Double Bass light weight speaker?

[Roger Davis]

Erik has helpfully PMd me and suggested that I raise the cab off the floor. And he's dead right. There is so much bottom to this cab that it needs to lose its floor coupling. Seems obvious, I suppose, but I've never previously come across a cab that responds so differently. So next time I go out (on 27th) it'll be Martin bass, FS, FDeck, Puma 500 and OneTen.

There's also the matter of upright or side mounted because the port is at the bottom when upright. But I haven't noticed much of a difference in this regard.

 

[Marty Forrer]

Yes. There is so much bottom with the One10 that I cut my bass eq. With that in mind I think it probably would work fine on a chair, but I have not tried it, as I have no trouble whatsoever hearing myself with it. And to the poster who said a 15" Thiele cab is needed in a big room in order to throw to the back, as far as the One10 goes, I have used it in a big room and was told to turn down because the bass was overpowering the rest of the band at the back of the room. Maybe the Barefaced throws differently to other 1x10 cabs.

 

[alexclaber]

Maybe the Barefaced throws differently to other 1x10 cabs.

Cabs don't have 'throw' in the low frequencies - not until you're up to huge horn or cardioid PA subwoofer arrays. However, a cab that produces more deep bass will get more boundary reinforcement from nearby walls and will thus energise the whole room with more of that deep bass.

If I look at the overly simplistic dB@1W1m graph we measured the One10 doesn't appear to have hugely deep lows - but in reality it has so much power handling down low that it doesn't become excursion limited and lose the bottom it has at lower levels, which tends to be the problem with many cabs. I know it seems like most cabs have more lows when you turn them up but that's your ears just getting better at hearing lows once it's loud - once you're getting close to the limit of any cab the lows will start to compress. The higher that limit, the more true your bottom end remains at gigging levels. Hope that makes sense!

 

[Ric Vice]

Cabs don't have 'throw' in the low frequencies - not until you're up to huge horn or cardioid PA subwoofer arrays. However, a cab that produces more deep bass will get more boundary reinforcement from nearby walls and will thus energise the whole room with more of that deep bass.

If I look at the overly simplistic dB@1W1m graph we measured the One10 doesn't appear to have hugely deep lows - but in reality it has so much power handling down low that it doesn't become excursion limited and lose the bottom it has at lower levels, which tends to be the problem with many cabs. I know it seems like most cabs have more lows when you turn them up but that's your ears just getting better at hearing lows once it's loud - once you're getting close to the limit of any cab the lows will start to compress. The higher that limit, the more true your bottom end remains at gigging levels. Hope that makes sense!

Makes perfect sense, I would suppose that's why many concert halls and churches sound so much better than outdoor venues or performance spaces with concrete surfaces. IME you really don't want a cabinet that over emphasizes extended low frequencies, as they tend to bloom, cause feedback, and take more power to drive.
I've owned several Transmission Line cabinets that sounded great on stage, but took a great deal more power to
run. Just my take.

Ric

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Hrmmm.... I've been wanting something lighter than the Wizzy 12 I've been using with a DPA over the last year. I've used a Wizzy 10 with the DPA but generally the lows cause it to fart out - something I dont' get when using a piezo. The Wizzy10 is generally plenty of volume for the gigs I play save for that drawback.

I might have take the plunge. Anybody know if it comes ready to be used with a PA tripod? I can use my existing tripod screwed onto the bottom of it if need be.

 

[notabene]

doesn't seem to have a fitting on the bottom. There is a port there, so that might affect pole dancing, but the port could be aimed sideways. I have a (free) brunch gig Sunday 11:30 am in San Rafael at Fenix if you want to hear/see it. With Erlund and Walter Woods.

Steven Schuster

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Thanks Steven, not sure if I will be able to drop by. Actually, the port may not be too much of a problem for me. I had bought a lightweight PA tripod a while back that AHBob was recommending - it uses an external mount that requires only 4 bolts to be drilled into the cab. I've t-nutted my Wizzy to make it so that I can swap the mount around to other cabs. The Wizzy 12 might be a little too heavy for the tripod but the plate can probably be altered to work with the port on the One10.

The tripod is small enough that it actually slides into the bow pocket on my bass case (even with a folding music stand already in it!). Cab in one hand, amp in the other, bass on the backpack straps, and it's a single trip from the car. I have an Ehrlund in the past and wouldn't be surprised at all if you got an amazing sound. My issue is more that the cab can't fart out on the lows the DPA mic creates. If the literature is correct and that the One10 can compete with a 12" then I should be ok.

 

[rickwolff]

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE A LITTLE PREMATURE

Like a number of you I have been intrigued by the Barefaced One 10 for Double Bass.

In a couple months (once they have one to send me) Alex at Barefaced Cabs is going to send me a One 10 to use in a 'TRAVELING DEMO'. You might recall a similar demo of the new Headway Pre-amps a couple years ago. Here is the link to that 'Traveling Demo' thread: New EDB-2 and EDM-1 from Headway For Trial

If you are interested in 'auditioning' the Barefaced One 10 in your own home and on your own gigs, just send me a PM (start a conversation) and I will put you on the list.

The plan is for each of us to play with the cab for a week or so and then ship it on to the next bassist (shipping at your expense - which shouldn't be much for a 16 pound cab).

I'm really looking forward to trying this little cab and sharing my experiences and reading about yours after you try it. Some of the feedback so far (from earlier in this thread):

Rick,

I continue to love this speaker and have found it to be the best small speaker I've ever owned for double bass--at least for my double bass which is a LaScala Hybrid with Evah Pirazzi strings, and a Rev2 Solo pickup played through either an AI Focus S. III or an older AI Clarus XL. It is compact and fits easily in a Deluxe Cajon bag with an amp, and weighs only 16 pounds. It has a fat, quite traditional sound and I often take a little off the bottom with the HighPass filter of the Focus or my HPFPre when using the Clarus XL although there is plenty enough top end in the single speaker to put some air in the double bass. It sounds particularly good when you want just a little amplification to fill in the bottom notes, like when playing with an unamplified acoustic pianist. However, it can put out plenty of volume and I've used it as my only piece of equipment playing with a reasonably loud, 17-piece big band. I've also been rehearsing with a three-horn, 4 rhythm band being put together by the vocalist/guitarist leader that plays a mixture of swingy stuff (think Michael Buble) as well as older rock & roll like Gerry Rafferty for which I play bass guitar.

Previous small speakers I have used include a couple of Wizzy10's, the really early Euphonic Audio speakers whose numbers I can't remember, a Schroeder 110, a GK MB150X, a fibreglass Crazy 8, an Acme B-1 (the BF One10 puts out way more volume than the Acme) and my AI Ten2EX speaker that I still own and use occasionally for duo or trio gigs with no drummer although the much lighter weight of the BF One10 keeps drawing me back to it.

Hope this is helpful.

Erik Hansen aka Lownote
Edinburgh, Scotland

I have a Barefaced One10 also (thanks to Erik's recommendation), and it's become my go to cab. Incredibly light, and my GK MB800 head can push it hard if needed. Wonderful warm sound, and incredibly well constructed I also have a Greenboy fEARful 12/6 cab which I'll use for big gigs (I have one coming up.... outdoor, 2000 people), but 95% of my gigs will be with the Barefaced. It's the last cab I will ever buy.

Hrmmm.... I've been wanting something lighter than the Wizzy 12 I've been using with a DPA over the last year. I've used a Wizzy 10 with the DPA but generally the lows cause it to fart out - something I dont' get when using a piezo. The Wizzy10 is generally plenty of volume for the gigs I play save for that drawback.

I might have take the plunge. Anybody know if it comes ready to be used with a PA tripod? I can use my existing tripod screwed onto the bottom of it if need be.

Answer: I have asked Alex to install a 'tophat' in the one he is sending me so it can be tripod mounted.

 

[notabene]

Last night, at a gig I was playing horn on, the singer's small pa died, with the acrid smell of smoked electronics. I had played a bass gig earlier in the day, so had my bass rig a short distance away. So... during the break I got my Walter Woods 400 watt and the Barefaced One 10. With the WW controls emphasizing the highs and upper mids, the vocalist used it, high atop a table (the amp, not the singer). She sounded much better than her pa had ever sounded. Clear and musical. When I had tried to use my EACL10 for the same thing many years ago, it was awful. The One 10 continues to impress me.

Steven

 

[oren]

I have an Epifani UL 110 that I love and have used as my primary cab for years now, currently with a GB Shuttle 6.2 head. They don't make them anymore but you can sometimes find a used one.

 

[Ric Vice]

Last night, at a gig I was playing horn on, the singer's small pa died, with the acrid smell of smoked electronics. I had played a bass gig earlier in the day, so had my bass rig a short distance away. So... during the break I got my Walter Woods 400 watt and the Barefaced One 10. With the WW controls emphasizing the highs and upper mids, the vocalist used it, high atop a table (the amp, not the singer). She sounded much better than her pa had ever sounded. Clear and musical. When I had tried to use my EACL10 for the same thing many years ago, it was awful. The One 10 continues to impress me.

Steven

Steven,
I'm anxious to try ths cabinet out with a Walter Woods MI-400-8. 15 lbs. is very appealing if it works. I have heard from others that you need to elevate this particular cabinet
with DB.

Ric

 

[rickwolff]

the vocalist used it, high atop a table (the amp, not the singer).

Steven

I worked a gig in the early 70's where the SINGERS were HIGH ATOP A TABLE. Now THAT was fun. It was a little basement bistro named Pierre's. They used to say "Fall down the stairs to Pierre's". The singing waitresses would jump up on the (very stable) table the customers sat at, a pin spot would hit them, and they'd sing their song from
customers sat at, a pin spot would hit them, and they'd sing their song from
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'.

Ah, the Good Old Days. If I had a time machine I'd go back in a minute.

 

[notabene]

Steven,
I'm anxious to try ths cabinet out with a Walter Woods MI-400-8. 15 lbs. is very appealing if it works. I have heard from others that you need to elevate this particular cabinet
with DB.

Ric

I elevate it so it is louder in my ears, (a monitor of sorts), but it is still normally on a table or chair so presumably the port (downward) is still doing what a port does in connecting with a hard surface. I'm not sure what a real speaker stand would do, since I've not used one. The weight advantage would be countered with having to bring a stand, for me, were I to grow attached to the sound. Like all speakers I have used, the acoustic space it resides in matters a lot. This speaker seems noticeably "warm" and also fast. And my back really appreciates its lightness.

Steven

 

[rickwolff]

I elevate it so it is louder in my ears, (a monitor of sorts), but it is still normally on a table or chair so presumably the port (downward) is still doing what a port does in connecting with a hard surface. I'm not sure what a real speaker stand would do, since I've not used one. The weight advantage would be countered with having to bring a stand, for me, were I to grow attached to the sound. Like all speakers I have used, the acoustic space it resides in matters a lot. This speaker seems noticeably "warm" and also fast. And my back really appreciates its lightness.

Steven

Having to 'drag extra gear' is a common and valid objection I often see to the idea of using a speaker tripod. In fact, I just sold a tripod I had recently bought. It was aluminum and quite light but very bulky. I am hoping to find one that is much smaller and still affordable (app $20 is my sweet spot). The only one I have found is this one: Invalid Link Removed at 45 inches to the bottom of the cab this should be sufficient to get it to ear lever - especially for me as I sit when I play.

I had bought a lightweight PA tripod a while back that AHBob was recommending - it uses an external mount that requires only 4 bolts to be drilled into the cab. I've t-nutted my Wizzy to make it so that I can swap the mount around to other cabs.
The tripod is small enough that it actually slides into the bow pocket on my bass case (even with a folding music stand already in it!). Cab in one hand, amp in the other, bass on the backpack straps, and it's a single trip from the car.

Huy, what is that stand you bought? Could you post a link? Thanks.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

I can't seem to find the link AllHailBob had anymore. It's a lightweight one, smaller than most PA stands and could hold up to 75lbs (i think?). Chinese made, small enough to slip into the bow pocket with the legs sticking out when folded. The hat was external and you had to drill into the cab for the bolts.