Looking for vintage thumps cabinet sound in small light modern build

Having owned a Bareface One10 (in fact 2) I often found them underwhelming, volume wise, even as a pair. Nice tone but I've owned numerous single 1x 12's that could carry a room better reliably.

As for old school tone in a small package I'd probably be looking at the Quilter Bassblock 1x12.

 

Personally I would give David at Revsound a call and talk through my tonal goals with him. For example he makes a 1x15 that only weighs 25 pounds!!

 

Your description is pretty subjective. How old the school? Colored how, exactly? You may do yourself a favor by looking for a "neutral" sounding cab and trying EQ to get what you want.

 

Barefaced One 10 is pretty much the exact fit for your description. Pricey...but buy once/ cry once

 

The Genzler MG or NU cabinets might fit the bill. I have the MG212T and it is deep, rich and punchy, which is 'old school' to me.

 

My Fender Rumble 112 v3 does that tone perfectly with the tweeter off.
It's a great cab that can handle some powerfull volume, is lightweight and has great tone.
I just can't believe Fender has discontinnued it because I'd love to buy a second one but can't find it anywhere.

 

I've got 2 One10's but i have never pushed them on a loud gig because I use a 5 string bass. For most of my gigs I generally prefer my Super Compact (21lbs). It'll sound how you want. Put a clean amp into it and it will sound modern, put a P bass with flats and an Aguilar TH500 through it and it will sound as old skool as you want.

 

Good luck with that. Back in the 60s - yes, I'm old - the idea of a "small" cabinet with 2X15 properties was little more than a hope. Didn't happen. I currently have a ACC 402 cab that, as I recall, was about the smallest cab that had 2X15s in it, although I could be wrong. Back then the idea was the BIGGER the better.....but good luck! If you find a vintage rig that does that, shoot, let me know!!! Cheers!

 

I second calling Dave at Revsound. Checks all the boxes.

 

I found my One10s to be freakishly loud for their size but in a small room with dead acoustics, for instance, the volume would melt away. In a live room with an uncarpeted floor they'd be great but I struggled with being confident enough to choose to take them to most gigs.
The best analogy that I can come up with is they are "head voice" rather than "diaphragm voice". The price you pay for such a tiny box I suppose.

 

Motown: James Jamerson, one finger, Fender Precision with dead flatwounds, direct to the mixing board.

Wrecking Crew: Carol Kaye, picked Fender Precision with flatwounds, miked guitar amplifier.
Joe Osborn, picked Fender Jazz with flatwounds, miked guitar amplifier.

So you're looking for three different sounds, none of which was produced by a bass speaker cabinet.

Of course there are other classic "old school" studios and players - Muscle Shoals (David Hood, etc.), Stax/Volt (Duck Dunn), Atlantic in NYC, and of course the Brits. Dollars to doughnuts they were in the studio with DI or a small amp close-miked. All a little different, but what they had in common was low volume and a lack of obsession with getting a perfect sound.