spyder Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Hi Basschatters. I'm no stranger to the vast choice of cabs available on the market both past and present but I'm having real trouble finding a light weight cab that sounds deep and mellow like an old school heavyweight 1x15. I'm using a Jack Casady Bass with flats into a Stoneham valve amp. I've recently ordered and returned a few light weight cabs. Each were an easy under 20kg lift and varied between 1x12 to 4x8. Unfortunately the sound was very boxy with horrible honky mids and no deep bass to speak of. As soon as I plug the amp through large studio or hifi speakers I get that mellow honkless sound deep bass sound back. Is there such a thing as an under 25kg cab that sounds controlled, goes deep and does not honk? Thanks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Hi spyder, have you thought about the markbass NY 115, I use these and they certainly go deep, and they don’t weigh much at all 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 TC RS210 (21kg) - It isn't a '15' but research will show that speaker diameter increase doesn't necessarily mean increase in bass. I have a pair of these (used with Handbox WB100 valve amp) and they give me a full, fat, deep yet punchy tone. I've had plenty of experience with that honky/boxy sound and I hate it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Try a Barefaced Super Compact. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 2 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: TC RS210 (21kg) - It isn't a '15' but research will show that speaker diameter increase doesn't necessarily mean increase in bass. I have a pair of these (used with Handbox WB100 valve amp) and they give me a full, fat, deep yet punchy tone. I've had plenty of experience with that honky/boxy sound and I hate it! I never considered TC before but it could be a good choice................. I hate honky boxy sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 Just now, chris_b said: Try a Barefaced Super Compact. Again not tried before, might be worth a punt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 1 minute ago, chris_b said: Try a Barefaced Super Compact. @Al Krow is selling one right now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 2 minutes ago, spyder said: I never considered TC before but it could be a good choice................. I hate honky boxy sound. Be aware the RS range (2x10 1x12 2x12 4x10 or 1x15) are the ones I'm talking about; I've tried other TC cabs (cheaper) and they are not a patch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 55 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: Be aware the RS range (2x10 1x12 2x12 4x10 or 1x15) are the ones I'm talking about; I've tried other TC cabs (cheaper) and they are not a patch. Thank you. The 1x15 could be just the right cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 That mellow, deep sound is traditionally the product of a lot of drivers, with plenty of surface area and in a decent sized cab' (or cabs) working well within their capabilities. It may be a poor analogy, but think a big V8 cruising effortlessly at 70 mph vs a turbo charged, highly stressed one litre engine propelling the same vehicle at the same speed. You've certainly got the amp for it, but one or two small lightweight cabs are not going to give you that sound, unless you spend serious money (Barefaced, Fearless et al). Not at any volume at any rate. If I was in your position, I'd take the amp to a decent shop and spend some time trying out the options. Someone is (or was) selling a Fearless 112 in the Market Place. It looks mint. If I wasn't happy with what I have, I'd have bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 2 minutes ago, Dan Dare said: That mellow, deep sound is traditionally the product of a lot of drivers, with plenty of surface area and in a decent sized cab' (or cabs) working well within their capabilities. It may be a poor analogy, but think a big V8 cruising effortlessly at 70 mph vs a turbo charged, highly stressed one litre engine propelling the same vehicle at the same speed. You've certainly got the amp for it, but one or two small lightweight cabs are not going to give you that sound, unless you spend serious money (Barefaced, Fearless et al). Not at any volume at any rate. If I was in your position, I'd take the amp to a decent shop and spend some time trying out the options. Someone is (or was) selling a Fearless 112 in the Market Place. It looks mint. If I wasn't happy with what I have, I'd have bought it. I have my eye on that Fearless 112. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 My Barefaced Super Twin (2x12) is marginally bigger than my old Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1x15, weighs marginally more than a postage stamp (my 7 year old daughter can lift it), and underneath an SVT-2 Pro is the full, fat bass tone that was always in my head. None of the other cabs I've used have given me that tone, and that's everything from Ampeg, Bag End, Boogie, Fender, Mark Bass, PJB, and loads more I forget, and in just about every combination of speakers. They come up used on this forum occasionally, and even new are well worth the price. I know what you mean about small boxes sounding boxy, that's my experience also, there's no point compromising on cabs when the rest of you gear is quality 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 If you want "old school" then maybe one of the Barefaced Two 10 would be your thing. I have a pair of Barefaced One 10s and I think they must sound similar to a single two 10? Anyway, they are superb sounding cabs and LOUD, if that's what you need. No boxy sound at all. Full, deep, thumping and warm sounding and featherweight. Not cheap, but worth the money. Frank. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSCOWBASS Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 https://www.grbass.com/cabinet-carbon-fiber/ I have a 210 and 112 and really like them. They do a 115, but haven't tried it. I have had various BF cabs for the last ten years and they were good, but I'm liking these more and they're even lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 26, 2020 Author Share Posted October 26, 2020 8 hours ago, MOSCOWBASS said: https://www.grbass.com/cabinet-carbon-fiber/ I have a 210 and 112 and really like them. They do a 115, but haven't tried it. I have had various BF cabs for the last ten years and they were good, but I'm liking these more and they're even lighter. They look great, unfortunately they cost to much for a non working house husband.😭 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 14 hours ago, spyder said: They look great, unfortunately they cost to much for a non working house husband.😭 Just a thought if money is tight - a generation 1 or 2 Barefaced Compact could be your thing. I had one from new for about 6/7 years. They sound superb. Never boxy. 15" Emminence speaker fitted and very lightweight. I think they're changing hands now for around £300. I don't think there's anything to beat it at that price. Frank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbasspecial Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 What he said ^ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 16 minutes ago, pbasspecial said: What he said I've narrowed it down to either a Barefaced or TC RS212 cab. Now the hunt begins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 On 24/10/2020 at 17:37, spyder said: I have my eye on that Fearless 112. One of the very best cabs I've had the privilege to own and play and certainly right up there in the top bracket of 112s. On for a very good price too! - I'm tempted to get it to pair with my existing F112, but I really can't justify it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 19 minutes ago, Al Krow said: One of the very best cabs I've had the privilege to own and play and certainly right up there in the top bracket of 112s. On for a very good price too! - I'm tempted to get it to pair with my existing F112, but I really can't justify it. Oh ... Cab update. Barefaced. TC RS212. Fearless F112. The list gets bigger. 😒 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 It really is difficult and you'll need to try them as I've tried a couple of Barefaced cabs in the past and they will be tonally 'nothing' like the TC RS212. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 1 minute ago, warwickhunt said: It really is difficult and you'll need to try them as I've tried a couple of Barefaced cabs in the past and they will be tonally 'nothing' like the TC RS212. This is the problem.... How to try them. I can only afford second hand so I have to buy and sell it on if I don't get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbasspecial Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I used a TC 212 at a gig and it was OK but much prefer my Barefaced Super Twin obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 6 minutes ago, spyder said: This is the problem.... How to try them. I can only afford second hand so I have to buy and sell it on if I don't get on with it. Nothing to stop you going somewhere like Bass Direct and trying a few. There's no law that says you have to buy when you visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, spyder said: This is the problem.... How to try them. I can only afford second hand so I have to buy and sell it on if I don't get on with it. I'm sure there must be bassists in your area using BF and/or TC that could let you try? Problem is that we all have a different take on tone, it isn't quantifiable and it is very personal. Folks will 'generally' promote what they use (I am). Throwing it out there, I could give examples of a couple of more cabs that I think are as good as those discussed (not the ones I use) and that will give you 'old school'... depending on budget. *edit* Actually what's wrong with buying a used cab, trying it and selling if you don't like it? I could buy a used TC 212 tonight (locally) that would set me back £225 (with cover), I bet I could sell it for that if I didn't like it. Edited October 27, 2020 by warwickhunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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