BB2 arriving tomorrow!
Looking forward to real-time A/B comparison with my SC.
Looking forward to real-time A/B comparison with my SC.
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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club
- Thread starter Stumbo
- Start date
I'll really be interested to read your report! This next has probably been discussed already regarding this effort of yours (the pages go by so quickly in this thread!) --but if you've had your SC a while and have played it a lot you may need to get some mileage on the BB2 before you draw any final conclusions ..
The only Barefaced cab I have is the Two10, but its tone has changed since I got it. For the (even) better ..
That would interest me too. I wondered about the possibilities of 2xSM with my current ST acting as a sub. I am sure a great PA/music system it would make!
- Apr 15, 2010
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- Spector Artist
Amp dilema... What do you guys think will be better pair for two One10 stack, Mesa D-800 or GK MBF500? Price will be about the same...
Hmm. I'm a Mesa guy, but I've never played the GK, so my input would all be fan-boi driven.
Almost relevant info here: I have a GK MBF800 that I pair with the Barefaced Four10, and I think it sounds pretty damn good. I haven't played through a Mesa except once in a Music store, so I can't speak to that combination of amp with Barefaced 10" drivers, but the amp that is kind of like a MBF500 sounds pretty good IMO with the cabinet that is kind of like your 2xOne10 stack, lol.
I'd say that's a personal preference thing. Both are good amps. The tone goals of the Mesa and GK are different, so it comes down to which flavor of good whets your appetite. I've played my MarkBass F500, SWR Electric Blue, Genz Benz Streamliner, and Noble pre/di thru the Genz and SWR effects returns into my One10 and they all sound great. Different, but very good. Depends on whether I want chocolate, vanilla, or tutti frutti.
They're both great amps.....but only one of 'em will push into 2 Ohms and allow you, should you suffer a future bout of glorious insanity, to use both of your 8 Ohm One10s with a 3rd cab
The BB2 landed today and now things are getting interesting!
Right out of the box in an A/B with the SC, the BB2 brings the low end beef even with its non-broken-in driver. My SC is fully broken-in and noticeably more lean.
More to come after the Baby is house-broken!
The D800 set flat should not sound as bright as the MBF500 set flat (which is not 12:00).
Low end should be a lot closer, but the Mesa has more power to push the lows harder if you should so desire (assuming the One10 stack can handle it).
Mids - I suspect the Mesa will have more low mids & the GK more upper mids.
D800 into a Four10 user here, I have really enjoyed that combo in a new to me, loudish rock 4 piece. It cuts through the mix, full, defined and responsive without being boomy. Prolly more of a low mid tone vs. what I have heard from GK demos.
OT, I had my first experience with an ampeg 410hlf when I first started up with this band. Holy moley, floppy low end, almost mechanical clunky tone, I ended up blowing a speaker but it sounded so crummy before it blew, it was hard to tell the difference.
OT, I had my first experience with an ampeg 410hlf when I first started up with this band. Holy moley, floppy low end, almost mechanical clunky tone, I ended up blowing a speaker but it sounded so crummy before it blew, it was hard to tell the difference.
I manage to dial out any mid-mid to high-mids in my MBF800 that I find undesirable; and I do cut mids.
The tube section of the Fusion adds an element to the tone that I like, especially with the Barefaced 10" drivers vs. their 12"; Tom Bowlus and others have talked about how tubes open up the sound of the BF's 10's (though TB was mainly talking about all-tube). I found that to be true of the tube-pre MBF800. Having just a little more brightness available if I want it allows the tone to have just a little bit of cut/edge/snap when played aggressively, but not overbearing when played moderately. Of course, it all depends on preferences and personal style.
I can't give personal input on the D800 but from what I know if it, it sounds/seems like it will be more low-mid voiced vs the MB, in it's basic imprint as lo-freq said; and I prefer low-mid to high-mid overall. But he MBF still has those low-mids though; cut the high mids and enjoy the low-mid focus.
With no horn, the BF 10's are already themselves a little low-mid-voiced already, so duplicating/doubling that with the amp didn't seem optimal to me. I've used an Aggie TH350, also a more low-mid voiced/darker amp, with the BF 10's and, for me anyway, the GK with its available additional highs and high-mids seemed preferable in conjunction with the One10 and Four10.
Really, could you go wrong with either one? BF One10+ any good head = bliss.
Yeah, I think for my own tone taste, I'd prefer the inherent crispness of the MBF over the D800.
I'd bet the Genzler MG800 would also be excellent with the Bf x10 cabs & probably even More my cup-o-tea!
I think the reason so many people like the GK amps in general is the cut-through in a live band context - the busier the mix, the more that crispness cuts!
While hypothesizing, I would love to compare a Super Twin II with a pair of Super Midgets (HF full-up & then full-down).
If I had the $$$, I think I'd get all 3 cabs just for kicks: options, options, options: 1x112 | 2x112 | 1x212 | 1x112+1x212 | 2x112+1x212.
I'd bet the Genzler MG800 would also be excellent with the Bf x10 cabs & probably even More my cup-o-tea!
I think the reason so many people like the GK amps in general is the cut-through in a live band context - the busier the mix, the more that crispness cuts!
While hypothesizing, I would love to compare a Super Twin II with a pair of Super Midgets (HF full-up & then full-down).
If I had the $$$, I think I'd get all 3 cabs just for kicks: options, options, options: 1x112 | 2x112 | 1x212 | 1x112+1x212 | 2x112+1x212.
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Options are good! That's why I am adding a SM to the arsenal. I got my email this morning indicating it's nearing completion; full balance now paid. Shouldn't be much longer!
I am very keen to hear how the BB2 fares vs the Fearless F112. I'm either going to plump for a couple of Super Midgets at some point, or contemplate an F112 (or 2). I've trialled a BB2 before and liked it a lot. It was just a little bit too big for some smaller gigs I do.
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I am of the opinion that BB2 + SM will be a good modular rig-- I will find out soon when the SM arrives. Then, you can go small (SM); medium w/ lots of lows (BB2); or large (BB2 + SM). The BB2+ SM should have just a bit more depth in the low end compared to a SM + SM stack. More options with this combo IMO.
My complete review of the SC/BB2 vs F112 is forthcoming and will hopefully be worth the wait.
Cheers!
