I got a Big Baby III, or BB3. I only got one, so far, but I'm planning to get another one when I can do it without stressing my finances.
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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club
- Thread starter Stumbo
- Start date
And another thing...
Sometime during those twenty years with the Bag End I picked up an Eden ex112-8. It's another fine, good looking, lightweight, compact box and my feeling about it is that it sounds good but as you turn it up tends to flatten out dynamically. It was inexpensive and has worked out well as a doubling cab for theater pit work where it has gotten a lot of use. The handle is located on the rear edge, a novel concept which makes it carry like a bale. In practice it is hard to predict where the corners are so it knocks into door jambs and is awkward to set down. I usually leave it in place for long runs and use the Super Compact for the other gigs that turn up.
Sometime during those twenty years with the Bag End I picked up an Eden ex112-8. It's another fine, good looking, lightweight, compact box and my feeling about it is that it sounds good but as you turn it up tends to flatten out dynamically. It was inexpensive and has worked out well as a doubling cab for theater pit work where it has gotten a lot of use. The handle is located on the rear edge, a novel concept which makes it carry like a bale. In practice it is hard to predict where the corners are so it knocks into door jambs and is awkward to set down. I usually leave it in place for long runs and use the Super Compact for the other gigs that turn up.
What made me choose Barefaced?
I live in London UK only 60 miles from Alex and met up with him several times in Basschat GTG's. He started giving us presentations about bass audio and cabs and progressed to bringing down his Compact prototype. We ran my Thunderfunk through it and I was mightily impressed with the sound, but I didn't want another 115, so I waited. He was making a great 212 and I was hoping for a 112 version, which appeared in the Super Compact.
The reviews were all positive and with a back injury that meant I needed the lightest cab I could find, I bought a used SC. I gigged it that night and ordered the second one from Alex the next morning. I'd never heard my Aguilar TH500 sound so good.
At one point I had 2 Two10's, 2 SC's and 2 One10s. I sold the Two10's and one of the SC's and bought a Super Midget and a BB2. I practice with the One10's and gig with the SC/SM and BB2/SM rigs. I'm in my 10th year of using Barefaced cabs and am still impressed every time I gig them.
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It's cool that you are close to the source and were able to have these in-person experiences. I thought a lot about the Super Midget. In the end I've never been a tweeter guy and have avoided switches and level controls on speaker cabinets, so it was easy to decide on the Super Compact. Anyway, can you talk about the differences in tone between the tens and twelves? It is much more difficult to make a comparison where I'm located. Thanks!
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Hi, to be honest the SC does everything I need and when I was running 2 of them I was very happy with the sound. I could probably replace the SM and BB2 with another SC and I'd be just as happy. I bought the SM for the tweeter (permanently set at half open), although I don't know how much high end it's giving me, cos my goto bass is a PJ5 and my Jazz now has flats on it. I bought the BB2 for the extra low end and the volume.
Sorry, but my unscientific decision between the 10's and 12's was based on weight. The 112's were a lot lighter. They were also cleaner and louder. I like a clean sound, but didn't really notice too much of the "vintage" vibe out of the 10's. Using Aguilar amps, all the cabs just got my sound. I play like Duck Dunn but try to sound like Nathan East, although my vintage ears probably aren't working as well as yours!
I've gigged all the cabs mentioned on their own and with each other, and honestly, my preferences were marginal, I could use any of them. They all sound great to me.
1. Like many here, old joints and injuries. I was really sold on the Mesa cabs. Either the 112 or the 115. Then I saw a ST3 in a Scott's bass lessons video and that sent me into Barefaced research mode. Lighter than the Mesa cabs and likely more air moved. Win Win.
2. I asked a simple ordering question and ended up with great email exchange with Alex. Great customer service and the YouTube channel revealed a very apparent continuous improvement culture. Very attractive as I'm in the quality world with my day job.
3. Innovative design. The BB3 super cooler tech is clever. Along with the top dish/bar handle and narrow cab depth. Easy haul with 2 knees now replaced.
4. Build quality looks excellent.
5. Classic styling. Love the cloth covers. I did the Ampeg black cover, sweet.
6. The BB3 should be an excellent do all solution. 1 box replaces 3.
7. Really hard choice between the 10 or the 12 cabs. Both sound great. I've got a few years with the HX Stomp which has been great. And the FRFR capabilities of the BB3 tipped the scale to a 12 cab.
Looking forward to testing in February
Weight is practicle science! Speaking of vintage ears, my '57 models are surprisingly, happily and scientifically doing pretty well...I just returned from having an audio gram. At any rate, it is good to get your favorable impressions those various BF cabs. The SC is a fine box, for sure.
For me it's all about sound and ergonomics. Many cabs have a compact profile but end up being deeper than expected. If high volume was a main and constant concern, the Super Twin would make sense. If those high volume needs were more occasional then a modular approach of two Super Compacts could be a logical approach.
Here's a question: Do the latest non-tweetered One10 cabs with the metal grill now come without the old arched perforation motif? Never been a big fan of that look, much preferring the all-over perforations a la the Super Compact. Thanks for any resolution to this pressing matter.
Agree, and YES, it's gone.
You can see it on the photos of the One10T and the Two10 on their website
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Thank you! I didn't think to look at the Two10. Not that I need a One10...
true, you should look at the three10………
Hah! I was just curious about the steel grill. It was a simple question.
I read again your initial question: yes, they have removed the "old arched perforation motif" on the non-tweetered One10 cabs with the metal grill.
Yes and thank you! The One10 looks great with the new grill and logo. I've also been looking up cases for my Super Compact and found this Meinl "Large Deluxe Cajon Bag:"
Meinl Percussion - The Modern Percussion Brand - Meinl Percussion
I bought the Barefaced padded bag for my Super Compact - it fits perfectly and offers a good protection.
My take: Buying cabs without cases is either a conscious decision that you want road-worn looking gear (and can afford to replace grilles or punctured cones) or that you don't realize their real value. They are not covers, they are padded, open-ended exclosures.
So, unless you are rolling ATA/Anvil hard cases out of stage and rigging trucks, then cases are not really optional.
If you case your bass and your amp, then you case your cabs. 40 years of experience here, learn from my mistakes.
So, unless you are rolling ATA/Anvil hard cases out of stage and rigging trucks, then cases are not really optional.
If you case your bass and your amp, then you case your cabs. 40 years of experience here, learn from my mistakes.
Rebuilding my rig, and I think I've got it almost figured out.
Leaning towards modular, with the following options:
Super Compact (x2)
Two10 (x2)
I've read lots of info on the website, & have looked up as many videos as I can find on YouTube. Even the cab comparison videos Barefaced has posted. They honestly all sound good, with only seemingly subtle differences (maybe my hearing isn't as good as it used to be).
Anyways, I'm in a pickle. I'm looking for something that will provide plenty of bottom end, without getting muddy or sounding too boomy (I briefly owned an ampeg 410HLF & didn't like it). Controlled, punchy, thumpy, & articulate bass without sounding too thin is what I'm searching for.
P bass with flats, tone almost completely rolled off.
Early reggae & ska, dub, soul and hip hop. Only using a four string at this point. Doesn't seem like there's a bad choice, but without being able to demo them live, it's difficult to sort out.
Which option makes the most sense?
Leaning towards modular, with the following options:
Super Compact (x2)
Two10 (x2)
I've read lots of info on the website, & have looked up as many videos as I can find on YouTube. Even the cab comparison videos Barefaced has posted. They honestly all sound good, with only seemingly subtle differences (maybe my hearing isn't as good as it used to be).
Anyways, I'm in a pickle. I'm looking for something that will provide plenty of bottom end, without getting muddy or sounding too boomy (I briefly owned an ampeg 410HLF & didn't like it). Controlled, punchy, thumpy, & articulate bass without sounding too thin is what I'm searching for.
P bass with flats, tone almost completely rolled off.
Early reggae & ska, dub, soul and hip hop. Only using a four string at this point. Doesn't seem like there's a bad choice, but without being able to demo them live, it's difficult to sort out.
Which option makes the most sense?
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