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NCD: Barefaced Super Compact

primussucks9126

primussucks9126

Supporting Member
Jan 1, 2008
1,499
2,622
37
Bronx, NY
#1
I'm extremely excited to post this. Probably gonna be a long one, so feel free to skim.

A few months ago I started a thread asking for suggestions for a super lightweight but powerful cab, and Barefaced was one of the recommendations.

After a lot of research and consideration, I decided to go with Barefaced and was stuck between the retro two10 and the SC. Alex was extremely helpful and patient while he answered all of my questions and ultimately suggested I go with the Super compact (still curious about those two10s though!!)

After making my final payment on Thursday, I was told it would take around 3-6 days to ship. To my surprise it shipped the next day! It arrived on Monday. Super fast shipping and I didn't have to pay any customs fee.

I went with the padded cover just because I plan on making this my main gigging cab.

I unboxed it and could not believe how light it was. Easily the lightest cab I own by quite a bit. My brother was shocked that it was lighter than his guitar combos. Totally satisfied in this department.

The finish looks great, hardware is on point, love the logo. 10/10 for looks, fit and finish.

The cover isn't as padded as I was expecting, but it will do its job.

So I didn't get to play too much, but I started noodling through my Ashdown LB30, and thought it was OK. Really speaks more to the amp, as you can't really teat a cab with 30 watts. I did crank the bass and volume all the way up to the max and the Cab showed no signs of stress.

Got my GK 700 RBii and my Ric, fiddled with the EQ and wow! I really liked what was coming through.

I only got to compare it to my Dually, but that was just for fun.

Later in the week I'll be A/B/C ing it with the cabs it will hopefully replace. My epifani ul2 210 and GK MBE 410.

Got a gig on the 14th. Looking forward to giving a full report!!.

The greatest thing about this cab is my brother, who thinks my obsession with gear is nonsensical, couldn't stop raving about every detail of this cab, from the weight, the tone, and the look.

IMG_20150601_223312519_zpsvlhyx9m7.jpg


IMG_20150601_223517475_zpsbuew6cyt.jpg
 
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#4
Thanks guys!

Yes!! So far the bottom end seems great. I'll give a better report when I can compare it to all of my cabs.

The Dually seems to have more heft, but its a 4ohm 215 vs an 8ohm 112 which may have something to do with it.

My brother noted that while he was jamming on drums with me, the bass had a fuller tone throughout the room, and I felt like I didn't have to crank it as much as I usually do with the Dually or my other cabs. The SC was pointed away from him as opposed to directly at him like my cabs usually are.

Overall I'm really happy so far! I know this is still the honeymoon period, but I have a feeling it will do everything I need it to.

The gig on the 14th is an outdoor show with my loudest band (classic rock covers), so it should be a pretty good test.

Anyone in the Bronx can feel free to come by and hear it in action!
 
#6
Well I got to compare it to my Epifani today.

First, I took the Barefaced down to my basement with no worries. After that I took my Epifani down. Struggled the whole way. WAY heavier. Could not believe the difference. Much bigger box too. The Barefaced definitely has it beat in that category.

I skipped the LB30 completely today and just A/B ed the cabs with my GK. Performance wise, the Barefaced took everything I threw at it without making me worry. The Epifani, not so much. the speakers were going wild when I started to crank it. Another point for the Barefaced.

I didn't notice much of a volume difference between the 2 at any level I had the amp at. Pretty excited about that. Gives me faith that the Barefaced will keep up replacing the Epifani at future gigs (didn't really doubt that).

Now as far as tone goes, the Epifani has a definite low end heft that the Super Compact lacks. I dunno if its an ohms thing or a 2 drivers vs 1 thing, or just a design thing, but it definitely sounds more full at the same settings. Sitting alone in my basement, I kinda miss it. That being said, I usually cut low end on my gigs because I feel it tends to get muddy. This should make the thinner bottom a non issue when I gig the Barefaced, because even when I cranked the volume and the bass knobs, the Super Compact didn't really struggle at all (though I'll probably use my micro-thumpinator to be safe). The Barefaced is also much brighter, gives me a lot more flexibility with my EQ because I can cut highs/high mids without starting to lose definition as early as I do with the Epifani.

I compared them both to the Dually for fun, and it was just no contest. The Barefaced did sound a lot more similar to the Dually than the Epifani, which is a good thing in my book.

Some pics for size comparison
IMG_20150603_181051424_zpsgb5k5cnu.jpg


IMG_20150603_181030826_zpsejcte10z.jpg
 
#9
I was thinking that, but if this cab can't handle that, then I would be better served getting something else or adding a second.

They're small/light enough that that would be a realistic option.

Saturdays gig is indoors with a different band, so well see how that one goes first. Its gig I've done before with my Reeves and Epifani, but in going to bring the SC and GK this time.

Also, the outdoor show is still fairly small. Only vocals going to the PA. The guitarist only plays through a blues Jr, but his absolute refusal to turn down prompts the drummer to smash things, and requires more volume out of me.

I've got high hopes for this cab, but well see. I expressed my concerns with Alex, I told him what cabs and amps I was gigging with and he seemed pretty confident that this would do the jobs those cabs do
 
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#10
primussucks9126 said:
Well I got to compare it to my Epifani today....
...as far as tone goes, the Epifani has a definite low end heft that the Super Compact lacks. I dunno if its an ohms thing or a 2 drivers vs 1 thing, or just a design thing, but it definitely sounds more full at the same settings...
Click to expand...

Is the UL2 210 4 ohms?
 
#15
primussucks9126 said:
(though I'll probably use my micro-thumpinator to be safe).
Click to expand...

I was going to say don't use it but I've looked more carefully at the micro-thumpinator and it'll be fine and actually slightly beneficial. I'm generally not keen on customers using high-pass filters with our Gen 3 cabs because often they're set at too high a frequency which loses you useful LF output and decreases thermal power handling (by overly reducing cone excursion - and cone excursion is a key factor in cooling the voice coils in our drivers by pumping hot air out of the motor and sucking cool air in).
 
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#16
alexclaber said:
I'm generally not keen on customers using high-pass filters with our Gen 3 cabs because often they're set at too high a frequency which loses you useful LF output and decreases thermal power handling (by overly reducing cone excursion - and cone excursion is a key factor in cooling the voice coils in our drivers by pumping hot air out of the motor and sucking cool air in).
Click to expand...

Hi Alex,

What point would you say is "right", and where does the filter get "Too high"?

Thanks!
 
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#17
CL400Peavey said:
Hi Alex,

What point would you say is "right", and where does the filter get "Too high"?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It depends on the filter slope and knee but around 30Hz is good. Up towards 40Hz is ok for SM/SC/ST but not for BB2/BT2/Two10/Six10. 50Hz is definitely too high for all of them.
 
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#18
primussucks9126 said:
The guitarist only plays through a blues Jr, but his absolute refusal to turn down prompts the drummer to smash things, and requires more volume out of me.
Click to expand...

So what part of that sentence doesn't add up? I'm sure he's right though, the audience will probably all leave if he doesn't heat up the tubes enough to get "his tone."

I'd get a new guitarist who understands music before a new amp any day. ;-) If you need a bigger amp to "keep up" as a gift to your guitarist so he can play loud, perhaps he transports it for you? Ha!

The cab looks great though, I'm a huge fan of lighter, smaller gear.
 
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#19
mrufino1 said:
So what part of that sentence doesn't add up? I'm sure he's right though, the audience will probably all leave if he doesn't heat up the tubes enough to get "his tone."

I'd get a new guitarist who understands music before a new amp any day. ;-) If you need a bigger amp to "keep up" as a gift to your guitarist so he can play loud, perhaps he transports it for you? Ha!

The cab looks great though, I'm a huge fan of lighter, smaller gear.
Click to expand...

Well, his volume has gotten us kicked out or asked to stop early before. And that happened before I joined the band as well.

I've considered leaving, but somehow he manages to get paying gigs and the rehearsal schedule is really lax, so its no biggie to stick around.

Funny thing is, he actually does drive me to and from gigs, so the smaller amp benefits everyone.
 
#20
If your guitarist is so picky about his tone at the expense of everyone else, sounds like he needs a different amp that can give the tone he's after at a lower volume. The guitarist of my favorite local band in college used to drape a piece of carpet over his Marshall 412. The head held the carpet in place. He'd then crank the head to get his tone which sounded excellent (really good player) at a volume which blended well with the rest of the band without killing the audience. Instead of being stubborn and defensive, there are ways to fix the tone without sabotaging the whole band.

Also, good choice with Barefaced. If you really need more than the Super Compact but like the sound and small size you might consider replacing it with a Super Twin which is still only 29"h x 19"w and 40 lbs. Two of those super 12" drivers and your GK 700RBii ought to pump out enough sound for any local band.
 
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