At this level of cab design you hear things you've never heard before. . . . good and bad.
You can ignore the hiss but my suggestion would be that you need a better amp.
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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club
- Thread starter Stumbo
- Start date
At this level of cab design you hear things you've never heard before. . . . good and bad.
You can ignore the hiss but my suggestion would be that you need a better amp.
Might have something to do with electrical conversion. I heard about (on a TB thread) a Phil Jones Bass head doing the same thing for a user in the EU. This was a about 10 years ago. The amp was supposed to do the 120v --> 240v conversion automatically but there was some hiss as a result. I read the company later improved on its design and solved that issue. Could be your amp has the same issue? Back in the day, the recommendation was to use a dedicated electrical converter to get rid of the hiss. That's probably a less expensive solution than replacing the amp.
https://www.amazon.com/100W-Power-Adapter-Voltage-Transformer/dp/B00MR317H8
Edit: add link to description of the 120-240 hissing issue mentioned and resolution:
Phil Jones Bass Owners' Club
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So, to be clear, you are using a Barefaced cab? I have 2 Barefaced cabs with a tweeter and don't get any appreciable hiss that I notice.... could a be a tiny bit but it's never stood out to me. I use various amps with those cabs: GK MBF800, GK MB200, Ampeg PF50T. Back when I used an Eden amp with a 4x10 with tweeter (Fender and/or Eden) I'd get hiss....
A shielding issue would be more buzz than hiss...
What amp are you using? US made? Or?
Have you tried other basses through your rig? It's not likely to be your bass 9it would be buzz and not hiss if it were, most likely) but process of elimination helps.
My first thought is, you need a better/different amp.
A cheaper first step might be to take Ukiah Bass's suggestion, and try a standard power converter (if it's US-made amp or other non-local-to-Poland-power-using amp and see if that has any effect, maybe you can borrow one. If you have to buy one, it won't be that much... maybe $20 USD. If that doesn't help, then almost certainly the amp. I am curious to know what you're using.
So I just tested out the Super Midget at home after getting it in trade for one of my BB2's. The very first note I was like "oh yeah, that'll do". Same dynamic transparency I expect from this driver. Sounded pretty much exactly the same just not quite as loud but a little tighter. Yup this will work out great and my life will be easier. A very svelte uncombersome 23lbs. Eventually I'll pair it with my BB2 for that big tone stack.
And here's the little guy at a surprise real life test rehearsal for a Saturday gig. So exited to (by total chance) get the night off and be able to test this out. Told them earlier I couldn't make it. Got here early and happy to report it's safe to say the guys could potentially ask me to turn it down. 
The stars are aligned for me today.
The stars are aligned for me today.
It's good when a plan comes together.
Popular head. I gotta say I've had Ampeg, Markbass, Fender, Peavey etc. and the Mesa rules them all. You can't make that amp sound bad.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
That cab is very high on my wish list. Congrats.
I see on the Facebook page that Alex is offering a couple of one off Barefaced Four 10 cabs at 4 ohms using their "new drivers".
Barefaced owners - what are the main differences (tone wise) with SM & BB2? Are they FRFR cabs?
The depth of low end extension. The BB2 has a bigger native low end. At lower or moderate volumes, you could probably eq them to be very, very similar. As you move higher volumes, the BB2 is going to stay deeper, longer. I actually kinda prefer the SM "feel" better than the BB2. It is subtle, but something feels a little tighter or more "reactive" with the SM.
The compression driver is obviously better on the BB2, also. However, the SM is pretty darn good.
Overall, Alex has taken great care to get these very similar. You could probably arrange a blindfold test and you'd have a hard time telling the difference.
saltydude's post #6144 on this page addresses that some.
I have both, and naturally they are very similar in many ways tonally. The difference to me is that, due to the bigger box, you get a tad more low extension with the BB2, while SM is a little bit punchier. With minimal EQ they can both be whatever you want them to be, within their native tone. I have said on a few occasions that the BB2 sounds a bit like you have PA support for your bass when you don't-- just a certain diffuse low end authority. A few people felt that there might be too much low end for their liking, and they prefer the SM which is a tad punchier, but still plenty of bottom for my tastes w/o any EQ shift, and more than enough if you add a little with EQ.
I use both cabs regularly, bigger rooms w/o PA support I use the BB2 primarily; mid to smaller rooms I bring the SM-- although either could do very well in either scenario. The ultimate is the stack of BB2 and SM. Just incredible. You can't go wrong with either cab... the SM is super small/light/versatile and pound for pound is the best of the Barefaced cabs IMO. BB2 is about twice the size of the SM and 8-9 pounds heavier, but if you're not as worried about size/weight (and at 29 pounds its still super light), then maybe it's the best.
TL;DNR: SM is tighter, punchier, smaller, lighter; BB2 is thicker and more room-filling in the low end but still has all the clarity of an SM. Just my opinion. They are both fantastic and I don't know that I have a favorite between them, all things considered.
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I think there is more to it than that as previously it was only possible to offer an 8 or 2 ohms 410. I would assume that they have changed the voice coil to allow a true 4 ohm driver????
Will a Super Compact cope with slap, or is the top end too rolled-off?
I don't need it super-zingy - pressurewounds on a P with the tone all the way up is plenty bright enough for me.
I don't need it super-zingy - pressurewounds on a P with the tone all the way up is plenty bright enough for me.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
They had a sale on their FB page today . They had a few Prototype 410 @4Ω they were selling. Might want to hit them up before they are gone
