Used 1x15 cab choices

[cornfarmer]

R∅DE NT1000 through a Studer 169. Sometimes a Microtech Gefell UMT70S.

 

[Zooberwerx]

This guy gets it.

Somebody gave it to me…I want a second. It’s a bit of a ventriloquist: I have it parked near my sofa but the sound appears to be emanating from the TV 10 feet away.

Riis

 

[Hundred proof]

I have the MM cab , came with an EV15b … has great mid-bass roar very old school paired with a ACC Acoustic 140 head.

 

[Lobster11]

It sort of sounds like you're assigning a certain 'sound' to a particular speaker diameter. IME, it doesn't really work that way. But I also think a music store with as many old marginal cabs as the ones you listed would probably be pretty well motivated to make you a screaming deal, just to move one of those things out of inventory.

This is an important point. It simply isn't true that 15" speakers have some particular kind of sound that can't be had from 10's or 12's -- it all depends on the particular cabinet(s). Just because you aren't enamored of your current cab (with 12" speaker) doesn't mean you should go in search of a 15. For example, a 2x10 would move about the same amount of air as a 1x15, and you might well like any particular 2x10 better than any particular 1x15.

 

[Al Kraft]

REV's post mirrors my thoughts exactly. A stacked pair's tone can be surprisingly different than a single. Fuller and "beefier" due to speaker coupling.

Anyway, best of luck in your search and I hope it works out.

+1...I am always surprised (and very pleased) at the effect when I add a second identical cab.

 

[bertthebassist]

If they are in OK condition, these get my vote
Mesa Boogie 1x15 (no model #)
SWR Workingman's 1x15

 

[cornfarmer]

tomato tomahto potato potahto

So I got the Mesa 1x15 today. Cheap cash deal out the door. Played it back to back with the SVT-15EN and homebrew with the EVM-15L. I didn't even try the others because they were rat fur specials except the Ashdown, which was MIC, which I can't get on board with from anybody. The Ampeg was a US built one, and sounded darker/dull to me. The homebrew cab was similar to the Mesa (see below) but was lacking in the lows. The Mesa was kind of in the sweet spot, where the clarity was great while sounding full enough for me in the low and low mids. I think the Thiele design helps make this a no brainer. The amp was a new Laney Digbeth set flat w/ very mild gain settings.

I popped it open and found a 400w EVM-15L inside. It looked like no one had ever opened it, I assume this is mostly likely the stock speaker. It fits in the spot the 12" lived, and I didn't have to stack more crap (another cab? F no) in an otherwise full room. Thanks for the valuable and non-valuable input, you don't have to go home but feel free to come back and tell me I really need three Phil Jones 16x8's to feel and experience the perceived nonsense living in everyone else's head except my own preferred perceived nonsense. I like my nonsense better, at least it doesn't smell as bad.

 

[bertthebassist]

Good choice. I like the old Mesa cabs...just can't lift them anymore.
I dislike rat fur too. I don't like to think about what had accumulated in the rat fur over 20 + years.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Well, for one thing I'm certainly not trying to take up more space and add another cab to the picture. My early rigs were a single 15" of some sort, that's the sound I know, that's the sound I like. It's the sound I always come back too. I've done 4x10, 2x10, 2x12, all decent but just not my bag.

2x15 would be the shizznitt but I don't need to move that much air recording at home.

The choices that am happily living with fifteen-wise are:

A) Low budget, JBL E140-8's loaded into common-old Peavey "silver strip" 115 cabs, and they sound great.

B) The heck with a budget, Mesa Subway 115's, and they sound even better.

: )

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

tomato tomahto potato potahto

So I got the Mesa 1x15 today. Cheap cash deal out the door. Played it back to back with the SVT-15EN and homebrew with the EVM-15L. I didn't even try the others because they were rat fur specials except the Ashdown, which was MIC, which I can't get on board with from anybody. The Ampeg was a US built one, and sounded darker/dull to me. The homebrew cab was similar to the Mesa (see below) but was lacking in the lows. The Mesa was kind of in the sweet spot, where the clarity was great while sounding full enough for me in the low and low mids. I think the Thiele design helps make this a no brainer. The amp was a new Laney Digbeth set flat w/ very mild gain settings.

I popped it open and found a 400w EVM-15L inside. It looked like no one had ever opened it, I assume this is mostly likely the stock speaker. It fits in the spot the 12" lived, and I didn't have to stack more crap (another cab? F no) in an otherwise full room. Thanks for the valuable and non-valuable input, you don't have to go home but feel free to come back and tell me I really need three Phil Jones 16x8's to feel and experience the perceived nonsense living in everyone else's head except my own preferred perceived nonsense. I like my nonsense better, at least it doesn't smell as bad.


View attachment 7109570
View attachment 7109569

Nice, congratulations.

: )

 

[agedhorse]

Note that the “400 W” EV driver is only good for about 250-300 watts RMS.

The driver was originally rated at 200 watts RMS but was later changed by using a different rating system rather than any meaningful changes to the driver components themselves, just an adhesive update.

 

[cornfarmer]

Note that the “400 W” EV driver is only good for about 250-300 watts RMS.

The driver was originally rated at 200 watts RMS but was later changed by using a different rating system rather than any meaningful changes to the driver components themselves, just an adhesive update.

Thank you sir as usual. My most powerful amps are only 250w @ 4 Ohms so it works out. Was this the 'Diesel' line or something else? It came with the casters (removed in the pic).

 

[agedhorse]

It looks like a Diesel to me (on my phone at least).

 

[Gizmot]

Note that the “400 W” EV driver is only good for about 250-300 watts RMS.

The driver was originally rated at 200 watts RMS but was later changed by using a different rating system rather than any meaningful changes to the driver components themselves, just an adhesive update.

I know you believe that but it’s not true. All EVM speakers were tested using EIA RS426 standard which was done for a minimum of 8 hours. In actual practice, the testing was started at the end of the work day and allowed to run overnight so it was over 12 hours in duration. Yes - adhesives were changed as better ones became available, but EV would not have used the rating if the product didn’t pass the tests.

 

[agedhorse]

I know you believe that but it’s not true. All EVM speakers were tested using EIA RS426 standard which was done for a minimum of 8 hours. In actual practice, the testing was started at the end of the work day and allowed to run overnight so it was over 12 hours in duration. Yes - adhesives were changed as better ones became available, but EV would not have used the rating if the product didn’t pass the tests.

We will have to disagree.

In practice for MI bass guitar applications they didn’t hold up mechanically with 400 watt RMS rated power amps. At lower power levels however, they were great speakers. Remember that were one of EV’s larger OEM customers, and when they started pushing back on warranty returns/claims, we had to shift to a more appropriate driver.

For PA use, properly high passed, they were also ok, especially for full range applications, but not for subwoofer use… the EVX was a much better choice IME.

That said, the 15L remains one of my all time favorite drivers for lower powered applications.

 

[Gizmot]

We will have to disagree.

In practice for MI bass guitar applications they didn’t hold up mechanically with 400 watt RMS rated power amps. At lower power levels however, they were great speakers. Remember that were one of EV’s larger OEM customers, and when they started pushing back on warranty returns/claims, we had to shift to a more appropriate driver.

For PA use, properly high passed, they were also ok, especially for full range applications, but not for subwoofer use… the EVX was a much better choice IME.

That said, the 15L remains one of my all time favorite drivers for lower powered

We will have to disagree.

In practice for MI bass guitar applications they didn’t hold up mechanically with 400 watt RMS rated power amps. At lower power levels however, they were great speakers. Remember that were one of EV’s larger OEM customers, and when they started pushing back on warranty returns/claims, we had to shift to a more appropriate driver.

For PA use, properly high passed, they were also ok, especially for full range applications, but not for subwoofer use… the EVX was a much better choice IME.

That said, the 15L remains one of my all time favorite drivers for lower powered applications.

Yes - the EVX with its 4-inch voice coil is a much better choice for subwoofer use. That’s what it was designed for. The 15L was actually designed for guitar use, but when bass players heard it’s more extended range they liked it too. Maybe some day we can have a more detailed discussion about other nuances that came into play here.

 

[daddymactx]

Their scarce, but If you run across an older Genz Benz Focus 15, snatch it. Not super heavy at 46 lbs, but clear powerful and versatile. I used the crap out of mine from 2013, and even though its currently in bkup/semi-retired mode, its still a beast. Currently using Mesa 15's!! The Focus is looking at possibly being passed down to my son @J-Clean LoL!!! Happy New Year!!!

 

[rodl2005]

The Bassman 115s, the Pro Neo ones are beauties too.
Tweeter off, it's like an old friend.
Handles most of what the Super Bassman can throw at it too.
Use it mostly with a 100w V4B

 

[4Mal]

There's nothing to recommend the JBL MI-15, nor a Sonic cab for that matter, which would probably be mismatched to the driver in any case. If the Music Man has the original driver in it, that's probably the better choice. If it doesn't, I'd give them both a pass. Better cabs will come along.

The RH-115 simply will not make usable low end. I went through the MM phase 10 years ago. Discovered that the heads depend on some components that are near to un-obtanium and regardless of driver (JBL, Gauss, EV) that cab simeolynwouldn't go deep.

On the other hand I have a Sonic 1x15 I bought at a GC near O'Hare 25 to 30 years ago. It is a compact cab with a front slot port. Rat Fur... I've had myriad drivers in it. None sounded bad, most were good enough to gig with. A Black Widow 1508 was in there a long time as it just worked well. Very JBL D-140'ish top end. The cab itself is good enough that I cloned it years ago. The clone is at a rehearsal place and thr Sonic itself is in storage as we just down sized.

If it is the small Sonic, front slot port I'd be inclined to do that. I'd load it up with a Black Widow if I didn't have to move it often. Probably a KL3015 if I had to port it around to gigs and such. The KL (Kappa Lite) worked but the BW sounded better to me.

 

[Redbrangus]

Well the cab is just a cab. I still wouldn't advise swapping drivers in and out of enclosures without understanding how the cabinet tuning interacts with the specific driver. Almost anything will 'work', after a fashion, but that doesn't mean its performance isn't compromised by a poor fit. In the OP's case, we know two things about the Sonic cab: it has a mediocre driver in it, and the cabinet tuning doesn't necessarily match that driver. I guess that doesn't disqualify the enclosure itself, but it makes the speaker system as a whole a poor choice for the OP, IMHO.