New Reeves Cabs Pics (Prototype)

[tombowlus]

I think so. I tested a prototype 112 a couple of months ago but it was a very un-Reeves like "Hmmm.., I wonder how that guitar cab would sound with a 12" bass driver in it" rather than their usual exhaustive R&D proceedure.
It sounded pretty good. I'm pretty sure that another TBer has been playing it for a while now.
I would think that a mid cone driver equipped cab will be forthcoming if the 115 has the same sucess as the Custom 225 has enjoyed since its introduction.
If it was up to me (and it isn't ) they would already be working on one!

Yes, I may know a thing or two about that cab...

I've been banging through it in a variety of settings, with a variety of heads. Yes, you can definitely tell that it's a guitar cab with a different driver thrown in, and because of that, it doesn't have a lot of beef when used with most bass heads. But the big, burly lows of the C225 really work well with that cab. At low to moderate volumes, it actually works really well. But it could use some help, volume-wise, in a full band setting.

The other thing I noticed is that it doesn't really let the killer high end of the C225 through. The addition of a tweeter, or better yet, a midrange driver (like the one in the NV215) would be great. The box could probably use to be a little deeper, too, to provide some more internal volume and a more stable base for the head.

I told Bill that I could see a place for this 1x12 in their lineup, but that I would also like to see a 1x15 (looks like he took care of that!) and maybe a 2x12 (with a mid driver).

Those 1x15's look great! Consider me highly interested.

Tom.

 

[Tom Howland]

Since head is 225 watts.

Why don't the do a stand alone 2x15 cab. (4 ohms)

Or a 6x10 (4 ohms)

 

[greenboy]

I'm not seeing any horn-loading there - just a different shape of shelf porting.

 

[pgk]

so what is the mystery 15?

 

[edbass]

Since head is 225 watts.

Why don't the do a stand alone 2x15 cab. (4 ohms)

Or a 6x10 (4 ohms)

Well, since you mentioned it...
The original plan was for it to be a 215. Most of the R&D on the actual driver itself was in fact done in a 215 cab configuration. The decision to make the first offering of a bass cab from Reeves a 115 design was made because of the more practical aspect of having a smaller cab, largely to appeal to a wider market; you can always use a pair of 115’s, but you can’t take “half” of your 215 cab to a smaller venue!
Multiple 10’s have been debated ad nauseam since the very beginning of Reeves’ dedicated bass amp project. Lots of things factor in, and the idea of a multiple 10” driver cab hasn’t been ruled out, but probably isn’t likely in the near future.
The C225 does sound phenomenal through a nice 810 though!

so what is the mystery 15?

Exactly right, it’s a mystery and will probably remain that way. They aren’t trying to be coy, but sometimes manufacturing agreements dictate that suppliers not be identified. Just as sometimes features or components require identification per licensing agreements.
I don’t work for Reeves and therefore can’t speak for them. My involvement is purely in a consultative capacity and I need to be judicious with any proprietary information that I may be privy to. Since I’m also a bass player (well, depending on whom you ask…) and a TB member, I share this info in open forum because I feel that some of my brethren will find it interesting.
I also clear anything that might be considered proprietary with the manufacturer before I post it.
With that out of the way, this is what I can share about the driver;
Its US assembled, could probably be labeled “Made in USA”.
Cast frame 15” driver with a ceramic magnet.
Not made by Eminence.
Not an “off the shelf” driver; designed specifically to Reeves spec down to the cone composition, suspension, etc.
Not inexpensive. Reeves gear is expensive compared to average mass produced bass gear, they are aware of that and realize to be successful they need to produce products that exceed the norm, and thusly are a value at the retail price point. Because of this they don’t compromise or “cut corners”.

 

[FFTT]

The challenge is to get that sound without sacrificing portability or versatility.

Reeves already accomplished quite bit getting the 225's remarkable rich tone
and power while keeping the all hand wired all tube head at 61 pounds.

The only problem in this report is that you guys had such a dad gum wonderful time
testing out the cabs that you forgot to weigh them.

Or capture the test with some clips.

The only U.S. Company I know of that might build 300 watt custom EVM type drivers
to order is Weber.

 

[rbonner]

To put it in terms you can understand, Bob (Bonner, that is), the Reeves is a $2000 a night call girl, and the Vox is a porn star

Roger on the Big Boob'ed Blonde in the tight gold lame' gown...

The pimping was the one thing I always thought was cool about VOX. However, their grill cloth (one of their best features) was like silk stockings, it took nothing to run the stuff. That color and the gold lines through it. It was way cool.

This has me all thinking, Modern day 18" driver, pair of cabs the size of the Foundation cab and a head that can deliver the smoke needed to thump the pair of big 18's...

Surf's up.. BOB

 

[JimmyM]

Exactly right, it’s a mystery and will probably remain that way. They aren’t trying to be coy, but sometimes manufacturing agreements dictate that suppliers not be identified. Just as sometimes features or components require identification per licensing agreements.

Ya, not a fan of that approach with speakers. But I imagine they'll have to have EIA codes so we can find out eventually

 

[Bassmec]

I'm not seeing any horn-loading there - just a different shape of shelf porting.

It might be like the old JBL 4520/30 design and have an angled panel going up behind the magnet but without the scoop thingy.
I have a pair of very old Ampeg cabs with Altec 418 series two drivers in, they look very much like that port design.
You are right not really a horn but they seem to work very well for a compact size.

 

[edbass]

Ya, not a fan of that approach with speakers. But I imagine they'll have to have EIA codes so we can find out eventually

Of course, you are correct that these things don't stay a "secret" for very long!

Personally I couldn't care less one way or the other, if the company building the driver doesn't want (or won't allow) the amp company to mention them; so be it!
That is actually very common in the world of private labeling, not just with MI gear. Truth be know, if an amp manufacter does tout a specific driver in their cabs it's generally pursuant to a licensing agreement which adds cost to the end user anyway.
Ask Ampeg, Hartke, Ashdown, etc. who builds their drivers for them; it may be common knowledge on the street, but contact the companies directly and see if they tell you. I really don't know because I've never asked them, but I'll bet you a nickle they don't put out!
The next time you go to a supermarket, look at their private labeled "store brand" items and see if they reveal who actually made/packaged it. It wasn't Publix!

 

[Jim C]

But I imagine they'll have to have EIA codes so we can find out eventually

While the manufacuturer may become known, it is very rare for a legitimate US manufacturer to EVER sell a product to others that was company proprietary by the designer.

The legal agreements are quite strict as well as the penalties which are easliy enforceable.

The flip side is unless the design is patented (unlikely in this application), one could reasonably easily reverse engineer the product and have it made by others. Unless you thought you could sell a ton of them, why bother?

I would think that the only down side is if Reeves wanted to charge an unreasonable price for replacement parts, which as I understand the company, highly unlikely.

This is exactly what Berringer did 20 some years ago and survived a class action lawsuit by dbx, Brooks Siren, Alesis, and a few others. The legal catch was that Berringer is a German company who doesn't recogonize US patent law (at least then). They made direct and outright forgeries (without having to amortize any R&D costs) and got away with it.
Of course, the equipment was made in Chineese factories with slave labor, and while it serves a niche, is certainly not respected by most.

.02

 

[FFTT]

Since we don't know the formal specifications for match up, all we can do is look up
who in the U.S.A. builds a 15" 300 watt, cast frame, ceramic mag, bass driver very much like an EVM15L- to order?

And it's not an Eminence.

Seems we've inadvertently started a
Guess The Reeves Driver Contest!

It may be the same people building their Vintage Purple drivers for the guitar cabs.

If They are U.S. or U.K. built, there are only so many manufacturers doing custom
OEM work.

 

[sickest beast]

1) how much are they?
2) i'll take 2 of them please.

 

[nysbob]

1) how much are they?
2) i'll take 2 of them please.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[greenboy]

You are right not really a horn but they seem to work very well for a compact size.

Well, just as I would send companies to the lions that flat-out lie with ridicoulously impossible specs, I would be likely to give the thumbs down to companies that are supposed to be experts on something but call it by the wrong name. How much can they know about enclosure design if they don't even know the basic names of things related?

Fortunately, just about anybody can design a vented cab eventually. So I suspect calling the thing a "horn" is a marketing ploy since a lot of basists attach mystique to things they don't understand.

 

[greenboy]

To temper that last comment, I have no reason to believe the enclosure isn't a GREAT sounding full-range cab, though : }

 

[FFTT]

Regarding the deeper shorter rock cab..

Wouldn't that be considered a bass reflex design?

An slot ported cab with a baffle?

In a short conversation I'd call it a horn too just to call it something.

 

[black_labb]

Since we don't know the formal specifications for match up, all we can do is look up
who in the U.S.A. builds a 15" 300 watt, cast frame, ceramic mag, bass driver very much like an EVM15L- to order?

And it's not an Eminence.

Seems we've inadvertently started a
Guess The Reeves Driver Contest!

It may be the same people building their Vintage Purple drivers for the guitar cabs.

If They are U.S. or U.K. built, there are only so many manufacturers doing custom
OEM work.

http://warehousespeakers.com/proddetail.php?prod=15bass

couldnt help the whole way through think of these. they are great speakers and very articulate. i have 2 1x15's i made for these speakers and i couldnt be happier. looking on their site i noticed that they are assembled in america. i'm not saying they are deffinately the speakers, but there are quite a few similarities, and the warehouse speakers have a very clear sound, and can take plenty of power before breaking up.

comparing the photos the speakers seem to match up looking at the front. it may not be the same speaker and reeves may have designed their own and used the same cones and frames, but the description of the sound sounds very familiar.

 

[greenboy]

Regarding the deeper shorter rock cab..

Wouldn't that be considered a bass reflex design?

Yes. As are the great majority of bass enclosures in existence. Nothing to do with horn-loaded woofers.

An slot ported cab with a baffle?

In a short conversation I'd call it a horn too just to call it something.

A BAFFLE is the the front panel with the driver mounted on it, for one. Every cab with exposed direct radiating drivers mount those drivers in the thing that is called BAFFLE. The baffle has at least one circular hole cut into it to facilitate this.

 

[edbass]

Well, just as I would send companies to the lions that flat-out lie with ridicoulously impossible specs, I would be likely to give the thumbs down to companies that are supposed to be experts on something but call it by the wrong name. How much can they know about enclosure design if they don't even know the basic names of things related?

Fortunately, just about anybody can design a vented cab eventually. So I suspect calling the thing a "horn" is a marketing ploy since a lot of basists attach mystique to things they don't understand.

If you read my posts, you’ll notice that I don’t work for Reeves. My opinions are exactly that; MY opinions, so your attack on Reeves Amplification is unwarranted.

I would be likely to give the thumbs down to companies that are supposed to be experts on something but call it by the wrong name. How much can they know about enclosure design if they don't even know the basic names of things related?

You won’t find any reference to these 115 cabinet designs in any information put out by Reeves; should one assume that you are just ignorant, and not malicious? If you want to attack my credentials, that’s fine and I really don't care, I'm pretty secure with my personal accomplishments.
Asserting in print, in a public forum that a company; such as Reeves, is intentionally misleading potential customers is entirely different and libelous. (since you obviously have an issue with reading comprehension, I’ll spell it out: It’s MY opinion that your statements are libelous)

So I suspect calling the thing a "horn" is a marketing ploy since a lot of basists attach mystique to things they don't understand.

In the below quote you were referencing Reeves Amplification with the term “they”, were you not?

How much can they know about enclosure design if they don't even know the basic names of things related?

If not; exactly who is this “they”?

I caught your snide reference to my use of the term “horn loaded” in reference to the port configuration of one of the Reeves cabs I evaluated, and chose to let it slide. I realized that I had inadvertently posted comments in a previous post that you took offence at, and I believe I apologized for the perceived slight.
I also surmise from your reaction(s) that you really, really, really wanna be a professional (defined by me as getting paid to design a driver/enclosure combination for an actual manufacturer), or at least percieved as a professional speaker designer, and attribute the fact that you missed this quote to some inherent jealousy of those who may (or may not) be in that capacity in REALITY;

I don’t work for Reeves and therefore can’t speak for them. My involvement is purely in a consultative capacity and I need to be judicious with any proprietary information that I may be privy to. Since I’m also a bass player (well, depending on whom you ask…) and a TB member, I share this info in open forum because I feel that some of my brethren will find it interesting.
I also clear anything that might be considered proprietary with the manufacturer before I post it.

As I've suggested to you before, you should put up the money and effort and start a company building speakers rather than waste your time taking pot shots at others that have put their “money where their mouth is” so to speak. Just start a consulting business getting paid by recognized manufacturers to advise them, then your opinion might matter.
I agree with your statement;

Fortunately, just about anybody can design a vented cab eventually.

WinISD actually removes the “just about” from that quote. Designing is easy; funding, building, marketing, distributing, and successfully retailing those cabs is where the talent lies, and wasting energy libelously attacking successful businesses out of jealousy defeats any positive info you could possibly share.
I can argue my “horn loaded” comment regarding the port design, but I was trying to be nice and let it slide considering your earlier misunderstanding of my posts.
However, I can’t let an innocent entity (Reeves Amplification) suffer a malicious “wanna be” assault in a public forum because of an opinion of mine that I posted.

Mad yet? You should be, you went off half cocked an libeled a real speaker manufacturer in an open public forum, you should be mad at yourself for your lack of self control.