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Which lightweight cab is for me?
- Thread starter Taustin Powers
- Start date
You really have to try to play through them. I run my Mesa through a cn212 and it sounds great. I am sure the hdn line is even better. However when I looked for a single small cab solution I went with Aguilar sl112. Had more vintage depth then the Mesa and was cheaper than the hdn112 which sounded great as well.
I try to let me ears do the shopping.
I try to let me ears do the shopping.
Rather than the Barefaced SuperTwin, I'd consider their 10" cabs which are voiced differently. I use a pair of Two10 (vertically mostly) with a D800+ to play funk/ska/reggae and it's a great combination (using a Stingray or Precision mostly).
So from everything I have read and heard, the Barefaced 12“ speaker cabs would probably be least up my ally, since they are really neutral and flat.
Sounds like the Mesa would be a great fit. I absolutely love the baked in tone of the D-800. I owned the Quilter Bass Block before, and I didn’t like it, cause it was too neutral sounding, it lacked character to me. If the Mesa cab matches the D-800‘s voicing, I can almost guarantee I will love it.
Bergantino is still somewhat of an unknown variable to me. A lot of people absolutely love them, but I have so far missed a clear explanation why. What’s their tone like? What makes them so special?
Sounds like the Mesa would be a great fit. I absolutely love the baked in tone of the D-800. I owned the Quilter Bass Block before, and I didn’t like it, cause it was too neutral sounding, it lacked character to me. If the Mesa cab matches the D-800‘s voicing, I can almost guarantee I will love it.
Bergantino is still somewhat of an unknown variable to me. A lot of people absolutely love them, but I have so far missed a clear explanation why. What’s their tone like? What makes them so special?
I've owned a Berg 112 stack, one with tweeter and one without. For me the Bergs achieved the HiFi tone quite well. When I wanted a more voiced cab I found the Hathors really delivered.
I'd advise you to something else entirely:
Split the barefaced!
When you want to go the route of the 12" speaker (more neutral), then don't get the Super Twin, but get a Super Compact and either a Big Baby or a Super Midget. I own a Super Compact plus Super Midget, which gives me roughly the same output as the Super Twin has (maybe a tad less) but a super modular rig. The smaller SM has a tweeter and is tiny, but so loud you'll only believe it when you try it for yourself.
The bigger (but still small) SC has a bit more bottom end. Stacked together, they are insane.
But here's the point: I rarely need to stack them. I get away with one cab on about 85% of all the gigs I play.
When you want to go the way of the 10, I'd also pick 2 two10 cabs over one four10 for the same reason.
Should you find your way towards the northernmost bits of Germany, I could let you test my cabs.
I'm located on Fehmarn, though - which is roughly 4,5 hours from Berlin.
Split the barefaced!
When you want to go the route of the 12" speaker (more neutral), then don't get the Super Twin, but get a Super Compact and either a Big Baby or a Super Midget. I own a Super Compact plus Super Midget, which gives me roughly the same output as the Super Twin has (maybe a tad less) but a super modular rig. The smaller SM has a tweeter and is tiny, but so loud you'll only believe it when you try it for yourself.
The bigger (but still small) SC has a bit more bottom end. Stacked together, they are insane.
But here's the point: I rarely need to stack them. I get away with one cab on about 85% of all the gigs I play.
When you want to go the way of the 10, I'd also pick 2 two10 cabs over one four10 for the same reason.
Should you find your way towards the northernmost bits of Germany, I could let you test my cabs.
I'm located on Fehmarn, though - which is roughly 4,5 hours from Berlin.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I kind of really want to buy just one cab and be done with it. Thanks for that offer though! If I ever make it to Fehmarn, I might take you up on it!
I think I will probably go with the Mesa 2x12. It's expensive, but it sounds like it might be the perfect fit for me, and my last speaker cab purchase was almost 20 years ago.
So six months later, I have it narrowed down to the Mesa Subway 212 vs the Berg NXT 212.
Neither is available to try in my region, so it will be a blind purchase (with the option to return it). I found a great deal on the Subway, but the Berg is not that much more.
The Mesa calls me because I already love the D-800 head, the Berg calls me because it’s newer tech and supposedly really punchy and responsive.
Has anyone played both? Any word on typical voicing or characteristic?
Sounds like the NXT is a more voiced cabinet, I think that is a good thing! I'd love to hear one sometime
Huh, interesting you would say that. I was always under the impression that Bergantino's amps/cabs are generally more neutral sounding and less voiced than Mesa's.
I plugged my D800 into a Mesa 1x12 and it’s pretty flat with the option of boosting or cutting the tweeter stuff.
really let’s your amps voice come through and I like the incredible volume and it perhaps distorts a touch because it’s 1x12 but I like it that way.
the 2x12 should be the same but more space for the bass. (if you run deep)
I also plugged in to the Ampeg 2x10 and was impressed because it sounded like an Ampeg. So there’s my thoughts.
I’d say get the Mesa because you own a Mesa and it weighs nothing. But if you wish you had an Ampeg there’s a good option there to get that sound
really let’s your amps voice come through and I like the incredible volume and it perhaps distorts a touch because it’s 1x12 but I like it that way.
the 2x12 should be the same but more space for the bass. (if you run deep)
I also plugged in to the Ampeg 2x10 and was impressed because it sounded like an Ampeg. So there’s my thoughts.
I’d say get the Mesa because you own a Mesa and it weighs nothing. But if you wish you had an Ampeg there’s a good option there to get that sound
I really don't wish I had an Ampeg.
What I am trying to find out is how the Mesa SW212 compares to the Bergantino NXT212 without buying and having them both shipped to my house!
I really don't wish I had an Ampeg.
What I am trying to find out is how the Mesa SW212 compares to the Bergantino NXT212 without buying and having them both shipped to my house!
there are a few guys running the Bs In the Mesa subway club you should find them and PM.
however Mesa being a big brand makes it a bit safer of an investment for resale. Easy pick for me.
I've been using Barefaced cabs for the last 5 years. Mostly 1 or 2 Super Compacts, but last year I added a Super Midget. Before that I used Berg AE and CN cabs for 8 years. If I ever sold my BF cabs the only place I'd go would be back to Bergantino. 2 different concepts but I can make my Jazz and P basses sing with either.
Well, I finally took the plunge and ordered a Mesa SW212.
Then, after I had some second thoughts, and the shipping estimate slipped from „4-5 weeks“ to „unknown“, I cancelled the order and got the Berg NXT212 instead!
Then, after I had some second thoughts, and the shipping estimate slipped from „4-5 weeks“ to „unknown“, I cancelled the order and got the Berg NXT212 instead!
From the Bergantino website:
The midrange is where the magic happens with the NXT212. Suddenly, your basses come to life and you’re hearing harmonics and overtones that were never present before. Their presence in a live, congested band mix allows your bass tone to sit perfectly while “staying in your lane”.
Thats the combination I am considering right now. I play 5 string. Do you the CN212 has enough bottom by it's self?
I’m playing only 4s lately. Even with those, I have a variable HPF/LPF, and I find myself cutting below ~90mHz. I’m probably not the guy to ask because it produces more lows than I use. It’s very subjective and room dependent.
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