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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

#12,605
g4string said:
what do you have now, if a 12, how did/does it compare the 10" cabs, IYO
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I have a pair of BB2 cabs I use(d) as a stereo PA for an ambient noise project full of synths and sound effects. If I had been in a conventional rock band setting playing bass then I probably would've ended up going with the Two10 box I had just for the sound and output level. I used the Two10 to jam with friends and found it quite good for that purpose.

Also, for just bass I often run a Cab Sim pedal, so I can voice the 12" boxes in a variety of ways.

The 10" cabs are going to be voiced more like a conventional/traditional bass cab. There's some roll off of the deep lows and the highs over ~4k compared to the BB2 and even the Super Compact. There's also some EQ curves in the mid range on the 10" that the 12" doesn't have.

Overall, if you want a more FRFR experience then the 12" cabs do that better. However, if you want the cab voice to be part of your sound and like something a little darker/warmer and not quite as wide in the lows the 10" sound is quite good.
 
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#12,608
Being on the EB side of Talkbass, it's logical to discuss how much good quality sound Barefaced Bass cabinets put out effortlessly at loud volumes. Tonight's gig was a rehearsal with an ensemble playing French cabaret music. Chanteuse, piano, sax/clarinet, trumpet, violin, 'cello, guitar, string bass and drums. Playing my 1890s flatback (new set of strings too!) with a Realist Lifeline pickup through my EA micro550 and Super Compact at a really low volume; the fidelity and presence was amazing. I'm so glad to have this versatile and musical cabinet!
 
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#12,609
DavidJamesNHBass said:
I hear ya. These cabs aren't for those in a hurry. And anyone in a hurry for something usually sets off some flags.

Not for nothing, but my Sadowsky took close to two years, I have a build queued at Tobias for over 12mos… and I know if they aren't answering emails promptly it's because they are making stuff. Roger, Mike, Alex…these folks care about quality.
Sheldon's gents can punch out a custom Dingwall in 6mo-8mos if you ask. That's "long" for many but very short for custom-ordered basses.

The folks familiar with the whole genre of custom builds (in which these are, every order is reviewed) know that 10-12 weeks is actually lightning speed for any builder (basses, cabs, etc.). Factor in his supplier chain, personnel, etc. 10-12 weeks is an incredibly short period.

I appreciate the time they take to make it right.

On the other hand, I'm guessing the folks who would complain about build times might not have ever ordered a custom bass in the past or realized this isn't a Fender assembly line. I would venture to say they would also find something else to complain about too.

I am sure the 'hate mail' folks will jump on me about this post. That's their 'tell' that my opinion hit home with them. I always consider the source. ✌
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Whenever I'm traveling, I will look for a good meal. I always choose the restaurant with the longest waiting lines…there's a reason for that!
 
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#12,610
Lately I've playing more string bass gigs with the Super Compact and have been discovering just how much low bass it's capable of delivering. My Euphonic Audio has a three band eq section with mids centered on 800 hz. I'm a reluctant eq tweaker but last night rolled the bass back to 9 o'clock, the mid to 10 o'clock, while leaving the treble at noon. The sound was amazing, like it was miked rather a pickup.

Jazz Bass IV and V and Rickenbacker FL tones are solid and full on channel 1; I've been very happy with the EA/Super Compact pairing and looking forward to some upcoming electric bass gigs using a similar eq to see how it works out. I also want to experiment with the HPF dedicated to channel 2, that's a new world for me.
 
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#12,614
Git said:
A GK Legacy 800 along with my Super compact is my main gigging rig. I have also used a TE Elf with it.
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I'll bet that GK kicks through the SC! I've long been curious about the Elf, but even though 200 watts would suffice fine for 99% of my gigs, marketing has brainwashed me into needing at least 500.

The trusty GK MB150s combo at 90 watts still sounds great plus it's a tad smaller and has the carry bag w/pocket. Definitely Grab'n'Go. The Super Compact and the GK both weigh 23lbs, but the SC needs the separate head w/case which usually means an extra trip to the car. The EA/SC combo is more powerful, lower noise and HiFi, which is ultimately tipping the scales in its favor.

"Bing!": Tuki bag w/pocket for the SC!
 
#12,615
MarshallAC50Stack said:
I'll bet that GK kicks through the SC! I've long been curious about the Elf, but even though 200 watts would suffice fine for 99% of my gigs, marketing has brainwashed me into needing at least 500.

The trusty GK MB150s combo at 90 watts still sounds great plus it's a tad smaller and has the carry bag w/pocket. Definitely Grab'n'Go. The Super Compact and the GK both weigh 23lbs, but the SC needs the separate head w/case which usually means an extra trip to the car. The EA/SC combo is more powerful, lower noise and HiFi, which is ultimately tipping the scales in its favor.

"Bing!": Tuki bag w/pocket for the SC!
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I feel the same way about my super midget. Plus I too tend to sit way too much firepower on top with a Berg forte hp. I use the age old excuse that I need headroom. I like that when I set up that mini stack no-one feels threatened by the potential volume that is available to me should I suddenly morph into a death metal clone.
 
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#12,616
MarshallAC50Stack said:
I'll bet that GK kicks through the SC! I've long been curious about the Elf, but even though 200 watts would suffice fine for 99% of my gigs, marketing has brainwashed me into needing at least 500.
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Oh yes, the GK does kick through the Super Compact. GK heads have their own sound, as you will know and you either like it or you don't. I'm not a P Bass with flats guy, sitting in the mix; I want to be heard. If you have a GK rig the audience will hear the bass!
And like @Tim1 above, I also have a Super Midget. My main practice rig is the Legacy through the SM (though I have just aquired a Genzler Magellan 350 which I use with 2 One10s)
I will take the Super Midget along to gigs to pair up with the Super Compact if it is a venue I've never played at and am unsure of volume requirements but, so far, the Super Compact has been sufficient (I play in a rock/punk covers band, in pubs mainly).

I once used the Elf with the Super Compact as the weather dictated we set up inside the pub, in a corner. There wasn't enough room for both guitarists and me to set up our rigs, so the singer stuck his Vox combo on top of my Super Compact and I perched the Elf on top of that. 130 odd ohms max through an 8 ohm cab, it was enough for the small pub; no one needs to go home with their ears bleeding.
 
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#12,618
BlueTalon said:
Alex has a limited supply of the old logos, for those who already have a cab and who want to order a new cab that matches their old cab. I'd prefer the old logo, too, about 60/40, but I'm really happy with the customization options available.
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The implementation of the new logo freaked me out. I got over it real quick.
 
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#12,619
MarshallAC50Stack said:
My initial focus on the SC was centered on a desire to replace a 54lb Bag End 2x10 with something lighter. Learning about the Super Midget sparked a great internal debate about what I really needed out of a box. I went with the SC and in the end, it meets my high frequency needs. Pairing an SM with an SC would be awesome.
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Yes the Barefaced twelves have plenty of top end by themselves so I can totally understand your thinking. I just wanted the smaller size of the sm over the sc since it was replacing a one 10. That said, the tweeter adds a certain "space" around the top end that you don't miss unless you have had it. For bigger gigs I put the sm on top of a bb2 which will carry most rooms even without foh support.
 
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