redstriper

Well done Alex, it looks like just another speaker cab, but how it sounds and how much it weighs are the main things.
I look forward to having a go sometime, meanwhile I've decided to chop my TE combo into 2 pieces for short term weight saving reasons.
Check out my latest ideas here -
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=20911&pid=222571&st=40&#entry222571"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry222571[/url]
I expect you're kicking back with a cold beer now - think I'll join you........

Red Steve.

Just thought of something else -
I've got some spare 3/4" MDF sheets - would they do instead of plywood?
Also, I forgot to thank Stevie for the offer of speakon sockets - so belated thanks for that.

Stevie, you could be right about it being a Studio 15B - I did some research online and couldn't find a vintage 250 watt Fane speaker at all even though the guy at Fane thought it was 250 watts going from the model number.
It says 200 watts on the speaker itself, as you can see here -


These are the specs I found -

Manufacturer/ Dia. Power Z SPL Vas
Model RMS ohms 1W/1m Fs cu ft Qts xmax

Fane Studio 15B 15" 200W 8 102dB 45Hz .10 0.44 0.440"

This seems to show a high sensitivity which may explain why it's so loud.
Not sure whether there is an alternative neo speaker that would do any better all round, bearing in mind my thirst for deep dub bass.

[quote name='stevie' post='222448' date='Jun 19 2008, 08:04 PM']Ah well, jack sockets it is then.

The TEF is Trace's own number, but it looks to me like the Fane Studio 15B, which was their version of the Electrovoice 15B. Fane made lots of OEM models, so you can never be sure, but Trace could tell you. It would also make it easier to find a lightweight alternative if you wanted to.

I'll post the pics of my modest conversion over the weekend. Maybe it will help.[/quote]

I spoke to someone at Fane and he had details of my speaker on file, which I can find out more about if necessary.
He suggested the Colossus 600 watt neo speaker as a possible replacement, but he wasn't sure whether my amp would be powerful enough or how it would sound in my cab.
He even said I could take my cab to the factory to try various alternatives.

Basschatter Alexclaber is very impressed by the Eminence Kappalite 3015LF, but he didn't advise putting it in my cab.

It's all a bit of a minefield and I think I'll try splitting the amp and speaker into 2 cabs for now, using the original speaker and see where that takes me.
If I can manage the joinery and electrical work, it should put less strain on my back at least.

Pics would be great.

Thanks again Stevie, this is all very useful.

The holes are definately for jack sockets and I have seen the same amp on ebay as a stand alone head with the sockets installed, like this -


The speaker is a Fane TEF 153 250 watt 8 ohm made in 1985.

I could stick with this speaker if I can lift the cab without the weight of the amp, or I could change it for a lightweight neo alternative.

I am happy with the sound of the speaker, but it would be nice to have a little more volume before distortion at louder gigs.

Just need to find where my wife hid the toolbox and I'm in business...........

Very 'andy - thanks again.

[quote name='stevie' post='222290' date='Jun 19 2008, 04:33 PM']You would have to unsolder the speaker wire at the speaker end, fit a couple of jack sockets and connect the wire to the jacks. I'm not sure if that would be a step too far for you, but it is a very easy soldering job. You would probably also have to duplicate any vent holes in your existing cab.[/quote]

The wire is not soldered to the speaker so no problem at that end and I can fit a jack plug to the cab and solder the speaker wire to it.

Re: attaching the wire from the amp to the 2 jack sockets to give the possibity of an extension cab -

Do I split the 2 wires and solder them to each socket identically and would this give 2 x 8 ohm outputs?

Thanks again Stevie - that's really encouraging although I'm a hopeless DIYer - I ended up in casualty last time I tried anything and am now banned from Stanley knives for life.

But this doesn't look too difficult, it looks like you screwed the pre amp directly into the ply wood and I guess the power amp is screwed separately to the back and/or base.

My amp needs a slot for air vents as you can see in the pic -



Another problem is that the amp is hardwired to the speaker although there are holes for 2 1/4" jack output sockets that are not installed.
I'm not sure how to wire these correctly from the 2 wires that now go to the speaker.

[quote name='stevie' post='222107' date='Jun 19 2008, 01:21 PM']Just to add to the many good suggestions - replacing the speaker in your Trace with a neodymium model would cut the weight of your combo by about ten pounds. I don't know if that would be enough. You might even consider it as an interim measure, as it would be a lot cheaper than the alternatives.[/quote]

Thanks Stevie,

I have considered replacing the speaker and it is an attractive option financially, but a bit risky not knowing how it will sound in the cab.
It would also reduce the weight considerably if I could remove the amp and put it in a separate case, but this is not quite so simple because the pre and power amps are 2 separate parts, the pre amp is rack mountable while the power amp is screwed to the top and back of the combo.
If I can overcome these technical problems, I will give it a go because I am happy with the sound if not the weight.

Pic of the beast -

[quote name='alexclaber' post='212533' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:55 PM']I know a bassist in London that's using a Markbass F1 with a 4 ohm Low-B2 and he loves the combination. His previous cab, an Ampeg 2x10", couldn't handle the lows without farting out, which seems to be the case with the vast majority of compact cabs, so despite the low sensitivity the Acme can play much louder.

Alex[/quote]

Hi Alex,

Just wondered if the bassist you mention is here on basschat or myspace etc so I could contact him about his rig?

Cheers,
Steve.

PS:
Keep up the good work with the cab builds.

The Shcroeder too heavy? I'll be interested to see what you end up with then
[/quote]


My mistake - they're not heavy at all I just thought they would be with 2 speakers in 1 cab - why did you get rid of yours?

Glad the AE12's suit you, I couldn't get the very low room filling throbbing bass but I was using the Berg IP power amp and a pre-amp that didn't like my Ashbory, they might go lower with the markbass head.

[quote name='OldGit' post='212930' date='Jun 5 2008, 07:44 AM']I've got the Markbass LMK (liek a two channel Litte Mark II) and a pair of Bergantino AE12's .

I've only had the cabs a few weeks (just one gig) so I've not tried them properly on my Reggae setting. I'll get the chance on Saturday
Incidentally the VPP filter adds top as well as bottom (It's a scoop shape) so you may want to try that turned off.
Actually I don't use the filters at all.
For reggae I turn the high stuff off and the bass and mid bass up to 3/4. However I'm not a specialist or playing in a reggae band so your needs may differ ..

Edit: The Schroeder 1212L I had before was brilliant at soft, smooth and creamy sub bass but I don't think one alone would do it in a full blown reggae band. You'd probably need 2.

OG[/quote]

Thanks Mr Git (or can I just call you 'Old'?),

I do like the markbass heads for the old skool sound without the old skool weight and I find that both filters on full gives maximum warmth.
It doesn't matter that the VPP adds top because I lose all that with the EQ anyway - maybe it shouldn't have any effect but I can definately hear something that I like with it on.
My Trace combo has a shape switch and I always use that too, even though I cut all the treble and mid with the graphic eq.

I've tried some Berg cabs ( 12", 15" and 6 x 10") since my last post and they're not for me - loud, light but not low enough.
Same problem with the Aguilar 12" and Epifani 2 x 10".
The Schroeder 1212L sounds very nice, but expensive and probably not lightweight enough.
I'm running out of options cab wise, with Acme and basschatter alexclaber's Big One being top of the list at the moment.

Still, time is on my side - I'm only a kid!

[quote name='The Funk' post='212889' date='Jun 5 2008, 12:38 AM']Let me know next time you're planning on being in London and you could come over to try them out. The other person I know has a pair of Acme cabs is BigJohn. I'm not sure if he's closer to Anglesey than I am.[/quote]

Cheers I appreciate that and I would definately like to try them with my Ashbory bass.
I'll be visiting family in Camberwell in the next few weeks, so could meet up then if it's convenient.

I have been in touch with BigJohn and he also gives the Acmes the thunbs up, not sure of his location.

A friend of mine is visiting from the states next month and I might ask him to bring one over in his hand luggage............

[quote name='The Funk' post='212737' date='Jun 4 2008, 08:41 PM']





[/quote]

I'll take that as a 'no' then............

How about letting me have a go on them ?

[quote name='The Funk' post='212577' date='Jun 4 2008, 04:10 PM']I got them direct from the USA on Alex's recommendation. He was completely right.

Shipping wasn't too bad. I'm not sure what shipping on a single 2x10 would be. The easiest way to find out is to email Andy at Acme and ask him to find out for you.

You normally pay 22.5% on top of the price (excluding shipping) in customs and duty. It still works out not that badly.[/quote]

Thanks for the info - just a thought.............
Don't suppose you want to sell one of your cabs?

[quote name='alexclaber' post='212533' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:55 PM']I was the first person in the UK to buy some Acmes, way back in 1999. They did 9 years of sterling duty for me and are now with forumite BigJohn - the only reason I sold them was because I'm designing and building my own speaker cabs, I don't believe you can buy any better production bass cabs.

You should expect to pay import duty but the combination of direct sales and the weak dollar makes them incredibly good value even with the import costs.

I know a bassist in London that's using a Markbass F1 with a 4 ohm Low-B2 and he loves the combination. His previous cab, an Ampeg 2x10", couldn't handle the lows without farting out, which seems to be the case with the vast majority of compact cabs, so despite the low sensitivity the Acme can play much louder. I'd recommend the cabs with the midrange/tweeter included - you never know when you might want to play something other than reggae, plus they make great small PA cabs - and the cost isn't much extra.

Alex[/quote]

Thanks for the information Alex, I've made contact with Acme and am seriously considering placing an order for the Low B-2W without the tweeter - I've been playing only reggae for 25 years now and have no intention of changing style.
It's hard to imagine a 2 x 10" cab being low and loud enough after trying the Markbass one, but I've read some very positive reviews and as you say they are very reasonable price wise.
I could always add another if I go for the 8 ohm version, or maybe a single 4 ohm would do the job.
I am thinking of teaming it with a Markbass LMK 11 and they only go down to 4 0hms total.
SWR and Warwick also make amp heads that might do the job - any more advice would be much appreciated.

Steve.

[url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]http://myspace.com/redstriper[/url]

[quote name='Musky' post='212431' date='Jun 4 2008, 12:44 PM'][url="http://billfitzmaurice.com/"]http://billfitzmaurice.com/[/url]

Bill designs a number of subs in different sizes. I don't know how they'd fair as a standalone cab, but perhaps not so different to the Acmes without the additional drivers. He pops up on these boards occasionally so maybe you could PM him. If you feel your woodwork is up to it! [/quote]

Thanks Musky, I'm not much good with DIY so I'll concentrate on the Acmes for now.

[quote name='The Funk' post='212254' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:35 AM']If you want deep bass, the only place to go is [url="http://www.acmebass.com/"]ACME[/url].

I have two of their 2x10s and one of their 1x10s. The 1x10 is very small and light and goes very deep. The only trouble is it's probably not loud enough on its own to do large gigs with. The 2x10 is still pretty light but should handle most gigs well. Roll off the high and mid attenuators on the back as required and you'll have a very, very deep and bassy sound.

You could pair it with a secondhand Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp (there's one for sale at the moment in the For Sale section). Then stick it all through a secondhand QSC power amp of some kind.

It probably wouldn't come in at under £800 but possibly around the £1000 mark.[/quote]

I'm really intrigued by the Acme speakers and wonder if there's anywhere in the UK to try or buy them ?
Did you get them direct from the USA and if so did you have to pay import duty ?

Thanks for the Acme link - they look like exactly what I've been looking for and they now make them without the tweeter or midrange which would suit me fine.
I will contact them about shipping costs and also look at the Ampeg you mention - I don't know much about Ampeg other than noticing a lot of Jamaican players use them and I played through one at a festival with an 8 x 10 cab with the best sound I've ever had.

sounds interesting - where can I find one (and what is it) ?

I tried the 2 x 10" markbass cab and didn't like the sound - just not deep or warm enough.
I've never tried aguilars, don't know where I'd find them in the northwest - I live in north wales with no music shops for miles around.
2 x 12" speakers might be the thing, trouble is it starts getting a bit pricey, I don't really want to go much over £800 for the whole rig.

[quote name='ste_m3' post='212189' date='Jun 3 2008, 11:21 PM']You might find markbass and their vintage loudspeaker emulator knob could do it for you, drops all the highs giving a really nice dub reggea tone.[/quote]

Yes, I have tried a markbass lmk 11 and it was a nice sound with both filters on full, the treble and mids turned off and the bass turned up, but their small speaker cabs were not happy with such low frequencies above quite moderate volume levels.

I do love the size and weight of the markbass amps, but haven't found a suitable cab that I can lift easily into the back of the polo.
The Bergantino 12" cab is a contender if it will satisfy my deep bass needs unless anyone has any other suggestions ?

I play dub reggae bass and need a deep, warm clean sound for stage monitoring and club gigs, there's always a PA at bigger venues.
My old Trace Elliot combo does the job, but it's too heavy - is there a lightweight solution ?

[quote name='peteb' post='180221' date='Apr 18 2008, 10:33 PM']Price drop to £80....[/quote]

Is this cab still for sale ?