Why don't the big boys make good cabs?

[Handyman]

That is true. Duke does amazing work as well, and is right there on the cutting edge of the newer cab technology. But I like what I like That doesn't mean I don't like what they do...just that I'm fine with what I have and I'm not particularly inspired to change.

If I had an Ampeg Heritage rig, I wouldn't be inspired to change either.

 

[Korladis]

What did you think the phrase "drinking the koolaid" was referring to?

 

[wisconsindead]

What did you think the phrase "drinking the koolaid" was referring to?

Derp. Brain fart.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Well crap I'll never get the 15 mins. I just spent writing a long post back so I'll just say to the OP. Warwick makes 112 and 115 cabs in a country near you! They get pretty good reviews, you should be able to find some locally at a good price and even used, Neos too. Why not try one of them?

 

[Chef]

tbz; sartori; get on each others ignore lists.
further interaction of that sort will end badly for both of you.

 

[stajki]

i think the time has come where manufacturers are to much and musician´s are getting replaced by computers and new digital technology. last 30 years we have the best build bass equipment, now last 10 years we are just getting lighter but not that better stuff. we are simply at the point where perfection is reached and there is nothing you can do more and that is not already done with the sound.

 

[Bill Hughes]

They (marketing people) don't understand the technology! Marketing people can't conceive or perceive the ideas!
The bass amp system in my dreams is very unconventional, and the electronics and acoustics need to be designed as an integrated system, and I don't mean a combo amp!
Bill

 

[JimmyM]

They (marketing people) don't understand the technology! Marketing people can't conceive or perceive the ideas!
The bass amp system in my dreams is very unconventional, and the electronics and acoustics need to be designed as an integrated system, and I don't mean a combo amp!
Bill

I'm sure it would be awesome, too, but let's face it...most musicians are cheap Not always by choice, either, so I'm not putting it down. But given the choice of a $500 combo vs a $5000 well-integrated top of the line rig, most are going to go with the combo. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but take heart that you got over on the bean counters at least once with the SVT. That's one more than most people get.

 

[Alexander]

I think Jimmy's point is that some (most?) people don't actually want their amplification to have no effect on their tone. We want our instrument speakers to give us tone (compression, equalization, punch, definition, overtones), but once we have that tone, we want our PA/headphones/home audio speakers to broadcast it without changing it. That's where high fidelity is desirable and that's why PA cabs have been so clean for year while instrument cabs have not.

That is where I come in on this issue also - I WANT the warm coloration that I get from Ampeg cabinets. Many don't and I get that. But it is an essential part of the tone that works best for me. A PBass through an Ampeg all-tube rig/Ampeg cabs is like a Reeses Peanut Butter cup - gotta have peanut butter AND chocolate, or its just, well, peanut butter...

Good thing right now is there are lots of choices for lots of different players in lots of different situations!

 

[Kro]

I'm sure it would be awesome, too, but let's face it...most musicians are cheap Not always by choice, either, so I'm not putting it down. But given the choice of a $500 combo vs a $5000 well-integrated top of the line rig, most are going to go with the combo. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but take heart that you got over on the bean counters at least once with the SVT. That's one more than most people get.

Very true, and I was about to write a response espousing the benefits of a "best-bang-for-the-buck" approach, even when being able to afford better (lets face it, gear gets used and abused over the course of its life if gigged often).

However, if the bigger manufacturers were able to incorporate better engineering and advanced tech into more budget friendly offerings when produced at scale, I'd be all over it.

Until then, I can't justify spending any more money than I absolutely have to on gigging gear. This is especially true of cabs, as I primarily play in big cities, and get requests frequently from opening bands asking if they can use mine when no backline is available. Usually it turns out alright, but there's always some uncertainty involved.