Thanks Alex, I know you wind up answering the same questions over and over... but how would you say the SM compares to the BB2?
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Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club
- Thread starter Stumbo
- Start date
Thanks Alex, I know you wind up answering the same questions over and over... but how would you say the SM compares to the BB2?
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No Reiner or Shaw, but yes, the 659 would rock for, well, rock! And the four program options on the FR800 let you choose between clean, deep, fat and vintage, for even more tone-tweaking fun!
Please elaborate...
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
From the webpage:
- Four DSP presets for maximum versatility:
- Neutral
- Deep
- Free-space neutral
- Free-space deep
I'll have more deets in my review.
Having owned both I agree with the description Alex has on the site: "If size really matters then the Super Midget has much of the performance in a smaller package."
I think they're extremely similar in tone and range; of course, the BB2 has more output and fullness down low, but the SM goes deep and the tweeter sounds very nice to me. And it's much smaller.
Thanks Alex. I do like low bass, but I typically play four bangers with nickel strings, do not use synth effects, occasional octave effects, very little slap.
I guess I am leaning towards the BB2 based upon user feedback, and to have the option to add more "zing" if needed.
If I did go with the SC I probably would do a pair, with the BB, see how it goes and add another or SM later if needed
More or less what i do, although i also use a VTBass to liven things up.
As far as the tweeter goes, its not like any other ive used. Turning it up seems to add air and openness, rather than harsh top end or extra clank etc. Could just be my rig but compared to the tweeter on my 1212L its like night and day.
You dont necessarily hear a large change in tone, just more clarity and yes, zing.
Ive also stopped using my Gramma pad since getting my BB2. The low end is lower than my 1212L, with lots of definition, but doesn't have much boom and mud like my old cab. So far, on the same wooden stages that ive played for years im getting more full, room filling low end, a more even punch, and no clank. Even for our Motown covers the tone can be warmed up very nicely, but still keeps the almost studio like tone and cuts through just perfectly. I put this down to the very well controlled low end that doesnt interfere with the mid and upper freqs like some cabs.
Before i got it i did wonder if it would work for me, as i was sort of put off by the PA cab description. I though this would mean everything very clear and neutral sounding, but the BB2 turned ou tot be exactly what i was looking for. What goes in just comes out, and for the first time in years i can now hear what a P bass sounds like through a decent, uncoloured rig, and one that can be lifted with one hand.
Great Feedback. I like your comment about "PA Sound" as that was on my mind. I also use a Gramma Pad on my gigs
I have a One10 cab, and it's just an awesome little cab. It handles 95% of my gigs, driven by a GK MB800 head. It's probably the last cab I will ever buy.
I'm looking at going with a BB2. I'm coming from 2x210 cabs at 4 ohms total. Each cab with a sensitivity rating of 101db in a vertical stack. If I go to the 8ohm BB2 am I going to lose a lot of volume? Or will the increased sensitivity make up the difference. I'm wondering if I should go for the Big Twin instead. 2 BB2's might be out of my price range.
As long as your amp has the watts I don't think you'll lose much if any volume; you might have to increase the gain a little bit on the amp.
I switched from using 2 Aguilar SL-112 cabinets (4 ohm when using the pair) to a single Big Baby II which is of course 8 ohm. I don't feel like I am missing any volume, the BB2 can handle a lot (800W). And I am using a Aggie Tonehammer 350. The BB2 seems to be pretty darned efficient. With that many watts or more, my opinion, FWIW, is the BB2 will give you plenty.
I like the BB2 because the tone is fantastic, and it's easily carried with one hand. I have only had an opportunity to use it at one gig so far, so I put an asterisk next to my conclusions so far. The Big Twin will also sound fantastic, and having 2 drivers will mean more volume at any given setting on the amp. But, with a single BB2 you can pretty much just turn it up on the amp to get whatever level you want. If portability is not an issue (though the Big Twin will still be pretty light for a 2x12) then maybe the Big Twin is for you. I am sure is sounds awesome and is earth-shaking. All I can say, from my experience, is that the BB2 will handle a lot. I can envision that having II BB2's (or big twin) would be totally sweet, but so far I don't feel like I need a 2nd one. Portability and ability to fit on any stage (and in vehicle) is pretty important to me, but might not be as important to you.
Maybe someone who has the Big Twin can chime in, since I have never heard or used one of those; just the BB2 and One10 for me. I'd bet the tone is the same as the BB2, just more of it.
A lot will depend on your band's volume and the venues you play, but 400w-500w through a BB2 would be pretty darn loud.
Well, it might be the last cab you ever "need" to buy, but don't let that stop you! I have a One10 and a BB2, and I love them both.
Thank you. That is the review I was looking for. We get medium loud not deafening. I am hoping that the BB2 will provide the headroom. As a US customer I don't have the option to return the cab. If this cab can give me the headroom I will be thrilled by only having to only tote a 29 LB cab around.
I am running a Mesa Subway D800 head. 400 Watts 8 ohm and 800 watts 4 ohm. However, I do notice this head seems to put out less volume than my Markbass LMT800.
I find myself saying the same thing every few pages here, but I am a big fan of the BF. I listened to my own BB2 and amp for a while while another good player sat in for a few.. it sounded great, and its bottom end is so solid and tight that it kind of sounded like there was PA reinforcement, when there was not. It kind of shakes the room, without being too loud. I agree 2 BB2's would be awesome just because more of a good thing is, well, more of a good thing, right? But as much as I love the BB2, I am in no hurry to get another, because I just don't need it... though I want it. One does everything I'd hoped it would. I can survive having that $1100 stay in my bank account, for now.
Yes, I was referring to the amps in your signature. D800 is listed as 400w @ 8 ohms, the LMT800 is rated at 500w @ 8 ohms.
At 4 ohms they both put out 800 watts but the Markbass still has more power. I had to crank the input and master volume on the D800 to get the same volume as the LMT800. However I did read something about cleaner sounding amps not sounding as loud. Amps with more harmonic distortion are perceived by the ear to be louder.
Amen to that!
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Did the D800 go into limiting or into protect mode?
The gain & master pots on the D800 are the type where you get the use of the whole range of the knobs (well, it's somewhat dependent on the output level of your bass guitar).
You can't compare positions of the knobs between two different designed amps & say what it sounds to me like your saying.
I apologize if I'm misinterpreting what you're saying.
