Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club

[monsterthompson]

I'm interested in the top end. How is it without a tweeter? I don't slap or usually use tweeters but like some definition from pic playing. You feel like you've got enough top end?
Also you played many 410's that you could compare the volume of the ST to? Is it noticeably more?

My experience with the SC and BB2 says that the tweeter off in the BB2 and the SC without a tweeter still provide quite a bit of top end definition with a pick. I'm not a slapper, but tend to play with a pick or fingers. Even playing finger style, I find sufficient definition even without a tweeter.

 

[tallboybass]

I'm interested in the top end. How is it without a tweeter? I don't slap or usually use tweeters but like some definition from pic playing. You feel like you've got enough top end?
Also you played many 410's that you could compare the volume of the ST to? Is it noticeably more?

I DO feel like there's enough top end. It doesn't (of course) sound like a tweeter, but there's high end there, if you want more, you just dial it up via EQ. I'm not a slapper but with a pick there's plenty of definition in the highs! Even just digging in, fingerstyle, you really hear the note definition if you've dialed some upper mids and highs in there.

Comparing volume to 410's and other 212's I'd say it compares favorably. Playing the same room I've played before, the volume knob was down a bit from where it ends up with the MBE410. There's also clearly MUCH more total volume potential since it doesn't compress...at all. This is a sonically horrible room that usually requires lots of work to get anything defined at all going. The SuperTwin just seemed to slot right into the mix!

 

[Dave W]

I'm trying out a single BB2 tonight

 

[Plutonium244]

I'm trying out a single BB2 tonight

I'd like to try out 2. One has worked well for me though.

 

[Dave W]

Two were all kinds of awesome the last few gigs.

 

[Plutonium244]

Two were all kinds of awesome the last few gigs.

You've probably said, but what kind of head are you using with two?

 

[Dave W]

Monique into a Crest ProLite 3.0

1st is over with. Holy bejesus! This thing pounds all by itself. The bar isn't all that busy so people aren't swallowing up the sound, but it's loud and sounds great. Lots of bottom end too. My BL commented on it multiple times.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Rocking a Verellen meatsmoke into the 810. Tons of top and bottom. Wo great with my od and fuzz pedals too

 

[Dave W]

I got a few comments last night from musicians in the crowd about how full the band sounds and much I'm filling out the low end using just the single BB2.
We were in a tiny bar with no PA support.

I'm pretty happy with it and was very impressed about how much that one box was able to cover in sheer volume and low end response.

 

[Splimcity]

I got a few comments last night from musicians in the crowd about how full the band sounds and much I'm filling out the low end using just the single BB2.
We were in a tiny bar with no PA support.

I'm pretty happy with it and was very impressed about how much that one box was able to cover in sheer volume and low end response.

Only 'pretty'?

 

[dave_bass5]

Gramma pad incoming. Curious how that will work.

I've been using a Gramma pad for around 5 years. Every gig, without fail. This was with my old 1212L

Since getting my BB2 I've only used it once, and I took it away after the first set.

They do work, and work well, but I've found my BB2 just hasn't needed it, the low end is tight and seems to welcome the same stages I've had issues on in the past.

 

[monsterthompson]

I've been using a Gramma pad for around 5 years. Every gig, without fail. This was with my old 1212L

Since getting my BB2 I've only used it once, and I took it away after the first set.

They do work, and work well, but I've found my BB2 just hasn't needed it, the low end is tight and seems to welcome the same stages I've had issues on in the past.

Good to know. I find my apartment shakes with certain notes. I'm hoping some mechanical isolation will help keep the neighbors off my case. I'm pretty lucky that my common-wall neighbor likes my music and tolerates my playing.

 

[dave_bass5]

Very curious how the Retro 210 compares to the BB2...I'm looking for something to replace my Markbass 2x12 (which is remarkably light...but not light enough!). I play mostly rock and RnB, occasionally some more contemporary pop stuff that requires synth, so leaning towards the BB2. However, I've never played through a truly "transparent" cab and I'm not sure how much I'll like the tone. I like punch and warmth.

I went from a Retro 210 to a BB2 and feel it was the best move I could have made.
I too was worried about the transparent comments, I didn't want to hear a truest flats sounding tone, but I've found this case to be exactly what I was looking for.
It's very full, but tight sounding. The high end is not harsh or overly bright. No clank like I got with my old 1212L. I loved the low end of the Retro 210 but felt it a bit too warm and rounded in the top end. I just couldn't get enough bite and clarity.
Although I never got to use the 210 along side the BB2, I have used the same amp and at the same rehearsal studio (2 different rooms). The 210 filled the low end like no other cab I have owned, but didn't really cut through the mix. I won't say it's scooped but there was less high mid punch than I wanted. The BB2 on the other hand has loads of punch but the overall tone is very even. Plenty of clarity and growl on the lowest notes, without needing to have the treble up on the amp. I love the articulation the BB2 gives, it's like I can now actually hear the notes I'm playing, compared to having to simplify why I'm playing due to the notes not always coming through. This is down to the venue of course, but I've found the BB2 takes very well to the same venues I've struggled with in the past.

 

[dave_bass5]

Good to know. I find my apartment shakes with certain notes. I'm hoping some mechanical isolation will help keep the neighbors off my case. I'm pretty lucky that my common-wall neighbor likes my music and tolerates my playing.

I can see how it will help at home. I'm sure I'll use mine again for gigs, but so far with the BB2 I've just not needed it.

 

[ErnieD]

Gigged my Gen 2 BT-T last nite at a med size bar. Lots of bodies in the room, small stage, drums, gitard, me right next to each other on the small, half-moon shaped stage. The BT-T w/Genz Benz 12.2 FET channel using stock Squire MJ-V was pretty darn great. I usually use my GB NX2-212T or TB 153 at this bar. I walked out onto floor with my 18' inst cable and could just hear, clear, tight lows, smooth mids and just enough highs with the tweet at 9:00. Very nice.

Really liked what I heard last nite thru this cab. It made me play much better hearing such a nice controlled tone behind me. Drummer sure dug it too. He said, it was a nice big bottom but tight as to not be boomy as he sat right next to my cab. Seems like this cab throws all those nice lows out front and not all behind it and scattered like some of my other cabs, very focused. Prolly from the very nice build and bracing in Alex's BF cabs.

Next week big test. Large outdoor gig, small-ish PA, couple 15's on sticks, 2 floor monitors and no PA for bass. Though I may sneak in just a wee bit bass into PA with a nearby mic, set low volume in the channel just to get it out front some. Yeah I know, not ideal conditions for outdoors. Last year, same gig here for Mardi Gras party, gitard brought his great QSC powered PA. He's not doing this gig with us this year so we're toughing it with this minimal PA.

Will use my Carvin SB5000 and maybe the GK MB800 this time. But the GB 12.2 was very capable and had a nice control of my tone with this amp, sometimes the MB800 can be too big. We'll see how it goes.

I know this is about my older, heavier Gen 2 designed cab compared to all the light, smaller, newer Gen 3 cabs being mentioned here. But it's my first experience with BF cabs so still think it applies in this thread as some TBers may come across a used, older BF cab and wonder about their capabilities. I did. peace, e.

 

[monsterthompson]

anyone else developing a bias for bass type with cab type? i'm finding my J bass a better fit with my 210 than my P. though i like the P BB2 combo.

 

[dave_bass5]

Hmm, interesting point. so far I've only used my P bass with my BB2. Today was going to be be a rehearsal with my Jazz bass but it got called off. On Thursday I'll be using the Jazz with my BB2, same room as always. I'm expecting good things though.
I definitely preferred my Sire V7 5 string over my P bass with my Retro 210, but even that wasn't the tone I was after.

 

[ErnieD]

So far I'm finding I like my passive basses better over my active 5ers with a couple of my amp's+BT-T. But that's probably more me having to better learn how to best set my EQ with this BF cab's different capabilities.

 

[monsterthompson]

Passive mode on my Spector likes the 210 better... or the other way around.

 

[Dave W]

Only 'pretty'?

I'm coming from using great cabs already (CN212, NV610T), so they're really just different flavors of awesome to me right now. They (the BB2'S) are taking everything I'm throwing at them so far but I definitely need more gig situations just to really dial in my whole rig and get used to the BB2's.

I've played hundreds of gigs with the CN212 so I always know what to expect no matter what amp or bass I'm using and can easily dial in everything for whatever room we're playing.

I'm definitely excited about the BB2's! They've been nothing but awesome for me so far and I'm really looking forwards to the next bunch of gigs.