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NCD: Boom Bass Cab 1215

MultiScaleMale

MultiScaleMale

Gold Supporting Member
Jun 19, 2003
27,223
39,017
Maryland
#1
Picked up a BBC 1215 today at Chuck Levin's in DC. It's inly a few hours old, so I'm not going to says it's the best thing since sliced bread, but it has the most thump and sound from a reasonably sized / easy to schlep cab as I've run across. The tilt angle on the front makes it easy to hear yourself when you're standing close as I frequently do. If you get a chance, check one out. There may be a stereotype of a "slap cab", but it does so much more. The sales guy said they've been shipping a good amount of them even to Europe.
 
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#2
I don't get why they put the horn on the bottom corner of the baffle, and the 21" depth would make it a pain to move, but the down firing 15" sort of makes sense - it will have narrower dispersion than the 12". I guess I'm more of a "if it sounds good it is good" type, but sometimes the science behind BFM and fEarfull stuff leaves me scatching my head a little when I see something like this. Anyway, I'll bet it sounds great - I'd like to hear one.
 
#4
Day two, still in the honeymoon period, but I'm still digging this cab. My only ding so far is that the wheels on the cab are small so using the built in dolly outside could ding up the bottom edge of the cab if you hit a patch of uneven asphalt. A kick plate or something to protect that edge might be a good idea. Only used my Markbass Multiamp so far, but that's working well with this cab.
 
#6
image.jpg

Bob, the cat, is asleep on top.
 
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#8
Relsom said:
I've been checking these out...along with the Glasstone Lil G. Did you A/B this with the BBC1212 while at Chuck's?
Click to expand...

I played the 1212, 1015 and 1215, all BBC models. The 1212 is fine, but I liked the room-filling 1215 the best. The 1212 was up off the floor, so it didn't get the floor coupling of the larger 1215. So it had a double whammy against it. Off the floor and smaller, oh, triple whammy, 12 versus 15. The 1212 would work fine for most situations and it's extremely portable. The 1215 definitely has more bottom but could be a problem getting it into some car trunks. I have a hatchback, so it fits with no problem.
 
#9
Thanks, Rich. Glad the cab is working out so far.

As far as coupling, I always test cabs on the floor because that's where I'll be using it and it can make a big difference in the results. Did you check out the 1012? That's what I gig with.
 
#10
Chuck's didn't have a 1012 in store on Saturday. The 1215 is a much easier haul than what I'm using now and I have a Mesa Scout 12" Combo. So I went in with a bias towards the 1215 wanting something that is bigger but a little easier to move than what I'm currently using, the Xsonics 2125TF. That cab isn't going anywhere, but the BBC 1215 is going to fill the "easy to move, need some serious thump" role. I'm also looking at football field size rooms, so it's a unusual situation.
 
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#11
Rich - you're using a Mark Bass Multiamp with this cab? I just ordered a Multiamp (it shows up on Monday) and will be looking for new a new cab/cabs soon..
I have 90's era stuff currently and am looking to shed weight but still have volume, clarity and plenty of effects- does the BBC 1215 work well with the Multiamp? Isn't the Multiamp 8 ohms in bridged mode, and the BBC 1215 is 4 ohm?
 
#12
Fartacus said:
Rich - you're using a Mark Bass Multiamp with this cab? I just ordered a Multiamp (it shows up on Monday) and will be looking for new a new cab/cabs soon..
I have 90's era stuff currently and am looking to shed weight but still have volume, clarity and plenty of effects- does the BBC 1215 work well with the Multiamp? Isn't the Multiamp 8 ohms in bridged mode, and the BBC 1215 is 4 ohm?
Click to expand...


Yes. The multiamp is 8 ohms bridged. I'm just running one side and the 1215 is incredibly loud. I was worried about "only" running 500 watts, but trust me, it's plenty with the 1215. Some of the Multiamp settings are a little dead in the high end. You may need to tweak them, but that's easy enough. Trust me. 1215 with a Multiamp is killer. If you need more, your probably on stage with RHCP and you'll have a wall of amps.
 
#13
Hmmm... I think you might have just sold me on the 1215...
Does the 1215 ever over heat due to the 8 ohm to 4 ohm issue? I don't know that much about impedance but a friend of mine warned about that...
How's the build quality on the 1215?
 
#14
Fartacus said:
Hmmm... I think you might have just sold me on the 1215...
Does the 1215 ever over heat due to the 8 ohm to 4 ohm issue? I don't know that much about impedance but a friend of mine warned about that...
How's the build quality on the 1215?
Click to expand...

The 1215 won't overheat. It's a 4 ohm cab and pulls the full 500W from one side of the Multiamp. If it were 8 ohms, you would only get ~250W from the Multiamp on one side. Do not run the 1215 at 4 ohms with the bridged Multiamp. That could do bad things to the amp. Just use the 1/4" connector on one side of the Multiamp. I guess it's somewhat like having an extra power amp. Well, maybe. I guess it depends on how it's fused and wired. The 1215 has been solid for me. No rattles, buzzes, or weird sounds.
 
#20
Okay Rich - just pulled the plug and ordered a 1215 from Chuck!
Can't wait! AND my new Mark Bass Multiamp S arrives tomorrow!
This will hopefully replace my SWR Mo Bass, Goliath and Big Ben - to me the only way to try out gear is to buy it and try it out at home, with my bass and band.
I will report back... : )
 

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