Your favourite 112 - Help me choose!

[KJung]

Some great suggestions. I admit a curiousity about the fEARful cabinets, and there is a fellow locally who is a builder, whom I've been in contact with. I said in my original post that price was not much of a concern, but the cost of having one of these units built, with the current neodymium 'situation', is not inconsiderable.

Thank you, Ken, for your thoughts and the videos you put up on YT; I trawl through them frequently.

The Acme 112 is appealing, as is the Thunderchild. Do you contact Duke directly for inquiries? I didn't see the cab listed on his webpage.

Again, great info, keep it coming!

Best way to get in touch with Duke is either to PM on Talkbass, or call the phone number listed on his website. He really needs to update the website so there is a specific 'bass cab' section on there.

The 12/6 cabs (fEarful or otherwise) are also very nice, and kind of sit between the Acme 112 and Thunderchild IMO.... bigger low end than the Thunderchild but not as extended as the Acme. It only comes in 8ohm version, but for rehearsal/practice, your head would do fine with that cab. My favorite 12/6 execution is the Low Down Sound 12/6 using the Faital mid driver and the Ralf Patterson custom crossover. That execution kind of sits between the fEarful 12/6 and the fEarful 12/6/1.... a sweeter, more extended and to my ear more nicely voiced upper mid and treble response than the executions using the 18sound driver. I actually have a clip of one of those on my icomposition page, which can be accessed through the homepage link in my profile.

I prefer the Thunderchild as my 'super12' of choice. It is the smallest and lightest of the three, has a low end voicing that works great in a gig setting, and is smooth as silk up top.

 

[MuthaFunk]

I have little experience with 12's but have had many 410's, 15's, and an 18 Big Ben. I ended up with a Mesa Radiator 12. Big sound out of a little cab. I bought a Scout combo to go with it and have since retired my Eden 410XLT.

 

[Tampabass]

Epi UL-112 does it for me.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Aguilar DB112nt is an awesome little box not mentioned yet.

 

[rpsands]

The conventional 1x12s mentioned in this thread, while nice, in no way compare to either a fEarful or the AK Thunderchild. Not a single one of them. Just keep that in mind while shopping

The Uber 1288 is worth a look though.

 

[cnltb]

So, I recently moved and put most of my gigging gear in storage for the foreseeable future. Keeping things simple, and not currently playing with a band, I want to buy a quality 112 to pair with my Carvin B800. I will be playing a pair of 5-strings through the new cab, a Cirrus and passive Clement fretless. Tonal goals are... pretty open, really. Mostly, the cab will be used for practice and low-volume noodling. As far as brand name flavours go, I had an Epifani PS112 that I liked (still have one of their 210 cabs). I've used Mesa, GK, Peavey, Yorkville, and several others. I've never tried a Bergantino, or anything from EA. Yup, open to trying something different, with cost not really an issue. Recommendations? Cabs to avoid? Thanks!

The Ironman III cab is nice!
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[Pickebass]

for "noodling" and downsizing... one of the more impressive amps I've run into was the Line6 1-10

Tim

I love he GS 112s and the berg 112s but for a small useful combo the line 6 is hard to beat. I use it for small gigs all the time

 

[MNAirHead]

Having a head and cabinet really isn't space management

I have 1-12s etc... still not the same as my combo amps.

 

[jhfishn]

Aguilar DB112 .............. I have 2 of them!!!!!

 

[Passinwind]

I prefer the Thunderchild as my 'super12' of choice. It is the smallest and lightest of the three, has a low end voicing that works great in a gig setting, and is smooth as silk up top.

+1, although I haven't played the new Acme cab yet.

I have also owned and greatly enjoyed all the following 112 cabs:

fEARful 12/6
EA CxL-112
AccuGroove Tri 112L
Epifani UL-112

Loved the Berg HT and the Aggie GS cabs that friends owned too.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

The Ironman III cab is nice!
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That cab should sound pretty close to a Bergantino HT112, which is pretty high pedigree. I'd be extremely surprised if not both use the Eminence Delta Pro 12.
Quite different to fEarfuls, TC, Acme and other subwoofer plus mid based cabs.

 

[Dave W]

Another vote for Aguilar GS112's. I have a pair that have been my main gigging/practice/everything cabs for a few years now. They're great.

 

[B String]

The conventional 1x12s mentioned in this thread, while nice, in no way compare to either a fEarful or the AK Thunderchild. Not a single one of them. Just keep that in mind while shopping

I kind of have to agree. I've been using the new Baer ML112 box, (12/6) and it just makes my Epi UL112 sound stupid. Much more solid low end. More even in the mids, and very pleasant in the highs, even for slapping. I think the new ML112is a real winner. I've been a/b'ing it with my Epifani and Berg boxes. The thing just works. I mainly use it with a Genz 9.0

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I love the Thunderchild . The Baer looks like interesting and similar-to-fearful 12/6. I'm sure that is different, but it is the 12/6 type.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

I've been using the new Baer ML112 box, (12/6) and it just makes my Epi UL112 sound stupid. Much more solid low end. More even in the mids, and very pleasant in the highs, even for slapping. I think the new ML112is a real winner. I've been a/b'ing it with my Epifani and Berg boxes. The thing just works. I mainly use it with a Genz 9.0

I haven't heard the Baer ML112 but believe every word you're saying. For anyone who might focus on specs and not appreciate that Roger's claims are real-world reliable, don't underestimate his cab. It's a beast, with the same Eminence Kappalite heritage as the other uber 112s from Acme, Barefaced, the fEarfuls, nEarfuls, LowPhat, and me (apologies if I'm leaving anyone out).

The Baer stands out from the other US-made 112 ubercabs in being significantly more efficient (and second only to the Barefaced Midget in efficiency to the best of my knowledge), and still has plenty of low end. The 8-ohm ML-112 will be at least as loud as my 4-ohm cab with a "500 watt" microhead (assuming 300 watts into 8 ohms), but you can add a second ML-112 without stressing the amp and have 6 dB more output!

The Baer cab also differs from mine at least in that it is deliberately "voiced" to sound really good on electric bass. My target is "flat", but that's partially because I lack the experience and artistry to deviate from "flat" with confidence (and many of my electric bass customers crank in a bit of EQ). I have great confidence in Roger & team on their ability to make a bass cab that just sounds right.

The original fEarful 12/6 and 12/6/1 cabs are arguably the most balanced all-around uber 112 cabs especially when value is factored in (or, in Robby Hoinsky's foamcore incarnations, especially when power-to-weight ratio is factored in). Many of the rest of us are doing variations on Greenboy's original theme (my 112 conceptually follows in his footsteps, despite the difference in driver configuration). Roger takes the whole 112 ubercab breed into new territory, somewhere I would have liked to explore, but don't have the expertise in bass cab voicing.

With the filling-out of the Acme 112 line via their excellent Fullrange, and the recent launching of the Baer ML112, there is now an uber 112 for nearly every occasion (though not for every budget, unfortunately). If neodymium doesn't make a comeback, late 2011 might be the high-water mark of the genre for some time to come.

Imho, ime, ymmv, etc.

 

[rad bassman]

The Baer cab also differs from mine at least in that it is deliberately "voiced" to sound really good on electric bass. My target is "flat", but that's partially because I lack the experience and artistry to deviate from "flat" with confidence (and many of my electric bass customers crank in a bit of mid-EQ). I have great confidence in Roger & team on their ability to make a bass cab that just sounds right.

The original fEarful 12/6 and 12/6/1 cabs are arguably the most balanced all-around uber 112 cabs especially when value is factored in (or, in Robby Hoinsky's foamcore incarnations, especially when power-to-weight ratio is factored in). Many of the rest of us are doing variations on Greenboy's original theme (my 112 conceptually follows in his footsteps, despite the difference in driver configuration). Roger takes the whole 112 ubercab breed into new territory, somewhere I would have liked to explore, but don't have the expertise in bass cab voicing.

IMO flat response is the way to go, that said tho, folks have used commercial cabs with their own coloured sound for years, alot like the voice of specific cabs, problem is tho they usually lack in other areas, weight, mid range gaps in response, or just a lack of low end.

 

[Matt Morgan]

Another vote for the Bergantino HT112ER aka HD112 (when it is produced).

I have a pair of the HT112ER cabs and I have yet to try another similarly sized cab that has its clarity, punch and low end extension in the same form factor. I use one for smaller gigs or rehearsals and the pair for the louder shows.

I recently did a little "small cab" shoot out at Jive Sound here in the DC area. I thought that some of the newer cabs on the market may have given the Bergantino some competition but I found that the HT112ER sounded far better IMHO.

The cabs are relatively small, handle plenty of power and just flat out sound great!

I haven't had the opportunity to try a ThunderChild or a fEarful yet and I'm sure they're great, but for me the Bergantino just works!

 

[B String]

I haven't heard the Baer ML112 but believe every word you're saying. For anyone who might focus on specs and not appreciate that Roger's claims are real-world reliable, don't underestimate his cab. It's a beast, with the same Eminence Kappalite heritage as the other uber 112s from Acme, Barefaced, the fEarfuls, nEarfuls, LowPhat, and me (apologies if I'm leaving anyone out).

The Baer stands out from the other US-made 112 ubercabs in being significantly more efficient (and second only to the Barefaced Midget in efficiency to the best of my knowledge), and still has plenty of low end. The 8-ohm ML-112 will be at least as loud as my 4-ohm cab with a "500 watt" microhead (assuming 300 watts into 8 ohms), but you can add a second ML-112 without stressing the amp and have 6 dB more output!

The Baer cab also differs from mine at least in that it is deliberately "voiced" to sound really good on electric bass. My target is "flat", but that's partially because I lack the experience and artistry to deviate from "flat" with confidence (and many of my electric bass customers crank in a bit of EQ). I have great confidence in Roger & team on their ability to make a bass cab that just sounds right.

The original fEarful 12/6 and 12/6/1 cabs are arguably the most balanced all-around uber 112 cabs especially when value is factored in (or, in Robby Hoinsky's foamcore incarnations, especially when power-to-weight ratio is factored in). Many of the rest of us are doing variations on Greenboy's original theme (my 112 conceptually follows in his footsteps, despite the difference in driver configuration). Roger takes the whole 112 ubercab breed into new territory, somewhere I would have liked to explore, but don't have the expertise in bass cab voicing.

With the filling-out of the Acme 112 line via their excellent Fullrange, and the recent launching of the Baer ML112, there is now an uber 112 for nearly every occasion (though not for every budget, unfortunately). If neodymium doesn't make a comeback, late 2011 might be the high-water mark of the genre for some time to come.

Imho, ime, ymmv, etc.

Duke, you should hear how Roger talks about you. I think we have a love fest going on up in here.

I would agree, this is a very balanced box. Roger worked on the the whole crossover frequency thing and porting issues like a surgeon. He was really going for a box that sounded great flat, but would also take eq well. I think Roger did that with this box.

Although, I'd love to check out one of your boxes with my upright bass. I already know it sounds great with the electric.

 

[JxBass]

It's a great time to be a bass guitarist with all of these wonderful cabs and amps.

 

[GrooveWarrior]

I put together a small portable rig as well. I picked up a GK Neo 112-II, and it is great. Sounds MUCH better than the GS-112 I tried. You can get it for $314.10 [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] when you use the coupon code "R1011".

I know price isn't a concern, but there isn't any sense in spending more money than you have to. Pairing it with the Carvin, I just can't see buying some of the boutique cabs people have suggested.