Lightweight cabs with no tweeters or crossovers?

[jmjbassplayer]

Hi,

My thread title says it all...curious what's out there these days that's lightweight, but only relies on one type of driver per cab. 2x12, 1x15, 4x10 are the sizes I'm looking at, and I'd want to run two such cabs off of something lightweight-ish, like an Aguilar AG700 or something similar that can run two 4ohm cabs. The purpose of this is to create a mid-sized rig that sounds warm and familiar, takes drive and other pedals well, and ultimately that I can also fit in my car without having to go to storage to pull out the big rigs in flight cases.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Yours,
JMJ

 

[mmbongo]

Barefaced Super Compact or Big Twin. Also any of their 10" cabs, although any of those with multiple 10's do have a crossover. But it's not for high/low separation, it's to eliminate highs on one side to create an array and eliminate beaming.

As far as amps...Mesa Subway and Darkglass amps also are 2 ohm stable.

 

[Passinwind]

Greenboy Bassic 12 and Bassic 15: speaker enclosure models

 

[Pulverizor]

There's a tweeterless Hartke 12 that won't break the bank.
SamsonTech

 

[catcauphonic]

My older 4ohm Genz Benz neo212 xt is pretty dang light, and I always just keep the tweeter down to zero. Quite like not having one, no?

I would imagine the current Genzler Magellan line has the same option.

 

[friskinator]

Barefaced definitely checks all those boxes.

 

[Rick Brienzo]

In my search for very similar cabs I have landed on Bag End. They have a few cabs that tick these boxes. They are not the lightest weight. But if you normally lug the big stuff they are a relief.

Check out S12-B, D12-B, S15-B

 

[basss]

Revsound

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Barefaced Super Compact or Big Twin. Also any of their 10" cabs, although any of those with multiple 10's do have a crossover. But it's not for high/low separation, it's to eliminate highs on one side to create an array and eliminate beaming.

As far as amps...Mesa Subway and Darkglass amps also are 2 ohm stable.

Barefaced definitely checks all those boxes.

Thanks guys. Questions regarding Barefaced:

I've heard them described as "flat" and not imparting much character on the sound, is that your experience? I've also heard them described as bright, but that seems odd since they have no tweeter.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

My older 4ohm Genz Benz neo212 xt is pretty dang light, and I always just keep the tweeter down to zero. Quite like not having one, no?

I would imagine the current Genzler Magellan line has the same option.

Well, no...having a tweeter and crossover will always limit the amount of high frequencies going to the bass drivers in some way. I'd rather the speakers just be as full range as their response will allow.

 

[JW56789]

JMJ, I too wondered about single-driver cabs, as back in the day this is what we all used. Andy at Acme Products had a similar idea, so he engineered a range of single 12 bins, and later added a tweeter version for those who just couldn't give it up. Always enjoyed your work, and used to read your posts in the Alembic forum.

All the Best,

JW

https://www.acmebass.com/pdf/seriesIIIfwandfrmanwithcover.pdf

 

[friskinator]

Thanks guys. Questions regarding Barefaced:

I've heard them described as "flat" and not imparting much character on the sound, is that your experience? I've also heard them described as bright, but that seems odd since they have no tweeter.

I've owned their tweeter-less 2x10 and 1x12 (Super Compact), and the 1x12 definitely has a flatter, warmer, less bright tone. The Super Twin is basically 2 Super Compacts in one box. In terms of portability, they can't be beat, no matter which one you choose.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

JMJ, I too wondered about single-driver cabs, as back in the day this is what we all used. Andy at Acme Products had a similar idea, so he engineered a range of single 12 bins, and later added a tweeter version for those who just couldn't give it up. Always enjoyed your work, and used to read your posts in the Alembic forum.

All the Best,

JW

https://www.acmebass.com/pdf/seriesIIIfwandfrmanwithcover.pdf

Thanks much! Maybe you meant Wal forum? I've never been to an Alembic forum.

 

[Tim1]

Thanks guys. Questions regarding Barefaced:

I've heard them described as "flat" and not imparting much character on the sound, is that your experience? I've also heard them described as bright, but that seems odd since they have no tweeter.

The Barefaced 10s are designed to have a built-in vintage character which I personally find very appealing. Their twelve inch speakers are designed to be tonally neutral and most of them have a horn, although they do make a couple of 12s with no horn. Hence your slight confusion. The Barefaced site is excellent and clearly explains the differences between the two ranges.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

I've owned their tweeter-less 2x10 and 1x12 (Super Compact), and the 1x12 definitely has a flatter, warmer, less bright tone. The Super Twin is basically 2 Super Compacts in one box. In terms of portability, they can't be beat, no matter which one you choose.

Should I be looking elsewhere if I want the cab to "rock"? I want warmth and all that, but I also want it to have teeth when you dig in with drive pedals and what have you. I know it's not going to sound as rad as my old SVTs, Sunn 215's, or Acoustic 215's, but it would help if it wasn't just all smoothness with no bite.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

The Barefaced 10s are designed to have a built-in vintage character which I personally find very appealing. Their twelve inch speakers are designed to be tonally neutral and most of them have a horn, although they do make a couple of 12s with no horn. Hence your slight confusion. The Barefaced site is excellent and clearly explains the differences between the two ranges.

Very helpful thank you. Do you have an opinion of what I should pair one of their 212's with if I wanted to go bigger?

 

[Tim1]

Very helpful thank you. Do you have an opinion of what I should pair one of their 212's with if I wanted to go bigger?

In my experience, and if you want to go light, the Mesa D800+ is a good combination, especially since with a 212 you would be at 4 ohms and it would deliver 800 watts. This is my current combo with a Big Baby 2. The other option which is currently tempting me is a Bergantino Forte HP. I have only tried the Mesa with my BB2, but I am sure the 12s work just as well with other good amps. I do think with the versatility of these speakers it is an advantage to have a reasonable eq section so you can fully explore all the tonal options. If you write to Barefaced Alex will advise you as to whether or not to get one with a horn or not as you may not need the extended range. Do not discount the tens though, they are fabulous speakers.

 

[wave rider]

Well, no...having a tweeter and crossover will always limit the amount of high frequencies going to the bass drivers in some way. I'd rather the speakers just be as full range as their response will allow.

A number of cabs run the woofer full range and use a low pass filter to protect the tweeter.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

A number of cabs run the woofer full range and use a low pass filter to protect the tweeter.

Ah, right. I'm thinking more old school then.

 

[Tim1]

Should I be looking elsewhere if I want the cab to "rock"? I want warmth and all that, but I also want it to have teeth when you dig in with drive pedals and what have you. I know it's not going to sound as rad as my old SVTs, Sunn 215's, or Acoustic 215's, but it would help if it wasn't just all smoothness with no bite.

This really tends to point towards the Barefaced tens imo. I run a Six 10 with an Aguilar DB 751 which has the characteristics you describe here. I have spent years being an all tube man, and this is as convincing as my svt, V4b, and Orange AD200. Loves pedals and has grunt to spare when needed on a big stage, or given your gigs which are no doubt way larger than mine look at an Eight 10 or combination of them. For my gigs which are mainly blues or old school rock I prefer the Barefaced tens over twelves.