• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Which cab to build?

oleskool

oleskool

Sep 27, 2011
184
2
Detroit, Mi.
#1
So, I'm going to build a cab. I have two options in mind.
1. Two BFM jack 10's, one with tweeter array, one without, and a switch to turn off the tweeter array if needed.

2.Fearful 15/6, same switch to turn off the 6 if needed.

Question..if it were YOU which option would you choose, and why? Both are great choices, and I'm sure i'll be happy either way, but i'm interested in hearing what you all have to say.
 
#2
For me, I would go with the 15/6. It has a flatter response from what I have seen, which is a plus for me (but I understand for some its not). That way my DI signal to the FOH, if available, will pretty closely match what is coming from my cab.

If I was building a Jack, I would be looking at the J15 with a 3015 or 15PR400.

Side note about the 15/6, switching the mid driver off isnt going to work as a stand alone cab. The 3015LF is not a stand alone driver. It needs to be crossed over somewhere around 800-1.2khz with a suitable mid driver.

I might also take a look at the TL606 plans. Converting them over to 1/2" and adding a good bracing scheme would get you a pretty light cab. Tuning it to work with either the 3015 or 15PR400 would get you a killer cab as well.
 
#3
I think a Jack 210 is also an option, or am I incorrect?

Which driver (& what ohms) are you thinking about for the Jack?

Are you thinking 3015LF & 6ND410 for the possible 15/6?

And how many watts RMS does your amp put out @ 4 & 8?

I think BFM boxes are super, but so is a 3015LF/6ND410 15/6.

Leaning 15/6 actually. With a 3015LF/6ND410 it's just a magnificent cab.
 
#4
If you're half decent with wood working I'd go for the BFM design. I wouldn't opt for the Jack I'd likely go for an Omni 12 as I'm a huge fan of super efficient folded horns. These cabs are also designed around readily available eminence drivers so the heavy math is already done for you. Another plus is you don't need a massive amp to get really loud volumes.
 
#7
I'm total fEARful queer, and I justhad three shotsof tequila, so I'll just shut and let other do the intelligent talking about fEARfuls.

But you're talking about turning off the 6 mid. Don't do it. The 15 ff sub without the 6 sounds dreadful. I'm stunned at what the 6 brings to the party. It's like a rainbow... without the 6, it would be a rainbow with just violet hues.

But the 1"? Tweeters suck. They're for guitar plyers and keyboard geeks. Notneeded in bass aps, unless you love round-wound squeak and feedback squeals. Do your tone a ffavor and leave it out! )My geezer humble opinion.)

rigsmall.jpg



BTW, whatever CL400 Peavey says regarding: fEARFuls, listen to him. He know his stuff. he's a god.
 
#14
The tweeter can bring a great deal to the party if you play acoustic bass. Really puts that feeling of "air" into the notes. I understand it also brings sizzle to the table if you need that for snapping/popping (I don't play that technique). The tweeter in the Fearful design is MUCH better than run-of-the-mill tweeter/crossovers in standard commercial cabs. It's not a big deal to add. Keep your mind open - you never know when you might need it. And you can always turn it off.
 
#15
Good replies. i will most likely go with Faital for the drivers in either choice. I think, I made that choice after reading they had better low end. I am using a Harke ha3500 for amplification right now. I might take a chance on the Ampeg PF 500, but all the bad reports have me still sitting on the fence. I also have a project in the works with a guy who is well known in the audiophile kit amp game. I'm trying to get him to help me supply a kit modeled after the Ampeg b-15. I like to play Reggae, Old Motown, funky stuff, but most of all blues. So with this taken into consideration any other advice?
 
#16
Whatever you decide to do I wish you good luck.

However, I will say with a fair bit of confidence that if you build a fEARful and 100% stick to the design plans, you will not be disappointed. Although there have been some who weren't enamored by these cabs, my strong feeling is that they are a small minority.

You may also want to check out the greenboy forums. Lots of info there.
 
#17
oleskool said:
Good replies. i will most likely go with Faital for the drivers in either choice. I think, I made that choice after reading they had better low end. I am using a Harke ha3500 for amplification right now. I might take a chance on the Ampeg PF 500, but all the bad reports have me still sitting on the fence. I also have a project in the works with a guy who is well known in the audiophile kit amp game. I'm trying to get him to help me supply a kit modeled after the Ampeg b-15. I like to play Reggae, Old Motown, funky stuff, but most of all blues. So with this taken into consideration any other advice?
Click to expand...

I can't help much with the BFM stuff...only played through an Omni12, but to be fair it was horribly constructed...chuffing, cab vibrations and a pretty bad sounding driver...that poor cab was a train wreck, though for all I know a properly constructed one is fantastic.

The Faital 15PR400 or 12PR300 are awesome choices for a full range cab, esp the 15PR400...sounds beautiful in a Bassic15 or a Dually, but if you're getting into a 2-3 way cab, the Eminence 3015LF is a beast with even stronger lows.

I play a lot of upright, and a great tweeter (unlike nearly every tweet in commercial cabs) does make a nice, if subtle difference...I also think they can be cool with certain effects, and like someone else said, they can always be turned off when they're not needed :)
 
#18
oleskool said:
Good replies. i will most likely go with Faital for the drivers in either choice. I think, I made that choice after reading they had better low end. I am using a Harke ha3500 for amplification right now. I might take a chance on the Ampeg PF 500, but all the bad reports have me still sitting on the fence. I also have a project in the works with a guy who is well known in the audiophile kit amp game. I'm trying to get him to help me supply a kit modeled after the Ampeg b-15. I like to play Reggae, Old Motown, funky stuff, but most of all blues. So with this taken into consideration any other advice?
Click to expand...

If you're going to build a fEARful, then build it as designed with the right drivers. Cabs are designed around the driver, not the other way around.

If you have chosen the Faital already, then maybe a TL606 with added bracing may get you good results, but it's pretty hit and miss.

I second BASSIST's thoughts. I say build a fEARful 12/6 with 3012LF and Alpha mid driver first. It'll do most of what any bassist needs and will be great with all the genres you mentioned. If you need more volume, build another one. If you want more highs, add the tweeter and associated filter circuit (Dayton horn and driver).

I built a 15/6/1, but in retrospect I should have built a pair of 12/6/1's since a single 12 will do for most of what I need and it's a good deal smaller. Now I may end up with a pair 15/6/1's instead ;)
 
#20
I have a pair of 2510 loaded Jack10s and a pair of full-spec fEARful 12/6s.

Although (with enough EQ) the Jacks are fine for PA, they don't suit my tastes at all for bass.
The Jacks have way less "true" low end and are "honky" in the 650 hz area without EQ. The fEARfuls sound good with any amp I've tried without needing massive EQ adjustments.
The Jacks seem more sensitive, but I've never done a head-to-head to compare volume. That might make them a good choice for someone with low power who never wants the deep lows a 301xLF driver can provide.

You DO NOT want to turn off the mid driver in a fEARful. It's a mid driver, not a tweeter. The 2 way CBG crossover runs it from around 700/800 to where it naturally falls off, around 5K. If you disconnect the mid driver, but leave the low pass filter in place, you lose all of the "interesting" mids. If your plan is to also remove the low pass for the woofer, be warned that the 301xLF drivers are very peaky in the upper mids. Look at the graphs on Eminence's site.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back