Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[dave_bass5]

Thanks for the reply. I think a BB2 is the way to go, even if I don't use the tweeter much.
Not a lover of clank and new string noise, but I guess that's why we have EQ knobs.
I just can't put my finger on why I didn't get on with the RT10. I think my mistake was to keep hold of the 1212L, which made it too easy to go back to what I was used to. This time I won't hold on to it any longer than one gig.
I loved the low end of the RT10, and the BB2 seems to have the same low freq response, so that's a plus.

 

[chris_b]

You loved the low end of the RT210 but didn't like the mids. What did Alex say?

 

[dave_bass5]

You loved the low end of the RT210 but didn't like the mids. What did Alex say?

Chris, I'm not sure ive said that about the mids. I might have, but didn't mean to. I have been critical of the mids on the 1212L though.
For me the RT10 was just a bit too warm in the high end. I thought I wanted a vintage tone, but after getting it I felt it lacked a bit of openness that I'm used to. It worked, and sounded great but just wasn't my cup of tea. It did sound more scooped than I'm used to, although I do appreciate the 1212L is definitely the opposite of scooped, but that's not a criticism as such, and I'm sure it's not compared to most cabs.

It's a shame I didn't get to gig the RT10, but our rehearsal volume is pretty much our live volume (going by where I have the master) so it got a good work out.

 

[gillento]

Thanks for the reply. I think a BB2 is the way to go, even if I don't use the tweeter much.
Not a lover of clank and new string noise, but I guess that's why we have EQ knobs.....

+1

 

[dave_bass5]

Right, BB2 it is.
Deposit paid, let the waiting commence .

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

I've had a few Barefaced cabs and the ones i've liked have tweeters. ( The compact was great but just lacked a bit of top end for me) I would get a BB2, that will give you all the bottom you need and you can turn the tweeter down or off as desired.

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks, BB2 already ordered.

 

[adivin]

Money down on a Super Twin. Right choice i hope.

 

[monsterthompson]

Hey Alex, I finally got to see the YouTube video comparing the big twin 2 and retro 210 cabs. Based on my experience with the supertwin and your descriptions, I expected different results. The retro sounded much more mid and top forward. I thought it would be a little more scooped than the 12" drivers, which a very mid full. I expected the retro to be low mid punchy, which it was. Maybe it was just how the review was done???? The 2x10 sounded a lot like my super twin after it is eq'd to my liking.

I'm going to point a finger at the Dingwall bass for much of this unexpected result based on my ABZ5 ownership experience.

 

[Chef]

Yo: that new barefaced 810 looks pretty amazing.

 

[adivin]

Yo: that new barefaced 810 looks pretty amazing.

But is it a one cab solution?

 

[monsterthompson]

But is it a one cab solution?

If the problem is that you hear too well

 

[Szyszaczek]

Barefaced re-defined the retro line.

Lumbering Behemoths approching? drool

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I received a BB2 about a month ago and am really enjoying the cab. A second arrived this week. I'll post impressions gradually as I get more experience with them. In general, I'm fully satisfied with the quality of the build and performance. Terrific tone with my Reiner Studio 1200 hybrid tube/solid state amp. One point of hesitation was ordering a cab from "across the pond" and across the continent here in California. I was surprised that when it shipped, it was via overnight FedEx. The packing job was excellent. Here's the "unboxing" of a BB2:

 

[kringle77]

What do you think of that horn, after using the mid-loaded fearful?

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

What do you think of that horn, after using the mid-loaded fearful?

I love the horn. It's easy to use and very dynamic with immediately obvious impact on tone. Full on it provides crystal clear, PA-like tone. I prefer it in the 70% on position with my Fender Deluxe Jazz 5 (Sadowsky preamp) and Fender P-bass. I prefer it in the 30% on position with my Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless w/black nylon tapewounds for the upright tone.

I was nervous about moving from 3-way to 2-way. Took a chance. Not a single regret in doing so as the full-range tone sounds beautiful, this cab's dimensions fit my amp better and it's just 29 pounds.

 

[dave_bass5]

This isn't helping make my wait a calm affair lol.

That looks really neat sittin on the gramma. I'll be using mine on one as well and that shot really bring home how much smaller it is compared to my 1212L
It's just struck me that the handle is on the side. One thing I didn't like with my retro was that the handle was on the top. Saying that, I do wish the handle was on the top as it male getting through doorways etc easier with the smaller footprint. Not a big deal though.
I'm assuming this cab sounds better this way up rather than on its side?

I like the idea of having an 8ohm cab, all mine have been 4ohms in the past and Ive never had the opportunity to add another cab before. Saying that I feel my markbass head might need upgrading to either the LM800 tube or maybe even the Ninja. Not that I need this much power but I prefer to run my heads clean and not struggling. I really can't see me needing two cabs, based on the past 12 years of gigging.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

It's just struck me that the handle is on the side. One thing I didn't like with my retro was that the handle was on the top. Saying that, I do wish the handle was on the top as it male getting through doorways etc easier with the smaller footprint. Not a big deal though.
I'm assuming this cab sounds better this way up rather than on its side?

It's on the side, but to get through a narrow door just point the top of the cab toward the opening and walk through. Would be the same dimension if you were carrying it from the top.

It sounds no different sideways or vertical. The dispersion of sound is excellent, just like it is with Fearful, Fearless, MAS, AudioKensis, and other designs. In fact, I will use the pair of BB2s stacked sideways one atop each other for more stability. Had a recent winery gig where our power source was an electric cord stretch across a lawn To my horror, during a song I glanced behind and saw two five year olds yanking on the cord like a tug-O-war. Had visions of my amp flying off the Fearless 210 and also seeing that topple over. Luckily, an observant dad broke up the giggling marauders. There's a lot to be said for stable configurations amidst rugged gigging conditions!

 

[dave_bass5]

Are you sure about the carrying thing? It's not a square cab so surely having a handle on the side (where your amp is sitting) would mean it doesnt stick out as much in front and behind someone carrying it compared to using the existing Handel?
I didn't realise it was on its side. Even the image on the BF website has it this way up. Strange they put the logo on like that. So seated the correct way would mean the logo is on its side.
I know they have two sets of feet though. Personally I much prefer it as you are using it.
Interesting you say it sounds the same either way up, I've not heard any of my previous cabs act this way, and I know my Retro sounded different depending on how you position it.

Not too keen on the full range/PA clarity thing at the moment, but I like that it's there if needed. I'm so used to warmer cabs that hearing everything clearly might be a shock.

 

[alexclaber]

Glad you're liking the cabs Ukiah Bass! I'm particularly pleased that your ears agree with my essay on the move from 3-way to 2-way in our Big Series cabs.

Dave, regarding the handles, we put a HUGE amount of thought and testing and general effort into using the best handles and putting them in the best places on our cabs - and bear in mind we'd had years of feedback from hundreds of customers before the first Gen 3 cabs were designed. However, we can't please everyone because humans vary so much in size and strength and personal opinion. In fact, years ago I remember getting almost simultaneous emails from two bassists, one saying how great the tiltback wheels were on his new cab and another saying they were pointless because the cab was too short for him to bend down to wheel about and was so light he'd just pick it up with one hand!!!

The badge decrees the default playing orientation (the SM, SC, BB2, One10 and Two10 can all be used either way around though). The handle decrees the default carrying orientation. Two different things! We can do customisation though - moving/adding strap handles is not a big deal. For the dish handles it's more complicated because they need so much more clearance and the cabs are full of bracing.