Which Barefaced cab do you prefer and why?

[kcducttaper]

I'm unsettled between the Big Baby 3 and the Super Compact T. I understand the Big Baby 3 is more of an FRFR cabinet where the Super Compact T has some voicing to it. I'll see if I can listen to some youtube comparisons here in the next few days, but what would y'all recommend between these two and why for mostly a home practice rig for a 5-string player that also plays to drop A and doesn't want to lose any 'depth' that is often lost on many smaller cabs?

 

[gtirard]

Did you ask Alex? Send him an email directly, he's great at giving tailored advices, according to each bassist needs and preferences.

I could tell you that I love my Super Compact, other members will tell you they love their BB3, but at the end of the day, only your preferences matter.

Here's a good demo in the meantime…

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

In my experience, the Big Baby produces massive lows in addition to the extended high frequency range.

The Super Compact (like its big brother, the Super Twin) begins to roll off at about 4K although you can push it a bit higher with your EQ that leverages the speaker dome's capability. The tweeter version will push the higher frequencies with more ease. I found the SC/ST is a more natural fit with electric bass guitar, which also starts rolling off at 4K. Alex calls it "honest sound." Not sure what that means; my label would be balanced, natural sound that fits the standard instrument's voice in context of a band.

My preference is the ST/SC, but the Big Baby is also an excellent cab. You should try to play through both with your own bass(es) and amp(s) -- even if it means taking a road trip. View it as a permanent purchase that's worth the investment of time.

 

[KenD]

@Sonoma Bass : Do you have any experience with a 5 string low B playing through a Super Mini (formerly called a Super Midget)?

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

@Sonoma Bass : Do you have any experience with a 5 string low B playing through a Super Mini (formerly called a Super Midget)?

Yes, I used to own a Super Midget and had a 5-string Fender jazz bass. I thought the low B was adequate, but depending on your taste that note might not have enough "ummph" in a band context. To my ears, the SM had a clean, polite tone. The Super Twin and Big Baby had a bigger sound and feel -- very strong with low B. I have not owned or played a SC so can't answer that one by comparison.

 

[monsterthompson]

Based on my experience with the SC and BB2, I’d lean toward the BB3 in this situation for the depth of the lows out of the larger enclosure.

The SC could be enough with the right amp and EQ but I’d go BB3 if there are no other limitations here such as cost or portability.

What amp are you running?

 

[Dee-man]

Given the OP's desire not to lose any depth when playing a low B or dropped down A, between the BB3 and SCT, the BB3 is the clear choice, IMHO. The Super Twin may be as good, but I don't have any experience with that cab. The Barefaced website would advise you to get the BB3, just poke around and you'll find the info.

All that said, the BB3 is overkill for typical home practice (but sounds fantastic).. Good luck!

 

[chris_b]

All advice is dependent on how loud you want to play at home.

I'm a 5 string player and for home practice I use 1 or 2 One10's. But I only play at low volume levels. My low B's sound great. IMO the quality of your sound is defined by your amp. I use Aguilar amps and never get a bad sound.

For gigs I have an SM, SC and BB2.

My go to is an SM+SC rig. I will gig the SC on its own for smaller gigs, but I use the SM+BB2 for loud or outdoor gigs.

 

[jimmydean]

I own the BB3 and have played the ST.......the BB3 gives me everything I need/want and it handles a 5 better than anything I have ever used , that's my 2 cents .

 

[lomo]

I have owned the SC, BB3 and have settled on a 210/110 stack. The SC is basically a BB3 without meaningful content over 4 Khz. For all extents and purposes its lows are the same and its overall max volume a little higher than the SC. Both are essentially flat within their respective ranges. The only reasons to prefer a BB3 involve needing the high end......for slap, maybe certain effects, double use as a PA or for keys. FWIW, in the end I found the BF 12 series boxes to be too accurate for my taste. They have way more low end than I want/need in my sound (which can be dialed out on demand) and I prefer the inherently tighter bottom and paper cone breakup of the 10s........and the tiny footprint of my 310 stack is a major bonus. Hope that helps.

 

[Superbird]

FWIW, in the end I found the BF 12 series boxes to be too accurate for my taste.

I’m heading that way also. My BB3 is fantastic, but the 12XN voicing needs to be managed a fair amount for my tone. I have a Three 10 coming next year and can’t wait to get it.

 

[kcducttaper]

The SC is basically a BB3 without meaningful content over 4 Khz.

Well, this is where I'm a little confused. On the website, they both have effectively the same specs down to 30Hz . If that's the case, then why is there a whole different enclosure for both boxes?

I’m heading that way also. My BB3 is fantastic, but the 12XN voicing needs to be managed a fair amount for my tone. I have a Three 10 coming next year and can’t wait to get it.

I've often heard this, but I kinda wonder if that might be a good thing. I exclusively use IEM's these days unless I'm just practicing, so if I have a very flat and accurate cab, it seems like that would help me shape my tone at my bass and/or pedal board to send to FOH instead of relying on my amp for my tone.

 

[monsterthompson]

.

Well, this is where I'm a little confused. On the website, they both have effectively the same specs down to 30Hz . If that's the case, then why is there a whole different enclosure for both boxes?

Don’t be confused. The two sound similar and can probably be EQ’d to sound almost identical in many cases. However they are not identical in all scenarios. The lows are bigger (or capable of being bigger) in the BB design when using the same source. I suspect the difference is more/less noticeable at certain output levels.

The SC was meant to be compact. The BB has the HF compression driver which wouldn’t fit in the same enclosure so it had to be bigger and then tuned for its size. A reason for the change from the BB2 to BB3 design was to allow full sized amps to sit on top without overhang. Changing the size meant tweaking the tuning of the cab again. The goal is to have the 12” cabs sound like they come from the same family. But if you line up the SM, SC, and BB and play the exact same rig into them without changing the volume or EQ settings, you will hear differences.

 

[Superbird]

Well, this is where I'm a little confused. On the website, they both have effectively the same specs down to 30Hz . If that's the case, then why is there a whole different enclosure for both boxes?


I've often heard this, but I kinda wonder if that might be a good thing. I exclusively use IEM's these days unless I'm just practicing, so if I have a very flat and accurate cab, it seems like that would help me shape my tone at my bass and/or pedal board to send to FOH instead of relying on my amp for my tone.

It can be a good thing. I’m mostly in ear live also. The 12XN lets you hear everything very well. If you feed it great tone, you get it. Or the opposite is true. I will revial every flaw in the signal chain.

 

[chris_b]

It can be a good thing. I’m mostly in ear live also. The 12XN lets you hear everything very well. If you feed it great tone, you get it. Or the opposite is true. I will revial every flaw in the signal chain.

I know people who didn't like the sound when they replaced their cab with a Barefaced.

The cab gets the blame but the sound of the amp probably had issues, which they can now hear, because the cab isn't smoothing out the sound.

 

[Guitarodeo]

I've owned both the SC and BB2. Both will do the 5 string just fine. I prefer the ability of the BB to hit deeper and higher, without necessarily tuning my rig to those limits depending on the venue. Now that I have the BB2 (FR800 format), there's no going back.

 

[Dp1363]

I own 2 BB2'S and they can handle anything. I went through many different cabs before settling on the BB2's and haven't had a need to try anything else since. I'm sure the new BB3'S are fantastic as well.

 

[gtirard]

I know people who didn't like the sound when they replaced their cab with a Barefaced.

The cab gets the blame but the sound of the amp probably had issues, which they can now hear, because the cab isn't smoothing out the sound.

LOL, maybe the sound of the amp, or the player's less than perfect playing technique. The only drawback of these Barefaced cabs is that they are not very forgiving: the sound is so precise that you hear everything including fret buz and bad muting technique. My Super Compact has humbled me, it forces me to work.

Also, there seem to be this idea that the 10CR cabs have a flattering sound with any amp whereas the 12XNs need a special EQ on the amp because they are "too honnest". Or at least that's what I thought when I first bought my One10 — I was afraid that a 1x12 would require some knob tweeking in order to get a good sound. I've changed my mind after buying the Super Compact. Now I think it sounds great even with all the EQ knobs at noon. It takes a little time to get used to it at first though.

 

[alexclaber]

Could any of you Barefaced owners help me out? We had a very sad email from the mother of a young Barefaced owner who died in a tragic accident and now they're looking to sell his mint condition Big Twin 3. I've messaged the talkbass admin to ask if I can list it in the classifieds but no response yet. If any of you are supporting members, could you list it for her?

 

[gtirard]

Could any of you Barefaced owners help me out? We had a very sad email from the mother of a young Barefaced owner who died in a tragic accident and now they're looking to sell his mint condition Big Twin 3. I've messaged the talkbass admin to ask if I can list it in the classifieds but no response yet. If any of you are supporting members, could you list it for her?

How sad.
Maybe you would get more help if you post this in the main Barefaced thread? This one is quite new, it is followed by a few readers IMHO.