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What's in your TL-606?

#2
I have two, both of which are loaded with ElectroVoice EVX-155s

here's a link to the specs on the speaker:

http://www.usspeaker.com/homepage.htm

These were recommended to me by long time TL606 builder and user. I heard on here that these drivers weren't ideal for the 606 and I'm still curious to learn more as to why that might be the case.

So far, they've sounded very good. I use either an old SVT or a Millennia TD-1 into a sturdy power amp.
 
#3
In the "Who's rocking 2 fifteens, no tweeters" thread, Bass_pounder said that he was playing an older Mesa Roadready 2x15 cabinet loaded with Eminence Kappalite 3015's. Since the older Mesa 2x15 is basically stacked TL-606's with nearly identical geometry and originally loaded with the EV speakers, I asked him through PM's what he thought of it now. Here's his reply:

bass_pounder said:
What I have noticed is that without changing my amps settings (Carvin B1500 run flat), they sound very similar at low volumes.

Where the 3015 outshines the EV's is in how loud you can go, and when you add some extra bottom end.

The 3015 seems to have a similar midrange voice to the EV, so cutting through the mix is no problem. However, it can go lower before farting out, and definitely handles alot more power before farting.

My Mesa was an older model that was loaded with the 200 watt EVM15L. So my cab was only rated at 400 watts total. Now it can handle 800-900 watts with ease.

As others have stated, the 3015 is an excellent replacement for the EV. Similar in tone, but can handle gobs more power in the low end.
Click to expand...

Hope this helps.
 
#5
The 15L is correct. Concensus seems to be that the 3015 is a very good replacement choice in a TL 606. I have one loaded in a slightly smaller but similarly designed box and it's really darned good in there. Been thinking about a modded 2 way version of the TL-606. Basically the same internal volume but with a slightly redesigned speaker baffle to allow for a boxed in 6.5" mid driver.

TB'er SingleMalt recently completed a TL-606 also loaded with a 3015. His I believe has the port height configured 1" taller with a corresponding reduction in the height of the speaker baffle, so taller port, lower volume. By report it's got big booty. I haven't heard that cab yet but I'm looking forward to it. I'm guessing that Passinwind probably collaberated on that as he is a Tl-606 maven and we all live within a few miles of each other.
 
#9
There was a time in the mid 70's and early 80's when that's all I used for bass cabs and always built them myself. In the top pic (from 1979) you'll see that I'm running four of them stacked so that the ports are in the center. I used 2 EVM Series II 15L's for the top cabs and 2 EVM Series II 15B's for the bottom cabs.
Back then I ran an Acoustic 370 head with that cab set-up but the night that pic was taken I was using a Peavey because the 370 was in the shop. That rig had MAJOR booty
and a very usable midrange. I still have all of my original Electro-Voice shop drawings for the TL series. Made a few TL-806's as well. And as you'll see in the other pic (from 1981), there's a
TL-806 Quad that I loaded with EVM Series II 12L's. That thing was really amazing for bass but weighed 150 pounds.
One of the best bass cab designs of that era. I'm sure that they still sound good. :bassist: )-(

peaveybass.jpg


rig1984.jpg
 
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#12
+1 on the 3015 in place of the EV-15L. It has a much larger xmax spec than the EV while also having the sweet mids the EV is known for. It also weighs a LOT less (12-15 lbs?)

One cheaper alternative that has worked OK for me has been the
Eminence Beta 15A. My boogie 2x15 is loaded with those and it has a ton of presence. I use a 400RB with it and have NO trouble with volume, bottom or cutting the mix... If I had my druthers I'd drop some 3015's into the boogie to match my 1x15, but, you know, priorities. (I only use the big boogie for outdoor shows, of which I don't get many...)
 
#13
I only built one TL606 but used oak plywood (left over from a job) and stained it natural
Kind of a drag in that it looked like a piece of furniture which made late night careful load ins a drag
 
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#14
Mine have the EV-15B's, but they will likely get swapped out for either 3015s or Carvin NE15-8 neo speakers soon. But we'll see. I'll swap one out and then be able to do direct A/B with the second cab still having the EV in it.

Cheers,
Liam
 
#18
4Mal said:
The 15L is correct. Concensus seems to be that the 3015 is a very good replacement choice in a TL 606.
Click to expand...

doktorfeelgood said:
I used 2 EVM Series II 15L's for the top cabs and 2 EVM Series II 15B's for the bottom cabs.
Made a few TL-806's as well. And as you'll see in the other pic (from 1981), there's a
TL-806 Quad that I loaded with EVM Series II 12L's.
Click to expand...

So do you think the 3012HO would be the equivalent in the
806?
Any opinions on new Eminence versus used EV L.
I like new better than used but I also am not a
fan of the neo, although I might become a convert:hiding:
Also what about the EV DL1_X series?
Thanks.
 
#19
Well I finally received a Eminence 3015 to load into one of my TL-606 cabinets, the over all sound is very similar to the EVM-15B driver ...however it goes a little lower without breaking-up and the mids are somewhat richer/fuller, I had the middle port uncovered, .... all in all, a huge upgrade in sound quality ... IMHO ....anyone sitting on the edge in wanting to upgrade the speakers in thier cabinet's ...this is the way to go ... I'll be ordering another one, so I can have 2 x15's ... I'm powering them with my Bassman 1200 and with just one speaker the sound was much to my liking .... I'll get some photos when the other speaker arrives and I get a chance to load it ...and play a while with the 2 cabinets ...and the differant heads I have
 
#20
I forgot about this thread! I posted a gig review of the cabs with 3015's swapped in over in the "TL-606 owners unite" thread (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528039&page=4) ... here it is:

I am stunned by how good this setup sounds. There's still a ton of richness, but with more clarity and note definition, and with extended lows. One of the telltale differences was on ballads. Often I'll play those up near the neck of my P bass. With the EV's this was just too thick, and the notes had little definition. With the 3015's, the tone when played that way was solid and articulate, but had the mellowness and richness I was going for.

So, I was using just about the same settings on the B1500 as before: eq flat except a bit of cut on treble and sub bass, drive and volume both starting at about 10:00. I did end up cutting the volume a bit, to 9:00, as these seem louder than they were with the EV's. They did the pants flapping very nicely, and I could really feel the bass vibrating my legs as well as hear it.

This is a killer combination. The cabs are different with the 3015's. They retain the same basic character, but are a tiny bit more modern sounding, mostly due to the added extension and clarity. But it's sort of a "vintage modern" if that makes sense, because they are still so rich, warm, and with such great mids. To me, they're just about perfect for what I do, which is mostly classic rock, southern rock, blues, and country. But I can also see using these for jazz and fusion such as Weather Report, Return to Forever, Tribal Tech, etc. For more modern tones, Marcus Miller and other sizzly slap stuff, not so much, but you knew that. They're also each about 12 pounds lighter, which really puts them into a different category. Load in and out was very noticeably easier.

I love these cabs, and this head. I am still very much wanting to try the Hartke LH500 more in depth with the cabs. And I'm also going to run a Carvin BX500 through its paces. But the B1500 is a wonderful thing with these TL606/3015's, and with the superior power handling of the drivers, this setup could be used for some very loud situations. Robert Reynolds of the Mavericks has taken an interest in one of the guys I play with, Ryan Weber (country / southern rock), and is helping us book a ton of shows. I'm going to be doing some outdoor shows at rodeos starting in August with him, as well as a lot of casino circuit stuff. These cabs will be with me when I do.
Click to expand...

Cheers,
Liam
 

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