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Nice sounding small cabs

fourstr00

fourstr00

Mar 21, 2002
765
1,795
Chicago Area
#1
I'm a reformed rocker that's been moving to more and more support of acoustic instruments. Currently, I'm playing with traditional folk instruments (flute, banjo, pipers, fiddle, etc.) and the occasional singer/songwriter. We rarely have drummers, or if we do, it's percussion and hand drum. Low stage volume is a must when mic'd, but we often play without PA at all.

However, that former rocker part means that most of my gear is complete overkill. I've pared all of amp back to a single 2x10 with a D head, and a 35 watt kickback combo. Here's the problem-

The kickback is volume appropriate, but sounds like poop.

The 2x10 (4 ohm) is still way too loud. The amp is set on master at 2.

I'm looking at the new crop of single 12s and could use a recommendation. I think 8 ohms mean I could turn up more with less perceived loudness. Kickback would be awesome since we play very small stages, as small and light as possible. I play a six and acoustic 5, so it does need to handle a B.

Low volume, sounds great, money is no object. Go!
 
#6
fourstr00 said:
I'm a reformed rocker that's been moving to more and more support of acoustic instruments. Currently, I'm playing with traditional folk instruments (flute, banjo, pipers, fiddle, etc.) and the occasional singer/songwriter. We rarely have drummers, or if we do, it's percussion and hand drum. Low stage volume is a must when mic'd, but we often play without PA at all.

However, that former rocker part means that most of my gear is complete overkill. I've pared all of amp back to a single 2x10 with a D head, and a 35 watt kickback combo. Here's the problem-

The kickback is volume appropriate, but sounds like poop.

The 2x10 (4 ohm) is still way too loud. The amp is set on master at 2.

I'm looking at the new crop of single 12s and could use a recommendation. I think 8 ohms mean I could turn up more with less perceived loudness. Kickback would be awesome since we play very small stages, as small and light as possible. I play a six and acoustic 5, so it does need to handle a B.

Low volume, sounds great, money is no object. Go!
Click to expand...
If the 4 Ohm 2x10 consists of a pair of 8 Ohm drivers, you could try rewiring the cab to put the drivers in series.
That would give you a 16 Ohm cab.
Or get real fancy and install a 4/16 Ohm switch. You know, just in case you get the urge to rock out.
16 Ohms might not get you all the way to quiet enough, but ya never know, and it won't cost much to try.
OH, I just read the money is no object part. Never mind.
 
#7
Old Garage-Bander said:
If the 4 Ohm 2x10 consists of a pair of 8 Ohm drivers, you could try rewiring the cab to put the drivers in series.
That would give you a 16 Ohm cab.
Or get real fancy and install a 4/16 Ohm switch. You know, just in case you get the urge to rock out.
16 Ohms might not get you all the way to quiet enough, but ya never know, and it won't cost much to try.
OH, I just read the money is no object part. Never mind.
Click to expand...

It's one of them hypotheticals. :)

I do still keep around the 2x10 for the occasional club date call, or the rare gigs where we bring a kit player. However, the 2x10 is fifty pounds, twenty years old, and in rough shape. New gear isn't always a bad thing if it means I can also improve some fidelity.

I've been looking at Fearless and the things that stops me is a) everyone talks about how good they are at being loud and b) how they're so neutral sounding it's almost a PA cabinet. Are they voiced for bass out of the box or do they really rely on your head to get tone shaping?

I've been checking out Accugroove's Wedgie, a couple of Markbass 1x12s, and the Genzler 12-3 Array too.
 
#12
I recently got this Bag End S10-D and paired it with my Acoustic Image Clarus... it's great for what you're describing.

Acoustic_Image_BagEnd.jpg


Best sounding 1x10 I've ever used.
 
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#16
fourstr00 said:
It's one of them hypotheticals. :)

I do still keep around the 2x10 for the occasional club date call, or the rare gigs where we bring a kit player. However, the 2x10 is fifty pounds, twenty years old, and in rough shape. New gear isn't always a bad thing if it means I can also improve some fidelity.

I've been looking at Fearless and the things that stops me is a) everyone talks about how good they are at being loud and b) how they're so neutral sounding it's almost a PA cabinet. Are they voiced for bass out of the box or do they really rely on your head to get tone shaping?

I've been checking out Accugroove's Wedgie, a couple of Markbass 1x12s, and the Genzler 12-3 Array too.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. Maybe a single 10 or even an 8 would get you where you need to be?
Can't speak to the voicing issues though.

Have you considered a newer small combo?
That way you've kind of got a matched set for amp and speaker and a lot less weight.
Something like a Rumble 40 or a 100 just as a suggestion.

Good luck.

Wedgies are great if someone else it getting them. :woot:
 
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#20
I used a Bergantino AE112 in a duo I did with an acoustic guitarist. Then I added another for the electric bands. Any of the Berg 112's would be just right.

If your budget can handle it, I switched my Bergs out for 2 Barefaced 112 cabs (Super Compacts). 1 for the quiet stuff and 2 for the really loud stuff. My tone through the Bergs and now the Barefaced cabs is the best I've had.
 

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