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The Official EBS Club

... Cabs, I know EBS do not make 15's or 18's, and something to keep in mind, is we tune down one full step, and the frequency changes from going from standard pitch to one step down, and the Bag End 15's handle it, but it seems there is still a bit farting out, so I back the bass off a little and it sounds fine!...
But EBS *do* make 15s, in both the "Pro" and "Neo" cabinet lines. I've got a pair of the EBS Neo 212s that I'm very fond of. Did some A/B/C between one of them and various Aguilar and Mesa cabs, and it had a deeper and more pure bottom than any of them. Never played through an EBS 115, but they are spec'ed to go lower, but aren't as loud. I was able to make the 212s fart out very slightly, once, experimenting with driving them with a 1500W Crown power amp at a stupidly loud volume. The main downside of the EBS 115s and 212s is that they're all 4 ohm cabs, which means that, to use a stacked pair, you need either a 2-ohm capable head (i.e. not a Reidmar, which sucks because I think a Reidmar 750 would be perfect for me otherwise) or a stereo power amp configuration.
 
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I’ve tried a bunch of EBS cabs, tds. The 410, 210, 115, 311...right now I have two 311 cabs. They dont make these anymore, but it’s a great cab in that it houses a 15”, 10”, and 2” tweeter. I actually have one for sale now as I dont need it anymore. I liked them so much I bought two. :)

I’ve tried the single EBS fifteen and wasn’t impressed. It farted out on the real low, lows. I actually think I blew the speaker then sold it off. The 210 is quite good. Same with the Neo 410, but not enough low end for me.

I love my 311, but I’m actually considering the Accugroove El Whappo, but it’s pricey. One day...

My fafner I can only barely turn up too. Not even a quarter of the way. Endless amounts of power!
 
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The Fafner is not super powerful just because it is loud turned up 20% of the dial!
That is just the gain structure! I personally find these "hyper gain" amps to be an annoyance, especially when aiming for smaller adjustments on stage.
I suspect it is about as powerful as an honest 5-700W amp is, no more, no less!

Though I sold off all my EBS cabs years ago, I owned a few (2*210, 410, 212 Neo, 311 and 15F) and tried even more of them.
They are generally fairly high tuned (not much deep bass), have high sensitivity, articulate tone, a very nice tweeter. However, the build quality is not impressive, even if they are made in Sweden. They were all leaking through the panel joints (minimal amount of glue, I guess), minimal or no internal bracing, the sawing and drilling was crude with wood chips flaking off etc, paint was thin and uneven etc. A couple of the cabs had second grade plywood even on the baffle, with cut outs and filled in pieces to cover up where a knot had been removed.

The 311 also has no crossover for the 15" or 10". The same 15" was used in 311 and 15F, a very modest Eminence model. Good luck pushing 500W of down tuned 6 stringer through that driver!

Actually, the cabs were leaking so much, you could notice a slight breeze on cab corners and around connector panels. I spent hours removing transducers and sealing every joint with silicone seal. BT,DT. Moved over to DIY and Ampeg cabs, with good results.
 
Yes, I now remember Alexander not being too fond of the EBS cabs. To his their own I suppose. I just find it interesting that your part of a company themed thread you continue to bash.

I just know for me that I’ve tried A LOT. And not just EBS. Ampeg, Mesa, Bergantino...I even have a Vanderkley 212 that I’m really into at the moment. I’m always trying new stuff. But for some reason I come back to the 311. It’s a fail-safe.
 
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Yes, I now remember Alexander not being too fond of the EBS cabs. To his their own I suppose. I just find it interesting that your part of a company themed thread you continue to bash.

I just know for me that I’ve tried A LOT. And not just EBS. Ampeg, Mesa, Bergantino...I even have a Vanderkley 212 that I’m really into at the moment. I’m always trying new stuff. But for some reason I come back to the 311. It’s a fail-safe.

I do not know if you suggest I should not write anything less than uber positive about EBS?
I like the brand - the amps are among the best there is, the combos are definitely better than most (in their size), the pedals are intuitive and stage worthy, the strings are a favorite of mine and so on.
However, having owned and used so many of their cabs for years (from outdoor festival stages to small, quiet gigs), seen the cost cutting measures, and compared the prices, I felt a bit disappointed.

Given their price tags, the limited or non-existing possibility to "try before you buy" (especially outside Europe), the use of more or less "off the shelf" drivers etc, I feel obliged to share my experience. And I would say I share it respectfully and objectively, as I do really like the company. Plywood grades, bracing, gluing panel joints, sealing gaps, proper paint etc are NOT a question of "taste", it is about proper manufacturing.
 
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Alright, Alex. I respect your opinion. Maybe perhaps you got a bad cab or two? Did that ever cross your mind? I really don’t see those issues on the cabs that I have.

I do agree that the stuff is uber pricey. Especially here in the US. Keeps a lot of folks away from even trying. I know there are better cabs out there. It’s tough to keep swapping these things out and I have a hard time reselling the EBS brand. I mind as well just keep the cabs with these prices.

EBS still makes strings? I used to use the northern lights. Liked them very much.
 
Also, Alex you mention LOW lows. How are you getting the lows you want with an Ampeg 210 or 410 cab? I’ve never been satisfied with that arrangement in any given brand. Perhaps blues rock doesn’t require as much.
 
Well, over the years, I have had two combos (Drome gen 1 and Classic 60, both without leakage etc), as well as ProLine 210 (2 pcs), 410, 15F and 311 + NeoLine 212. They spanned at least a decade of production, all with a consistent "budget" execution.

As for deep bass, EBS seem honest about the ProLine specs, and the 410 is spec:ed to roll off around 70 Hz, and that seems about right.

Since years, I use Ampeg SVT-410HLF, which starts rolling off in the mid 40s. I have longer ports in mine, extending the bass below that, at the expense of sensitivity. It goes deep and loud even with my active five string, FAR beyond the point where my EBS cabs were choking, compressing and farting out.

The only cab from EBS that approaches the HLF for deep, loud bass is probably the NeoLine 410. About twice the price, and I assume (right or wrong) that it still leaks, lacks bracing etc.

EBS cabs are articulate, with maybe the best tweeter I have heard in a bass cab, and they are robust and easy to handle. (I think they have a unique, cool look, too.) The shortcomings in manufacturing can be corrected with time and effort. For deep, loud bass, other brands will give you far more for your money. It is not even an opinion, just a fact.
 
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Thanks for the link guys. I will get the book and t-shirt special.

You really should check out Marc Vanderkley’s line of cabs. Your already over there in Europe, so they shouldn’t be hard to try out. Build quality is superb. Loving my 212LNT rated 1200 Watts! Best 212 I’ve heard yet.

Home

Also, AccuGroove has some really great cabs. Build quality is top notch. They are the most expensive cabs I have ever seen. In particular, the El Whappo.

AccuGroove, bass cabs, FRFR cabs, bass cabinets, guitar cabs
 
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Oh, and the 311 does go down quite low to 40Hz or so...
 
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But EBS *do* make 15s, in both the "Pro" and "Neo" cabinet lines. I've got a pair of the EBS Neo 212s that I'm very fond of. Did some A/B/C between one of them and various Aguilar and Mesa cabs, and it had a deeper and more pure bottom than any of them. Never played through an EBS 115, but they are spec'ed to go lower, but aren't as loud. I was able to make the 212s fart out very slightly, once, experimenting with driving them with a 1500W Crown power amp at a stupidly loud volume. The main downside of the EBS 115s and 212s is that they're all 4 ohm cabs, which means that, to use a stacked pair, you need either a 2-ohm capable head (i.e. not a Reidmar, which sucks because I think a Reidmar 750 would be perfect for me otherwise) or a stereo power amp configuration.

Thank you for letting me know, I will look more into it! BTW The FAFNER 2 does 750 @2 Ohms, so that would be great!
 
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PA power amps. Originally a swedish LabGruppen Lab 1000 (which was heavy and not very powerful, considering its 2x600 Watts into 4 Ohms rating), and since many years QSC PLX 1804 or 3602, depending on what features I need. The 3602 has some added filters and switches. They are both transparant and gives a lot more heft and "slam" than a typical bass amp.

And yes, I live in Sweden.

Alex. Do you like the 3602 best?

I had an opportunity to buy an older EBS power amp. The EP 800 head. These are hard to find. What do you think of them? Probably not as efficient as a newer QSC...
 
Can anybody on here give me instructions as to how to convert my Reidmar 500 from a 250V to a 120 V amp.

Looks like I will need to flip a little red switch on the back and get a 120V three prong power cable. But Do I need to get inside of it and change a fuse?