Low Down Sound Cab Club started!

[rpsands]

If you're going rackmount I would aim for a parametric. It'll let you target a lot more easily. Those 15-30 bands a lot of times have a super tight q, and it can be challenging to dial them in. Also, the crappier ones can increase noise.

I would consider something like a BBE DS24 if you wanted to get a rackmount unit. You can get'em for 200 bucks from beach audio.

You could also try this:
Presonus EQ3B
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EQ3B/

I don't think I'd cheap out and get a Nady and I think I'd stay away from 15-band rack graphics, just from personal experience with them. Others' opinions might be different for sure.

I'd also recommend trying out the GEB-7 and the MXR bass eq pedals to see if they work - the 120hz slider might have a wide q for example, and include your 200hz enough to make it sound right to you.

 

[alexclaber]

I'd look at outboard parametric rather than graphic EQs - much more precise control. With a graphic you're too reliant on the frequency and Q of the sliders being right for you. How much do those Fishman devices go for? Alternatively something like a Shuttle 6.0 with semi-parametric active EQ.

Alex

 

[Ryan Mohr]

I've decided not to go the EQ route. I'm just gonna find some pickups and strings that will suit my needs. At this point I'm leaning towards DiMarzio Ultra Jazz (strong low mids according to BP, and scooped hi mids based on what I've read on TB) and La Bella 760FLs (classic flatwound low mid bump).

 

[rpsands]

So instead of buying a ~100.00 module that will suit your needs that you can return if it doesn't work, you're going to spend at least that much (probably close to twice as much) installing new pickups and changing strings?

It's your money I guess.

 

[Ryan Mohr]

So instead of buying a ~100.00 module that will suit your needs that you can return if it doesn't work, you're going to spend at least that much (probably close to twice as much) installing new pickups and changing strings?

It's your money I guess.

Well I was inevitabley going to change the strings, and I was thinking about changing the pickups as well. So, I figured I would get pickups and strings with thick low mids and not have to have a graphic EQ pedal whenever I want good tone. Sorry for the OT.

 

[rpsands]

Ah if you were gonna do it anyway by all means See if it fixes your practice volume and then move forward. I expect you will be super happy with the mix sound regardless but let us know

 

[Ryan Mohr]

Ah if you were gonna do it anyway by all means See if it fixes your practice volume and then move forward. I expect you will be super happy with the mix sound regardless but let us know

Haha yeah it's just an excuse to mod my bass I'm sure it will sound great in the mix, but I'm not sure how the smooth upper bass/low mid reponse is going to sound in the mix. Usually that means not having oomph and punch in the mix, but this cab is plenty punchy. Maybe it is more of an upper mid punch?

 

[rpsands]

Well, if you were hearing your Fender combo before, the LH500 + Hartke will get probably 10db louder (a lot) so you've got that going for you regardless of eq characteristics

I can say from experience that a semi-flat bass tone with a small upper mid bump will cut right through any mix, no low mid bump needed. It's scooping the mids/low mids especially that makes you get drowned out - having them relatively flat to everything else is not an issue or shouldn't be.

 

[Ryan Mohr]

Well, if you were hearing your Fender combo before, the LH500 + Hartke will get probably 10db louder (a lot) so you've got that going for you regardless of eq characteristics

I can say from experience that a semi-flat bass tone with a small upper mid bump will cut right through any mix, no low mid bump needed. It's scooping the mids/low mids especially that makes you get drowned out - having them relatively flat to everything else is not an issue or shouldn't be.

Definitely +1 on that point. The combo was a 150 watt head driving a 150 watt 12" speaker. You couldn't get past 12 o'clock on the gain with clipping (understandable) and past 12 o'clock on the master without power amp clipping (frustrating). So, with a band I was always at that 12 and 12 setting with my band members telling me to turn up. On the other hand, the Hartke puts out 350 watts at 8 ohms, which is plenty for the 450 that the 3015 can handle. Also, the single "volume" knob is a master control, with a fixed pregain control. Since the preamp is a class A tube preamp, you just get pleasing harmonics and fatness when you dig in. And, the power amp seems really loud.

Oh that will definitely cut through the mix, I just don't prefer to sit in the mix like that. I like to have a big, fat, round, thick low mid presence that "sits" in the mix with clearly articulated notes rather than grind or sizzle. So the low mids are flat? I was under the impression that my rig was scooping them out.

 

[alexclaber]

So the low mids are flat?

Should be very close to flat. Your combo is probably more like this:

Alex

 

[aproud1]

I didn't have to wait long. My first thought was a pair of 1x15s such that I could use one for small gigs and two when I need the extra volume. I had even thought that perhaps I'd buy a LMII for when I used one and use the Carvin for when I used two.

But here's what Don came back to me with. Some interesting ideas:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Oatman
Two ideas come to mind---both neo:

(1) 1x15 ( 450 watt ) 1--10" mid---compression tweeter. Triad style design---total power---750 watts

(2) A high excussion 12" neo at 450 watts---2--10" neo ---1--compression tweeter ---900 watts

Both of these designs are in one 4x10 sized box with both cabs tuned to 42 hz. Either one will get any of your gigs done and will weigh in at approx. 60lbs. I have built many of each design for players like yourself who wanted to drop the stack and go to one light cab. Interested ?
Thoughts?

Thats funny... the Neo Triad is what Don is finishing for me this week. Loved the sound of the triad but not the weight and it didn't seem to handle a lot of power so I called Don. Can't wait to get it.


Andy

 

[Passinwind]

Oh that will definitely cut through the mix, I just don't prefer to sit in the mix like that. I like to have a big, fat, round, thick low mid presence that "sits" in the mix with clearly articulated notes rather than grind or sizzle.

Take a listen to the clip I posted in the fEarful thread yesterday. I too am generally not a fan of "cutting through the mix". Maybe you're just a better candidate for something loaded with the 3015LF or 3012LF?

We did a cab comparison at a mini-GTG out here a few weeks ago. There were a few 3015 loaded cabs, and while they sounded great for their owners' purposes, I wouldn't be happy gigging with any of 'em, in all honesty.

 

[KJung]

Take a listen to the clip I posted in the fEarful thread yesterday. I too am generally not a fan of "cutting through the mix". Maybe you're just a better candidate for something loaded with the 3015LF or 3012LF?

We did a cab comparison at a mini-GTG out here a few weeks ago. There were a few 3015 loaded cabs, and while they sounded great for their owners' purposes, I wouldn't be happy gigging with any of 'em, in all honesty.

While I'm more of a fan of the more raw sounding 3015 loaded cabs (I guess that has to do more with the crossover than the actual driver), you can also hear, comparing my clips, how different these two general designs are, with the 3105 one way cabs being very punchy and 'raw' up top, and the 'LF' cabs with the crossover and mid driver being more 'studio monitor' pure, clean and to my ear, a bit 'polite'. Both great for what they are IMO!

Edit: That clip sounds GREAT, and really communicates the smooth, even tone of those two way cabs, and the very open, deep, but not boomy low end. NICE!!!

 

[Passinwind]

While I'm more of a fan of the more raw sounding 3015 loaded cabs, you can also hear, comparing my clips, how different these two general designs are, with the 3105 one way cabs being very punchy and 'raw' up top, and the 'LF' cabs with the crossover and mid driver being more 'studio monitor' pure, clean and to my ear, a bit 'polite'. Both great for what they are IMO!

Agreed, and thanks for all the nice clips BTW!. But the 2 or 3 way ones can be made to sound much like the singles if desired, and IME the converse is not really true.

 

[KJung]

Agreed. But the 2 or 3 way ones can be made to sound much like the singles, and IME the converse is not really true.

I sure couldn't get any mid grind out of the ones I've played so far, but I assume it could be done. However, that's not what those cabs seem to be about IMO. I really do dig that precise, clean tone that comes out of these cabs, and the 'lack of midrange distortion' that you seem to chieve (for most, that would be a good thing!) with these high quality 6" mid drivers. Really nice!!!!!

 

[Passinwind]

I sure couldn't get any mid grind out of the ones I've played so far, but I assume it could be done. However, that's not what those cabs seem to be about. I really do dig that precise, clean tone that comes out of these cabs, and the 'lack of midrange distortion' that you seem to get (for most, that would be a good thing!) with these high quality 6" mid drivers. Really nice!!!!!

Personally, I probably wouldn't bother to try, since mid grind was exactly what I was trying to get away from when I started down this road of building my own cabs.

And IIRC, you still haven't heard any of these designs with a top shelf tweeter, eh?

 

[KJung]

Personally, I probably wouldn't bother to try, since mid grind was exactly what I was trying to get away from when I started down this road of building my own cabs.

And IIRC, you still haven't heard any of these designs with a top shelf tweeter, eh?

+1 It would be like buying a top of the line Lexus sedan, and then going off-roading with it

And no, I haven't! I'm actually waiting for something like that to come out of Don's shop so I can try it out. I'm pretty sure I will take the plunge on these, but since all the design stuff is a bit over my head, I'm going to keep watching all you guys who are 'in the know' spec'ing out different drivers, crossovers, etc. I will 'pounce' in another few months!!!!

 

[Jared Lash]

Count me in the club.

I just put down a deposit on an LDS built fEarful 15/6. I'm thinking steel grill and burgundy tolex.

Good times.

 

[rpsands]

Awesome man. I think that'll be a good choice

 

[billhilly66]

Well, my 15/6/1 is still making me happy! I've had a couple months os gigs on it now and I'm still diggin it. I changed preamps from an F1X to a DB 659 and It still rocks!

I'm thinking about another cab for my side gig rig. Are you guys sure a single 15 cab with the 3015 non LF won't get the B-sting across? I like the idea of the lighter weight/cheaper cab.