• 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.

Why don't the big boys make good cabs?

#44
gln1955 said:
Companies like Fender don't make high end exotic cabs for the same reason they don't make coffee table basses. There's a limited market and people in that market would still turn their noses up at it because it's a Fender.
Click to expand...

Good grief... nobody "turns their nose up" at Fender. Plenty of bassists are aware of Leo's designs, and give him credit for them. If acknowledging that the execution of those designs happens to be superior in other, smaller builders than Fender, it just is what it is, and that's not a turned-up nose. It's called getting the most performance you can.
 
#45
I have always been happy with Ampeg and GK cabs. I tried a couple of used Eden cabs but everyone I looked at had at least one blown speaker. I have never had this problem with used Ampeg or GK.
 
#46
tubster said:
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.
Click to expand...
I haven't read the thread so this may have been addressed, but you answered your own question - you don't want to pay the premium price and want one for half the cost. Manufacturers marketing departments realize this to be true for the majority of players with only a small percentage willing to pay the higher prices. WE - you and I and the majority, have dictated the type of cabs that are designed and sold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eminor3rd and GregT
#50
Well, the real motive of the OP was to see if anyone noticed the second part - big fail there!

Where the heck in Europe can I get a decent 112 or 115 (yes, I know) to match my Berg CN112 for less than $500.00? Yup, a CN112 is a shade under a grand here. Don't need 3 ways or even a tweeter.

Thanks for all the interesting remarks. Certainly as bass players we seem to be a fairly small market but seemingly more accepting of new concepts than other much larger ones. Yes, it is all about money but sometimes it's about pride and innovation. Would love to see the 'big' guys go out on a limb every now and then. Errr....Gibson, I didn't mean you! And Fender, another P bass, probably not.

Walkabout - a splendid and innovative piece of engineering. Would that it was not accompanied by a total insensitivity on behalf of Mesa to global players who need to use the world's varying voltages. They would not entertain changing the Scout and so it got sold and the Aguilar with the switchable PS got the gigs.

Ah well, rambling a bit here - sorry about that!

Remember - a decent 112 - in Europe - less than $500.00. Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregT
#53
I just wanted to mention what a bad mutherF**ker my Mesa 4x10 Powerhouse was. With an Mpulse 600 on it you could level a building. I only sold it because it weight 100 lbs (literally) and was so huge moving it was an issue. Incredible tone, clarity, midrange punch, the whole package. Also, to ME the main difference between today's speakers and yesteryears is that today we can have amazing loudspeakers that are light, and smallish, and sound amazing. My days of lugging around 100 lb speakers are long gone and I am only 37! When I am 55 I expect my speakers to roll up into a tube like a poster and be able to be stuck up to the wall, weight 2 lbs, and handle 1000 watts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tombowlus and RoadRanger
#55
tubster said:
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.
Click to expand...
I just sold a Bergantino HT112ER here in Germany for 275 Euro (around 300 USD). It was advertised on the GEBA site. Sorry you missed it.
 
#56
Terracite said:
If I had a full range, flat cab, the first thing I would do is throw a cab emulator in front of it.

Same as I do when going direct to the PA.
Click to expand...

That was more or less the fEARful designer's original intent in building something to meet his own playing situations. Link Removed
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sartori, Terracite, wave rider and 2 others
#57
The simple facts are that the overall size of the bass market isn't gigantic and irrespective of the fact that musicians seem liberal and progressive, people buy products they know and trust. So - it's hard for either an established brand OR an upstart company to break into the market with a new product.

The risk is high and the potential reward not that impressive
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sartori and TheBear
#58
tubster said:
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.
Click to expand...

One word: Cheapness
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back