Low Down Sound Club V3

[KJung]

i use a 400+ plus with a 15/6+1 and while not powerful enough to push the cab to full utility I find the tone and voicing to be simply marvelous.

different strokes I guess.

I should clarify... If you are pushing the Mesa 400 or + into its full grindy, growly glory, and that's your thing, it probably sounds killer (i.e., when it starts to compress a bit and growl and grind). I was talking about a relatively clean tone at moderate volumes where those things can get a bit loose down low to my ear.

I recently played an old 400 through the tight and bright Mesa 610, and it sounded killer.

 

[CDweller]

I had a great sound from the Mesa using a new Ampeg 4x10 a few months ago, but couldn't get it to sound good through my Carvin LSX1503/3015lf. The Carvin sounds good with my ancient GK 400RB, and really good with my WW Ultra. I'm out on the road for a few days, but when I get back I'll try those two amps through the cab, and also put through its sea trials at The Bitter End next Monday using a Carvin BX1500 and a NYBW 6-string.

Don's workmanship is great, and his integrity is impeccable. I think that I'd do well to use the Mesa with a 4x, 6x, or 8x 8" or 10" with just a tweeter. I'll spend more time with the cab, though I'll sell it right now for $850 shipped, which is what I paid for it.

 

[billhilly66]

I don't like my 400+ on my 15/6 either. It sounds fine at low volume but gets muddy to quickly if you turn it up.

 

[Foz]

I don't like my 400+ on my 15/6 either. It sounds fine at low volume but gets muddy to quickly if you turn it up.

Aaah... perhaps that is the discconect. I don't use the 400+ that way. I take the 400+ - 15/6+1 rig to mostly small indoor stuff where I run at medium to low volume. Sounds like a studio track to my ears. Tasty thick hi-fi sweetness. And I may get a bit more clean power than some as I am running preamps tubes sorted for low noise and microphonics.

If I aim to play loud I bring a preamp/power amp rack head.... the 250 watt 400+ just won't do loud with a fEarful IME.

 

[billhilly66]

Agreed! I either bring 10's and the 400+ (until my 15 cabs are delivered) or I bring the 15/6 and a pre/pwr rack when I need to flog it.

 

[thudfromafar]

Aaah... perhaps that is the discconect. I don't use the 400+ that way. I take the 400+ - 15/6+1 rig to mostly small indoor stuff where I run at medium to low volume. Sounds like a studio track to my ears. Tasty thick hi-fi sweetness. And I may get a bit more clean power than some as I am running preamps tubes sorted for low noise and microphonics.

If I aim to play loud I bring a preamp/power amp rack head.... the 250 watt 400+ just won't do loud with a fEarful IME.

Foz, didn't you get a "monster" fearful from don?
Do you know if the measurements are accurate to fearful spec?

 

[Foz]

Yes I did... I was told it would be to spec save that Don's lightweight 3/4" ply would be used in lieu of 1/2"- but I never measured it to check his work.

I'll be greatly disappointed if it aint - that is what I paid for.

I'll have to check that when I get a chance [cab aint here right now].

 

[KJung]

Yes I did... I was told it would be to spec save that Don's lightweight 3/4" ply would be used in lieu of 1/2"- but I never measured it to check his work.

I'll be greatly disappointed if it aint - that is what I paid for.

I'll have to check that when I get a chance [cab aint here right now].

Having played that cab, if the spec isn't exactly fEarFul, I'd change the fEarFul spec, not the other way around

 

[Foz]

your opinion is noted and will give all due attention

 

[KJung]

your opinion is noted and will give all due attention

Just kind of kidding. That is a killer cab!

 

[silky smoove]

I've still been digging my LDS-built "nEarful" 15/6/1. Basically Don's top-spec 15/6/1 in the tall-skinny format.

I'm still driving it with a Tecamp Puma1000, with a Rothwell Love Squeeze compressor in front of it that's always on, but pretty subtle.

The combination of that signal path and my dual Darkstar equipped G4 just kills for everything I do. I usually have the low mids on the Puma boosted very slightly and the high mids cut very slightly and I'm in tone heaven. I've never run into a situation where I was short on volume. Even on an outdoor gig with no PA support for bass. The combination is simply stunning.

 

[Foz]

Dude... you never played through my cab.

Rule of holes = stop digging.

 

[Foz]

Tecamp Puma1000

1k watts into 8 ohms right? That sounds perfect for a 15/6.

 

[KJung]

1k watts into 8 ohms right? That sounds perfect for a 15/6.

+1 The current model bridges to full power (1000 watts) at 8ohms. KILLER voicing with the 15/6 and 15/6/1 if you like it wide, clean, pure. It is Dons' favorite head. No matter what head I have out when he brings a cab over, he always asks me to get the Puma500 out!

 

[silky smoove]

The voicing is really something with the 15/6/1, since it can handle the deep low end extension and the airy top end without leaving a Grand Canyon sized hole in between.

It is a very clean sounding head, but interestingly enough, I find the combination of such a strong low end, combined with the aggressive midrange qualities of the 6ND410 midrange driver create a sort of faux-grind. If I'm digging in at higher volumes it almost sounds like there's a subtle overdrive stage somewhere that's VERY pleasant. At first I was concerned that I was actually overdriving something, be it the amp or one of the drivers. Upon closer inspection, everything is running perfectly clean and safe, but that 6ND410 throws out so much sound and does so in a pretty aggressive fashion such that it can really fool your ear.

My main gig is a sort of rocked up funk and R&B sort of thing (halfway between Red Hot Chili Peppers and Maroon 5) and this combination in that setting is unbelievable.

 

[CDweller]

Well, stay tuned- tomorrow the rig gets driven by the GK and. WW Ultra. If my 1503 experience is any gauge, the big cab should be..monstrous, even with 7% less interior volume.

 

[rpsands]

As far as I am aware, Don had expanded the exterior dimensions on most models to take into account the change from 1/2 to 3/4" ply..did on mine anywho.

 

[CDweller]

As far as I am aware, Don had expanded the exterior dimensions on most models to take into account the change from 1/2 to 3/4" ply..did on mine anywho.

The change to 3/4" ply wasn't what concerned me.- I was concerned about the reduction of the depth of the cab by one inch front to back, which calculated to an over 7% reduction in interior volume, all things being equal. I spoke with him on the phone today, and he said that that was his standard practice on the fEarful cabs he builds...it would be good to mention to a customer that the build is not exactly as the plans specify.

I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow.

 

[Foz]

if he gets satisfactory performance from the cabs, then simply mentioning this to his customers would be a positive addition note during the consultation phase.

What does this mean?

 

[Craig_S]

The change to 3/4" ply wasn't what concerned me.- I was concerned about the reduction of the depth of the cab by one inch front to back, which calculated to an over 7% reduction in interior volume, all things being equal. I spoke with him on the phone today, and he said that that was his standard practice on the fEarful cabs he builds... if he gets satisfactory performance from the cabs, then simply mentioning this to his customers would be a positive addition note during the consultation phase.

Considering you're dealing with a professional cabinet builder, you might think he would understand the interior dimensions are important. I'm sure he isn't changing the cabinet volume. Don is a professional, after all.