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I am Very Stupid

#61
Get a lighter, smaller, more efficient cab and call it a day. That's the only thing there is to improve upon there: bulk. A dead man could get usable tone out of that rig. I have an Eden 2x15 I'd like to try that Hartke with, just to try it. Nice amp.

And FWIW, all of the Rumble combos I've ever tried sound great for their size and price. It's the best new line of bass amps from Fender in, like, forever.

Just shop cabs. Keep the fridge for the mojo.
 
#63
Keep your eyes open for a single 15" cab. A solid old Hartke, Sunn, Acoustic, Boogie, Fender, Bag End, Eden, SWR or the like should pop-up eventually. If you're lucky you might find one of those semi-generic single 15" cabs loaded with an EV. If she's able to elevate a 1x15 cab off the stage and/or angle it toward her head a bit I'm guessing it would make her happy.
 
#69
AstroSonic said:
So, to recap: She likes to take her rig in spite of the hassles transporting it and finding real estate on stage because of its awesome tone (even at low volume settings). You prefer using a rig that is easy to transport and has a small foot print and find the Fender bass tone works just fine. You have gotten tired of the hassles with her rig and, after 'some' discussion, she is willing to entertain other options.

Your tone preferences and priorities are pretty different. The alternative amps in your first post are indicative of what you hope might satisfy your desire for a more hassle free amp and her desire for that JBL 215 tone. They are relatively small like your Fender, but have a little more power and are fairly low in cost. Its next to impossible to cop that JBL-215 tone on a tight budget, and in a compact package. Your going to have to spend more (or buy used) and go a little bigger than you want, but smaller than what she wants. In addition, you will need an amp with 2 channels or a box (pedal or small box) to mix the two signals. You evidently don't need a lot of power or spl capability. You will need a cab that produces that JBL-215 tone, but in a smaller package. Your going to have to go shopping/auditioning. We can make suggestions here for a short list, but be aware that you will get everything from 'can't be done' to 'just use this 30w 6 inch modeling amp'. As a start, look for a 212 with vertically stacked, neo drivers (narrows the cab and provides better dispersion - you can hear it better on stage too) and with modern light weight construction. High power handling is not needed. It would help us if we had a better handle on what she likes about her tone. Is the 'smile' on the Hartke's graphic eq what she likes (pretty scooped), and is there something she doesn't like - what is it about the sound of the Fender that she doesn't like?
Click to expand...

will33 said:
With the voicing of the jbl's, the end result may not actually be all that scooped. They're not hyped in the lowend at all.
Click to expand...

AstroSonic said:
The JBLs are relatively overdamped drivers and can begin rolling off well above 200 Hz if the box is 2.5 - 3.5 cf and is tuned much below 60 Hz. Tuning to the mid 60s brings the response up, for a nearly flat response to about 70Hz. Higher tuning actually causes peaking above reference level. Not sure how these are tuned - it would be interesting to find out.

The bass boost evident in the 'smile' setting of the graphic eq potentially compensates nicely for the shelved response of a low tuned cabinet. It's the cutting in the mids that leads me to believe that a scooped tone is being used. A close look at the pic shows 4-6 db of cut between 250 and 2k (4 sliders), then a gradual climb to some serious boosting at 5 & 8kHz.

Of more importance is that for the OP, tone is incidental, while for his wife it is very important. The difference in perspective will make this an 'interesting' problem to resolve. IME, not just any good 210 or 112 will meet her tone goals. It will depend on voicing. There is also something about the way large cone area sounds relative to smaller more energetic ones. There is a certain sense of power and effortlessness to the sound of the large cone area cabs (all else being equal). I think a 212 with the right voicing will come closer.
Click to expand...

OK, actually, the photo in the OP is from a couple or more years ago. I went down and did a photo of her EQ settings today, and the smile got a bit less smiley:


Invalid Link Removed
 
#70
mellowinman said:
OK, actually, the photo in the OP is from a couple or more years ago. I went down and did a photo of her EQ settings today, and the smile got a bit less smiley:


Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

It still 'looks' scooped, but as Will33 pointed out, we don't really know whats baked in tone wise. And she may actually adjust the EQ as needed at each gig.

The important thing is to recognize the very different points of view the two of you have with respect to equipment. A slight upgrade from your Rumble 60 (like the amps in the first pic) will not even come close to meeting her needs. One of the modern, light weight neo 212's may do the job. The 'sure' solution is to simply give her the same tone (JBL drivers) repackaged in 2 (115) modern, light weight cabs (proportioned and with handles for max portability). Same volume and tuning as the original Sunn (half per driver). Most of the time you would likely get by using a single 115, but the second one would be available when needed. I would get prices from builders before considering off the shelf alternatives.

Good luck with your quest!
 
#73
I gigged the BG250 at several small/medium sized venues, real good for the money and weight. Very loud, I could easily hear the bass at one place 75 feet back from the stage.
Currently I am playing the TC Bh250 head thru a 210 cabinet, (and i have another 210 for bigger places)- Love that little head!
 
#78
You might consider two of these Invalid Link Removed. As an extension cabinet, it comes with a single 1/4 jack. Grab a 1" drill bit as a few surface mount Speakon jacks, and you're set.

Size and weight-wise, it's a really easy carry. Two would be no sweat to carry like a couple of suitcases.

I'm finding one is a great replacement for things I was using my BG250 for. Two should do some pretty good things. I'm so used to tweeters and ported cabinet. Sealed and tweeterless, it's surprisingly deep and loud for its size.

You could also consider getting a wireless unit with 2 transmitters. Keep using the Hartke and maybe add a Zoom B3 with separate amp/eq patches for the two of you.

We all know how big a 15" speaker is, but I don't think the Carvin site pictures do justice to how compact it is. I don't know if there's a smaller 115 cabinet out there.
 

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