Stand alone cab-Epifani or Accugroove

I think both cabs will give you what you want, but the accu will probably be more fullrange, and a little more thick sounding than the Epi....I have the EL Whappo, and can only say it is very impressive, and probably one of best stand-alone cabs out there...

 

Both great cabs that sound VERY different. I gig with a 410UL all the time, and have played the El Whappo in a store setting with my WWUltra.

410UL.... As you mentioned, MUCH lighter than the EW... it's spooky lightweight given the sound it puts out. It has a very articulate sound.... tight lows, nice punchy upper mids, and you can dial in as much high end sizzle as anyone could want.

Whappo.... it's a BIG cab and weighs about what a typical 410 weighs. It has a much larger low end than the 410UL... just huge (which IMO is not necessarily a good thing.... but personal taste). It can really put out some DB's in the low end. There are no mid and tweeter attenuators on the newer models, since the upper mids and treble are not pronounced on this cab. Like the BP review, this was actually a negative for me, but others don't think so.

So, both great cabs. This is an oversimplification, but if you like the more forward and articulate bass tones of, for example, Marcus Miller or Victor Wooten, I would suggest that the 410UL matches up with that. If you are strictly a fingerstyle player and love Anthony Jackson's sound, or play a P Bass with flats, etc., the El Whappo might be more your cup of tea.

A final comment without getting into the Accuswitch thing again, but it's pretty clear from all the testing the guys did that the El Whappo is a 4ohm cab. The Epi can be ordered in either 4 or 8. Since you are talking about a stand alone cab, this shouldn't be an issue, since you would most likely go with a 4ohm cab anyway. However, if you for some reason need an 8ohm cab (for example, if you are bridging a power amp that has a minimum safe bridged load of 8ohms), it doesn't seem that the El Whappo would be a good choice.

As always, all of the above is IMO. I'm an Epi410UL lover, so I'm sure you will get some additional info from Accugroove lovers!

 

I have owned both Epifani and Accugroove cabs and they are both excellent cabs. Either one would do the job for you in a fantastic way.

As you have narrowed your choice down to two specific cabs I think all I can advise is too try them both out and see which one your ears like best. They will be quite different beasts as one is a 4x10 and the other 1x15, 1x12 etc. But I think you will have great fun choosing.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Regards

Matthew

 

+1 They sound so different that it will be a very easy choice if you can play out of both of them.

 

you should check out the shroeders too - thats what they are made for, to be a standalone cab...

 

+1 on that also. I would think the 21012 would match up quite nicely with the El Whappo.

 

I agree with everything's that's been said before; all cabs previously recommended are great sounding. You should also probably consider a Whappo, Jr. Because of its having 12s instead of a 15, it's a bit less bumped in the low mids than the regular El Whappo. It definitely keeps up in my band with 2 (loud) guitar players, a heavy hitting drummer and a keyboard player.

It should also be treated as a 4 ohm cab.

I think KJung hits it on the head when he says if you audition them, they're all different enough that one will speak to you.

 

Those are definitely very different sounding cabs. Any insight as to why/how you narrowed it down to those two? Depending on your preferences and/or related gear, there may be other options to consider (Bergantino and EA come to mind, as always! ). As for those two, I have not tried the UL410, though I've heard the UL310, and it's very nice sounding, and great for funk/slap, IMHO. The EW is a huge sounding cab, but I found its low end to be not as easy to control as that of the Whappo, Jr., so I sold my EW and kept the Jr.

 

I agree with Tom, the El Whappo's low end is sometimes hard to handle and I preferred the EW Jr. Still had plenty of low end but tighter and punchier, it can stand alone.
I still prefer the Epi 410UL, 4 ohms, full low end yet tight and punchy too. Sound techs have me turn down in the mix since the Epi projects so well. I've never used the EW or EW Jr. in large venues or outdoors, so I can only speak of the 410UL that can cut above (if needed) our drummer and guitars who can get loud.

 

I just talked with a friend who owns Epi 410UL and also had a El Whappo and said he sold the EW and bought a EW Jr. The 15 was too much bottom for his taste. But he likes both the Epi and EW Jr. for their own differences.
The safe thing to do is to try them both out and compare, that's what I did and why I stayed with the Epi. It's healthy to always try out new gear.

 

I agree with all the above comments about the Epi 410UL. I have never heard the EW but taking the epi's weight and overall sound into account makes it very hard to beat.

GeorgeG.

 

only 10" speakers have that punch and authority to cut thru most mixes for me. and yea, the Epi's lighter than an empty lunchbox.

BUT...

if you're good w/ a parametric EQ, the Accu might be a better match. you could probably tune and tailor your sound to suit most any room, and find that clarity you need.

i.e. there are times when my Acme (similarly neutral sounding cab akin to the Accu) w/ my Demeter HBP-1's parametric EQ will be better adept at handling horrible rooms, and dense onstage mixes, where its not necessarily volume i'm up against, but rather overzealous keyboardists who like LOTS of misguided low end. with a few minor tweaks in a proper parametric EQ, i can zero in on the overlapping, muddying frequency and find clarity for the both of us.

sound too good to be true?

 

You are comparing two totally different cabs. The El Whoppo has a 15" a 12" and a 6" speaker while the Epifani has 4 10" speakers. The Accugroove retails for $2149 while the Epifani retails for $1499. The Accugroove weighs 88lbs, and the Epifani weighs 57lbs. They are very very different. You should compare the El Whappo against the Epifani Custom Anthony Jackson cab that Brandin Stroy was selling recently, it was similar in specs and price. I personally have had an Epifani NYC 310 and UL410 and sold them both for the Epifani 212.

 

The cab is up for sale again if anyone is interested. check the sale forum

 

Care to explain why the 212 was the better choice for you? I'm watching this thread with interest as I've been considering the 410UL, mainly because of its weight advantage, but I'm strictly a fingerstyle player and wonder if the 212 would be more compatible for my playing style (old school pop/rock/r&b/Motown).

 

The EPI or Accugroove. I have the Whoopo Jr and in love with its sound. Very clear and to the point. Has a nice tight bottom and very articulate mids. I don't agree with the no high end like other cabinets do stuff. I get high end and its very smooth. And I have heard people say if you slap its not the cabinet for you. In fact they say that about all there cabinets. But you do need a nice head with lots of power to have it the way you like. I mean The "Budda" plays it and he is one of the best slappers on the planet. He does play his own model but it is so similar to the Whoopo Jr. I have heard the newer epi's and like them alot. Great cabinet and my favorite is the 212 cabinet. I just like the older models (T versions) just alittle bit better. I also love the Berg's. I think they also have a great product with a great owner. Me, Im going to get another cabinet and it will be a berg. But Im not saying Im taking a berg over the whoopo. There just different. But my taste tells me my favorite is the Whoopo JR.
But another great cabinet will be nice.

 

if i may,

the UL212 has a slightly more pillowy easy kinda sound vs. the more upfront punch you in the chest tone of the ULx10's.

IMHO, for your needs, i think the UL212 would be right up your alley.

 

The Accugroove sounds great for MM slap tones. Plenty of high end IME with a good preamp. It's kinda big but very easy to move around, and a good height for the amp too. Treat it as a 4 ohm cab though.

 

Thanks!