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Double Bass New Cab Day used MAS 18

#21
Thanks for all the input.
I took the cab apart and found that one of the corners of the midrange driver had been jaggedly cut to butt up against the 8” driver so I filed down the jagged edges to create some clearance.
Also there was an extra 1” foam hanging out from underneath the mounting board for the electronic components that I removed.
Also there was some putty like material stuck to the back of the 8” driver screen that I had to remove.
I tightened both of the speaker jacks and removed the top handle assembly.
Put it back together and it sounds good.
 
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#22
There is this weird tradeoff with MAS. Something always goes wrong for a stupid reason. I've had speaker jacks miswired lights that don't go on, eq's scramble etc. There is always some reason why it was something other then quality control but really most of this stuff is quality control and since the speakers are made by one guy (I have talked to him about getting someone to build them who will get it all right ) but then he wouldn't make any money or it would be way expensive.
Truth is these MAS cabs sound fantastic (when unrattled) and I for one just put up with it. I stopped sending things back to Mike a long time ago...He always says "send it back and I'll fix it" and I'm sure he means well (super nice guy) but IMHO better to figure it out yourself or have someone local fix it...It isn't rocket science, and generally it is something done half-assed like a screw loose or a wire only half inserted. But, but but but, truth is they sound better then any other upright cab and deliver where it counts.
 
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#23
flatback said:
There is this weird tradeoff with MAS. Something always goes wrong for a stupid reason. I've had speaker jacks miswired lights that don't go on, eq's scramble etc. There is always some reason why it was something other then quality control but really most of this stuff is quality control and since the speakers are made by one guy (I have talked to him about getting someone to build them) who will get it all right but then he wouldn't make any money or it would be way expensive.
Truth is these MAS cabs sound fantastic (when unrattled) and I for one just put up with it. I stopped sending things back to Mike a long time ago...He always says "send it back and I'll fix it" and I'm sure he means well (super nice guy) but IMHO better to figure it out yourself or have someone local fix it...It isn't rocket science, and generally it is something done half-assed like a screw loose or a wire only half inserted. But, but but but, truth is they sound better then any other upright cab and deliver where it counts.
Click to expand...
Exactly!
 
#24
flatback said:
There is this weird tradeoff with MAS. Something always goes wrong for a stupid reason. I've had speaker jacks miswired lights that don't go on, eq's scramble etc. There is always some reason why it was something other then quality control but really most of this stuff is quality control and since the speakers are made by one guy (I have talked to him about getting someone to build them who will get it all right ) but then he wouldn't make any money or it would be way expensive.
Truth is these MAS cabs sound fantastic (when unrattled) and I for one just put up with it. I stopped sending things back to Mike a long time ago...He always says "send it back and I'll fix it" and I'm sure he means well (super nice guy) but IMHO better to figure it out yourself or have someone local fix it...It isn't rocket science, and generally it is something done half-assed like a screw loose or a wire only half inserted. But, but but but, truth is they sound better then any other upright cab and deliver where it counts.
Click to expand...

You nailed it and that’s exactly why I would never buy new at his current price point and I would never send something back.
 
#25
After a couple years of being into tube preamps (still am) but I have been playing just the Felix into the powered MAS18 for a week and a couple gigs (I think these were the last last gigs..my county has been the lowest risk but things is changing)
I have the Felix and a tuner on one of those mini pedal boards and plug a Green Remic and E side Yamahiko. Just crazy stellar sound. THe Green Remic with a notch filter is a wonderful live mic. Super low bleed or feedback and yet really airy and nice. Having the Felix on the ground lets you use it's stomp features (like the really great boost button and mute).
I really like having the power amp inside the speaker but I never pick it up without thinking how much heavier all that extra plywood is then an aluminum amp case. Nice to have it built in though.
 
#28
lurk said:
Those must be awfully good sounding speakers for you guys to put up with all that b******t. I can't decide if it makes me want to get one, or convinces me to never get one.
Click to expand...
I have a powered 1,8 that I sent back to Mike for repairs a couple of months ago, and I can't wait to get it back.

I've had AI, EA, Bergantino, and many other high quality cabs, and in my opinion, the 1,8 is clearly better for my purposes (I double between upright and bass guitar). Overall, I haven't found another cab for upright that I've ever liked as much as this one.

So for me, the 1,8 is an amazing sounding cab and it's worth putting up with the aforementioned challenges around bugs. That said, the stories of similar reliability issues does make me worry about being in a situation where I don't have a backup.
 
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#29
lurk said:
Those must be awfully good sounding speakers for you guys to put up with all that b******t. I can't decide if it makes me want to get one, or convinces me to never get one.
Click to expand...

Its not just the sound, its also the weight, size, and power handling -- living in a city with no car its hard to think about going back to a more standard style cab. I've tried the upshot / double shot, but found the sound worse.
 
#31
RyanKinBK said:
I have a powered 1,8 that I sent back to Mike for repairs a couple of months ago, and I can't wait to get it back.

I've had AI, EA, Bergantino, and many other high quality cabs, and in my opinion, the 1,8 is clearly better for my purposes (I double between upright and bass guitar). Overall, I haven't found another cab for upright that I've ever liked as much as this one.

So for me, the 1,8 is an amazing sounding cab and it's worth putting up with the aforementioned challenges around bugs. That said, the stories of similar reliability issues does make me worry about being in a situation where I don't have a backup.
Click to expand...
Always have a back-up, and if possible, a back-up for your back-up!
 
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#33
lurk said:
Those must be awfully good sounding speakers for you guys to put up with all that b******t. I can't decide if it makes me want to get one, or convinces me to never get one.
Click to expand...
It seems as if the more complex issues have to do with the powered cabs. The issues with the passive cabs seem to be ones that can be resolved by the user with a modicum of fix-it skills.
 
#34
I had issues with my 18 and 16 too and agree that the sound and performance of the cabs make it worth it once you get it all sorted out. Both of my MAS cabs are giving me the most natural sound from a pickup that I've heard. Mike will take care of any issues and is a nice guy but is slow and sometimes frustrating to deal with, lots of excuses, optimistic shipping times etc.
 
#36
RyanKinBK said:
I have a powered 1,8 that I sent back to Mike for repairs a couple of months ago, and I can't wait to get it back.

I've had AI, EA, Bergantino, and many other high quality cabs, and in my opinion, the 1,8 is clearly better for my purposes (I double between upright and bass guitar). Overall, I haven't found another cab for upright that I've ever liked as much as this one.

So for me, the 1,8 is an amazing sounding cab and it's worth putting up with the aforementioned challenges around bugs. That said, the stories of similar reliability issues does make me worry about being in a situation where I don't have a backup.
Click to expand...
You sent it back to Mike a couple of months ago and you’re still “ waiting” to get it back ?
Classic ........ I’d love to see him put his designs on the Greenboy platform or partner with someone that could get things “ sorted out” .
These are really the best upright cabs that I have played.
 
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