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Schroeder 21012... Regular or Light?

wateroftyne

wateroftyne

Dec 22, 2002
2,171
1,864
The Geordie Delta, UK
www.jollybeggars.co.uk
#1
Hi folks

I've read every Schro thread a million times - honest - but I just want to see if anyone has anything new to add before I pull the trigger...!

I'm looking for a new cab to replace my Ashdown ABM 15 + 2x10 cabs. I use an AI Focus 2 head, and a SABDII to tube things up a bit. I like a vintage-type tone (via a SABDDI), something like Duck Dunn. Warm and punchy, with no sizzle or mud.

I play acousticy/bluesy/rootsy/folk/rock'n'roll music, in venues ranging from hot and sweaty bars, to theatres and outdoor gigs. Sometimes I have PA support - 75% of the time, I don't.

Here is a clip of my current setup, so you can get in idea of my tone:



Basically, I'm fairly sure the Schro 21012 is for me, but... I'm unable to try before I buy.

First of all, would the 21012 be a good choice, as opposed the 410, say?

Secondly, I know the light has more of an emphasis on the mids, but do they lack anything the regular has (other than weight!)? Is it worth the extra $£ to go light, or will I lose a bit of bottom?

I know it's all subjective, but the more food for thought, the better.

Thanks in advance!
 
#4
I don't think you'll lose any bottom with the light. The lights are reportedly more accurate cabs where the regulars have more of a bump in low mid response. I have been using a regular 1212 and it's a great cab to rumble along with, but doesn't have a lot of clarity in th eupper mids. I am working on getting a 21012L now and expect it to cure that problem. I may have to throw a little lower mid boost into my EQ to match the punch of the regular, but I won't know that for sure until I get it into a gigging situation.
 
#5
You might want to consider a 1210R...A friend of mine is in an Eagles tribute and a blues type of band with a 64 P bass. He played on my rig at the time of a focus 1 600 watter and a 1210....it really sounded nice. Also consider that, again it's my opinion, others may or may not agree, but these cabs sound "better" being turned up a little bit. You may find that regardless of whether you use the 21012R or L that in order to get that vintage type of thump. you may have to crank the larger box cabinet up a bit which could be too loud a stage and/or a venue volume. Whereas cranking the 1210, which still is not quiet by any stretch of the imagination but not as loud as a 21012 or 410, may be more acceptable volume wise on stage while getting you closer to that vintage thump you want to maintain. What head are you using by the way and wattage?

Last evening I played a wedding (9 piece band with horns, 3 singers, guitar, bass, keys and drums) with at least 300 people in a huge ballroom with high ceilings and generally a boomy loud rumbly result acoustically. I turned the bottom end down, slightly turned up the volume using a 550 watt at 4 ohm head, MMSR5 bass and schroeder 1210, covered the stage easily and with the PA (All Bag end system with 18' subs) turned to about an equal balance of my off stage bleeding from the Schroeder and the PA, the room was covered at a full punchy phat tone and plenty loud. At the end of the night I checked out the volume on the Eden head....it was let than 9 o'clock....7 o'clock is off. 11:00 is very loud, 12:00 the cabinet totally awakens to new dimensions but is way way too loud on stage, even for outdoor gigs.

These cabs do, by the way, excel outdoors. I'm continously surprised how well they cover larger venues and stages for such a small footprint.

Larry Keller
the CabWorks
 
#6
Hi Larry

Thanks for that.

As it happens, I'm using a P-Bass (sometimes J) with flats, into a SABDDI and a Focus 2 series 2 head.

I'd originally considered the 1210 and (especially) the 1212, but I crossed them off my list as I was worried they wouldn't cope with the larger bar gigs where there's no PA support. Maybe I should put them back on my shortlist..

If were to run the 21012 at lower volumes, how would it sound? Is it an unpleasant tone, or just un-vintage?

Also, if I could call on your experience with the lights.. Will those speakers still do 'vintage'?
 
#7
Eminence neo drivers aren't just an addition to their line, they are replacements for older models. Not only are they lighter, they have improved specs overall, and if anything sound better than the drivers they replaced. I won't use a ceramic magnet driver anymore if there is a neo available that will do the job.
 

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