Double Bass Need comparison betweeen MAS and Barefaced Audio Midget/compact cabinet.

[bassfacer22]

Those of you who used the MAS and Barefaced Cabinets, I would like to know which between the two might be a better choice to fly in airplanes with and travel with..

My ideal situation is to even try to put it in a Duffel bag if possible and check it in under the plane.

My requirements are :


- size needs to be as compact as possible.

- needs to be loud enough to play with a quartet combo.

-capable of filling a room with a 5-string upright bass/ 5-string Electric bass

-small enough to pickup and carry and travel on planes with.

- withstand weathering like cold air from air-conditioning on 24-7, mixed with Ocean-air (salt)..

Thoughts?

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I obviously can't make comparative comments. Just wanted to mention---a duffle under the plane makes me worry a bit. You'd need a heckufa lot of padding for me to feel comfortable. I toured around the world for 30 years and know what baggage handlers can do.I was looking at the Barefaced Super Midget----that would likely be the one you'd want. Nice cab from looking at it.Pretty direct comparison to my MAS18.

 

[bassfacer22]

I obviously can't make comparative comments. Just wanted to mention---a duffle under the plane makes me worry a bit. You'd need a heckufa lot of padding for me to feel comfortable. I toured around the world for 30 years and know what baggage handlers can do.I was looking at the Barefaced midget----that would likely be the one you'd want. Nice cab from looking at it.Pretty direct comparison to my MAS18.

Thanks for the response Mike, I saw only videos of your cabs and I was very impressed just in the videos. I think I saw some video of you testing (or someone testing) what looked like a convex? concave 4x10 cab in a garage or big room.. the Attack or "envelope?" you were talking about in the video sounded amazing.


I'm not saying one is better than the other, I'm just wondering if anyone happened to have tried both of them and had any comparison to mention.

But I'd probably put it in some hard shell tiny case and then the duffel bag maybe? Surrounded by shirts and socks or whatever. I don't think they will let me carry on a cab on the plane right? ha.

Anyway, thanks for the response Mike.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I think that the 18 is small enough to carry on, actually. It would be fine padded with clothes, though. My cabs are made of Okume plywood which has to be government certified for use in boat building. It's a lot more expensive than other plywoods. I used to use Poplar plywood but found it too soft and not durable enough. And I use polyurethane glue---the most durable glue that I know of. The only reason I mention is that it's meant for temperature extremes--humidity as well. BTW---that video was a 4x8 cab. It was the first one the Big E guys built. There has been 4 years of big improvements since.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thanks for the response Mike, I saw only videos of your cabs and I was very impressed just in the videos. I think I saw some video of you testing (or someone testing) what looked like a convex? concave 4x10 cab in a garage or big room.. the Attack or "envelope?" you were talking about in the video sounded amazing.

I just wonder for my needs, of small compact and with travel portability, I'm not sure who makes the smaller but booming bass cab.

I'm not saying one is better than the other, I just wondered of the smallest powerful/loudest booming bass cabs, I think it's between MAS cabs and Barefaced.

But I'd probably put it in some hard shell tiny case and then the duffel bag maybe? Surrounded by shirts and socks or whatever. I don't think they will let me carry on a cab on the plane right? ha.

Anyway, thanks for the response Mike.

I think Mike's probably right, I'd be afraid of dammageing one of the MAS 18's unless it
was in somekind of hard case. Airlines don't have a great when it comes to musical
instruments and amps. PA's and Monitors are so good now I'd likley just
take my Walter Woods Ultra or Grace Felix and go with whatever the
venue could provide. Not ideal mind you, and it depends on the venues
you are perfoming at.

Ric

 

[bassfacer22]

I think that the 18 is small enough to carry on, actually. It would be fine padded with clothes, though. My cabs are made of Okume plywood which has to be government certified for use in boat building. It's a lot more expensive than other plywoods. I used to use Poplar plywood but found it too soft and not durable enough. And I use polyurethane glue---the most durable glue that I know of. The only reason I mention is that it's meant for temperature extremes--humidity as well. BTW---that video was a 4x8 cab. It was the first one the Big E guys built. There has been 4 years of big improvements since.

Again, it's a real treat when you respond on this forum.

I'll try to decide between your cab and the midget. I assume you mean this one would be the correct choice for my needs, if I went with MAS:

 

[bassfacer22]

I think Mike's probably right, I'd be afraid of dammageing one of the MAS 18's unless it
was in somekind of hard case. Airlines don't have a great when it comes to musical
instruments and amps. PA's and Monitors are so good now I'd likley just
take my Walter Woods Ultra or Grace Felix and go with whatever the
venue could provide. Not ideal mind you, and it depends on the venues
you are perfoming at.

Ric

True, I just was thinking to bring my own little powerful cab if it fits.. I am just so tired of the Hartke sound and various other broken/colored speakers. But yeah, it is a lot easier to just bring my WalterWoods.

 

[Ric Vice]

True, I just was thinking to bring my own little powerful cab if it fits.. I am just so tired of the Hartke sound and various other broken/colored speakers. But yeah, it is a lot easier to just bring my WalterWoods.

Hartke.........Outch, no wonder you want to take your own cabinet. Even with a Walter Woods, Hartkey’s sound
pretty bad. Regardless of which cabinet you get I’d want to have a separate head and cabinet so you can mix and match.

Ric

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I didn't see the Midget on their website. Just the Super Midget. I'd be comfortable with a small cab as checked luggage. I don't think that a hard case is necessary. If there is stuff packed around it---should be ok.

 

[bassfacer22]

Hartke.........Outch, no wonder you want to take your own cabinet. Even with a Walter Woods, Hartkey’s sound
pretty bad. Regardless of which cabinet you get I’d want to have a separate head and cabinet so you can mix and match.

Ric

Ha, yeah Hartke is the worst haha.

 

[bassfacer22]

I didn't see the Midget on their website. Just the Super Midget. I'd be comfortable with a small cab as checked luggage. I don't think that a hard case is necessary. If there is stuff packed around it---should be ok.

Yes, I mean the super Midget. Thanks.

 

[Pat Harris]

I don’t have any experience with Barefaced gear.

I do have a MAS18, and it’s hands down the best “small” cab I’ve plugged my upright bass (and bass guitar) into. There are more complete reviews on this forum, but I can’t see myself selling it because something better (comparatively) doesn’t exist.

 

[whirledpeas]

I know they sound amazing, but I need to know if it will fit in a duffel bag or suitcase and travel under a plane?

The cab dimensions are listed in the catalog on Mike's website.

 

[Ric Vice]

The cab dimensions are listed in the catalog on Mike's website.

However, there are apparently some slight varations in the MAS 1/8’s dimensions. Requested them from Steven at Big E, who now works with Mike. He gave me a 3D rendering of the cabinet, but said I should wait until I
got the cabinet to have a cover made. Food for thought. Probably not as critical
with a duffel, but the box is wedge shaped.

Ric

 

[cultrvultr]

I think the MAS16 would be plenty loud. An upshot might be an even better choice because you could easily carry it on the plane

 

[Ric Vice]

I think the MAS16 would be plenty loud. An upshot might be an even better choice because you could easily carry it on the plane

As I recall, bacefacer22 also takes a 5string electric with him on tour. I'm not that MAS 16 would work for him, unless this time he's only using a upright

 

[bassfacer22]

As I recall, bacefacer22 also takes a 5string electric with him on tour. I'm not that MAS 16 would work for him, unless this time he's only using a upright

Yes, I will most likely be bringing my 5-string Electric bass. However, I do mainly use my portable upright bass.

I can't decide between the MAS or Barefaced, but I guess either way will work.

 

[cultrvultr]

I only play four stringers these days but Mike Arnopol’s website says the 16 works well for five string elec bass.

I only bring it up because of the airplane. Why carry more weight than required?

 

[Ric Vice]

Yes, I will most likely be bringing my 5-string Electric bass. However, I do mainly use my portable upright bass.

I can't decide between the MAS or Barefaced, but I guess either way will work.

Isn’t your Eminence EUB also a 5 String?

Since the Walter Woods Ultra produces 800 Watts RMS at 8 Ohms, you’d have to be pretty careful about pushing that 6.5
inch driver to hard. Mike builds great cabs, but I’d make sure you had a conversation with him first. That’s the
great thing about Mike, since he’s a accomplished musician, who plays
the instrument he’s building speakers for.
The MAS 1x8 is heavier but it’s likely
better suited for 5 strings. Just my take of course.

Ric

 

[bassfacer22]

Isn’t your Eminence EUB also a 5 String?

Since the Walter Woods Ultra produces 800 Watts RMS at 8 Ohms, you’d have to be pretty careful about pushing that 6.5
inch driver to hard. Mike builds great cabs, but I’d make sure you had a conversation with him first. That’s the
great thing about Mike, since he’s a accomplished musician, who plays
the instrument he’s building speakers for.
The MAS 1x8 is heavier but it’s likely
better suited for 5 strings. Just my take of course.

Ric

Yes my Upright is a 5-string, and yes, I'll definitely give a call to him when I get back.