15 or not 15? What do you think?

[BigRedX]

But the size and number of drivers in a cab are only part of the overall sound of the cab. Every cab I have ever owned has sounded different.

 

Even when I've owned cabs by different manufacturers that had the same combination of drivers in them they sounded very different. Not surprising really considering that the cabs were all different sizes and the drivers while being the same diameter had different technical specifications.

 

So why do we keep defining the sound of a cab by the number and size of drivers it contains?

[Stub Mandrel]

No love for 18" cabs? I used to have one when I started out.

 

Provably why I went to a pair of 2x12 cabs decades before most bassists!

 

 

[chris_b]

33 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

No love for 18" cabs? I used to have one when I started out.

 

 

Me too. A Vox Foundation. Worst bass sound in the world, by miles.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

54 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

So why do we keep defining the sound of a cab by the number and size of drivers it contains?

The same reason why far too many define the performance of an amp by watts. 😉

[Dan Dare]

9 hours ago, BigRedX said:

So why do we keep defining the sound of a cab by the number and size of drivers it contains?

 

Tbf, nobody is really "defining the sound of a cab" by number and size of drivers. Most of us are saying we've enjoyed (or still enjoy) the sound of 15s. That's certainly the case for me. Were I still able to carry and store a large 2x15, I would probably have another. Different strokes for different folks.

Edited 23 hours ago by Dan Dare

[Stub Mandrel]

11 hours ago, chris_b said:

 

Me too. A Vox Foundation. Worst bass sound in the world, by miles.

 

Cruel. But fair. 18s don't bring the words 'crisp' or 'detailed' to mind.

[chris_b]

7 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Cruel. But fair. 18s don't bring the words 'crisp' or 'detailed' to mind.

It sounded like a goose farting in a fog. Even when I was starting out and didn't know anything, I knew that wasn't how I wanted to sound, but I had no money and had to use that cab for about 18 months until I could afford a 412 cab.

[Beedster]

2 minutes ago, chris_b said:

It sounded like a goose farting in a fog. Even when I was starting out and didn't know anything, I knew that wasn't how I wanted to sound, but I had no money and had to use that cab for about 18 months until I could afford a 412 cab.

 

I had a similar experience, in the early 80's I assumed I was simply a crap bass player because I sounded nothing like the players I was trying to emulate. Then as the gear got better, it became obvious that yes, I was just a crap bass player after all, albeit one with better gear  

[Steve Browning]

I can tell you that a Boogie 2x18 was fine on its own and didn't lack anything in the definition department. I didn't use it on its own at a gig, it supplemented a 2x15 when I was feeling extravagant!

Edited 11 hours ago by Steve Browning

[Downunderwonder]

22 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

technical arguments are irrelevant

They might be irrelevant to you.

 

They could be irrelevant to all if you are playing very quietly through your stage rig. That would require excellent monitors for everyone else and a PA doing the job out front.

 

For the average pub band with a vocal only PA the technicalities are VERY relevant to bandmates and audience.

[Japhet]

Have had all sorts over the years. 4x10 1x15 2x10 18+2x10. Have been blissfully happy for about 10 years now with a 2x12+tweeter. Quite like the 1x15 in the rehearsal studio but it's difficult to hear when you're right next to it.

[W1_Pro]

22 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

If you like the sound of 15s (and don't mind carrying them), the technical arguments are irrelevant, even if they are true

Thats the whole quote in context ⬆️.  Seems reasonable enough to me.

[Beedster]

9 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said:

They might be irrelevant to you.

 

They could be irrelevant to all if you are playing very quietly through your stage rig. That would require excellent monitors for everyone else and a PA doing the job out front.

 

For the average pub band with a vocal only PA the technicalities are VERY relevant to bandmates and audience.

 

I think you're confusing technical and functional. The point in question was that if the cab works for the player - and for most players that includes the player's bands and audiences because, they'll soon find out when it doesn't - then it doesn't mater whether it's a 1x10, 1x12, 1x15 etc. I've had 15s that worked (in my case Mesa) and 15s that didn't (in my case Markbass), it's not the 15-ness that defined the functionality

[Downunderwonder]

1 minute ago, Beedster said:

it's not the 15-ness that defined the functionality

It takes a special 15 to be heard off axis. Most are functionally deficient in the off axis department.

[crazycloud]

21 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

No love for 18" cabs?

Yup. I have a Faital unit ready for a completely OTT 3 way.

I wouldn't use one (any 18) on it's own, they need at least a 10 on top.

[chyc]

5 hours ago, Beedster said:

 

I had a similar experience, in the early 80's I assumed I was simply a crap bass player because I sounded nothing like the players I was trying to emulate. Then as the gear got better, it became obvious that yes, I was just a crap bass player after all, albeit one with better gear  

Don't do yourself down, I'm sure it's that your gear still needs upgrading

[chris_b]

5 hours ago, Beedster said:

 

I had a similar experience, in the early 80's I assumed I was simply a crap bass player because I sounded nothing like the players I was trying to emulate. Then as the gear got better, it became obvious that yes, I was just a crap bass player after all, albeit one with better gear . . . .

 

I know I can get the job done no matter what gear I'm using, but I definitely enjoy it more, and consequentially play better, when the sound is good.

 

Also if you manage to put together a great signal chain, the rest of the band will think it's you playing better!! You gotta tick as many boxes as you can.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

13 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

18s don't bring the words 'crisp' or 'detailed' to mind.

In general no, but consider Jaco. His Acoustic 361 cab was not only loaded with an 18 but it was also a front loaded folded horn, a design that attenuates upper mids and highs. He didn't get stinging pop and slap highs, but what he got was still mighty good. It's but one more example of why one cannot generalize results based on driver size alone other than dispersion.

[msb]

My first rig was some kind of huge reflex cab and a Marshall hundred watt head. The cab sucked , today I wish I had kept that old head. I auditioned for a touring band , and as I was the only one at the audition I got the spot. Traded a Nikon camera for a Pbass. And I was off. Touring was just the local circuit , around and around , lousy food , cheap hotels , it eventually became a misery and I left. But I continued playing bass. 

[gjones]

On 08/05/2025 at 11:59, Stub Mandrel said:

No love for 18" cabs? I used to have one when I started out.

 

Provably why I went to a pair of 2x12 cabs decades before most bassists!

 

 

 

I owned a 18 inch 16 ohm Orange cab. All I had was a 150 watt trannie, Marshall Bass/Lead head. I could hardly get any noise out of it at all and what I could get was pretty awful.

Edited 6 hours ago by gjones

[Stub Mandrel]

I'm sitting opposite my homebuilt 50W 4x3 combo and it sounds ok 🤣

 

Needs a bit more gain in the preamp though.

 

[Beedster]

7 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

It takes a special 15 to be heard off axis. Most are functionally deficient in the off axis department.

‘Most’? So there are some we’re allowed to use then? 

[chris_b]

1 minute ago, Beedster said:

‘Most’? So there are some we’re allowed to use then? 

No. It's against the law to use any 15" speakers cabs. . . . health and safety.

[TRBboy]

I like 15's 😊

 

Got a pair of Markbass NY151's recently, and I'm really impressed, they sound tight, deep and punchy, yet still nicely articulate. 

 

Speaker diameter doesn't guarantee any particular sort of sound, it's all about the drivers used and the cabinet design.

[Reggaebass]

2 minutes ago, TRBboy said:

I like 15's 😊

 

Got a pair of Markbass NY151's recently, and I'm really impressed, they sound tight, deep and punchy, yet still nicely articulate. 

 

Speaker diameter doesn't guarantee any particular sort of sound, it's all about the drivers used and the cabinet design.

That’s what I used for quite a few years and I’ve still got one of them, great cabs , nice deep bass