dave_bass5

Well today was the day I got to plug it in and see what's what. First impressions are very good. I was worried about lack of top end but with a bit of help from my Darkglass I could go from Motown warm to Foxton bite. So far only played it at work with a Jazz bass, but it sounded full and deep no matter where I was in the room. it's certainly got a more traditional sounding tone, it's going to be a nice change from the 1212L's mid hump. I think BF will respond more to tonal changes, and that's something I've been missing since I got the 1212L. It's a great cab but I've always felt it added too much to the tone of whatever was going through it. The only downside I can find, and this is purely a personal thing, is I wish the handle was on the side rather than the top. I find cabs like this so much easier to carry using a side mounted handle. Less bumping in to things as the footprint is smaller. It would also make placing my Markbass F1 flat a lot easier. As it stands it won't sit flat. Not a big deal though, it's not going to fall off. All in all, very happy and really looking forward to gigging it.

He just needs to polish his act up a bit ;-)

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438190555' post='2832437'] The Gramma pad is for mechanical decoupling, not acoustic, so it still couples the good way, just not the bad way. And it'll affect the hybrid resonator's port the same as if it was onto the floor. I'd try it with and without the Gramma - you may find you can leave it at home except on particularly boomy hollow stages. P.S. I have had words about the cleaning of that grill - it should have been properly polished before it left, not just wiped clean (hence the residue). Give it a quick rub with a soft cloth and it'll look nice! [/quote] Thanks Alex. Ill certainly give it a go with and without the Gramma. Problem is most of my gigs are on big hollow stages but im guessing this cab wont be as boom as my 1212L so might be more controlled. No problem about the grill, i only noticed it in the shots. For some reason the shots make the cab look worse than it is in the flesh. Ill give it a good wipe down later. [quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1438194089' post='2832477'] Oh Dave, now one of your pics has gone and got someone in trouble!! [/quote] Oh dear, i hope its not too serious :-)

Yeah I got all that before, I understand it's tuned differently to most cabs, and that its at its best on its long edge. What I'm not clear about is using it upright with a gramma pad. As these are designed to de couple the can from the floor I'm wondering what the effect will be.

Cheers Russ. Same time same place next week lol.

Cheers Guys. Yes its 15" high when sitting the right way up, and 24" when on its side. Ill have it on a Gramma pad so i guess we cna add a few more inches to that. Its very light, i can already appreciate how easy the get in and outs will be. Although my 1212L is a neo cab its still pretty heavy if i have to carry it too far. The BF will be a pleasure to carry. @Alex, I'm just wondering how this will work on its side (so port facing down) whilst on a Gramma pad. Any drawbacks to this?

And here we are. The cab is in our basement so please excuse the not very tidy shots. [url="https://flic.kr/p/vGDGNk"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/vGDGNk"]Barefaced Retro two 10[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr [url="https://flic.kr/p/wE1xLZ"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/wE1xLZ"]Barefaced Retro two 10[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr [url="https://flic.kr/p/vGvxiA"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/vGvxiA"]Barefaced Retro two 10[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr

Im on it now :-). Ill have something to post in the next hour.

Ill take a selfie at the first gig :-) I use a wireless system and im normally the one to go out front at soundcheck so ill hear it exactly as the audience will. The first gig is a small pub stage an im right in the corner, not a good test for volume but it will show how well controlled the low end is. I normally have low end issues at this venue (and i always use a Gramma pad) so i cant wait to hear the real low end coming though. Its the larger gigs im more worried about but in a way im not that worried. i do believe what has been written, i understand the engineering in these cabs make this possible, so i know my doubts will go once i get used to it.

Nice one. Mine just turned up (thanks Alex). Wow, you dont get a lot for your money these days, its tiny lol. It looks lovely and the weight is just perfect. Im still sceptical about the gig volume as its quite a bit smaller than my 1212L, but im sure its going to work out well though. Wont get to play through it until at least tomorrow night. Cant wait.

Ah ok, I thought it a bit of a strange response :-)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1438073548' post='2831311'] Dave, I've got plenty of cabs you can buy, [/quote] Thanks for the offer John but its too late. I should be getting my Retro two 10 tomorrow. [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1438077127' post='2831353'] Yeh i use it with a bass with a P&J pickup config, playing motown/funk/soul and it works great for me. You should do a review when it arrives. I was going to, and got half way through. But i'm terrible at putting what i hear into words. Felt it wouldnt be useful to anyone. [/quote] Im the same to be honest. Im rubbish at writing structured posts. I wont be able to use iti n a band context until late Aug, although ill spend plenty of time with it at work before then. Ill definitely post my thoughts though. [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438086441' post='2831490'] It definitely would! [/quote] Thanks for the heads up about the cab Alex, and thanks for getting it out so quickly. Really looking forward to plugging it all in and letting rip in our basement at work. Ive also decided my 1212L will go, no matter what (within reason). Its about time i moved on from this cab and the only way to do that is to abandon it.

Yep.....almost. Not the best if you want a lightweight bass, nor if you don't care for active basses, but on the whole, I can't imagine any other jazz bass offing what these do for this money. I'm considering getting a 4 string version next year, although I'd like a M3 first as I also like humbuckers and will be missing my TRBX by then.

I must admit Ive stopped using mine for now. Gone back to a plain of' 4 string P bass. I doubt I'll ever get rid of it, as I'm sure I'll use it again.

I should add that im hoping to get one of the new Tech 21 500watt heads later this year, once our gigs pick up. Ill be able to stop using the VMTD as well then.

Nah, im sure im going love it. It will be the first time ive used 10's but by all accounts ill have a more and defined low end and thats what im after. Yes, i went for the 4ohm black grill version. My 1212L is also 4ohm. I will be using my MB head but also my Darkglass VMTD which tend to handle the EQ. The F1 is normally run flat but i dont mind tweaking it. in the past ive never felt most of the EQ made much difference with this head. It will be nice not having to fight with the mids any more. Im not sure how the retro/vintage description will translate to what i hear but considering im playing a P (or jazz) doing 70% 60's/70's covers im sure ill love it.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1437980521' post='2830414'] Good choice [/quote] I hope so, it was your posts that pushed me over the edge :-)

Thanks for all the tips and advice. In a moment of madness I have ordered a Barefaced Retro two 10. I'm hoping this is the right thing to do. On paper it looks like the perfect cab. I've never needed to go above 11 on the master with my F1 and 1212L, I'm hoping this will still be the case with the BF, or at least close. I can appreciate the BF won't be as pokey but hoping it's going to give me the low end I've never really had. I'll update the thread when I receive it, and I'll do a small gig report at the end of Sept after the first gig.

Pretty sure this is the end for my Markbass F1 and Darkglass VMTD :-)

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1437653506' post='2827872'] downer I've never tried mine with a different amp, (although I do tend to bypass the pre-amp these days) so I'm interested to see what you think [/quote] Me too. One thing i probably didnt mention was i was also using my Darkglass VMTD. Of course i use this with my MB heads as well but it was almost like all the planets were in alignment :-) [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1437656283' post='2827913'] Nope. Never needed it. I dont know what the technical term for it would be (possibly dispersion?), but when i first got the cab i tested it with a friend playing my bass through my set up. I was amazed how clearly i could hear it, and so equally ( as in it sounded the same at every position in the room to my ears). The volume is not an issue either, but that might be down to the amp used? I use a EBS TD650 and its never gone above 11 oclock on volume and 9 oclock on drive and gain. If you ever come down my way your most welcome to come and have a go. [/quote] Thanks for that. It does seem like the Retro is the way to go. I like the idea of the tone staying pretty much consistent. I know with my 1212L the on stage tone is very middy, but out front into the room it changes quite a bit. Both are good and work well together but at sound checks i dont tend to wonder too far from the centre of the dance floor. Knowing the tone will be quite close at the back without needing to go out and walk amongst the [s]unwashed[/s] social club members will be a god send. Hmmm, very, very temped now.

[quote name='Noisyjon' timestamp='1437236525' post='2824620'] Anyone got hold of one yet? Thomann have the ETA at 7/8/15 and a price of €542 ~£376 at the moment... Having a bit of GAS for one of these through a Barefaced Retro Two 10 [/quote] Well the Retro two 10 is right at the top of my new cab list, ill probably be ordering one very soon, and now i have a new amp list, with only one amp on it lol.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1437647837' post='2827786'] did you manage to try your head through the peavey cab? [/quote] Unfortunately the combo was in another room last night. I had to use a huge Marshall 2x15 cab with my MB head. Horrible experience :-(

Thanks for the reply. Do you have PA support?