• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The cab question of the ages...

E

Emprov

Mar 19, 2003
504
6
Visit site
#1
So I've been searching for the Holy Grail of cabs for the last few years -- something smallish and light that puts out huge low end but, so far, I haven't been able to find it. I've tried Aggie GS112's, Dr. Bass, Avatar and Schroeder. And, while all of them sound fantastic in their own way. none of them seem to give me the huge thump that I used to get on my 215 rig. I know, I know...when it comes to cabs, there's no replacement for displacement. I'm not trying to rule to world or anything, just trying to get some authority behind my tone. Am I chasing a dream here or are there realistic solutions in the way of some 115's or something?

Lately I've been thinking of checking out Genz Benz's neox 212 and my eyes have been falling on some Bag End 115's but I'm thinking that it's gong to be deja vu all over again. BTW, I'm currently using a Neo-Pak but seriously thinking of switching to a 1001RB.
 
#2
Try the Genz Benz Neox 212. It is smallish and light and puts out huge low end. Your Neo-Pak will push it nicely, but the cab is rated at 600W so there is plenty of room to grow. I drive mine with a GBE600, the volume and low-end can get insane if needed.
 
#4
Emprov said:
I know...when it comes to cabs, there's no replacement for displacement. I'm not trying to rule to world or anything, just trying to get some authority behind my tone. Am I chasing a dream here or are there realistic solutions in the way of some 115's or something?
Click to expand...

Dude, I feel your pain. While I haven't tried the specific ones you listed, I have had my share of agonizing over the same issue.
Sometimes I feel like I'm being led down the "primrose path" by the reviews and accolades posted on this forum. I'll get involved reading post after post about some of these miracle cabs and actually start buying into it, while in the back of my addled mind, my common sense tells me it can't be so!

Without naming models, I bought a 2x10 in 2005 without even trying it because so many here touted it's prowess. Just recently I did the same with a 1x12 after starting a thread asking for user's and owner's input. Needless to say both cabs "fart out" on lower notes (four string, no less) at less than mediocre volume.

So, the closest I've come to compact nirvana is the Carvin LS1503 P.A. speaker. I love it and while it's not tiny, it is highly manageable and relatively light while maintaining a bunch of punch. Cheap too!! You may have read these threads but if not, it's worth the time IMO.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336504

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368003
 
#8
Plain Old Me said:
If your main goal is low end, look at an Accugroove.
Click to expand...
Looking at the shootouts, it seems that other cabs do a bit better in the low end. I have a chance at a few Tri112's, haven't pulled the trigger because of the shootouts

zcwilkes said:
ACME
Click to expand...
I've heard that they're pretty hungry for power though.

TomB said:
115 XLT... and I won't even mention a brand name. Tom
Click to expand...
And I won't even mention the weight. :smug:

Fantastic cabs though! And I'm totally willing to admit that I may be chasing a dream, just gotta throw it out there though.
 
#9
lbwdog said:
So, the closest I've come to compact nirvana is the Carvin LS1503 P.A. speaker. I love it and while it's not tiny, it is highly manageable and relatively light while maintaining a bunch of punch. Cheap too!! You may have read these threads but if not, it's worth the time IMO.
Click to expand...
I've actually read those threads. The thing that I wonder about is that they're voiced to be PA cabs which are much different than bass cabs. I have a powered EON 15 that I'll practice through every now and then and it just doesn't seem to have the same attitude, (for lack of a better word), that typical bass cabs will have. The JBL and the Carvin are completely different cabs and all but it's been enough to scare me away so far. Maybe I'll look around here locally to see if anyone carries them. Can't hurt, right?
 
#11
I feel your pain.

I hunted for the same thing, and finally gave up and bought a pair of 15's in cabinets big enough that they really work. Drag one or two dependant on the size of the job. Bought a good hand truck, and cram the whole works in the back of mid size car. Happy now.

Years ago, I worked with a GREAT engineer who would clobber us routinely with "the laws of physics aren't just a good idea, they are the law."

I might be out on the edge here, but big tone = big cabinet volume and big speaker displacement. Not a popular method to tone these days, but one that works at a reasonable cost.
 
#12
The Avatar 2-12 with Neos I had sounded far larger and deeper than any of the 1-12 cabs I've tried. And it sounded bigger and deeper than the Mesa 1-15 cab I had too. The Avatar is not a bad place to start, is a great value, but there are probably 2-12 cabs with superior definition in the highs, an area where I felt the Avatar was a bit lacking.
 
#15
Emprov said:
The thing that I wonder about is that they're voiced to be PA cabs which are much different than bass cabs. I have a powered EON 15 that I'll practice through every now and then and it just doesn't seem to have the same attitude, (for lack of a better word), that typical bass cabs will have.
Click to expand...

The JBL EON and Ls 1503 are night and day. My band unfortunately uses EONs on small gigs and I personally can't stand them even just for vocals.

The best way I can describe the LS1503 is "studio monitor". After 30 some odd years of recording in state of the art studios, I always longed for a rig that sounded like the playback on $10,000 monitors. The cab is very "neutral" and reproduces what you put into it. I'm not trying to sell it but it maybe worth going back and really reading the first few pages of that thread. Greenboy really gives a great technical and subjective explanation why this cab works so very well for bass guitar.(better than bass guitar cabs). Anyhow, good luck on your quest!
 
#16
Emprov said:
I have a powered EON 15 that I'll practice through every now and then and it just doesn't seem to have the same attitude
Click to expand...
---

I'll give you attitude - those Eons SUCK. That's why I didn't write a thread about THEM. I mean, the similarities in designs are EONS apart between them and the Carvin LS series anyway!
 
#17
greenboy said:
---

I'll give you attitude - those Eons SUCK. That's why I didn't write a thread about THEM. I mean, the similarities in designs are EONS apart between them and the Carvin LS series anyway!
Click to expand...
I bought a bunch of first gen EON's for about $150/ea from a guy who owned a DJ business. Sold most of them but I kept one to run everything in my personal practice space. Worked pretty well while I was using it for that, (keys, guitar, bass and CD/mp3), but now it's just taking up space. For how I was using it, it definitely didn't suck but I wouldn't want to gig with it as my main rig, that's not the kind of job that they're designed to handle.
 
#18
lbwdog said:
The JBL EON and Ls 1503 are night and day. My band unfortunately uses EONs on small gigs and I personally can't stand them even just for vocals.
Click to expand...
Ya, the EON's definitely aren't the best things in the world, I did hear a PA setup using the powered 10's and subs and it actually didn't sound that bad -- it sounded a heck of a lot better than other systems that I've heard.

BTW, thanks for the info. Again, I may just look into those.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back