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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

#11,441
Matthias said:
Volume question to fellow BB2 users:
My GK 700RB w/ BB2 rig is hardly loud enough.
What is the limiting factor: the BB2 or the 700RB?
Long version:
In my new classic rock band we have a heavy handed drummer and 2 guitarists with 30W/112 tube combos.
With my GK 700RB and BB2 I can JUST keep up, but the rig is at it's limit (blurry, a bit distorted tone).
I have no problem at all with the GK 700RB and an Ampeg 215E.
So what is the weak link: the BB2 or the 700RB with 320W@8Ohm?
Or maybe I just had the cab in a bad position? (had not much time and space for experiments...)
Click to expand...
In my search for a more powerful amp I came across the new Markbass Little AG 1000, putting out 600W@8Ohms. Not much louder than the GK 700RB (320W@8Ohms), but it has more clean headroom and stronger low end.
A short review of the head you can find here: Markbass Little AG 1000 opinions/experiences?
Problem solved? Not really.
Although the output of the BB2 is really impressive, especially in the register below 100Hz, I don't feel as confident as with the Ampeg 215 which seems to put out more volume in a narrower bandwith and seems to have more 'physical presence'
Bottom line: As others have stated before I would recommend 2 Barefaced 112s or 1 212 for loud bands.
Not sure though if I will get a Super Midget or try something different and go with a Six10...
 
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#11,442
Matthias said:
In my search for a more powerful amp I came across the new Markbass Little AG 1000, putting out 600W@8Ohms. Not much louder than the GK 700RB (320W@8Ohms), but it has more clean headroom and stronger low end.
A short review of the head you can find here: Markbass Little AG 1000 opinions/experiences?
Problem solved? Not really.
Although the output of the BB2 is really impressive, especially in the register below 100Hz, I don't feel as confident as with the Ampeg 215 which seems to put out more volume in a narrower bandwith and seems to have more 'physical presence'
Bottom line: As others have stated before I would recommend 2 Barefaced 112s or 1 212 for loud bands.
Not sure though if I will get a Super Midget or try something different and go with a Six10...
Click to expand...

Have you tried elevating the cab? Getting a driver closer to ear level can help a lot.
 
#11,444
Matthias said:
In my search for a more powerful amp I came across the new Markbass Little AG 1000, putting out 600W@8Ohms. Not much louder than the GK 700RB (320W@8Ohms), but it has more clean headroom and stronger low end.
A short review of the head you can find here: Markbass Little AG 1000 opinions/experiences?
Problem solved? Not really.
Although the output of the BB2 is really impressive, especially in the register below 100Hz, I don't feel as confident as with the Ampeg 215 which seems to put out more volume in a narrower bandwith and seems to have more 'physical presence'
Bottom line: As others have stated before I would recommend 2 Barefaced 112s or 1 212 for loud bands.
Not sure though if I will get a Super Midget or try something different and go with a Six10...
Click to expand...

Personally, with a MESA D800 , with deep switch on and a good PB'62 , plus the BB2 there is no drummer dominating me…and my drummer is one of kind , if you see what I mean…

and an effectrode compressor pc-2a
 
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#11,445
Matthias said:
In my search for a more powerful amp I came across the new Markbass Little AG 1000, putting out 600W@8Ohms. Not much louder than the GK 700RB (320W@8Ohms), but it has more clean headroom and stronger low end.
A short review of the head you can find here: Markbass Little AG 1000 opinions/experiences?
Problem solved? Not really.
Although the output of the BB2 is really impressive, especially in the register below 100Hz, I don't feel as confident as with the Ampeg 215 which seems to put out more volume in a narrower bandwith and seems to have more 'physical presence'
Bottom line: As others have stated before I would recommend 2 Barefaced 112s or 1 212 for loud bands.
Not sure though if I will get a Super Midget or try something different and go with a Six10...
Click to expand...

Another thought point. You can't expect to have the FRFR design of the BB2 to sound like an ampeg 215. Also, if that single 12 is on the ground, forget about you being able to feel it. From my experience another BB2 stacked will get you in a place more consisten to the output of the 215, but be clearer and have better dispersion for sure :)

Also adding a cab sim pedal to the barefaced and/or another preamp such as a darkglass harmonic booster will brighten that cab up big time!! I find any of my bass cabs straight through my amp to sound much more sterile vs when I stack what I mentioned above to the circuit.
 
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#11,446
Amajew said:
Another thought point. You can't expect to have the FRFR design of the BB2 to sound like an ampeg 215. Also, if that single 12 is on the ground, forget about you being able to feel it. From my experience another BB2 stacked will get you in a place more consisten to the output of the 215, but be clearer and have better dispersion for sure :)

Also adding a cab sim pedal to the barefaced and/or another preamp such as a darkglass harmonic booster will brighten that cab up big time!! I find any of my bass cabs straight through my amp to sound much more sterile vs when I stack what I mentioned above to the circuit.
Click to expand...

I've built my pedalboard around frfr tone. I've been using shure 1540 cans for practice mostly (when the kiddos are in bed) and landed on good (to me) frfr tone by using a different dirt pedals, filters and a good preamp. This runs direct for foh and to a poweramp for my rig. Waiting on the bb3 cabs now. Sounds great with studio cans, should sound great through the bb3s...
 
#11,447
Matthias said:
In my search for a more powerful amp I came across the new Markbass Little AG 1000, putting out 600W@8Ohms. Not much louder than the GK 700RB (320W@8Ohms), but it has more clean headroom and stronger low end.
A short review of the head you can find here: Markbass Little AG 1000 opinions/experiences?
Problem solved? Not really.
Although the output of the BB2 is really impressive, especially in the register below 100Hz, I don't feel as confident as with the Ampeg 215 which seems to put out more volume in a narrower bandwith and seems to have more 'physical presence'
Bottom line: As others have stated before I would recommend 2 Barefaced 112s or 1 212 for loud bands.
Not sure though if I will get a Super Midget or try something different and go with a Six10...
Click to expand...

I agree with your bottom line. I would say unless you really need to have 2 1x12's, it's best to go for the 2x12 for the cost savings. Spend that extra money on a nice baffle color or cloth grill and cab cover ;)
 
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#11,449
Ronky said:
I agree with your bottom line. I would say unless you really need to have 2 1x12's, it's best to go for the 2x12 for the cost savings. Spend that extra money on a nice baffle color or cloth grill and cab cover ;)
Click to expand...

I went with two bb3s for the modular approach. Costs more, but, worth it. I'll be able to bring my entire rig in one trip running a single cab. (Bass backpack case, cab pedalboard and the power amp. ) may not be able to do that with a bt3. The stacked bb3s are also taller - should be able to hear them better.

As a bonus, I ordered my bb3s with the top hat option. I can pole mount them for light duty pa duty.
 
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#11,450
gstaats said:
I went with two bb3s for the modular approach. Costs more, but, worth it. I'll be able to bring my entire rig in one trip running a single cab. (Bass backpack case, cab pedalboard and the power amp. ) may not be able to do that with a bt3. The stacked bb3s are also taller - should be able to hear them better.

As a bonus, I ordered my bb3s with the top hat option. I can pole mount them for light duty pa duty.
Click to expand...
I actually already do this with my Supertwin. Bass, backpack, pedalboard bag, and roll the Supertwin, which can also be carried easily at 38lbs. Should easily be able to do this with BT3 since it also has wheels, weighs 46-49lbs so not too heavy.
 
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#11,454
Ronky said:
I actually already do this with my Supertwin. Bass, backpack, pedalboard bag, and roll the Supertwin, which can also be carried easily at 38lbs. Should easily be able to do this with BT3 since it also has wheels, weighs 46-49lbs so not too heavy.
Click to expand...

Same here, except at ~6' tall the Supertwin is just a little short for me and uncomfortable to pull behind - I have to either bend awkwardly or it hits my heels.

To address this I ordered this from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FDTWZ22?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I just attach it to the existing top handle and it works perfectly as an extension. It even feeds easily thru the OEM cover so no need to ever remove it.
 
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#11,457
Amajew said:
For sure. In the rehearsal room I jam in, there's an Ampeg 810. It's a friggin mud box compared to when I have brought 1 of my Berg HDN212's. Only issue is I was rattling the homeowners drainage pipes with a single 212, LOL!
Click to expand...
Exactly that! We have a 2002 (or so) 810 in our rehearsal room, plain terrible. And the 215, which is surprisingly bright and responsive - I like it very much (as long as I don't have to move it). But the BB2 clearly wins.
 
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#11,458
Matthias said:
Exactly that! We have a 2002 (or so) 810 in our rehearsal room, plain terrible. And the 215, which is surprisingly bright and responsive - I like it very much (as long as I don't have to move it). But the BB2 clearly wins.
Click to expand...

The stock 15" drivers ampeg uses for many of their svt series cabs sound great. I forget the part number, but they've used them since the 90s. Good mids and definitely brighter than many 15" drivers. Heavy though, and, limited power handing. I think 200 watts per driver.
 
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