Opinions on small cabs for fretless

[andyhaines]

Hello All,

 

Having now got a nice new PJB D400 I’m looking to pair it with a small cab - but my needs are rather… niche…

 

This will be for mostly fretless use (Zon and Sei), solo and small ensemble - no loud bands or need to keep up with noisy drummer so volume is not a concern. I play with a touch of reverb for that singing Manring vibe and what I need above all is for the cab to have an open sound and avoid boxiness wherever possible. I also need it to be small enough to tuck into a theatre band-pit for musicals work.

 

So, I’m looking for an 8, 10 or 12”. The following could fit the bill, but hard to find good online demos of them:

 

BF One10T (could be too coloured/classic rock sounding?)

Eich 110XS or 112XS

GR Bass AT110/4 or Cube 112/4 

Glockenklang Accoustic 8 1 - out of all the online demos I’ve seen this seems to have the most open, natural sound

 

Anyone had any experiences with these? Thoughts welcome!

 

cheers!

 

Andy

 

[Pea Turgh]

I’d be looking at LFSys. Top stuff. After hearing a cab shootout at the SW Bass bash, that’s where I’d put my money!

[Martin E]

I've been using a D400 with a BF one 10 (no tweeter) for some years. Very pleased with the amp and speaker, it does sound a bit old school I suppose but I like that.

I play in a quite jazz group so it's great for swing and Latin, still amazed you can get so much authoritive bass out of such a small cabinet. 

All this is probably not much help to you but I can say boxy it definitely is not.

 

[andyhaines]

Thanks both - really useful!

[Hellzero]

This cab coupled to your head will be terrific for fretless: 

 

[Hellzero]

Being a fretless player myself and liking to add that small touch of reverb you like too, here are my thoughts as I've used all the gear you mentioned.

 

The Eich and GR Bass are close sound wise, the GR Bass being more neutral with tighter bass.

 

Forget the Glockenklang as it will be completely lost in the mix, it sounds terrific on its own, but not in band context.

 

I don't like the Barefaced tone, so won't say a word.

 

Edited yesterday at 09:13 by Hellzero
Spelling...

[msb]

… I was about to suggest the One 10.

[andyhaines]

Thanks again for the responses! @Hellzero - thought about one of those EA cabs, but was looking for a more compact 12 (if I got down the 12 route). Interesting that you had a good solo experience of the Glock but not in a band context - a lot of what I do tends to be just me or me with a small acoustic ensemble (no drummer) so that could still be worth a look (and I get 30day returns through Thomann) in this YT fretless shootout it was the clear winner https://youtu.be/gb4JImgc45M?si=AMYDCsid9nyt5bUm. I'm incline to agree with you on the BF tone for my needs. @Pea Turgh suggestion of LFSys could well be worth a look (Monza looks a possibility) , but I'd need to hear some demos (same for Eich).

 

Cheers All!

 

[chris_b]

While it's not as clean sounding as a Barefaced 112, a Barefaced One10T with the right amp won't sound "rock"!! 

 

To get the best sound out of any cab you have to be looking for high quality, properly designed cabs. My shortlist would consist of your Barefaced suggestion and an LFSys cab.

[Hellzero]

40 minutes ago, andyhaines said:

Thanks again for the responses! @Hellzero - thought about one of those EA cabs, but was looking for a more compact 12 (if I got down the 12 route). Interesting that you had a good solo experience of the Glock but not in a band context - a lot of what I do tends to be just me or me with a small acoustic ensemble (no drummer) so that could still be worth a look (and I get 30day returns through Thomann) in this YT fretless shootout it was the clear winner https://youtu.be/gb4JImgc45M?si=AMYDCsid9nyt5bUm. I'm incline to agree with you on the BF tone for my needs. @Pea Turgh suggestion of LFSys could well be worth a look (Monza looks a possibility) , but I'd need to hear some demos (same for Eich).

 

Cheers All!

 

I preferred the sound of the full GR Bass setup because it was the more neutral (that's their key signature) tone with the upper mids slightly missing in the Glockenklang that was coupled to an Eich amp (which is very similar to GR Bass sound wise).

 

If you like the Glockenklang tone [which was my favourite before discovering GR Bass and now the more than amazing, and hard to find, Hevos (Dutch brand sadly not made anymore) Midget 10 combo], go on, buy it, try it with your PJB head and draw your own conclusions.

 

If it's not to your liking, try a GR Bass Cube AT 112, they are amazing.

 

Or this Hevos Midget 10 cabinet that will certainly be the best choice for you: https://www.public-peace.de/hevos-midget10.html

[andyhaines]

Really useful, thanks. I’ve also heard good things about the Hevos stuff.

[Phil Starr]

21 hours ago, andyhaines said:

Thanks again for the responses! @Hellzero - thought about one of those EA cabs, but was looking for a more compact 12 (if I got down the 12 route). Interesting that you had a good solo experience of the Glock but not in a band context - a lot of what I do tends to be just me or me with a small acoustic ensemble (no drummer) so that could still be worth a look (and I get 30day returns through Thomann) in this YT fretless shootout it was the clear winner https://youtu.be/gb4JImgc45M?si=AMYDCsid9nyt5bUm. I'm incline to agree with you on the BF tone for my needs. @Pea Turgh suggestion of LFSys could well be worth a look (Monza looks a possibility) , but I'd need to hear some demos (same for Eich).

 

Cheers All!

 

Hi Andy I think you'd be crazy not to consider the LFSys options. I have the Monza which is gong to be the cleanest sounding cab on the market. It's streets ahead of the Barefaced 110T if what you are looking for is uncoloured sound. I've not heard them yet but there is a newer 10" Blue Line cab from LFSys which is lighter to carry and a little cheaper but won't go as loud as the Monza. For me the Monza is the Swiss army knife cab that does everything I'll ever need but you might not need that headroom. I think @stevie is still offering a discount to BassChat members. 

 

If you want to hear one then let us know where you are based and someone will probably invite you along to try theirs. If you are West Country based you'd be welcome to come to try mine.

[lemmywinks]

On 09/08/2025 at 19:54, Hellzero said:

This cab coupled to your head will be terrific for fretless: 

 

 

 

These were the old school choice for fretless and upright, still great if rather heavy by today's standards. Probably won't get a better sounding compact cab for £200.

[andyhaines]

3 hours ago, Phil Starr said:

Hi Andy I think you'd be crazy not to consider the LFSys options. I have the Monza which is gong to be the cleanest sounding cab on the market. It's streets ahead of the Barefaced 110T if what you are looking for is uncoloured sound. I've not heard them yet but there is a newer 10" Blue Line cab from LFSys which is lighter to carry and a little cheaper but won't go as loud as the Monza. For me the Monza is the Swiss army knife cab that does everything I'll ever need but you might not need that headroom. I think @stevie is still offering a discount to BassChat members. 

 

If you want to hear one then let us know where you are based and someone will probably invite you along to try theirs. If you are West Country based you'd be welcome to come to try mine.

Thanks Phil - I’m near Bath so may just take you up on that!

[MuddBass]

I own two of the GR AT110 (both 4ohms). Excellent cab, and 'light as a feather'. When I compare to my larger cabs (front ported 210 Mesa Subways), the GR seems much less directional - probably helped by their rear port - this may (or may not) be useful in a pit environments etc. I've used the GR's both as standalone cabs, or stacked - with fretless, fretted 5 string, and upright bass. They handle higher volumes well and the switchable tweeter (3 options) is very useful too. You're most welcome to try if you are passing - I'm based near Winchester, Hampshire. 

[andyhaines]

40 minutes ago, MuddBass said:

I own two of the GR AT110 (both 4ohms). Excellent cab, and 'light as a feather'. When I compare to my larger cabs (front ported 210 Mesa Subways), the GR seems much less directional - probably helped by their rear port - this may (or may not) be useful in a pit environments etc. I've used the GR's both as standalone cabs, or stacked - with fretless, fretted 5 string, and upright bass. They handle higher volumes well and the switchable tweeter (3 options) is very useful too. You're most welcome to try if you are passing - I'm based near Winchester, Hampshire. 

Most kind thanks! How "open" do the GRs sound? (As opposed to "closed"/boxy)

[MuddBass]

7 minutes ago, andyhaines said:

Most kind thanks! How "open" do the GRs sound? (As opposed to "closed"/boxy)

 

A lot depends on their positioning - they seem less 'closed' if they can be set a little away from a wall. That said, I often don't have the speaker directly in contact with the floor - I often lift up onto a case / wedge. 

[eude]

On 09/08/2025 at 16:45, Pea Turgh said:

I’d be looking at LFSys. Top stuff. After hearing a cab shootout at the SW Bass bash, that’s where I’d put my money!

Another vote for LFSys here.

I swapped two Barefaced One10s for a single LFSys Monza, the 1x10 cab, and it absolutely spanks them in my opinion.

As you brought up, the One10s are too vintagey voiced in my opinion, but they don't pretend to be anything else so that's fair enough.

If you want an open and accurate cab, with bags of power, I'd definitely check out a Monza.