Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[Plutonium244]

Thanks. I bolded the part where you said the SM goes where the BB goes. I guess I can't understand, then, why you would need both if loudness and tone were all one cared about in a cab. I understand the schlepping part, but are there any other advantages to one over the other if they both seem to be equal in other aspects ? For instance, would a 5 string player favor the BB over the SM ? I'm thinking more or less stand alone solution here, and not pairing up two cabs.

It's hard to beat the BB2 for a single cab, stand-alone solution, IMO. But, I don't have a SM yet so I can't say... I know the SM fans here might say the SM is the best one-cab solution. If all I cared about was loudness and tone, and I wanted just one ring to rule them all, and didn't have either yet, I'd very likely go with a BB2 rather than a SM (but ask me again in a month, after I've tried the SM).

Again speaking without hands-on experience with the SM yet, a 5-string player not concerned about cabinet size or schlepping might favor the BB2. I'll reserve judgement on SM until later, and in reality I am sure the SM can handle the lows of a 5-string much more than adequately, because it has the same 12" driver as the BB2, but the BB2 has some super low-end warmth, it can fill a room and make it seem like you have PA support when you don't, in the low end.That's the larger box talking.

As far as the BB2 and SM being "equal in other aspects", my understanding of the SM based on user feedback is that the SM might not go quite as loud (but close and I don't max out volume in my playing situations), and doesn't have quite the extreme depth of bass (due to smaller box); but the BB2, honestly, has more low end that you'll need, so a little less than almost too much (though it is NOT "too much," is there really such a thing, lol) can't be bad, and surely has plenty of lows compared to any other cab than the BB2, which just has more than any cab I've ever heard.

So, bottom line-- and this is mostly personal preference-- if I were starting from scratch and buying one only, I'd probably go BB2 (which is, in fact, the first BF cab I bought). But versatility in gear options is important to me, so in my case, for the 2nd cab I want to have a SM rather than a 2nd BB2, for the reasons given my previous post-- another, smaller-than BB2 but more-powerful-than-One10 option, and to pair with the BB2 for killin' it with overkill.

Since I haven't played through or heard a SM yet, you should take these opinions with a grain of salt.

 

[jnewmark]

It's hard to beat the BB2 for a single cab, stand-alone solution, IMO. But, I don't have a SM yet so I can't say... I know the SM fans here might say the SM is the best one-cab solution. If all I cared about was loudness and tone, and I wanted just one ring to rule them all, and didn't have either yet, I'd very likely go with a BB2 rather than a SM (but ask me again in a month, after I've tried the SM).

Again speaking without hands-on experience with the SM yet, a 5-string player not concerned about cabinet size or schlepping might favor the BB2. I'll reserve judgement on SM until later, and in reality I am sure the SM can handle the lows of a 5-string much more than adequately, because it has the same 12" driver as the BB2, but the BB2 has some super low-end warmth, it can fill a room and make it seem like you have PA support when you don't, in the low end.That's the larger box talking.

As far as the BB2 and SM being "equal in other aspects", my understanding of the SM based on user feedback is that the SM might not go quite as loud (but close and I don't max out volume in my playing situations), and doesn't have quite the extreme depth of bass (due to smaller box); but the BB2, honestly, has more low end that you'll need, so a little less than almost too much (though it is NOT "too much," is there really such a thing, lol) can't be bad, and surely has plenty of lows compared to any other cab than the BB2, which just has more than any cab I've ever heard.

So, bottom line-- and this is mostly personal preference-- if I were starting from scratch and buying one only, I'd probably go BB2 (which is, in fact, the first BF cab I bought). But versatility in gear options is important to me, so in my case, for the 2nd cab I want to have a SM rather than a 2nd BB2, for the reasons given my previous post-- another, smaller-than BB2 but more-powerful-than-One10 option, and to pair with the BB2 for killin' it with overkill.

Since I haven't played through or heard a SM yet, you should take these opinions with a grain of salt.

Thanks. I'd be interested in your review of the SM. I'd be really torn between the two, if I had the cash. I'm a 4 string player, no effects, that plays a variety of gigs, but in a larger band, ( 7 piece ). Typical setups are banquet halls, country club, small bars, etc., without PA support. We typically mix for the dance floor, so I really don't have to worry about carrying the hall. Larger gigs have PA support, typically outdoor gigs. I do have a larger, 212 cab, made by LDS ,if I really need to be loud, but that cab only gets used sparingly.

 

[jthisdell]

.....but a question regarding size.......since S/M/L can differ widely-I'm 5'10" 175 lbs and normally order medium for a T or hoodie......do I really need a large?

I am 5'-6' and 175 pounds but pretty barrel chested, normally I will wear a Large but I got the XL.

And yes I would recommend the cover, helps in shipping and keeps the cab nice (and keeps your car from getting beat up too).

 

[anton72]

Blooody GAS...after all this talk about SM I'm starting to realize I need the one...my second One10 will be delivered on Tuesday so now I must be thinking about a sweet 2xOne10 stack but I am thinking of SM instead...damn it LOL

 

[Stevie H]

Two 10 was delivered on Thursday and I used it with my Mesa d800 at a gig on Friday (yesterday). Managed to get a great sound very quickly and turned it all up to keep up with our pretty loud drummer (no FOH support). It all sounded brilliant and Was really very impressed with the way the Mesa and the two 10 was performing..well I was for the first hour of the gig. During the second hour I noticed that I was getting a farting out noise and the sound was somewhat deteriorating. I hadn't messed with the eq or the volume during the gig so there should be no reason why this would happen. The Mesas volume was at about 11 o clock and the gain at about 10 o clock so not pushing the cab at all really. The only thing I can think of is that the battery in my musicman was failing? But that's sort of clutching at straws really as I think the battery is fairly new. I'm gonna replace the battery and try the amp/cab at gig volumes at band practice this Thursday. Till then... Any body got any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

[alexclaber]

Any body got any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Yes, I'd contact the company that made it rather than asking the Internet for help!

Whatever's happened it'll be easy enough to sort, be it a flat battery, dodgy lead, loose connection, faulty woofer, etc. Sorry about the problem but glad it was sounding good when working properly!

 

[Stevie H]

Yes, I'd contact the company that made it rather than asking the Internet for help!

Whatever's happened it'll be easy enough to sort, be it a flat battery, dodgy lead, loose connection, faulty woofer, etc. Sorry about the problem but glad it was sounding good when working properly!

Yeah..sorry Alex...the internet is not always the best place to get good advice. I'm hoping it's a flat battery but to be honest I think that's pretty new. All my leads are in good working order so I'm at a bit of a loss. Fair play though it sounded absolutely amazing for an hour and a half. I'll try it this Thursday at band practice with a brand new battery and see how I get on. Hopefully all will be well, if not I'll give you a shout...but not via Talkbass !!

 

[anton72]

Just as an idea but I often get some rattling/farting sound around the area where my cabs are caused by some vibrations of the surrounding objects, sometimes you may think that it is your cabinet but it is not always true, anyway I hope it is not from the cab in your case.

 

[Stevie H]

Just as an idea but I often get some rattling/farting sound around the area where my cabs are caused by some vibrations of the surrounding objects, sometimes you may think that it is your cabinet but it is not always true, anyway I hope it is not from the cab in your case.

I wondered that, but it sounded amazing for the first hour and a half, so I discounted that idea. It was the last hour of our set when I started getting a bit of a fart out type of sound. im hoping it's easily sortable.

 

[1954bassman]

Hey @Stevie H now might be a good time to (re)read the Mesa's owner's manual. I took this advice, and even though I wasn't having any issues, it helped me understand setting up the gain structure on my D800.

 

[Stevie H]

Hey @Stevie H now might be a good time to (re)read the Mesa's owner's manual. I took this advice, and even though I wasn't having any issues, it helped me understand setting up the gain structure on my D800.

Yes, that's a good idea. I wondered if I was perhaps driving it a bit too hard and after an hour and a half of that the cab started to complain? I'm going to take some time this week with my settings and see how I get on. I must reiterate though that the sound of the two 10 and the Mesa was simply phenomenal and I'm sure my little 'problem' is easily sortable.

 

[BigEarl]

Non Barefaced/Mesa content, but this is something that has happened to me three times now and it might be worth checking. I use an MB800 that for some inexplicable reason has developed a loose connection somewhere in the unit that causes the same symptoms as your D800, fartyness and diminished output. In desperation (in all three cases) I have ended up lifting the unit a half inch off the top cab and let it drop and the problem fixes itself.

I dunno, grasping at straws, just tryin' to help.

 

[rockear]

Lame Thrower, CharlieC and Plutonium244, out of curiosity, which cabs did y'all order?

I went with the Super Twin. I've been running an Avatar B212 with the tweeter all the way off for over 10 years, and I'm hoping that the ST is everything I like about that cab with better fidelity and 25 lbs lighter. I'll be using it mostly with a silverface Super Bassman, or a Mesa D-180 when I need a little more volume.

 

[map34157]

I went with the Super Twin. I've been running an Avatar B212 with the tweeter all the way off for over 10 years, and I'm hoping that the ST is everything I like about that cab with better fidelity and 25 lbs lighter. I'll be using it mostly with a silverface Super Bassman, or a Mesa D-180 when I need a little more volume.

You're going to love the D180/Super Twin pairing...Trust me

 

[rockear]

You're going to love the D180/Super Twin pairing...Trust me

I believe it!

Off topic: What case do you have your D180 in? Do you have any trouble with overheating?

 

[map34157]

I believe it!

Off topic: What case do you have your D180 in? Do you have any trouble with overheating?

A Gator case (shallow version). No issues with overheating. Although I do run the fan on high, just in case.

 

[CharlieC]

Well, this happened and I am still trying to wrap my head around the experience.

Until then, answers to the following questions would be appreciated.

Is the BB2 with tweeter fully-spun OFF the same as a Super Compact, but with more inherent LF?

Would a BB2 with tweeter fully-spun ON and a Super Compact perform as a Big Twin 2?

Do any of you have experience with both a BB2 and a SC? How would you compare their performances?

As a side comment, I am curious as to why the BB2 is just slightly wider than a SC, but the same height. The OCD in me wished they were both the same width (despite the necessary depth difference which is understandable.) This would make for a same-size stack face.

Thanks in advance!

 

[alexclaber]

Is the BB2 with tweeter fully-spun OFF the same as a Super Compact, but with more inherent LF?

In the mids and treble, pretty much yes. Not more lows in the simplistic sense, deeper yet tighter lows.

Would a BB2 with tweeter fully-spun ON and a Super Compact perform as a Big Twin 2?

No, you'd need two BB2 cabs for that, the SC is too different in the lows to the BB2.

As a side comment, I am curious as to why the BB2 is just slightly wider than a SC, but the same height.

The BB2 and SC were the end result of a mission to make the best possible 1x12" bass cabs, one super high accuracy, one more limited bandwidth but still very low colouration within its range and with a more typical bass cab 'feel' in the lows.

It was a complicated job of juggling height vs width vs depth to get the internal volume, the required porting and get a good amount of height for audibility plus width so bigger amps still look right on top whilst keeping the depth stable yet portable. They ended up converging on being similar in width and height with the SC much shallower than the BB2 and then it made manufacturing sense for them to fit the same grills - the width difference is due to the BB2 having a larger port.

The BB2 and SC were never designed to be used together, which is why they don't stack well (the SC is almost 3" shallower than the BB2) and it's still a rare pairing.

The most popular dual 1x12" Barefaced rigs are BB2+BB2, then SC+SC, then SM+BB2. The most common question is this one about stacking a BB2 on an SC!

 

[CharlieC]

In the mids and treble, pretty much yes. Not more lows in the simplistic sense, deeper yet tighter lows.



No, you'd need two BB2 cabs for that, the SC is too different in the lows to the BB2.



The BB2 and SC were the end result of a mission to make the best possible 1x12" bass cabs, one super high accuracy, one more limited bandwidth but still very low colouration within its range and with a more typical bass cab 'feel' in the lows.

It was a complicated job of juggling height vs width vs depth to get the internal volume, the required porting and get a good amount of height for audibility plus width so bigger amps still look right on top whilst keeping the depth stable yet portable. They ended up converging on being similar in width and height with the SC much shallower than the BB2 and then it made manufacturing sense for them to fit the same grills - the width difference is due to the BB2 having a larger port.

The BB2 and SC were never designed to be used together, which is why they don't stack well (the SC is almost 3" shallower than the BB2) and it's still a rare pairing.

The most popular dual 1x12" Barefaced rigs are BB2+BB2, then SC+SC, then SM+BB2. The most common question is this one about stacking a BB2 on an SC!

Thanks, Alex!

To paraphrase then, a BB2 would give me the optional highs missing from the SC, but with deeper/tighter lows.

... the width difference is due to the BB2 having a larger port...

Ah, then it is the larger port that is the differential!

Cheers!

 

[anton72]

New Cab Day today! My One10 was delivered in the morning. I must say that Alex and company provide class A packing. Thank you guys for your business!