Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[speyer]

I can relate. I am too OCD to tolerate a head "dog earing" beyond the edges of the cab.

I have the same problem with my Ashdown LB-30 by .5" over the top of my new Retro TWO10 when vertical.

BTW.. the TWO10 I just picked it up today sounds friggin awesome! Paired it with 5 different heads today to get a quick feel for it (4 all tube and mesa D-800) and the results are all VERY good! Coloration in a cab can be so underated . Great thick punchy tone from all the amps including the class D - which just felt quicker and hit even harder. Great clarity top to bottom with no boom and no sizzle - very nice tone. Just good balanced bass tone that's nice and thick - Less 'in your face' than my Berg CN's but still clear and punchy and loud. talk about plug n' play for my sound. I love it.

Oh did I mention 1 day shipping from England? Nice touch Alex... makes the pond feel MUCH smaller if you know what I mean!

Thank you BAREFACED.

-pat

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I have been considering my next move speaker wise for over a year and been following just three threads in particular. Barefaced, Bergantino, and MAS. All different flavors of good, I know. I have been playing Berg 12's for several years and am very fond of the tones I'm getting. Mostly from AE 112 and 212 and both together. I also use a pair of EX cabs for when I host jams so as not to risk my 1st call cabs.
I had moved here from an Aguilar GS112 pair. And continue to use them occasionally. I am planing on selling them as well as a couple of older Schroeders, 410 slant cab and a 15L as well as a Sunn 412.
All told by the time I offload all of them I should be set to be get at least one, maybe two new cabs.
From the above builders. For the sake of this thread, could you users of BF cabs that have moved too them from Bergantino cabs please compare and contrast what you were using, which model you were using and which you went with and the (I assume) Pros and or cons of your switch and please give a brief description of your tone goals.
I play Blues gigs, at medium to loud volume jump to Texas hard stuff. Classic Rock the usual loud wear your plugs levels. Small to medium sized Jazz duo/ trio and larger stuff with both Upright and Electric fretless. And corporate loud Funk Rock ballroom type gigs. So I need to cover a lot of territory toneally as well as sonically.

I'll chime in with my two cents.

It's been a few years but I've owned Bergs (HT112's) and Epi's and many more. I have no experience with the new crop of Bergs. I currently own two Super Midgets. One bought used to try out and the other bought new from Barefaced.

The SM has the wiiiide bottom of the Epi with the mids/punch of the Berg HT112's. And the SM responds to EQ immediately with little/no "baked in" tone. What you put in is what you get out. I run my with the tweet full on and get no harshness. I would run the Epi and Berg tweets about halfway. Any more than halfway and I'd get the fingernails-on-chalkboard feeling. I'd also estimate that two SM's would cover the same ground as three Epi or Berg 112's. It's quite amazing the volume that can come out of such a little box. I'm surprised more folks don't talk about the SM as the ultimate-one-cab solution. It's small, light, loud and is full range.

With that being said, the Barefaced cabs are quite expensive. And there is a wait time (for those of us who are patience-challenged ). And returning a cab, while doable, is prolly cost prohibitive. I love the SM with URB, but have found at higher volumes the wiiiide bottom end can result in some nasty low end feedback. In a wallpaper jazz setting though, it sounds terrific.

Yes, I'm a fanboy. Yes, there is hype associated with these cabs that is just that: Hype. But I'd say 80% of the hype is justified. My initial response is if you like the Bergs than stick with the Bergs. My GASaholic response is to get a pair of SM's.

 

[jakka1]

I am really loving this cab!!! I think this is already the best cab I have ever played through and it isn't even broke in yet. Crazy to think that it is going to get even better. I have yet to get to play though it with the band yet, but that is going to happen tonight. Can't wait to start gigging with it, but that's going to have to wait another week and a half.

 

[Plutonium244]

I am really loving this cab!!! I think this is already the best cab I have ever played through and it isn't even broke in yet. Crazy to think that it is going to get even better. I have yet to get to play though it with the band yet, but that is going to happen tonight. Can't wait to start gigging with it, but that's going to have to wait another week and a half.

View attachment 887887

I think you'll be even more impressed with what it does at gig volume. I don't have a Twin but the foregoing is true for both my BB2 and Four10.

 

[Plutonium244]

I'll chime in with my two cents.

It's been a few years but I've owned Bergs (HT112's) and Epi's and many more. I have no experience with the new crop of Bergs. I currently own two Super Midgets. One bought used to try out and the other bought new from Barefaced.

The SM has the wiiiide bottom of the Epi with the mids/punch of the Berg HT112's. And the SM responds to EQ immediately with little/no "baked in" tone. What you put in is what you get out. I run my with the tweet full on and get no harshness. I would run the Epi and Berg tweets about halfway. Any more than halfway and I'd get the fingernails-on-chalkboard feeling. I'd also estimate that two SM's would cover the same ground as three Epi or Berg 112's. It's quite amazing the volume that can come out of such a little box. I'm surprised more folks don't talk about the SM as the ultimate-one-cab solution. It's small, light, loud and is full range.

With that being said, the Barefaced cabs are quite expensive. And there is a wait time (for those of us who are patience-challenged ). And returning a cab, while doable, is prolly cost prohibitive. I love the SM with URB, but have found at higher volumes the wiiiide bottom end can result in some nasty low end feedback. In a wallpaper jazz setting though, it sounds terrific.

Yes, I'm a fanboy. Yes, there is hype associated with these cabs that is just that: Hype. But I'd say 80% of the hype is justified. My initial response is if you like the Bergs than stick with the Bergs. My GASaholic response is to get a pair of SM's.

I for one also find it interesting that there isn't more SM love.... I don't have one, but the next BF cab I get would likely be a SM. Finances will likely mean it'll be a while, though. I also take note of your observation that you find it works well with EUB. Have you tried the SM with DB? Seems like a few others have reported good results that way as well.

 

[tombowlus]

I have the same problem with my Ashdown LB-30 by .5" over the top of my new Retro TWO10 when vertical.

BTW.. the TWO10 I just picked it up today sounds friggin awesome! Paired it with 5 different heads today to get a quick feel for it (4 all tube and mesa D-800) and the results are all VERY good! Coloration in a cab can be so underated . Great thick punchy tone from all the amps including the class D - which just felt quicker and hit even harder. Great clarity top to bottom with no boom and no sizzle - very nice tone. Just good balanced bass tone that's nice and thick - Less 'in your face' than my Berg CN's but still clear and punchy and loud. talk about plug n' play for my sound. I love it.

Oh did I mention 1 day shipping from England? Nice touch Alex... makes the pond feel MUCH smaller if you know what I mean!

Thank you BAREFACED.

-pat

Glad you dig it!

 

[Plutonium244]

I am really loving this cab!!! I think this is already the best cab I have ever played through and it isn't even broke in yet. Crazy to think that it is going to get even better. I have yet to get to play though it with the band yet, but that is going to happen tonight. Can't wait to start gigging with it, but that's going to have to wait another week and a half.

View attachment 887887

Just curious, what have you been using up until now?

I was mostly using an Eden 4x10, followed by a pair of Aggie SL-112's. The Aggies are now my practice space rig (for the most part), while the Eden does not get played-- though I think I should schlep that for jam gigs I host, considering someone about knocked over my Four10 at the last one, and did get beer on it and 2 basses.

 

[jakka1]

Just curious, what have you been using up until now?

I was mostly using an Eden 4x10, followed by a pair of Aggie SL-112's. The Aggies are now my practice space rig (for the most part), while the Eden does not get played-- though I think I should schlep that for jam gigs I host, considering someone about knocked over my Four10 at the last one, and did get beer on it and 2 basses.

I'll only bring up the ones worth mentioning. For 10+ years I used an SWR Goliath III and Big Ben. I decided to move on a couple of years ago, but still have the Goliath that I leave where we rehearse so I don't have to haul a cab back and forth. Then came a pair of Aguilar DB112s (one with a tweeter and one without). I probably played through them for a year and a half. Liked them alright, but they were a little cumbersome with the dimensions and the single strap to carry them. Then the search was on to find a single cab that was lightweight, easy to move around and could handle anything I could throw at it. First stop was a MAS112. Great cab but I screwed up and had it built with a newer 550 watt eminence @ 4 ohms. I never felt like it could handle everything the Demeter could give it. In hindsight I should have went with an 800 watt Faital but they were on a two month backorder at the time. Fast forward to the decision to go Barefaced... Once I found out that there was cab that was the size and weight that I was after that could also handle any volume when playing shows without PA support, I had to make the move.

 

[Plutonium244]

I'll only bring up the ones worth mentioning. For 10+ years I used an SWR Goliath III and Big Ben. I decided to move on a couple of years ago, but still have the Goliath that I leave where we rehearse so I don't have to haul a cab back and forth. Then came a pair of Aguilar DB112s (one with a tweeter and one without). I probably played through them for a year and a half. Liked them alright, but they were a little cumbersome with the dimensions and the single strap to carry them. Then the search was on to find a single cab that was lightweight, easy to move around and could handle anything I could throw at it. First stop was a MAS112. Great cab but I screwed up and had it built with a newer 550 watt eminence @ 4 ohms. I never felt like it could handle everything the Demeter could give it. In hindsight I should have went with an 800 watt Faital but they were on a two month backorder at the time. Fast forward to the decision to go Barefaced... Once I found out that there was cab that was the size and weight that I was after that could also handle any volume when playing shows without PA support, I had to make the move.

I also had SWR Goliath II, Goliath III, Goliath Jr., Big Ben, SWR SM 400 amp, used that for years.... not so much the Big Ben, for me the 18" bottom was just too... something. Although I know there are other also-awesome cabs out there, personally, I can't envision playing anything but Barefaced for the foreseeable future. They may have their equal, but I doubt there's anything better-- at least for me. I never minded loading IN a 98 pound cab, but that same cab gains 200 pounds by 2 AM.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I for one also find it interesting that there isn't more SM love.... I don't have one, but the next BF cab I get would likely be a SM. Finances will likely mean it'll be a while, though. I also take note of your observation that you find it works well with EUB. Have you tried the SM with DB? Seems like a few others have reported good results that way as well.

I only have an acoustic upright. Not an electric upright.

That wiiiiide bottom can troublesome. Dial too much out and the cab loses its character. A notch filter with a high Q would be ideal.

 

[Plutonium244]

I only have an acoustic upright. Not an electric upright.

That wiiiiide bottom can troublesome. Dial too much out and the cab loses its character. A notch filter with a high Q would be ideal.

Personally I find that almost all acoustic bass-oriented instruments are better with a HPF/notch filter. Getting them set just right can be a challenge.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Personally I find that almost all acoustic bass-oriented instruments are better with a HPF/notch filter. Getting them set just right can be a challenge.

It's the piezo pickup that presents this issue. I use an Fdeck HPF Pre and it does the trick.

 

[Plutonium244]

It's the piezo pickup that presents this issue. I use an Fdeck HPF Pre and it does the trick.

I have an FDeck too, works well. Assembled right here in Madison WI by one of our own TBer's. What also helps a lot is plugging the sound hole (on an ABG for example). I just ordered a sound hole cover from Doug's Plugs (Invalid Link Removed) and it helps quite a lot in making my Tacoma Thunderchief more useful for live performance. $35... they don't look fancy but do the job. I have never tried covering the f holes of a double bass, but he makes those too.

 

[speyer]

I have been considering my next move speaker wise for over a year and been following just three threads in particular. Barefaced, Bergantino, and MAS. All different flavors of good, I know. I have been playing Berg 12's for several years and am very fond of the tones I'm getting. Mostly from AE 112 and 212 and both together. I also use a pair of EX cabs for when I host jams so as not to risk my 1st call cabs.
I had moved here from an Aguilar GS112 pair. And continue to use them occasionally. I am planing on selling them as well as a couple of older Schroeders, 410 slant cab and a 15L as well as a Sunn 412.
All told by the time I offload all of them I should be set to be get at least one, maybe two new cabs.
From the above builders. For the sake of this thread, could you users of BF cabs that have moved too them from Bergantino cabs please compare and contrast what you were using, which model you were using and which you went with and the (I assume) Pros and or cons of your switch and please give a brief description of your tone goals.
I play Blues gigs, at medium to loud volume jump to Texas hard stuff. Classic Rock the usual loud wear your plugs levels. Small to medium sized Jazz duo/ trio and larger stuff with both Upright and Electric fretless. And corporate loud Funk Rock ballroom type gigs. So I need to cover a lot of territory toneally as well as sonically.

Hi Kirk, I have a few words to offer you. I have been a long time Berg user pretty much since the HT/EX stack came out. I moved into an IP112 stack with a TD1- pre after that... about 8 years ago and have since tried all kinds of stuff along side the new berg offerings as they became available. My biggest challenge over the years has been finding gear that suits my ever changing ensembles, styles and basses. I have also like yourself, always doubled on EB and UB/EUB for my projects. I play mostly blues influenced folk and rock music, and sometimes get into fusion and Jazz with few of my buddies. Looking back at the last 10 years of my music and the gear that has come and gone throughout that time... really has me thinking that my 'search for tone' is kinda futile. For me, the 'sound in my head' seems to always be changing (not trending) with the times and my current situation. For example, I have recently acquired some old EA cabs that I am really digging. They were really affordable, and they ain't the "new thing" by any means... yet somehow I'm just as stoked with the way they sound as I am with my brand new Barefaced TWO10 cab.

To answer to your post more directly - I most recently switched from using a Berg CN210 to the BF TWO10 and could not be happier with the experience. Reason being... with the Berg I wanted a cab that had a bit more flavour to it than the new super 12/6's coming out but did not want to compromise on volume and performance of the cab. Typically, I would associate a 'tonefull' cabinet to something vintage or sealed in design and traditionally speaking (to me) - that said cabinets 'tone' will come at a compromise of volume and or perfomance due to the design. My CN210 was a step in the right direction for me - louder, lighter and more 'tonefull' than anything else I tried and liked yet still offered VERY good performance as a bass cab i.e.: Great power handling, great feq response and a solid build quality. I think the Barefaced TWO10 takes this concept one step further. What I hear with this cab set flat, is pretty darn near how I would attempt to eq my amp w/CN210. By comparison, the TWO10 is just as TomB suggested. It's less 'open' sounding, less 'Hi-fi' and in contrast, sounds very thick and meaty (no tweeter sizzle) and a good bit punchier - similar to a sealed cab i guess. The thing is... that with all the 'flavour' built into this cab (and it's not overkill btw) I would normally expect the cab to fart out early or have some weird spike in the response... but no. This cab is nice and even throughout (bit of mid bump - which I like) and can take everything your can throw at it just like the berg or better and keeps coming back for more!

So to say I am impressed with the Retro series cabs by barefaced would be an understatement. I think what Alex and the gang are doing over there with this series is a godsend for folks that demand high performance, no compromise gear - yet still want to sound to play through a bass rig that has some character! Admittedly, I am now very interested in checking out their more transparent cabs in the lineup for DB/synth use - BB2, SM etc. but since I'm now broke... it will have to wait.

-pat

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Thank you to those who have responded to my questions so far. It is greatly appreciated. To further clarify, I play Acoustic upright only, (and electric) not EUB or ABG live. Please keep the info flowing. Carry on, or as a local horn player used to say, "Straight ahead and strive for tone" words to live by!

 

[anton72]

I for one also find it interesting that there isn't more SM love.... I don't have one, but the next BF cab I get would likely be a SM. Finances will likely mean it'll be a while, though. I also take note of your observation that you find it works well with EUB. Have you tried the SM with DB? Seems like a few others have reported good results that way as well.

I am also interested in SM and don't see much going on about it lately. I am now thinking of the next BF cab.... It's either another One10 to make a modular rig with my One10 and TH350 head OR a SM to use as stand-alone cab or in pair with One10 if they do not conflict tone-wise. What do you think? SM is more expensive...

 

[JxBass]

I am also interested in SM and don't see much going on about it lately. I am now thinking of the next BF cab.... It's either another One10 to make a modular rig with my One10 and TH350 head OR a SM to use as stand-alone cab or in pair with One10 if they do not conflict tone-wise. What do you think? SM is more expensive...

I own a One10 and SM and I couldn't be happier. I have two flavors of great single cab solutions and, as I've said a few times, the pairing is really terrific, IMO, as the One10 adds a bit of coloration and fatness to the PA-like SM.

I tried a BB2 and found that I preferred the SM. While the BB2 is a fantastic cab, I found it a bit large and "boomy" after owning a SM. Just my personal experience and opinion, of course.

 

[monsterthompson]

I own a One10 and SM and I couldn't be happier. I have two flavors of great single cab solutions and, as I've said a few times, the pairing is really terrific, IMO, as the One10 adds a bit of coloration and fatness to the PA-like SM.

I tried a BB2 and found that I preferred the SM. While the BB2 is a fantastic cab, I found it a bit large and "boomy" after owning a SM. Just my personal experience and opinion, of course.

Agreed that the SM doesn't have the big bottom (insert Spinal Tap joke here) of the BB2. Not that the BB2 is boomy in a bad way, just more extended in the lows.

I can't speak to the TH 350 output, but I did run a TH pre when I had my SM and I liked it. I've often thought two SM cabs would be a cool modular rig. I also did have a chance to stack the SM and One10 and I liked it. Not sure if it's "better" than two One10 cabs or not. It really depends on budget and tone objective.

 

[jnewmark]

Agreed that the SM doesn't have the big bottom (insert Spinal Tap joke here) of the BB2. Not that the BB2 is boomy in a bad way, just more extended in the lows.

I can't speak to the TH 350 output, but I did run a TH pre when I had my SM and I liked it. I've often thought two SM cabs would be a cool modular rig. I also did have a chance to stack the SM and One10 and I liked it. Not sure if it's "better" than two One10 cabs or not. It really depends on budget and tone objective.

I'm also interested in the SM. I've read where some folks describe it as having a " wide " low end, while others say it is lacking , compared to the BB, in low end. The two descriptions seem a little contrary to me, but maybe I'm not understanding it right. I tend to think that, after reading through the thread, that the BB, if you are a 5 string player, would be the cab of choice, but a four string player would be happy with the low end of the SM, as a stand alone cab. Would that be accurate ?

 

[monsterthompson]

I'm also interested in the SM. I've read where some folks describe it as having a " wide " low end, while others say it is lacking , compared to the BB, in low end. The two descriptions seem a little contrary to me, but maybe I'm not understanding it right. I tend to think that, after reading through the thread, that the BB, if you are a 5 string player, would be the cab of choice, but a four string player would be happy with the low end of the SM, as a stand alone cab. Would that be accurate ?

I wouldn't call the SM low end wide. It's a tight, punchy little box. The BB2 is a bigger box, thus has bigger lows. I wouldn't make my choice bassed on 4 vs 5 strings. I'd base it on how loud you need to be. I didn't have my 5 string when I owned the SM so I'd have to speculate on the performance but I'd bet a fiver through the SM would be fine unless you were trying to some big doom sound.