chyc

I'd accept that. However I would say that after they've made the case that wattage is misleading, Barefaced have not given the numbers that could give a clearer representation of their cabinet (an on-axis SPL or x-max for example). Instead, they've overloaded XXXW rms with their own meaning. Surely I can't be the only one to have tripped up on that? Their definition isn't on the same website , and I appreciate the posts that have given the link to that as I'd missed it. I still cannot fathom in my head why a bigger box can allow for 200W extra power from the amp though.

My estimation of Eminence has shot up considerably. Those PDFs are incredibly insightful for someone like me with no access to their Eminence Designer software. Off topic but you've given me a lot to digest. Thanks.

Good suggestion! If I can find a spare moment I'll give them a call to find out how they're calculating these numbers.

That's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is why Barefaced's numbers are so different to every other manufacturer out there. Have they got some secret that nobody else knows about? The numbers they give don't tell the whole story, I get that. So why mention them? And even if they don't tell the whole story, how can adding extra cabinet space via a tweeter increase the handling by 200W?

I cannot see anything about tolerances on the Barefaced website. Eminence define their "usable frequency range" in the most handwavy way I have seen. Even with this most generous of definitions of usable frequency range they've given themselves, I cannot see any 12" below 40Hz (except for the LAB12, which I'm discounting as it has a range from 25Hz-100Hz).To Eminence's credit, that's more than I can find on Faital's website or datasheets. In any case, from what you're saying Bill, I'm inferring that these numbers that are on Barefaced's website are absolutely meaningless without bounding from other parameters. You've also got me wondering on how the BF range is quantified as I cannot find that mentioned anywhere

Agreed. My kettle is rated at 3000W, but it just doesn't have the response that I like. I cannot find the xmax of the Barefaced driver. Actually scratch that, my kettle is more musical than some cabinets I've heard. How on earth did you find that?! It's a useful read. So 600W is the linear excursion limit rather than the thermal limit. I'm sure someone will correct me, but that's not the same thing as 600W rms no? The rms implies to me that 600W would be the thermal limit.Also, I don't know where the competitors' numbers on that page come from. I've looked at the specs on their respective official websites and the Deltalite II 2512 has a sensitivity of 99.9dB. The 12PR300 has a sensitivity of 99dB. Frequency range on those rival drivers cannot compete with the Barefaced, although I note this range (30Hz-4kHz) isn't on the 12XN550 page that grandad posted. Also, this doesn't explain how adding a tweeter can boost the rating by 200W to make 800W. I'm imagining two incandescent 100W lightbulbs in a box.

As if by magic, I've found a driver that can handle 800W rms, the Eminence LA12850 It's not a neodymium magnet though, and it has a much narrower frequency range than the Super Compact's advertized 30Hz-4kHz. That 30Hz is another area that I'm struggling to find a matching driver online, but I'll save that for another thread

I've been looking around various cabinet manufacturers and their 1x12 offerings. One thing that has struck me is that no other manufacturer can get close to the RMS wattage that a Barefaced cabinet can take. The Super Compact is 600W rms The Super Midget (a 1x12 with a tweeter) is 600W rms The Big Baby (a 1x12 with a seemingly different tweeter) is 800W rms How are these numbers possible? I cannot find a single 1x12 driver on the market that is specced for 600W rms let along 800W. Do Barefaced make their own drivers using a secret sauce known only to them? Is the tweeter on the Big Baby really able to soak in an extra 200W or is the bigger cabinet allowing for better cooling? Going by the wattage differential of their 2x12 cabs with/without tweeter it would appear to be the latter, although can that really be true? I guess you could just put some passive electronics in the cabinet to technically be able to handle 800W when in fact it's just heating the room, but I cannot yet see the purpose of doing something like that. What am I missing?

Thanks for the reassuring message. I'm really looking forward to giving it a whirl using my upright.

I decided on a GSS 06B400MKD. Small and light like the AA 50 R. Can't really compare these two combos as they have different compromises, but what did it for me was 1) GSS were very personable and helpful, although I now understand your reasons for not replying (email server brokenness and NAMM) 2) There is a YouTube video of this puppy in action with an electric and an EUB.

No worries. Glad it's all sorted now and yes it is likely my email went into a black hole as the timing fits. Good to know. I must confess that I thought you were ignoring me so went with another product. Also doubly annoying to see the Oxford PMT has one in stock that I could have tried (I swear that wasn't there when I looked before). Should my new purchase fall through I'll be taking a closer look at the AA 50 R in future. It looks killer versatile.

That's good to hear. Thanks!

Hello all! What are people's thoughts on using Ashdown's AA-50-R as an upright bass combo? It looks awfully similar to a PJB Cub in terms of advertised spec, but of course the devil is in the details. I sent an email to Ashdown around a month ago but never got a reply about this. Ideally I'd try one, but 1) There isn't one near me 2) I don't want to try one and break it

I'm going to guess that a huge part of their sound is the strings used and playing style more so than the actual bass itself. The first would could be easily achieved by changing the strings over on the Yamaha, the second may be too difficult for everyone except Charlie and John themselves

Thanks y'all for the warm welcome. Most appreciated @FinnDave I hear you! Both my electrics are from PMT in Oxford, and are both far better quality than is required for someone of my skills. Speaking of gear, my two electric basses are a fretless Warwick Streamer Stage I and a fretted Sandberg California TT. Amp is a Peavey Combo 115. However, the bass I'm most comfortable playing is my double bass, through an Acoustic Image Coda.

Hi everyone! I'm a bassist based in Oxford UK. Strictly amateur, but enjoy playing all styles. Any Oxford love here?

Yamaha's YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM0Hn9zcUMc

Your two basses sounds like my ideal pair to own to be honest. Not sure what the MK would add over these two, but it's hard to judge without playing them myself.

Back on topic, I'll be interested to hear this new Yamaha, but my wallet's telling me that I won't be getting one of these. My gut reaction is that for the majority of situations I wouldn't be able to tell the difference and so I'd prefer to hear samples in a band setting. Heck, in the mix an NS Design can be mistaken for a real upright!

Off topic, but do you own both the MK and Yamaha? To me they look really similar in intent so do you pick one for a particular situation or are they interchangeable?

Yeah, I'm going to be giving some Acoutic Image love on this thread. You just need to be prepared to tailor the sound to the room as it's very sensitive to room boundaries. The support from Acoustic Image in times of need is staggeringly good. I stll get advice and probably spare parts on my 13 year++ coda. Many years ago some neanderthal "borrowed" my amp and blew my woofer. AI shipped out a new one no questions asked, no cost to me. The amp was around 5 years old by that stage. The new ones are pricey but the old ones are still performant, and turn up second hand around the place. The warranty statement on their website seems to have changed since I last checked as it no longer covers second hand stuff, which is a shame but Rick at AI is a very nice and approachable person.

His name's Bob and he seems to operate from his home. I know he used to work in Abingdon, moved away for a while then came back. I don't know where he went but it may well have been Wales. He is (current as of 2019) working in Abingdon.