Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[goran]

Thanks and I already asked for refund. Since I paid with Paypal, I don't doubt that I can get it.

But since I don't have money to buy a new cab, and this one still sounds ok, I was wondering whether I should keep it and ask for a partial refund. I'd use portion of that money to have it repaired (if possible).

 

[RVBASS]

Goran, is it structural or just surface cosmetic? If it functions fine and it's just surface coating damage, then maybe you could get 50% refund and ask Barefaced about how to properly repair the surface coating. If there is structural damage to the wood box and electronics, then you might consider requesting a full refund. Those are my thoughts.

 

[goran]

Thanks!!
It's more than surface damage I'm afraid - wood around two feet is damaged, and one feet is pushed in enough that the cab slightly wobbles placed horizontally on the ground.
And the area around the handle is pushed in enough that the damage to the wood is visible on the inside of the cab.

But even with the damage I described, there are no creaks and the integrity doesn't seem compromised.

 

[G Aichele]

A testament to the quality of the Barefaced builds? (Granted, under unfortunate circumstances.)

 

[Lowendtech]

Thanks!!
It's more than surface damage I'm afraid - wood around two feet is damaged, and one feet is pushed in enough that the cab slightly wobbles placed horizontally on the ground.
And the area around the handle is pushed in enough that the damage to the wood is visible on the inside of the cab.

But even with the damage I described, there are no creaks and the integrity doesn't seem compromised.
View attachment 4323086

Cab has been dropped pretty hard and you have damage to the bottom panel (in the pic, it looks broken right through) and at the joinery. I'd return it if it were me.

 

[StephenR]

So sorry to hear about this, what a disappointment! Considering it was advertised as "in new condition" I imagine you paid top dollar for it. Since the seller misrepresented the condition and tried to take advantage of you I would definitely return it. Let the seller fight with the shipping company if he believes the damage was caused by them.

Meanwhile, how do you like the sound of the cabinet? If I recall correctly this is your first experience playing through a Barefaced cabinet.

 

[mmbass21]

I'd return it, Barefaced cabs are very solid and strong because of their inner bracing. Most of the wood used is thinner ply and any compromise of that inner bracing, which you can't really see will probably take away the tone of the cab let along its structural integrity.

 

[goran]

So sorry to hear about this, what a disappointment! Considering it was advertised as "in new condition" I imagine you paid top dollar for it. Since the seller misrepresented the condition and tried to take advantage of you I would definitely return it. Let the seller fight with the shipping company if he believes the damage was caused by them.

Meanwhile, how do you like the sound of the cabinet? If I recall correctly this is your first experience playing through a Barefaced cabinet.

Actually, it was a good price (for a "like new" cab) - €500 + shipping. I wouldn't buy it in this condition, obviously.
As for the sound, it is not a first time that I played a Barefaced cab, I used Big Baby II on a recording session and I liked that cab very much.

Super Compact is different, so I'll try to give my honest impression.
- It has a beautiful and very detailed midrange. I mean, I never heard anything like it - every note is crystal clear, and you can hear everything you play.
- High end is muted compared to a cab with a tweeter and I expected that. Don't get me wrong, highs are there, but there's no zing that the tweeter provides.
- Low end is where I expected more. While it doesn't lack low end, if you stay in 4-string domain, it is more than enough. I mean, it's really enough - if you play a 4 string bass don't be afraid that you'll need more than that, it's really there.
But I use a lot of effects that produce substantial low end, and the low end that I'm used to be hearing is not there. Big Baby II would work much better for me, and if I was buying a new cab, I know Alex would recommend it over Super Compact.

Since I sold my Markbass NY122 to a friend, I asked him today to meet and compare both cabs. I have owned that Markbass for last 5 years and I know it really well.

So, Markbass NY122 (2x12") vs Barefaced Super Compact 1x12" comparison .
First, volume-wise - I kind of expected Markbass to be louder, but it really wasn't a fair comparison. Super Compact still pushes air like a 1x12" cabinet, regardless of what marketing says. One loud 12" cab, but it's not loud as Markbass 2x12". And it's not that Markbass is louder on expense of low end - no, Markbass had much bigger low end, and no matter how I tried to EQ Super Compact, it didn't speak with that authority. I don't know how Markbass did it, but it get's really loud and has a lot of low end for box of that size. But it sounds raw and ugly compared to Super Compact. When I tried to EQ the Super Compact, I noticed that it takes the EQ really well so it has that in its favor.

I imagine a single Super Compact would get me by as a personal monitor on a smaller stage, while Markbass worked for me even on a bigger stage. I'll try to ilustrate it this way - to achieve the same level, I had the volume knob on 10h with Markbass, and 12:30 with Barefaced. One thing that didn't go into Super Compact's favor is that it's 8ohm so it was getting only 500W, and the 4ohm Markbass was pushed with 900W from my Shuttlemax 9.2.
(10h on volume is how I usually set the Markbass cab to match the volume with the drums)

Luckily, I rarely have to bring my cabinet when we play on festivals, so SC may still work for me.

But it's just my experience, someone else may hear it differently.

 

[mmbongo]

Actually, it was a good price (for a "like new" cab) - €500 + shipping. I wouldn't buy it in this condition, obviously.
As for the sound, it is not a first time that I played a Barefaced cab, I used Big Baby II on a recording session and I liked that cab very much.

Super Compact is different, so I'll try to give my honest impression.
- It has a beautiful and very detailed midrange. I mean, I never heard anything like it - every note is crystal clear, and you can hear everything you play.
- High end is muted compared to a cab with a tweeter and I expected that. Don't get me wrong, highs are there, but there's no zing that the tweeter provides.
- Low end is where I expected more. While it doesn't lack low end, if you stay in 4-string domain, it is more than enough. I mean, it's really enough - if you play a 4 string bass don't be afraid that you'll need more than that, it's really there.
But I use a lot of effects that produce substantial low end, and the low end that I'm used to be hearing is not there. Big Baby II would work much better for me, and if I was buying a new cab, I know Alex would recommend it over Super Compact.

Since I sold my Markbass NY122 to a friend, I asked him today to meet and compare both cabs. I have owned that Markbass for last 5 years and I know it really well.

So, Markbass NY122 (2x12") vs Barefaced Super Compact 1x12" comparison .
First, volume-wise - I kind of expected Markbass to be louder, but it really wasn't a fair comparison. Super Compact still pushes air like a 1x12" cabinet, regardless of what marketing says. One loud 12" cab, but it's not loud as Markbass 2x12". And it's not that Markbass is louder on expense of low end - no, Markbass had much bigger low end, and no matter how I tried to EQ Super Compact, it didn't speak with that authority. I don't know how Markbass did it, but it get's really loud and has a lot of low end for box of that size. But it sounds raw and ugly compared to Super Compact. When I tried to EQ the Super Compact, I noticed that it takes the EQ really well so it has that in its favor.

I imagine a single Super Compact would get me by as a personal monitor on a smaller stage, while Markbass worked for me even on a bigger stage. I'll try to ilustrate it this way - to achieve the same level, I had the volume knob on 10h with Markbass, and 12:30 with Barefaced. One thing that didn't go into Super Compact's favor is that it's 8ohm so it was getting only 500W, and the 4ohm Markbass was pushed with 900W from my Shuttlemax 9.2.
(10h on volume is how I usually set the Markbass cab to match the volume with the drums)

Luckily, I rarely have to bring my cabinet when we play on festivals, so SC may still work for me.

But it's just my experience, someone else may hear it differently.

Good observations, and you're right...there's just no way to defy physics so a single SC is not going to hang with a good 2x12. What you may consider is adding a Super Midget to make a modular 2x12 setup, allowing you to use either or both depending on the situation. And, the Super Midget will give you that tweeter so when used together you'll get those missing highs and by coupling the cabs you'll get the lows you're used to from your 2x12.

 

[Oldbasslover]

With the extent of the damage, I think you would have no way of knowing if, or how badly the internal bracings / components might be damaged without taking it all apart. Also, assuming there could be internal damage, that might be having an effect on your sound quality as you are testing out the cab. In my experience, the folks that have advertised "like new" selling for a good price (which is also suspicious - no such thing as a free lunch) and the actual quality is fair to poor condition, there is usually much more issues than they are telling you about. This person may be getting a bargain, even returning half your money if it's damaged internally. My 2 cents.

 

[bob atherton]

Actually, it was a good price (for a "like new" cab) - €500 + shipping. I wouldn't buy it in this condition, obviously.
As for the sound, it is not a first time that I played a Barefaced cab, I used Big Baby II on a recording session and I liked that cab very much.

Super Compact is different, so I'll try to give my honest impression.
- It has a beautiful and very detailed midrange. I mean, I never heard anything like it - every note is crystal clear, and you can hear everything you play.
- High end is muted compared to a cab with a tweeter and I expected that. Don't get me wrong, highs are there, but there's no zing that the tweeter provides.
- Low end is where I expected more. While it doesn't lack low end, if you stay in 4-string domain, it is more than enough. I mean, it's really enough - if you play a 4 string bass don't be afraid that you'll need more than that, it's really there.
But I use a lot of effects that produce substantial low end, and the low end that I'm used to be hearing is not there. Big Baby II would work much better for me, and if I was buying a new cab, I know Alex would recommend it over Super Compact.

Since I sold my Markbass NY122 to a friend, I asked him today to meet and compare both cabs. I have owned that Markbass for last 5 years and I know it really well.

So, Markbass NY122 (2x12") vs Barefaced Super Compact 1x12" comparison .
First, volume-wise - I kind of expected Markbass to be louder, but it really wasn't a fair comparison. Super Compact still pushes air like a 1x12" cabinet, regardless of what marketing says. One loud 12" cab, but it's not loud as Markbass 2x12". And it's not that Markbass is louder on expense of low end - no, Markbass had much bigger low end, and no matter how I tried to EQ Super Compact, it didn't speak with that authority. I don't know how Markbass did it, but it get's really loud and has a lot of low end for box of that size. But it sounds raw and ugly compared to Super Compact. When I tried to EQ the Super Compact, I noticed that it takes the EQ really well so it has that in its favor.

I imagine a single Super Compact would get me by as a personal monitor on a smaller stage, while Markbass worked for me even on a bigger stage. I'll try to ilustrate it this way - to achieve the same level, I had the volume knob on 10h with Markbass, and 12:30 with Barefaced. One thing that didn't go into Super Compact's favor is that it's 8ohm so it was getting only 500W, and the 4ohm Markbass was pushed with 900W from my Shuttlemax 9.2.
(10h on volume is how I usually set the Markbass cab to match the volume with the drums)

Luckily, I rarely have to bring my cabinet when we play on festivals, so SC may still work for me.

But it's just my experience, someone else may hear it differently.

Very interesting read for me as I have just ordered 2 of the 2x10 Barefaced cabs to replace my two Markbass 2x12 cabs. Like you I know my Markbass cabs very well having used them in many live and studio set-ups.

What I'm hoping the Barefaced 2x10's will do is give me better focus, for use of any other word , over the Markbass.

The big issue I have with my Markbass cabs is poor dispersion on stage. If I'm in front of the cabs they are a bit too loud if I wander away from the cabs I quickly loose the sound and have to go back nearer the cabs. As I understand things the Barefaced 2x10's are very good at dispersion on stage.

FWIW I use my two Markbass 2x12's stacked vertically. I will report back when the cabs have landed.

 

[John D Harris]

Actually, it was a good price (for a "like new" cab) - €500 + shipping. I wouldn't buy it in this condition, obviously.
As for the sound, it is not a first time that I played a Barefaced cab, I used Big Baby II on a recording session and I liked that cab very much.

Super Compact is different, so I'll try to give my honest impression.
- It has a beautiful and very detailed midrange. I mean, I never heard anything like it - every note is crystal clear, and you can hear everything you play.
- High end is muted compared to a cab with a tweeter and I expected that. Don't get me wrong, highs are there, but there's no zing that the tweeter provides.
- Low end is where I expected more. While it doesn't lack low end, if you stay in 4-string domain, it is more than enough. I mean, it's really enough - if you play a 4 string bass don't be afraid that you'll need more than that, it's really there.
But I use a lot of effects that produce substantial low end, and the low end that I'm used to be hearing is not there. Big Baby II would work much better for me, and if I was buying a new cab, I know Alex would recommend it over Super Compact.

Since I sold my Markbass NY122 to a friend, I asked him today to meet and compare both cabs. I have owned that Markbass for last 5 years and I know it really well.

So, Markbass NY122 (2x12") vs Barefaced Super Compact 1x12" comparison .
First, volume-wise - I kind of expected Markbass to be louder, but it really wasn't a fair comparison. Super Compact still pushes air like a 1x12" cabinet, regardless of what marketing says. One loud 12" cab, but it's not loud as Markbass 2x12". And it's not that Markbass is louder on expense of low end - no, Markbass had much bigger low end, and no matter how I tried to EQ Super Compact, it didn't speak with that authority. I don't know how Markbass did it, but it get's really loud and has a lot of low end for box of that size. But it sounds raw and ugly compared to Super Compact. When I tried to EQ the Super Compact, I noticed that it takes the EQ really well so it has that in its favor.

I imagine a single Super Compact would get me by as a personal monitor on a smaller stage, while Markbass worked for me even on a bigger stage. I'll try to ilustrate it this way - to achieve the same level, I had the volume knob on 10h with Markbass, and 12:30 with Barefaced. One thing that didn't go into Super Compact's favor is that it's 8ohm so it was getting only 500W, and the 4ohm Markbass was pushed with 900W from my Shuttlemax 9.2.
(10h on volume is how I usually set the Markbass cab to match the volume with the drums)

Luckily, I rarely have to bring my cabinet when we play on festivals, so SC may still work for me.

But it's just my experience, someone else may hear it differently.

I suspect the driver on the SC is not fully broken in.

 

[sears]

I suspect the driver on the SC is not fully broken in.

or the box is a little too broken in

 

[goran]

Very interesting read for me as I have just ordered 2 of the 2x10 Barefaced cabs to replace my two Markbass 2x12 cabs. Like you I know my Markbass cabs very well having used them in many live and studio set-ups.

What I'm hoping the Barefaced 2x10's will do is give me better focus, for use of any other word , over the Markbass.

The big issue I have with my Markbass cabs is poor dispersion on stage. If I'm in front of the cabs they are a bit too loud if I wander away from the cabs I quickly loose the sound and have to go back nearer the cabs. As I understand things the Barefaced 2x10's are very good at dispersion on stage.

FWIW I use my two Markbass 2x12's stacked vertically. I will report back when the cabs have landed.

Ah yes, I had the same problem, even though I always placed it vertically. I can't speak for 2x10", but Super Compact has better dispersion.

I suspect the driver on the SC is not fully broken in.

Yes, that certainly is a possibility.

 

[domlaguna]

Has anyone tried a TC Electronic K10 (a 4x10, 600 watt) together with a Super Compact or a BB II? There's a K10 going at a reasonable price near me, and I'm wondering about stepping up my depth and volume.

 

[Tim1]

Holy moly!!!! Just hooked up my Aguilar DB751 to the Super Midget. Cannot believe how good it sounds with the Sadowsky Will Lee. Beautiful dry and tight tones. Not a combination I would normally consider simply because I bought the midget as it is light and the Aggie is made of lead but I might have to rethink now. Best the midget has sounded and it took everything the 751 threw at it too. Respect......

 

[TAZ]

Op. You need to pull the driver and look inside for structural issues. Tap the walls and bracing from the inside, see if anything moves.

 

[GMC]

So, Markbass NY122 (2x12") vs Barefaced Super Compact 1x12" comparison .
First, volume-wise - I kind of expected Markbass to be louder, but it really wasn't a fair comparison. Super Compact still pushes air like a 1x12" cabinet, regardless of what marketing says. One loud 12" cab, but it's not loud as Markbass 2x12". And it's not that Markbass is louder on expense of low end - no, Markbass had much bigger low end, and no matter how I tried to EQ Super Compact, it didn't speak with that authority. I don't know how Markbass did it, but it get's really loud and has a lot of low end for box of that size. But it sounds raw and ugly compared to Super Compact. When I tried to EQ the Super Compact, I noticed that it takes the EQ really well so it has that in its favor.

I imagine a single Super Compact would get me by as a personal monitor on a smaller stage, while Markbass worked for me even on a bigger stage. I'll try to ilustrate it this way - to achieve the same level, I had the volume knob on 10h with Markbass, and 12:30 with Barefaced. One thing that didn't go into Super Compact's favor is that it's 8ohm so it was getting only 500W, and the 4ohm Markbass was pushed with 900W from my Shuttlemax 9.2.
(10h on volume is how I usually set the Markbass cab to match the volume with the drums)

The Barefaced 12" driver is specifically optimised for low f3, high power and a massive X-Max figure (cone movement). The cabs are designed to compliment the low F3 figure and dial in a flatter response than many cabs would offer. This means that the cab reacts in a very linear fashion, the frequency response stays flat as the wattage and SPL piles up. But it is a Wattage hungry cab, it responds less to a single watt than a good 2x12 cab would but it should be able to keep up with it if it's supplied with enough watts. A 2x12 will sound louder and be more efficient at the lower watts...things tend to get out of shape at the higher wattage end. Most 2x12 cabs are in a box that's too small...the ports then cause a bit of a low bass bump. We perceive this as bass response, however it's not a flat response, it's a heavy bass boost / thump. The classic example of this is a 1x15" cab. Most 15" drivers need a very large enclosure, but are placed in relatively small enclosures to make them sell / be portable. Most of the classic 15" warmth we talk about is a huge bass bump around the 80-100hz point and a cut off around 3khz. The "sound" of a particular driver size is usually the interaction between the drivers and the common sized cabs we find them placed.
A 2x12 is more likely to be more coloured and sound a lot more like the "Thunder of God" in comparison, but it's certainly not a flat response. Put some MP3's through it and it'll sound terrible and boomy. The Barefaced cab will be a truer representation...although it will sound a bit "vanilla" in comparison.

 

[Amajew]

Holy moly!!!! Just hooked up my Aguilar DB751 to the Super Midget. Cannot believe how good it sounds with the Sadowsky Will Lee. Beautiful dry and tight tones. Not a combination I would normally consider simply because I bought the midget as it is light and the Aggie is made of lead but I might have to rethink now. Best the midget has sounded and it took everything the 751 threw at it too. Respect......

The DB751 is one of the meanest amps on the market, and has one of the sweetest grindy tones I've ever heard from this video:



Right around 1:00 is where the magic starts. They add in the agro and that awesome tone turns to a less desirable tone IMO..

Can you get that type of tone out of the super midget? Or just wondering if it's the baked in tone of the 212 it's going through on the video?

 

[friskinator]

Played an outdoor festival with my cover band this past weekend, and my pair of One 10s sounded incredible with the VT Bass 500. I used the "Rush" factory EQ suggestion on the VT and it gave me a slightly dirty tone with my P bass. Amazing.

My live gigging days are coming to a close soon, but I know I won't be able to bring myself to part with my Barefaced gear.