

 

[el murdoque]

@gtirard already has pointed in the right direction, but I don't think a Super Compact or three10 are the right choice.

This is a serious amp. I'd go with a serious cab. Either a 212 setup or the six10. Looks the part, brings the thunder. Having such a beast of an amp resting on a cab that brings it to about knee height just does not sit right with me.

Compared to the aguilar cabs, I must say that the barefaced models are a lot lighter than the SL series and a lot louder than the DB or GS series.
You can compare the output of a Super Compact to the output of a GS212. I did. It was a tight race, but the barefaced won.
So a barefaced 212 cabinet should release about the same seismic energy a 4x12 stack of aguilar cabs does - which is enough to rattle the tectonic plate you're on.