lightweight cab for jazz?

Check out the 2x10 boxes from David Eden. Smooth hi-fi sound that gets way down low.

 

But the Edens are heavy. Surely more than 40 pounds. I've never played any EA's but I keep reading a lot of good press over their 8's. You might try them.

BTW, I have an Eden D-210XLT, and if you don't mind lugging 68 pounds, it'll do ya good.

 

I have heard good things about the Aguilar 1x12 cabs. I haven't heard them yet, but I have never heard anything by Aguilar that didn't sound superb. I'm going to be picking one up in the near future, myself.

 

I have the D-210T and they are real sweet sounding cabs, but you are right about the weight. I'd forgotten about that. The nemesis would be a good way to go.

 

I'd recommend contacting Kurt at Flite Sound
(www.flitesound.com).

He recently built me a 3-way 2x10 with 5" midrange and tweeter it's probably the best cabinet I've ever played through.
I sold my Eden 210XLT's because of their weight and replaced them with the Flites. I don't regret it one bit.
They handle the low B with no problem and have such a neutral, tone that lets the sound of my bass really come through. I also notice that I can hear every note that I play - very 'articulate' cabinet.

Oh yeah, the cabinet only weighs 36 pounds. About 1/2 of what the Eden weighs...

 

The Aguilar GS-112 is efficient and lightweight. IMO two sound much better than one.

Euphonic Audio VL-110's aren't as efficient, have a more complete sound (less of a scooped mid thing) and definitely sound better in pairs. EA has new coaxial cabs that are supposed to be more efficient... haven't heard them yet. I did my first gig with two VL110's yeterday using a 400w amp and was very pleased with the sound. Both cabs, my amp, a cart and a gig bag fig neatly in the back of my PT Cruiser, under the cover, with room to spare. The only caveat is that I don't know if the SWR would push one to the levels you might need.

Eden D210XLT's are heavier and sound like... D210XLT's. I don't know of a lighter or more efficient way to get that sound.

Epifani 112's are nice. Haven't tried a Bergantino yet. Flite's are definitely an option, especially where weight is a concern.

 

Lightweight cabs sounds lighweight, for the most part. You can't beat an Eden D210XLT. Unless you've got some sort of physical reason why you can't pick it up, I can't think of a better cab for your purposes. After loading in and out with my Mesa Boogie Road Ready cabs a few nights in a row doing clubs, that lil' Eden feels like a feather when I get a restaurant gig! 60 something pounds too heavy? Jeez. My Boogie 215 is about 200.

 

Yes - I use a Euphonic Audio VL208 which I use for small Jazz stuff and it is the best cab I've ever heard and sounds ideally suited for what you require.

It is small and compact - easy to carry in one hand - about 40 llbs. But the thing is the sound - very HIFi and clear - it has 2 8" speakers two 5 and a quarters plus a tweater and copes with anything.

I have used it to play CDs at outdoor parties and everybody commented on how great the sound was - for amplifying keyboards, decks etc as well as 5-string bass!!


BTW, I have an Eden D-210XLT, and if you don't mind lugging 68 pounds, it'll do ya good.

Not if you've got a bad back!!

 

I don't like dragging heavy gear around... so about 15 years ago I got a Kart-A-Bag Commander 600 collapsible handcart. Even a D210XLT is easy to move around with this... goes up and down stairs easily, sometimes I don't even take the cabs off the cart, just collapse the handle, plug in and go.

I played outdoors yesterday at a store opening, in a trio with a vocalist, and used 2 EA VL110's and my AMP BH-420 head (400w @4 ohms). Lakland 55-94 5 string bass. Sounded amazing. Played a wide assortment of music (Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrisson, Alien Ant Farm, Chic, cartoon segue music, lightly funked up version of "Turkey in the straw", several takes on Grover Washington's "Mr. Magic" (straight, Bop, ballad, Country), Chick Corea, etc.). I was surprised at just how full sounding these cabs were in a trio setting... studio quality lows. We had way too much fun.

My recommendation, especially for Jazz would be to get a couple of these cabs... they're tiny, easy to carry with one hand, sound great (in pairs), haven't tried them in a big setting yet but from what I've heard so far I think they'll work there, too... but I'll probably take a D210XLT just in case

 

You could also consider an Acme Low B-1 1-10 cab. (www.acmebass.com) Good true sound that actually has some real low bass. I have a Low B-2 (2-10) and love it.

Two possible drawbacks I can think of:

1. You can't try before buying.

2. Acmes are, as has often been said, fairly inefficient, so you won't get as much volume as you would with some of the other speakers. (It'd probably still be enough for most standard-type jazz, however.) If you get the 4-ohm model, though, you'll at least get as much power as your amp can put out.

 

I would also recommend checking out the Bag End cabinets. Their single 12's and single 15's are only around 40lbs, and sound wonderful. When I was at the University of North Texas, most of the Jazz bassers there would play their uprights with a Fishman Pickup through a small tube head and a Bag End 12 or 15. Always sounded good, and worked great for anything from a trio up to a full lab band.

 

I've just recently been testing the new 110 Eden Micro series cab for jazz applicatiion. This is a new design with twin porting tubes. It is without a doubt the best I've ever heard and it weighs about 30 pounds. I don't believe the dealers have these yet, but I'm sure David @ Eden would direct you to a stocking dealer if interested. The 210's are great but way overkill for jazz and they weigh about 65 pounds.

 

I did buy two EA VL208s - unfortunately one of them was stolen!!

As soon as I've finished paying for the last one (on interest free credit) I'll probably get another or a 1 X10. They're just under £1,000 over here - which is quite a lot of money to find!

 

You might want to consider the Carvin 112AG. It is designed as an extension cabinet for the AG100D amp. It is a full range speaker and weighs in at 31 lbs. It might be just the ticket for the sound you are describing.

 

I own Bag End 1x15 and 1x12 cabinets and an Eden 2x10 wedge. But my preferred rig for jazz is my Hartke 210 Transporter cabinet with my Walter Woods 100W amp. The Transporter is light and relatively neutral sounding. If I need a little more volume, I'll pair the Hartke with one of my other cabinets.

 

Look into the Carvin RL210T cab. It weighs in the mid-40 lb range, can handle 400 watts, and sounds good at a good price. I've seen them used for about $200 and new for $300.