Starting Over/new rig

If you don't want to build, what about a GK 212, or 2x 112, they are pretty light.

 

I'm afraid I can't comment on GB as I have never played or heard one live.

I have a GK MB112 (combo version) and the low B sounds good through it, but it is lacking in volume for some of my needs. I plan on upgrading to a Barefaced Big Baby 2 in the near future, which is not much bigger and is about the same weight.

The BB2,should be equivalent (in dB) to a GK 212 (at least that is what I am told).

 

The Big Baby 2 uses a 12XN550 driver, which I believe is exclusive to Barefaced. For more info, I suggest you check out the Barefaced thread, or you can see more about the driver here:
http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/12XN550.htm

 

I play a lot of 70's classics and try get a classic "Fender" sound. I use the GK MB212, very light weight and portable, sound really good and capable of much more volume than Ill likely ever need.

 

A 212 w/3012HOs is still going to be overkill, but...what a way to go ! Add a HF driver if you like. If you end up thinking it's too clean, pick up an OD/Distortion pedal.

Betcha you'd be pleasantly surprised by a quote from Don on this box. Also thinking it could come in a 55 lbs. or maybe even a smidge lighter.

 

1. Barefaced doesnt use off the shelf drivers. So no a clone can not be built.
2. LDS could build you a fine cab, but a Dually it will not be.

Depends on what signal you put in to it. I have fEARful, fEARless, and greenboy design cabs. None of them are "too clean", and are as clean or dirty as I make them.

 

If you dig two speakers working together, and you have injuries limiting your lift, go modular.
I'd suggest playing everything you can get your hands on and go from there. I wouldn't order a custom cab having never heard and played one personally.
Seems you're getting tones out of your rigs (not overly expensive ones) that you dig- I wouldn't get overly hung up on custom stuff.
I gigged and toured a GENZ 410XB for quite a few years- great cab. But I've also played a bunch of GKs as back lines that sounded equally great.
Play everything available if possible, and if you can't find your tone then start investigating why. Could be the cabs limits- could be something else.
Enjoy the process!

 

You may well prefer one of the GreenBoy boxes, but IIRC, they're Hi-Fi, too. I think the Eminence drivers are, if anything, less Hi-Fi than the Faitals.

 

They represent what you put in to them. They will do HiFi, they will do dirt. Just depends on the signal you feed them.

 

The Faith Pro 15PR400 is more vintage tonally.

 

Sounds like a lot of guys around here consider the Greenboy cabs "hifi". Some love it, others don't.
I wouldn't buy one unless you can play one first, unless you have the cash to blow and a strong sense of adventure. I do, and am considering building one just for poops and giggles
I'd probably suggest a Berg 212 if you're looking to "come close" to the cab you had.
I very much doubt that a Basic is going to sound much like your old 212, but that's just an educated guess from reading posts by those in the know. However, I would point out that Ed "mr whisperer" seems to love his new 112, and he sure loved GB too.....
I'd listen to his opinion for sure- great player and lot's of mileage- mad respect for him....

 

You get what you put into any cab. But cabs have their own voice. If you go the LDS route you can tell Don what you want out of your box and he will tell you if it is possible and then build what you want. These other cabs are described as HiFi Because they are . HiFi should mean you get out more of what you put in and less coloration from the design of the speaker. So then you can add and subtract what you need to through EQ to get where you want to be tone wise for you. You may also find you don't like the sound of your bass with these revealing cabs or your amp might no longer be up to snuff. Always tradeoffs with gear.

 

I've heard lots of guys echo your thoughts, enough so that it sounds like a consensus. If the tone you're after is one of gear with baked in tones, you should look at gear with that baked in tone. Eqs and pedals may get you close though. My vt pedal gets me kinda close to an svt, but it's not an svt. I don't want my bass to sound like my event 20/20s live. Just my tone goals.
Play before you buy (if you can), and then play what you dig!

 

I run a Sansamp PBDDI into a power amp, to drive a 12/6 (alpha), and I would not call the tone Hi-Fi. It does have a more solid low end, and is plenty capable up top, but it really depends on what signal your sending. With a more Hi-Fi amp, I can get a Hi-Fi sound. But, that's definitely not all it can do.