• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why is everyone selling their LDS cabs?

Mar 11, 2013
461
595
Easthampton, MA
Disclosures
Formerly endorsed by Carvin, Basson and Dimarzio
I'm picking one up, baring it exploding when I test it out tomorrow, so I wanted to do some research using the handy-dandy search feature. However, all I seem to come across, besides a mention here and there, are cabs that have been sold. Why is that? Is it just the tail end of the TB fad of LDS/fEARful cab designs or is there something else I should know?
 
I like the sound of that, for my sake. Of course, I'm a recovered G.A.S. head, so this might be the equivalent of finding a bag of black tar and keeping it in my silverware drawer.

All I know is it's got the right speakers, made by a small operation (as a child of a small business owner, buying big brands has always left a bit of a taste in my mouth), and it's not some crazy 5x8" with a 10" and a rear mounted 21".
 
I think people buy and dump a lot of gear, I don't think it's limited to LDS.

I've loaded/unloaded several cabs over the past few years, searching for my tone. An in store demo isn't enough for many, it takes me up to 6 months to decide if it's a keeper or not. Also, I have a hard time finding gear to test out in Boston, I would imagine a lot of people in rural areas buy before they try.

maybe people buy the fearful style cabs based on what they read, and realize they aren't for them?

I've sold a LDS cab because I realized I don't like ported cabs. But I never had Don build a fearful style cab. Just old school 10's.

I just received my LDS 810 sealed flatback clone :D.
 
See Trace Elliot, SWR, Eden... lately Streamliner Epifani Bergantino AE212 crazes come & go as the latest & greatest.

Right now we are in the middle of Fearful, Bergantino CN & Baer must have cabs. People like me LOVE it... because we sit back & wait for people to dump em (Which always happens) & get em on the cheap! Nothing wrong with the gear but the hype machine around here is VERY strong.

Go on the New line of Bergantino cabs thread & see how many people have bought that cab on hype. So thats an ACTIVE craze

Now go to the amp classifieds & look up Streamliner... thats a DYING craze. Hey, I have a Streamliner & love it.

The hype machine convinces people the new gear can do everything better but in the end its just different
 
There is a mega thread here on LDS cabs where you can find all sorts of good info about them. I don't see any more LDS cabs in the claasifieds than I do other brands; in fact, I would guess you would see more of the others than LDS. Personally , I have had Don build me a couple of cabs, which I still use, and have no complaints about what so ever. I have also had other " boutique " cabs built for me that I no longer own. I seem to gravitate back to the LDS cabs. Excellent builds, imho. Of course, I did'nt ask Don to put 3 8's and 4 12's in one cab ! Don will pretty much build what you ask him too. What you want is what you will get.
 
Lots of mad science goes in with LDS cabs, and people dump'em after the honeymoon. Don makes a lot of excellent cabinets but he also has a lot of yahoos ask him to make crazy stuff.


To be fair, this phenomenon isn't limited to LDS. There's been quite a few green boy cabs for sale recently.....relative to the small number out in the market. I'm currently selling an LDS cab, but there's no dissatisfaction with what Don built. Rather, I'm downsizing my rig to better fit my current needs. I still have an LDS-built fearful that staying with me.
 
I bit.. and there is one amp for sale, so if i extrapolate based on your opinion then every item that has one ad is a dying craze then its all pretty much dead.. Eden, GK, Ashdown, Markbass, Ampeg, Aguilar.. all dead or dying crazes :D

Now go to the amp classifieds & look up Streamliner... thats a DYING craze. Hey, I have a Streamliner & love it.

The hype machine convinces people the new gear can do everything better but in the end its just different
 
I bit.. and there is one amp for sale, so if i extrapolate based on your opinion then every item that has one ad is a dying craze then its all pretty much dead.. Eden, GK, Ashdown, Markbass, Ampeg, Aguilar.. all dead or dying crazes :D

+1 The OP is experiencing what is called the 'vividness' phenomenon in the psychological literature (at least closely related to that phenomenon). One becomes interested in a brand (in this case LDS), and then looks through the classifieds for LDS cabs and sees quite a few because you are looking for LDS cabs in the classified! Same thing happens with all brands:)

That being said, RPSANDS point is also a good one. The LDS 'pure custom' business model (i.e., Don does not have any fixed designs.... every box is a 'start from the bottom up), results in those who like to 'try stuff out' to have their designs built quickly at a relatively low cost. Sometimes, people find out that their dream cab design isn't quite what they want.
 
It's a wave. This happens a lot around here. Part of it is that Don will build YOUR cabinet but if YOU have no idea how to design it, well you can figure out the rest.

I've had my share of Don's work. He makes a great cabinet. His tolex work is stunning.

It boils down to cost. You can buy a off the shelf box or have something custom done for the same or less!
 
Lots of love for LDS here but many TBers must have the latest and greatest.

Bergantino is another good example of this... many TBers swear by them... But there are always a few for sale.

Also, the new Berg CN cabs are causing many TBers to shuffle gear to place an order.

Luckily I am happy with my Berg AE210s!
 
Bergantino is another good example of this... many TBers swear by them... But there are always a few for sale.
What's strange to me about this trend is that there is no specific Bergantino tone, IME. Great quality, yes, but the product line really has been diverse, from old-school punch to hi-fi/scooped and everywhere in between. Yet a lot of folks seem to have rotated through practically every cab Jim has made (OK, the NV line may be the exception, as it's more specialized/bigger).
 

Latest posts