Why don't the big boys make good cabs?

[tubster]

With all the new technology and know-how that is out there, it seems surprising that the traditional bass amp makers, Fender, Mesa, etc etc have not embraced these new ideas and incorporated them into their lines; perhaps as a 'premier' brand? With their greater economies of scale, they could then market them at premium prices.

Maybe Bergantino, Baer, Barefaced, Greenboy etc might license some designs to get them into the game. I am sure there must be compelling reasons why the big boys continue to sling raw drivers into boxes.

Personally, I have a Berg CN112 and have been looking for a partner for it here in Europe but at $1000.00 a pop for a 112, I have to cast my eye much wider or go the build your own route. If only I could find a decent 112 at half the price.

 

[Shardik]

Have you tried cabs from Markbass or Eden? I don't know the Bergantino cabs, and wouldn't know how they compare, but they seem to put together good cabs with more care than slinging raw drivers into boxes.

 

[7dollarbologna]

I wish Fender made better bass cabs too, a good 112 & 212 would be nice.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I don't know where OP got the notion that Mesa cabs weren't fantastic.

 

[tubster]

I don't know where OP got the notion that Mesa cabs weren't fantastic.

Solid cabs indeed, but not incorporating any of the newer thinking AFAIK.

 

[tubster]

Eden and Markbass are both in the upper class of the regular stuff IMO. Used them both. Like the B&C drivers that Markbass has used.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Solid cabs indeed, but not incorporating any of the newer thinking AFAIK.

What do you mean by that?
They were one of the first mainstream builders to use neo speakers.
The Scout combo is an engineering wonder, with passive radiator, convertible design and refined bracing.
The Carbine and M3 combos have the best SPL/size ratio I ever heard on any amp. They get crazy loud with a solid tone and fit anywhere.
What would you expect them to bring out?

 

[rodl2005]

Fender's Bassman Pro series cabs are superb. I sold my Berg cabs (except the NV412) after the 115 Neo Bassman Pro cab impressed me so much.

 

[walterw]

What do you mean by that?

i think the actual question is, "why don't the big boys sell fEARful-type cabs?" plenty of large-scale companies making great cabs, they just all seem to be more "traditional".

 

[rodl2005]

OK. Fair enough question. Still. ..I like my Bassman Pro Neo 115 cab. A lot.

 

[Sputnik Monroe]

Simply because this forward thinking new technology has a very limited appeal outside of the confines of TB. Two and three way crossover designs are not new both the Markbass designed Musicman Audiophile systems and the Euphonic Audio VL series are just two examples, and both enjoyed a cult following. Currently Avatar speakers do market said type speaker systems, it would be interesting to know the percentage of such cabs they sell as opposed to their other "traditional" cabinets. If a new technology has true market appeal such as class D amps and Neo speakers the "big boys" can and do market said products to great effect.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Money.

It all comes down to what they think they can sell, how much it costs to develop and build, and what their return is. Demand is what drives supply.

 

[pacojas]

i would rather buy esoteric gear from boutique builders while my competition eats cake! ymmv

 

[baileyboy]

I don't know where OP got the notion that Mesa cabs weren't fantastic.

You wrote it before I could...

 

[lfmn16]

Simply because this forward thinking new technology has a very limited appeal outside of the confines of TB.

+1

TB is kind of a bubble and when you talk to people outside of this group you are reminded how little most people generally care about a host of issues that get hotly debated here.

 

[lomo]

$$$$$

Selling outstanding, cutting edge cabs at a premium price to a small, obsessed market segment is far less profitable than selling pretty good cabs at a lower, more competitive price to the bulk of the market. Further, the second option requires little or no investment in R & D. From a business perspective, doing it "good" produces a better bottom line than doing it "best", and takes less effort. As Paul Simon said: why "blow against the wind"?

 

[JimmyM]

I don't know...this may be a crazy idea, but maybe people like the regular bass cabs better?

 

[buldog5151bass]

If enough people spent that much money on cabs, Fender would be making them. Same reason Toyota makes Camrys, and GC sells Squiers.

$$$

 

[Sputnik Monroe]

As per Jimmy M ... Over the past year I have returned to more conventional designs in my gig cabs ... with good results.

 

[The Regulator]

Fender's Bassman Pro series cabs are superb.

Yes they are. I have used the 810 Pro (non-neo) several times and it gives my favorite the Ampeg 810E a run for its money.