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Show your Bill Fitzmaurice cab

#201
Thanks Tom. I'm currently making arrangements to visit Bill Dickinson in Chicago to try out several models. Weight and portability are one concern but not the only one. A 40-50-60lbs cabinet is expected but much beyond that and I'll have to really think long and hard about it.

I’ve enjoyed reading the post on this thread, I just wish I understood more the technical aspects of what is being discussed. I am curious as to how and why Bill’s designs of folded horn cabinets seem so much smaller and portable than the old cabinet by Acoustic and other’s of yesteryear?
 
#208
pedro said:
Bill for ***** and giggles can you compare (in layman’s terms) the differences in sound, etc. between the old Acoustic 361/301 folded horn cabinets and one of your cabinets – say the Omni 15 or DR250.
Click to expand...
The Acoustics were reasonably efficient but lacked midrange response.
 
#209
Isn’t that strange that Jaco was known for using the Acoustic 360 and for producing a very mid-ranging sound. Still you’re not the first to tell me that the Acoustic’s had a mid-scoop but I never noticed them.

Bill I'm very anxious to try your cabinets. Not sure exactly when I'll get down to Chicago but probably won't be for a couple of weeks as we have our daughter graduating from high school, etc.
 
#210
billfitzmaurice said:
I believe by 'intrusive' he's referring to the high sensitivity of compression drivers, which requires that they be padded to match the lower sensitivity of a direct radiating woofer. Piezos run on average 10dB less sensitive than compression drivers, so padding with them is seldom necessary.
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I made the assumption that the drivers woiuld be level matched, which does seem logical, no? Any HF radiator several dB more sensitive than the one below is going to be like an icepick in the ears. When level matched, I find piezo's to be lower in SQ than all but the worst CD's.
 
#211
pedro said:
Isn’t that strange that Jaco was known for using the Acoustic 360 and for producing a very mid-ranging sound. Still you’re not the first to tell me that the Acoustic’s had a mid-scoop but I never noticed them.
Click to expand...

I'd wager that Jaco's Acoustic cabs were never used in the studio. And live, you'd likely be hearing FOH either in part or in full.
 
#213
[[I'd wager that Jaco's Acoustic cabs were never used in the studio. And live, you'd likely be hearing FOH either in part or in full.

Usually he went direct but not always. Sometimes the amp was mic'd.

[[And live, you'd likely be hearing FOH either in part or in full.

I'm pretty sure Jaco had his sound long before he ever had to worry about FOH.

Ok here we go, live in the studio. Is the Acoustic 360 mid scooped or midrangy?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=X3BlSe0t3DM
 
#215
pedro said:
I'm pretty sure Jaco had his sound long before he ever had to worry about FOH.
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True. He also had his tone before he ever used a 360. Jaco's signature tone comes from Jaco (mostly) and his J-bass.


pedro said:
Ok here we go, live in the studio. Is the Acoustic 360 mid scooped or midrangy?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=X3BlSe0t3DM
Click to expand...

Jaco's tone is midrangey. As a former owner of an Acoustic 301 passive cab and 360/361 system, I can tell you with 98% certainty that a DI was used for that recording... 2% chance that the cab was close-mic'd. Those folded Acoustic cabs didn't burp like that... not without major signal tweaking, as greenboy said.
 
#216
[[Jaco would sound like Jaco on any bass through any amp/speaker combination.

In general I would agree. But its clear that Jaco felt strongly about that amp/cabinet combination.

[[As a former owner of an Acoustic 301 passive cab and 360/361 system, I can tell you with 98% certainty that a DI was used for that recording... 2% chance that the cab was close-mic'd. Those folded Acoustic cabs didn't burp like that... not without major signal tweaking, as greenboy said.

Well its been too many years since I played through one so I'm sure you're right but its strange that he got that sound throughout his career. You can hear it on the live Weather Report and Joni Mitchell and all the way back to Wayne Cochran.
 
#218
[[Jaco did stick with the Acoustic 360 for a long time... that's probably a good way to end this tangent and get the subject back to Bill's cabinets.

LOL! Well it may be a tangent to you but to those of us who have not heard the BF cabinets its an important point of reference. A kind of 'folded horn to folded horn' comparison if you will.
 
#219
pedro said:
LOL! Well it may be a tangent to you but to those of us who have not heard the BF cabinets its an important point of reference. A kind of 'folded horn to folded horn' comparison if you will.
Click to expand...

Well, my opinion of the Acoustic folded horns matches Bill's: it's not that they don't do midrange and treble, they just do it poorly in comparison to other cabs. And while I haven't heard Bill's cabinets I respect his expertise as much as anyone's. So, I'll refer you back to Bill's own comments!
 

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