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Ex-Barefaced users?


JapanAxe
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I've been using Barefaced cabs for the last 5 years, having rocked an Ashdown rig for the preceding 10 years. My main motivation for the switch was the reduced weight, but I've been pretty happy with my Compact and Midget, used separately or together - a big improvement on the ABMs!

A recent online conversation with a well-respected BC member has caused me to wonder whether I should make a change in the cab department. My sensible self wants to lurk for cab bargains in the BC marketplace (I can always move them on if I end up hating them); the impulsive me wants to throw caution to the winds and order a £1,000 4-ohm cab.

So if you are a former BF user, please take my pitiful poll.

[u]Notes[/u]
1. This is not an invitation to indulge in BF-hating.
2. If you have never gigged a BF cab, you should probably move along to another thread.
3. You are wasting your time recommending any cab with a tweeter in it.

Go!

Edited by JapanAxe
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I had a first generation Compact, was very happy with it when paired with a Genz Streamliner, but I fancied a change back to EBS so swapped the Genz for a HD350.

I found that the bright control on the head did nothing with the compact and so sold it for a Neo 2x12, the HD350 is much happier paired with an EBS cab.

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you need another option on that poll.....

"i thought i would try some other posh cabs so bought a few second hand but found they were no better than my BF ones so sold them on again"

I did exactly that - tried various flavours of Bergs, gigged them all once, found that they weren't any better sounding to my ears and then sold them straight on cos i preferred my Barefaceds. Lovely cabs though....

Edited by Mudpup
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[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1504904104' post='3368270']
you need another option on that poll.....

"i thought i would try some other posh cabs so bought a few second hand but found they were no better than my BF ones so sold them on again"

I did exactly that - tried various flavours of Bergs, gigged them all once, found that they weren't any better sounding to my ears and then sold them straight on cos i preferred my Barefaceds. Lovely cabs though....
[/quote]

Yep had a super twin, was excellent and loved it. Got bored bought other excellent cabs and then bought a Big Twin T a month or two ago from Alex. Sold all other cabs and now 100% Barefaced again. Do everything I need and more, including super light! If it ain't broke...

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I have always been a dyed in the wool 2x15 player and was using a Boogie diesel 2x15 (which I had used for over 25 years). I had wanted something lighter and (after a fair amount of consideration) bought a pair of Gen 2 Compacts..
.
They were ok but they just didn't seem very substantial and I didn't really think too highly of the build quality and the fact they were so shallow. I use an M-Pulse 600 and the rack hung out over the back of the cabs.

When Boogie brought out thir Subway series I went back to Boogie (where my heart has always been) and have been very happy with the change. BF are ok but weren't in any way outstanding to me and seemed poor value overall. For me, the Boogies are altogether superior in every way.

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My situation would be a different category as well - once I bought Barefaced cabs I haven't felt any desire to try anything else*. I bought a Compact soon after they were released, added a Midget, replaced those two with a Supercompact and now have two of those.

*slight fib, last year - might have been the year before - I was looking for a lightweight, powerful combo but found none to my liking.

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Of course there will be ex-Barefaced players. People get divorced from Super Models as well, right?!

We all have a (different) sound that we prefer so no one piece of gear can work for everyone.

I don't do the "change for the sake of change" thing but, even so, it is a way of gaining experience and knowledge about bass gear.

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[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1504942971' post='3368414']
I sold my BF cabs because I needed money. I'm now in a situation where I want to get them back again - I have started the ball rolling with a One10 and I'm now weighing up the options of a Super Compact, a One10, a Two10 or a Four10....
[/quote]

Like you, I needed the cash so sold my Compact. Then ,after some experimenting with cheaper alternatives (Hartke, Ashdown), I went and bought another Compact.

It ticks all the boxes, compact, light, loud, and whenever anyone records us, I'm always amazed at how great the bass sounds out front.

Edited by gjones
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[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1504941735' post='3368403']
My situation would be a different category as well - once I bought Barefaced cabs I haven't felt any desire to try anything else*. I bought a Compact soon after they were released, added a Midget, replaced those two with a Supercompact and now have two of those.
[/quote]

Me neither until a recent conversation with another BC-er!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1504951963' post='3368489']
Of course there will be ex-Barefaced players. People get divorced from Super Models as well, right?!

We all have a (different) sound that we prefer so no one piece of gear can work for everyone.

I don't do the "change for the sake of change" thing but, even so, it is a way of gaining experience and knowledge about bass gear.
[/quote]

Me neither, but it's the usual GAS thing - maybe this other bit of kit would be [i]even better[/i].

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[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1504953578' post='3368509']
Me neither until a recent conversation with another BC-er!
[/quote]

What was your conversation? Just curious....

There's a standard 'pro' level of gear such as Ashdown, GK, etc and once you get above that into Barefaced and other boutique stuff, I don't really think that there is a 'better'. Different, sure. But could you look at something like one of Mike Arnopol's designs and say that was any better or worse than something that Greenboy did?

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[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1504953578' post='3368509']
Me neither, but it's the usual GAS thing - maybe this other bit of kit would be [i]even better[/i].
[/quote]

I call that upgrading. Buying some gear that you [i]know[/i] is better in some way to what you are currently using.

GAS just seems to be buying something new for the sake of it!

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[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1504955529' post='3368528']
What was your conversation? Just curious....

There's a standard 'pro' level of gear such as Ashdown, GK, etc and once you get above that into Barefaced and other boutique stuff, I don't really think that there is a 'better'. Different, sure. But could you look at something like one of Mike Arnopol's designs and say that was any better or worse than something that Greenboy did?
[/quote]

Somewhat paraphrased conversation:

Me: [i]Seen an SVT 2 Pro for sale on BC, what's your experience of these?[/i]

Him: [i]Great but stupidly heavy[/i]

Me: [i]Wasn't entirely happy my rig was cutting it last Saturday, maybe need louder[/i]

Him: [i]Maybe get some decent cabs, don't like BF build or sound[/i]

I then start surfing t'Interweb and find TKS 2126, instant GAS ensues, followed by realisation of how difficult it would be to try out one...

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[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1504956271' post='3368539']
I call that upgrading. Buying some gear that you [i]know[/i] is better in some way to what you are currently using.

GAS just seems to be buying something new for the sake of it!
[/quote]

So basically you have found a way to justify a large portion of your GAS!

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Love Barefaced, had many of their cabs, but I do many gigs with provided rigs and the ones where I used Ashdowns, both amps & cabs, were the ones that made me smile the most, so it made sense to go that way. I tried the Ashdown amps/Barefaced cabs and it was good, but I just prefer the sound of a full ABM set-up (BF do win in the weight/portability points tho). No criticism of BF though, fantastic company, fantastic products, am sure I`ll be back to BF at some point.

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I have G2 and G3 compacts - rehearse with just the G3 and gig with both (more for 'width' than volume).

Typically I can't help thinking I might just like the two or four ten more. Can't justify the expense though. Anyone around Manchester thinking the opposite way and fancy a comparison?

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I am the original and still current owner of Super Twin serial number 001. It still brings a warm glow to my nether regions when I play through it. In fact, I used at last night's gig, with an Ashdown Rootmaster 800 and Gibbo T Bird. Best bass sound I have ever had. I'll probably leave it to my daughters as a family heirloom!

The only cab I have bought since getting this one 4 years ago is the recent purchase of a Super Compact for those small gigs where the ST would be too big.

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