dave_bass5

Thanks for all the replies, especially Paul who really made the effort. OK, buzzword was the wrong word to use. I just meant is it being used legitimately or as a marketing ploy. I’ve concluded that it is more a marketing ploy, but see why it’s being used. My point is that calling something flat or neutral is fine, even as close as possible, but then you try another ‘neutral’ cab and it sounds different to the previous one. So, as close as possible should IMO still sound the same across different makes of cabs. Cuzzie’s idea sounds more plausible, but then if one manufacturer makes a AFAP, it will only be limited to how the manufacturer sees it, so again, the next manufacturers AFAP will sound different I get that FRFR cabs have less colouration than other cab’s, and so do sound more neutral, but not flat. And this is my beef. I’m not interested in the science behind them, just the end result. Bottom line for me is there are different sounding cabs all labelled as flat or neutral, and with the marketing blurb that goes with this i think it’s a bit of gimmick.

This makes sense, as when i had a BF BB2 I felt it was anything but 'neutral'. But I'm still not getting it. So you are saying flat is anything the manufacture was aiming for,? Doesnt that more or less cover every cab out there? They all go through R&D so surely they all end up sounding how the manufacturer wants them to sound? Totally understand the complexities of doing a truly flat sounding cab, but dont get that certain manufacturers state things like 'Want to hear there true tone of your bass?', and yet they have designed a cab that sounds how they want it to sound, rather than a truly flat tone which would do what they promise. Sorry, not trying to be argumentative, I'm sure at some point the penny will drop, but i just dont get the cabs that are labeled FRFR are not FR.

But If the goal isn't met, why advertise it as flat?

How very dairy you.........

Yes, im beginning to think this.

Ive never owned an Expression pedal, so take this as coming from someone who doesn't know what they are talking about, but with the Helix stuff there is the heel and toe areas. Maybe with is just different terminology but im guessing a pedal has to support these features for the Stomp to use them. If not then ill look elsewhere.

I genually get all that, and id be very surprised if anyone could make a totally flat resonance bass cab. This is what my question was addressing. If its not flat or neutral why advertise it as such? Close to flat, relatively uncoloured etc, i get those sayings, but calling it FRFR does seem like a marketing thing if you arent actually getting a flat or neutral response cab. It seems like the phrase is used to encompass a variety of cabs that are less coloured than the mainstream, but still coloured enough that they sound different.

Im now thinking about this one, as its designed to work with the Helix (which is what i want it for). https://missionengineering.com/shop-2/products/expression/specific-use-exp/sp1-l6h/

This is how i see it as well, so is it right to call a cab flat when it isnt?

Cheers Bas. i was looking at the M-Audio EXP, which is only £14 on Amazon. I know no one here would recommend it, but i just want to see if i have a use for something like this first Then ill see what you end up with, based on this thread, and get the same lol

So, anything past 1970 then? 😁

How bizarre. ive been thinking over the weekend about asking this myself. Although i dont need one id like to get a cheap but decent one to play with at home with my Stomp.

Ok, i know what the letters mean, but i cant get my head around the fact that different FRFR cabs produce a different tone. The Fearless/BB2 thread springs to mind. If both are flat why do people prefer one or the other for tone? Which one is 'truly' flat if they sound differently. If its neither then what's the point of calling it a FRFR cab? Sorry, i except this is stupid Monday thread, but its been on my mind to ask someone, if nothing else to let confirm im missing the point.

Every lightbulb ive brought that was made in Japan has been perfect......they outshine the others

There is a reason others go for different styles of basses, but i cant imagine a genre that a P bass cant be used in.

Yep, totally agree. Although not the cheapest like they used to be they have a good range, and fantastic CS.

It also makes for a nice small modular system,. If space was at a premium you could at least just take the Stomp. Then there is a huge difference in size.

Stores are advertising it for £299, as posted above.

Thanks. Well my living room is quite messy and small, so needed to get rid of the clutter. Gave me a good excuse to get the fast prime out.

Cheers. Yes, it has a bit of poke to it. Jury is still out if it's more pokey than the MB800, but it does seem to be a more uncoloured tone.

Thought I'd post back and say how happy I am so far with the BB800. Really looking forward to gigging with this little rig next month.

I too agree about all this MIA,MIJ stuff. I bet my P34 would play and sound exactly the same if it was made with the same hardware and treatment, but not in Japan.

Relic is not my thing at all, but you try selling a bass with a few marks and scratches to someone who has a relic'ed bass and see what they say 🙂

Yep, I got this when it was on sale a few months ago. It's probably my fav drive pedal. It's very transparent. It does a nice mild drive without covering it with a baked in tone like some of the big names do.