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Schroeder Cabinets ... smart design = very compact ! (regular and lights)

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#3,062
Well, as of early this week I officially joined the "Schroeder Tower of Power" club, delivered new from Jorg's shop. Now taking up residence in my living room is a 1010 sitting on top of a 1210, oh yeah!

As some of you know, I've been using a pair of Acme B2s for almost four years now, and finally, after a lot of thought and a particularly trying gig a few weeks back, I've decided that they aren't really well suited to my needs anymore.

Now, on to the positives - the Schroeders are definitely an interesting design and they seem to have a great sound! While I have yet to turn them up or try them on a gig, I've been able to do some comparing to the B2s and noticed a few things right away.

Most significantly - efficiency. I couldn't believe it, but using my Stewart 2.1 with a B2 on one side and a Schroeder on the other, the B2 with the volume setting halfway up was the same as the Schroeder at only one quarter. Wowza! I've always known that Acmes require loads of power, but the difference really becomes quite startling in a direct A/B comparison, all other things being equal. Also of interesting note, the drivers in the Schroeders barely move, while the Acmes really pump! (and I've learned my lesson there!) :crying:

Sound - the Acmes definitely have that clean neutrality which can sound great in a living room. The Schroeders sound a little bit more aggressive (please keep in mind that this is by NO means a real-world comparison, but rather a low-volume experiment in a high rise condo!). Definitely a subtle difference, but the Schroeders definitely add a little bit of depth/ambiance or enhanced character to the sound, whereas the B2 sounded like a studio monitor plugged straight through a DI (or in this case my Alembic F-1X). I'm looking forward to finding out how the sound translates in a higher-volume gig situation.

Build - The Schroeders appear to be built like a tank. Massive rubber feet on the bottoms of the cabinets, nice thick plys making up the sides of the boxes, handles that appear to be made of cast iron, and tweeter adjustment knobs that appears to have been approved for military use. Also, Jorg gets major extra credit points for the removeable panel on the back of the cabinets. I have yet to take it off, but would imagine it vastly simplifies the process of accessing internal components.

Only three weeks to go before the 2006 gig schedule starts up and I'm looking forward to trying the new rig live! No regrets about my decision to make the change to Schroeder!

Lonnybass
Chicago, IL
 
#3,065
Hi guys, Just thought I'd let you (and Jorg) know that I received my 310212 n perfect working condition yesterday... had to drive through Rain and Hail to get to pick it up! I can tell you already, that this thing is NOT light! at least as heavy as the SWR 610 I tried out before hand... I'll weigh it in and give you guys a full spec later sometime. Lucky I got the castors! In it's defence, it is the flight ready version also with a padded cover.

I'll be playing my Warwick thumb NT 5 > DBX 166xl > Fender 300 Pro > 310212

I'll play it for a while before posting a review of the cab (based on my opinions obviously), as I know there is relatively little info on this cab on the net... ps. I will post it in the 310212 thread I started a couple of weeks back, so it will be easier to find.
 
#3,066
I'm glad to hear that the testing of the new Neo cabs is going well.
I'm literally pacing a groove in my floor waiting for the release of the lightweights. I check the Schroeder web site at least once per day to see if there's any info posted about them.
The waiting is killing me.
Must......have......patience....
 
#3,070
Lonnybass said:
Well, as of early this week I officially joined the "Schroeder Tower of Power" club, delivered new from Jorg's shop. Now taking up residence in my living room is a 1010 sitting on top of a 1210, oh yeah!

As some of you know, I've been using a pair of Acme B2s for almost four years now, and finally, after a lot of thought and a particularly trying gig a few weeks back, I've decided that they aren't really well suited to my needs anymore.

Now, on to the positives - the Schroeders are definitely an interesting design and they seem to have a great sound! While I have yet to turn them up or try them on a gig, I've been able to do some comparing to the B2s and noticed a few things right away.

Most significantly - efficiency. I couldn't believe it, but using my Stewart 2.1 with a B2 on one side and a Schroeder on the other, the B2 with the volume setting halfway up was the same as the Schroeder at only one quarter. Wowza! I've always known that Acmes require loads of power, but the difference really becomes quite startling in a direct A/B comparison, all other things being equal. Also of interesting note, the drivers in the Schroeders barely move, while the Acmes really pump! (and I've learned my lesson there!) :crying:

Sound - the Acmes definitely have that clean neutrality which can sound great in a living room. The Schroeders sound a little bit more aggressive (please keep in mind that this is by NO means a real-world comparison, but rather a low-volume experiment in a high rise condo!). Definitely a subtle difference, but the Schroeders definitely add a little bit of depth/ambiance or enhanced character to the sound, whereas the B2 sounded like a studio monitor plugged straight through a DI (or in this case my Alembic F-1X). I'm looking forward to finding out how the sound translates in a higher-volume gig situation.

Build - The Schroeders appear to be built like a tank. Massive rubber feet on the bottoms of the cabinets, nice thick plys making up the sides of the boxes, handles that appear to be made of cast iron, and tweeter adjustment knobs that appears to have been approved for military use. Also, Jorg gets major extra credit points for the removeable panel on the back of the cabinets. I have yet to take it off, but would imagine it vastly simplifies the process of accessing internal components.

Only three weeks to go before the 2006 gig schedule starts up and I'm looking forward to trying the new rig live! No regrets about my decision to make the change to Schroeder!

Lonnybass
Chicago, IL
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Congrats!

I think the Alembic will sound very good with the Schroeders.
 
#3,071
I've just had an exchange of emails with Jorg and if anyone who has read any of the posts here hasn't figured it out yet, he really is a great person to deal with.
He actually emailed me first about a couple comments I posted here. How often does a builder of any product take the initiative to reach out to customers that have posted questions or comments on an internet forum? I'm sure some do, but not many and only the ones that really care about their customers and their professional reputations.
By the way, Jorg did mention that all of his cabs will be lighter now due to new lighter materials that he's using in the cabinet structure. The new Neos will be significantly lighter, but I bet all of the cabs will lose a few pounds.
 
#3,072
Akami said:
Same here. I used to think Schroeder was a piano player until I came to this site.

I actually found TalkBass while doing a search on Schroeder cabinets and by the time I'd read through every page I decided to stay!

Then I bought the 1210, tried unsuccessfully to swap it for a 1212, but have been thankful lately that I didn't, as the 1210 has actually changed my taste in bass tone!

We're normally playing in a small bar where we are now but for New Years we'll be playing in the main dining area which is a lot larger.
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Well I'd really like to thank :D every one on this Talkbass thread who inspired me on this site over the last six months of "my new cab research" -and after reading :cool: every single page of this thread I become a Schro 410 :) owner(proudly) a couple months ago-esp. Brian,Smash,Lkaye,Chef,and ,sorry I know I can't remember :confused: many more of you right now. As my wife and I celebrated :hyper: the New Year and saw a couple of fine bands -I felt sorry :crying: for the bass players and the bands in general because they lacked the authoritative,defining,warm,penetrating, chest thumping, "Humpback Whale-bottom" :eek: ,that these cabs can produce .....I'm just so glad I stumbled ;) onto this site...And also a huge Thanks to Jorg!!!!! Happy Peaceful New Year... :D :D :D :D :D
 
#3,073
Matt Morgan said:
I've just had an exchange of emails with Jorg and if anyone who has read any of the posts here hasn't figured it out yet, he really is a great person to deal with.
He actually emailed me first about a couple comments I posted here. How often does a builder of any product take the initiative to reach out to customers that have posted questions or comments on an internet forum? I'm sure some do, but not many and only the ones that really care about their customers and their professional reputations.
By the way, Jorg did mention that all of his cabs will be lighter now due to new lighter materials that he's using in the cabinet structure. The new Neos will be significantly lighter, but I bet all of the cabs will lose a few pounds.
Click to expand...

That is some cool news :D Brad Jackson is one of those types of people too, that why when his amps and pre-amps are done, i'll be using nothing but his amps, and jorgs cabs. And oh what a killer sound that will be :bassist:
 
#3,074
tried the 410 on its side with the front firing speakers on the bottom of the cabinet and the side firing speakers facing up. I left the casters on....there was no caster rattle whatsoever and I really liked how the cab sounded....plenty of bottom (we were on risers about a foot off the dancefloor). The room was really lively but not overly boomy or echoey + there were close to 75 or more couples constantly dancing right in front of us. Our soundman brought an extra powered PA cabinet per side in additional to anyother powered full range and a powered monitor. I was moderatly put through the PA too, which he turned me down after a while. My limited slapping sounded good (to me), and I was only on about 10:00 on my gain and 11 on my master volume for the Focus. The addition of a different 30 band Raine EQ and a sonic Maximizer gave me the added snap and clean bottom I wanted. Except for my being ill with a severe bronchaitis (the smokers on the way into the room were making me choke!!!), and the fact I had to sit on a bench most of the night, I had more than enough brainpower and finger energy to get through the night and home safely and have pretty much been sleeping on and off since!!!

The Schroeder 410 is an exceptional cabinet and I can't wait for the new light versions to expose to the world that you can have decent tone, cuthrough, volume, reliability AND portability without paying totally boutique prices.

EVERY ONE.....have a successful and healthy 2006....keep posting your experiences and questions here or send me a private message.

Larry
 
#3,076
Had a great New Years Eve and we have never played through another amp/speaker combination that left us happy without ever touching the tone controls on either bass or amp!

Lots of compliments on the bass tone (after I got her to turn it up enough) and lots of shenanigans on the dance floor as everyone realized they were hearing Schroeder Tone!

Oh where was Schroeder when Sly was cutting Dance to the Music...
 
#3,078
needmoney said:
So I don't think this was properly addressed.

Why the switch from cast frame to pressed steel drivers. What difference does this have? I just ordered a new 1210 and hopefully the switch hasn't radically altered the cabs performance :confused:
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I'm concerned with this switch too, since in my experience, stamped steel woofers have been cheaper (lower price and lower build quality), and I'm wondering why the switch? I ordered my 310212 when the website still said they used cast frame drivers.

One of those things that may not make a difference to the sound, but on another level bothers me significantly.

On another note, I will be gigging with the 310212 shortly after I receive it (hopefully I get it on time!) from Dave at Ultimate Basses. After a few practices and gigs, I plan on a large review, perhaps a comparo between a few larger cabs that I've used over the past two years.
 
#3,079
for you guys. I'm not yet an expert (I plan to be very soon), but I'm sure there can be just as high a quality and efficient, good sounding pressed steel frame speaker as cast frame. The cast framers should generally weigh more. I believe that the Neo speakers most cab makers use are not cast frame....there's no need for all that extra structural support, weight, and thickness when you're only dealing with magnets weighing ounces instead of 5 10 and more pounds per speaker. There's another means of cabinet weight reduction.

We should ask Jorg again to discuss his decision to move, not to move, or to try the other pressed steel framers vs cast, but I think we can say for sure that any speakers Jorg chooses would not have been decided upon if there would have been any compromise in reliability or sound.

Jorg, we await your response on this one.

Larry Kaye
 
#3,080
Larry Kaye said:
I believe that the Neo speakers most cab makers use are not cast frame....there's no need for all that extra structural support, weight, and thickness when you're only dealing with magnets weighing ounces instead of 5 10 and more pounds per speaker.

Not so sure about that. All the pro-grade neo woofers I've seen so far have cast frames. You probably wouldn't need to have as beefy of a casting for a neo model though.

I'll let Jorg speak for himself. I talked specifics with him recently, and I'm satisfied that the pressed frame drivers are not a downgrade in this case. Perception is a bear sometimes though.
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