I've been looking a lot at lightweight cabs. I just bought one of Bob's last Focus 2s and I'm looking for cabs. I have already ordered a 3-way 1 x 8" from LDS, during which time I've also been painfully trying to decide whether to make it a 1 x 8 or go for a 2 x 8. I think I have settled on the 1 x 8 because the weight really is such an issue for me. I am aiming to have a lightweight rig for 90% of the gigs and then have a second cab for when more is needed.
As for the 1 x 8, Don is currently thinking about how he is going to make the compartment on top that I have requested to house the Focus, AMT preamp, etc. What I want is a compartment where I can transport everything and have it all wired up. With the removable carting option, I can roll everything to the gig, and then when I get there, I just remove the top, plug in the power, plug in the bass and start playing. And all the controls for the Focus, etc. are all conveniently located for me. The trick is to make it with the handle on the removable top (instead of on the left side where Don normally puts it). The cart works for wheeling but when you come to a set of stairs and you have the bass in one hand, you need to be able to lift the cab with the other. Don believes he can use a bunch mini-latches around the removable top and that they will handle the stress.
Anyway, I digress. In my research, with weight being such a key issue for me, yet performance always on my mind, it's interesting how the weight and performance are related.
The ultra lightweight cabs like the Portabass 110 and 112 (now out of production), Flite 1 x 10, and Epi UL-110 (I won't bother with the GK MB stuff) all seem to have definite limitations. I've read all the reviews of these cabs and most of what I read is that when pushed, there is a loss of control or distortion of some kind, or "farting" as some people call it. The Epi seems like it could be the best at this end of the scale but still, it has its limits as Tombowlus has noted. Also has Tombowlus has noted, Don can put a 1 x 10 in the same 14" cube box that houses the 3-way 1 x 8 box setup. I didn't ask him what the weight would be but I would guess low 20 lbs. I wonder what the performance would be especially when pushed. Perhaps if just being used as a second cab, it's not an issue.
I find the the 30 lb plus division very tempting but then I'm falling back into the single solution problem again and will be lugging around close to or more than 40 lbs all the time which puts me back at the Pub's 44 lbs. Cabs like the Acme B-1 and Accugroove Tri110L and of course the LDS 2 x 8 are pretty damn tempting.
With the LDS 3-way 1 x 8 at around 25 lbs or so, it will be interesting to see what the performance is like vs the Pub when pushed. The one thing about the Pub I've always liked is that you can really crank it and the response is consistent.
As for the 1 x 8, Don is currently thinking about how he is going to make the compartment on top that I have requested to house the Focus, AMT preamp, etc. What I want is a compartment where I can transport everything and have it all wired up. With the removable carting option, I can roll everything to the gig, and then when I get there, I just remove the top, plug in the power, plug in the bass and start playing. And all the controls for the Focus, etc. are all conveniently located for me. The trick is to make it with the handle on the removable top (instead of on the left side where Don normally puts it). The cart works for wheeling but when you come to a set of stairs and you have the bass in one hand, you need to be able to lift the cab with the other. Don believes he can use a bunch mini-latches around the removable top and that they will handle the stress.
Anyway, I digress. In my research, with weight being such a key issue for me, yet performance always on my mind, it's interesting how the weight and performance are related.
The ultra lightweight cabs like the Portabass 110 and 112 (now out of production), Flite 1 x 10, and Epi UL-110 (I won't bother with the GK MB stuff) all seem to have definite limitations. I've read all the reviews of these cabs and most of what I read is that when pushed, there is a loss of control or distortion of some kind, or "farting" as some people call it. The Epi seems like it could be the best at this end of the scale but still, it has its limits as Tombowlus has noted. Also has Tombowlus has noted, Don can put a 1 x 10 in the same 14" cube box that houses the 3-way 1 x 8 box setup. I didn't ask him what the weight would be but I would guess low 20 lbs. I wonder what the performance would be especially when pushed. Perhaps if just being used as a second cab, it's not an issue.
I find the the 30 lb plus division very tempting but then I'm falling back into the single solution problem again and will be lugging around close to or more than 40 lbs all the time which puts me back at the Pub's 44 lbs. Cabs like the Acme B-1 and Accugroove Tri110L and of course the LDS 2 x 8 are pretty damn tempting.
With the LDS 3-way 1 x 8 at around 25 lbs or so, it will be interesting to see what the performance is like vs the Pub when pushed. The one thing about the Pub I've always liked is that you can really crank it and the response is consistent.
