Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[5StringPocket]

So I consider myself BF lucky.
A few years ago after reading so much about BF cabs on TB, I really wanted to try one.

I found a 1st Gen Big Twin-T cab w/cover in great shape on local CL in my area. Drove to grab it and it served me well for a few years more.

My more recent gigs just didn't allow me to use that big 2x12 cab. So it sat unused. After I found a Big Baby ll locally, I decided to sell the Big Twin-T.

After using the BB ll for a couple large room gigs, I felt a second 12XN loaded cab would allow me to almost get what I did from the Big Twin-T as some bigger gigs now allow for that type of volume. I probably could've just kept the Big Twin. But I do like the modular option I get with the two BF cabs now. Because I recently found a TBer willing to part with a very still new BF BB 3.

And I love the improvements made to the 3, though the BB ll really impressed me.
Ok now. I saw a convo somewhere on a BF thread where the material used to cover some BF cabs was abit "sticky" if you will.

In my case, I placed a piece of thin, rubber type shelf liner on top of my BB 3, under a 2U SKB rack case that houses a 1U, GK MB800+1U rack compressor. The 2U case Sat on top of my BB 3 in my spare bedroom for a few days.
When I went to remove the SKB case from top of my cab, the thin shelf liner left some residue stuck onto my BB 3.

I tried cleaning it off with just a warm damp towel. That material really stayed stuck to my cab. I stopped trying to remove it and just used a thick, black Sharpie to paint over those areas. In certain light you can see the Sharpie marks. So I'm very careful what items or materials I place on top of my BB 3. Don't recall having this issue with my BB ll cab.

Sorry for this very, very long thread. Bc I do love the sound out of both my BF cabs. So not dissin BF. Just wish the material covering the BB 3 would've settled down by now from being so tacky. Even the very nice factory cover that came this cab, still kinda sticks some as I slide the cover on/off. Not a huge issue at all. But it's abit annoying.
Peace yal, e.

Sorry to hear about your experience with the tacky BB3 resin coatIng. When was yours built? I read that it was an issue for a while but heard that Barefaced had that problem sorted. My Super Twin T coating is very hard and not at all tacky. Maybe Alex could shed some light on this?

 

[alexclaber]

Yes, we had some random issues a while back of the finish not curing properly (the curing process used to continue in the early weeks/months after shipping - we never worked out why on the odd occasion it stalled). We (well our paint manufacturers) developed a completely different coating and they're rock hard when they leave nowadays.

 

[Matt Morgan]

We (well our paint manufacturers) developed a completely different coating and they're rock hard when they leave nowadays.

 

[rapidfirerob]

View attachment 7475085

Good you're living up to your ne'er-do-well moniker. Dilettante has an e at the end. Just saying.

 

[Matt Morgan]

Spelling wuz never my fourtay

 

[ErnieD]

I know that the covering(?) on my 1st Gen Big Twin-T that was a couple years old when I bought it was super durable and stayed that way for the few years I owned it
Just sold it about 1 month ago.

The used BF Big Baby ll that I bought used locally was in good shape when I bought it this past Jan. Not sure how old that cab was, I think a few years old too. It came with no cover. I bought a lightweight, soft vinyl cover online. Only I move my gear so I'm never rough with it, loading/unloading.

The BB 3 came with the very BF thick, fitted cover with the lettering still very new looking. As well as the cab, TBer said he bought it new in 2023.
Not sure when BF has issues that caused some cabs to stay tacky. But I guess I may have one. Not really a big deal.

Now, I don't lay any thin rubber, plastic material on top to be safe. I do use a thick black, foam pad on top btw any amps' I place on top. It keeps the amp, in or out of a SKB/Gator 2U/3U case from moving. Again, not a big issue at all. Loving the BB ll and 3. And that Alex comes on here to keep us all informed.
Peace yal, e.

 

[gtirard]

Seen today on Instagram:

An interesting use of the Activier in a Two 10 — Apparently Barefaced didn't think of using the Activier in a Two10, but it turns out to work well, with 200W at 4 ohm.

I also like the 3 color baffles making a rasta flag



And I like Barefaced's comment:

Don't fear anyone that is dreaming of an active cab that's bigger and more powerful - it's coming...

I suppose we can expect to see a more powerfull version of the activier for bigger cabs...

 

[aglide]

Here's hoping for some active BB3 cabs!

 

[Insensato]

Well, it took some time, but I managed to read the las 300 hundreds pages or so... And still I have questions

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't. My main bass is a Sadowsky Metro 4 strings, although I also have a 5 strings and a 4 string fretless.

I've been using a Fender Rumble 100 for the last 10 years. I like it, it moves some air and weighs nothing, but I've been thinking about upgrading and this time go for head + cab. For the head, I'm liking the Quilter 803 a lot (I'm open to suggestions, but I like the different sound possibilities it offers). For the cab, I'm going with a Barefaced buuuut... Which one?

I'd like to keep size and weight same (if not less) as the Rumble, so that narrows it down to the One10, SuperMini and SuperCompact. The One10 seems like it could sound great and work in most of the indoors gigs I play, but I think it will struggle in some scenarios, so I have (almost) discarded it. That leaves the SM and SC.

But I'm a bit lost with comments like "the bass is less deep but more tight". I watched BF's video comparing their small cabs and I didn't love the SM sound compared to the others, but I think that could be the bass they were using and the coloration of the room.


So, after this wall of text, the questions ...

1) I think both the SM and the SC would work well in the gigs I play, and that there wouldn't be drastic sound differences between them. Am I mistaken?

2) I've seen pictures comparing SM and SC side by side, but I'm thinking maybe there's not a world of difference carrying one or the other. Would you say the SM is way more portable or just "meh, it's smaller but not that much"?

3) There's a third possibility, which is getting two One10s, so I can have the... "modularity" (is that a real word? ). Some people in this thread commented that a stack like that is plenty loud and sounds great, but I don't know if that will be the best way to go. Any thoughts? (I also thought about the Two10, but eventually decided it wouldn't be portable enough)


I emailed Alex and started THE TALK, but I would love any advice you could share... I would really love to test the cabs, but I hope between your collective experience and Alex's advice I make the best decision possible. Thanks for reading this far

 

[Hugsonic]

I have a BB2 and a midget (which I think is now super mini?). The BB2 definitely has more heft in the low end.

 

[Insensato]

I have a BB2 and a midget (which I think is now super mini?). The BB2 definitely has more heft in the low end.

I'm sure it does, but for me it's out of the question: more expensive, more heavy and bigger. And I think it would be too loud, maybe I'm mistaken but I think if I get anything bigger than a SC (or a Two10), I would be using only 15% of the cab most of the time.

The Midget has less low end than the BB2, but would you say it lacks low end?

 

[mikeynets]

I'm sure it does, but for me it's out of the question: more expensive, more heavy and bigger. And I think it would be too loud, maybe I'm mistaken but I think if I get anything bigger than a SC (or a Two10), I would be using only 15% of the cab most of the time.

The Midget has less low end than the BB2, but would you say it lacks low end?

I have a One10 and it does not lack low end. I know the 10" BFs are different drivers altogether from the 12" BF drivers, but I share this just as another data point — I don't think you'll be lacking low end with any BF cab, especially any of the 12" series. Obviously, don't expect a tiny single 10" to compare to a much larger box, but for what it is, it is very impressive.

Based on the type of music you play, I think you'd be very happy with the 10" series. And while I think you'd probably be better off with a 2x10 or two 1x10s, you could start with just a One10 and if it works for you, done. If not, you'll know the tone and if you like it, get a second One10 and then you are really fully done. . .until your band starts booking rooms twice the size.

FWIW: your Rumble 100 puts out 100W into a single 12". I have know idea what the sensitivity or power handling is of that driver, but the BF One10 is rated to handle at least 250W and possibly more (up to 500W clean, per Alex). The efficiency of the One10 is IIRC ~95 db (1W/1m) which yields approx 120 SPL. Not ear splitting loud, but pretty dang loud — again, from a tiny box. And not just loud, but sounds good.

Find out what the specs are on your rumble 100 and then you can compare like for like SPL and have a better idea of what a new cab will/won't do for you volume-wise.

 

[mrwood4]

Well, it took some time, but I managed to read the las 300 hundreds pages or so... And still I have questions

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't. My main bass is a Sadowsky Metro 4 strings, although I also have a 5 strings and a 4 string fretless.

I've been using a Fender Rumble 100 for the last 10 years. I like it, it moves some air and weighs nothing, but I've been thinking about upgrading and this time go for head + cab. For the head, I'm liking the Quilter 803 a lot (I'm open to suggestions, but I like the different sound possibilities it offers). For the cab, I'm going with a Barefaced buuuut... Which one?

I'd like to keep size and weight same (if not less) as the Rumble, so that narrows it down to the One10, SuperMini and SuperCompact. The One10 seems like it could sound great and work in most of the indoors gigs I play, but I think it will struggle in some scenarios, so I have (almost) discarded it. That leaves the SM and SC.

But I'm a bit lost with comments like "the bass is less deep but more tight". I watched BF's video comparing their small cabs and I didn't love the SM sound compared to the others, but I think that could be the bass they were using and the coloration of the room.


So, after this wall of text, the questions ...

1) I think both the SM and the SC would work well in the gigs I play, and that there wouldn't be drastic sound differences between them. Am I mistaken?

2) I've seen pictures comparing SM and SC side by side, but I'm thinking maybe there's not a world of difference carrying one or the other. Would you say the SM is way more portable or just "meh, it's smaller but not that much"?

3) There's a third possibility, which is getting two One10s, so I can have the... "modularity" (is that a real word? ). Some people in this thread commented that a stack like that is plenty loud and sounds great, but I don't know if that will be the best way to go. Any thoughts? (I also thought about the Two10, but eventually decided it wouldn't be portable enough)


I emailed Alex and started THE TALK, but I would love any advice you could share... I would really love to test the cabs, but I hope between your collective experience and Alex's advice I make the best decision possible. Thanks for reading this far

I have used one or two super compacts exclusively since mid 2018. They are excellent cabs and i've never run into a situation where using two of them in an outdoor show wasn't enough.(from outdoor patio gigs to large bike rallys and state fairs)
I play mostly classic rock, but also some blues and outlaw country.
I do use two of them indoors a lot only because I like the look..lol.
Truth is one cab is plenty for any indoor gig I've ever done.
Great sounding, plenty of low end.
My amps are from the Mesa Subway line.( currently the B800D).
You'd prob be very happy with either the SM or the SC.

 

[rapidfirerob]

I have a One10T and a One10. Two of these cabs can handle any situation. Larger stages will have a PA to go through, in any case.
If you scroll down to Dimples on my website's Videos page, all videos are with my two Barefaced cabs and a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2
taken with an iPhone. These cabs are crazy loud and low. You can also email Barefaced and Alex will suggest cabs for you. Barefaced
rules! Idlewild West - Videos

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

Well, it took some time, but I managed to read the las 300 hundreds pages or so... And still I have questions

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't. My main bass is a Sadowsky Metro 4 strings, although I also have a 5 strings and a 4 string fretless.

I've been using a Fender Rumble 100 for the last 10 years. I like it, it moves some air and weighs nothing, but I've been thinking about upgrading and this time go for head + cab. For the head, I'm liking the Quilter 803 a lot (I'm open to suggestions, but I like the different sound possibilities it offers). For the cab, I'm going with a Barefaced buuuut... Which one?

I'd like to keep size and weight same (if not less) as the Rumble, so that narrows it down to the One10, SuperMini and SuperCompact. The One10 seems like it could sound great and work in most of the indoors gigs I play, but I think it will struggle in some scenarios, so I have (almost) discarded it. That leaves the SM and SC.

But I'm a bit lost with comments like "the bass is less deep but more tight". I watched BF's video comparing their small cabs and I didn't love the SM sound compared to the others, but I think that could be the bass they were using and the coloration of the room.


So, after this wall of text, the questions ...

1) I think both the SM and the SC would work well in the gigs I play, and that there wouldn't be drastic sound differences between them. Am I mistaken?

2) I've seen pictures comparing SM and SC side by side, but I'm thinking maybe there's not a world of difference carrying one or the other. Would you say the SM is way more portable or just "meh, it's smaller but not that much"?

3) There's a third possibility, which is getting two One10s, so I can have the... "modularity" (is that a real word? ). Some people in this thread commented that a stack like that is plenty loud and sounds great, but I don't know if that will be the best way to go. Any thoughts? (I also thought about the Two10, but eventually decided it wouldn't be portable enough)


I emailed Alex and started THE TALK, but I would love any advice you could share... I would really love to test the cabs, but I hope between your collective experience and Alex's advice I make the best decision possible. Thanks for reading this far

I have a Rumble 200 combo and run a BF One10 in addition to the internal 15. The One10 doesn't sound anywhere near as full at the Rumble 15 but provides a nice addition in a compact form.

 

[Hugsonic]

I'm sure it does, but for me it's out of the question: more expensive, more heavy and bigger. And I think it would be too loud, maybe I'm mistaken but I think if I get anything bigger than a SC (or a Two10), I would be using only 15% of the cab most of the time.

The Midget has less low end than the BB2, but would you say it lacks low end?

I did a gig with just the midget and I missed the full sound of the BB. That said I wouldn't say it lacks low end. The BB is pretty much a SC with a big tweeter. I have used a 1x10 once at a very small venue.sounded good as well.

 

[Zbysek]

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't.

I would love any advice you could share...

I would get either two One10s or single Super Compact T if I were you. Both are excellent choices and price is almost the same for either combination (50 pounds difference).

My feeling is that for blues, you might prefer the voicing of the One10 cabs...

I am gigging with either One10 or Two10S cabs myself.

 

[gtirard]

I would get either two One10s or single Super Compact T if I were you. Both are excellent choices and price is almost the same for either combination (50 pounds difference).

My feeling is that for blues, you might prefer the voicing of the One10 cabs...

I am gigging with either One10 or Two10S cabs myself.

This.

I have the One10 and Super Compact (no tweeter). Love both. Agree that the One10 is perfect of small indoor gigs, can be limited for outdoor gigs (even if it's incredibly efficient, the law of physics…).

Two10 is ideal for blues and similar genres of music, Super Compact is more versatile IMHO.

 

[John D Harris]

Well, it took some time, but I managed to read the las 300 hundreds pages or so... And still I have questions

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't. My main bass is a Sadowsky Metro 4 strings, although I also have a 5 strings and a 4 string fretless.

I've been using a Fender Rumble 100 for the last 10 years. I like it, it moves some air and weighs nothing, but I've been thinking about upgrading and this time go for head + cab. For the head, I'm liking the Quilter 803 a lot (I'm open to suggestions, but I like the different sound possibilities it offers). For the cab, I'm going with a Barefaced buuuut... Which one?

I'd like to keep size and weight same (if not less) as the Rumble, so that narrows it down to the One10, SuperMini and SuperCompact. The One10 seems like it could sound great and work in most of the indoors gigs I play, but I think it will struggle in some scenarios, so I have (almost) discarded it. That leaves the SM and SC.

But I'm a bit lost with comments like "the bass is less deep but more tight". I watched BF's video comparing their small cabs and I didn't love the SM sound compared to the others, but I think that could be the bass they were using and the coloration of the room.


So, after this wall of text, the questions ...

1) I think both the SM and the SC would work well in the gigs I play, and that there wouldn't be drastic sound differences between them. Am I mistaken?

2) I've seen pictures comparing SM and SC side by side, but I'm thinking maybe there's not a world of difference carrying one or the other. Would you say the SM is way more portable or just "meh, it's smaller but not that much"?

3) There's a third possibility, which is getting two One10s, so I can have the... "modularity" (is that a real word? ). Some people in this thread commented that a stack like that is plenty loud and sounds great, but I don't know if that will be the best way to go. Any thoughts? (I also thought about the Two10, but eventually decided it wouldn't be portable enough)


I emailed Alex and started THE TALK, but I would love any advice you could share... I would really love to test the cabs, but I hope between your collective experience and Alex's advice I make the best decision possible. Thanks for reading this far

Another vote for the SC or SC-t over the Super Mini or One10.

The SC's will hold their composure on the low end better if pushed hard.

The One10's are more colored than I like.

 

[Peter]

Well, it took some time, but I managed to read the las 300 hundreds pages or so... And still I have questions

Some background: I usually play blues/soul in bars and pubs (around 100-150 square meters, 60-90 people), although I usually have a few outdoors gigs in the Summer. Sometimes there's PA, sometimes there isn't. My main bass is a Sadowsky Metro 4 strings, although I also have a 5 strings and a 4 string fretless.

I've been using a Fender Rumble 100 for the last 10 years. I like it, it moves some air and weighs nothing, but I've been thinking about upgrading and this time go for head + cab. For the head, I'm liking the Quilter 803 a lot (I'm open to suggestions, but I like the different sound possibilities it offers). For the cab, I'm going with a Barefaced buuuut... Which one?

I'd like to keep size and weight same (if not less) as the Rumble, so that narrows it down to the One10, SuperMini and SuperCompact. The One10 seems like it could sound great and work in most of the indoors gigs I play, but I think it will struggle in some scenarios, so I have (almost) discarded it. That leaves the SM and SC.

But I'm a bit lost with comments like "the bass is less deep but more tight". I watched BF's video comparing their small cabs and I didn't love the SM sound compared to the others, but I think that could be the bass they were using and the coloration of the room.


So, after this wall of text, the questions ...

1) I think both the SM and the SC would work well in the gigs I play, and that there wouldn't be drastic sound differences between them. Am I mistaken?

2) I've seen pictures comparing SM and SC side by side, but I'm thinking maybe there's not a world of difference carrying one or the other. Would you say the SM is way more portable or just "meh, it's smaller but not that much"?

3) There's a third possibility, which is getting two One10s, so I can have the... "modularity" (is that a real word? ). Some people in this thread commented that a stack like that is plenty loud and sounds great, but I don't know if that will be the best way to go. Any thoughts? (I also thought about the Two10, but eventually decided it wouldn't be portable enough)


I emailed Alex and started THE TALK, but I would love any advice you could share... I would really love to test the cabs, but I hope between your collective experience and Alex's advice I make the best decision possible. Thanks for reading this far

It's a great question. I tried several of Alex's cabs and ended up with two Super Midgets (Minis) with a TH500 head.

More often than not I just use one cab although I slightly prefer the sound with both plugged in. The TH500 probably enjoys the lower impedance. People often complement me on the sound the rig creates.

I tried the BB which was awesome but awkward to carry and the difference wasn't so great to make that and the extra cost worth it. It doesn't feel like we're missing the low bass with my Midgets.

I tried 1 and 2 One10s but they were significantly quieter and didn't cut through so well so I returned them.

So I can turn up to a gig with a bass on my back, the TH500 in a bag over the shoulder and an SM in each hand! One trip.

Good luck with your decision.