alexclaber

Just to clarify, this failure mode suggests the user has been pushing too much power in below the tuning frequency, which is easily done with a powerful SWR amp and cabs that are tuned too high (I've seen Ashdown cabs tuned at 60Hz+). Any power going in a fair way below the tuning frequency will result in both huge voice coil heating for minimal sound output and huge excursion from the cone acting like it's working in free air.

The driver in question is excellent for bass guitar. The damage is a clear case of both excursion and thermal overpowering. Most cheap bass cabs are tuned too high which means they'll unload on low note fundamentals. Having your volume control at 65% does not mean you're not using full power - you could easily hit full power with all your gain controls at 30% if you have a fairly hot bass and pluck hard. It clearly isn't a case for a warranty claim but Blue Aran's reasoning is incorrect. We have hundreds of 3015 in use in Compacts and Super Fifteens and none have ever failed - we've had the odd manufacturing related warranty return (misaligned cone, dustcap unglueing, etc) but no-one has ever blown one. Ironically we have far fewer 3015LFs out there (in Big Ones and Dubsters) but we've had two blown (both thermal failure with ~1000W amps).

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380568029' post='2227261'].... but there is no way out of too much bass...and you can certainly have too much bass, IMO.[/quote] Really? I thought most amps had both bass knobs and volume knobs which could be turned anticlockwise?

If anyone is having issues with feet falling off, email [email protected] and we'll find a solution. I believe we've sorted it for all G3 onwards cabs but that doesn't mean we don't care about everyone earlier - to be honest I think it's annoying me more than it is anyone else!

There are two halves to it - max loudness (basically the mids) is down to sensitivity + thermal power handling, whilst max low frequency output (high SPL fatness) is down to the cone area x cone excursion (assuming the port can keep up). Max loudness is what limits PA tops whilst max LF output is what limits PA subs. For most bass players the max LF SPL is the main limitation but if you're in a LOUD band and tend to play through big PAs where there's bleed from the subs then the max loudness tends to be the limitation. Ignoring what tweeters are doing because they're mostly irrelevant, it's not often a bass player will reach their limits, it comes down to the drivers be they 10", 12", 15" etc. http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/12XN550.htm From what I've seen from photos of the innards the various Berg neo 12"s have been 2512-II or 12PR300 based designs, hence the comparison as I believe they represent the best of the 'boutique' manufacturers available in retailers.

Regarding [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1380536434' post='2226610']To be fair, I think its valuable feedback that BF needs to keep improving the cabinets.[/quote] I like to think it has now been addressed: "[color=#333333]Our 1x12" cabs have small rubber feet on the base and one side opposite the handle, attached with long thick screws right through the plywood so they do not get knocked off. Our 2x12", 6x10" and 2x15" cabs have tilt and roll wheels on the back edge of the base and large rubber feet at the front edge, which are attached with bolts and t-nuts to survive the rigours of gigging. With the previous generation Barefaced cabs we had too many instances of foot screws being pulled out - our small feet used to be attached with shorter smaller gauge screws due to their location whilst our large feet used screws, not bolts. We are confident that this upgrade will solve this irritating problem: In the unlikely event that it doesn't then we'll think of something else - I don't want to hear of any more feet falling off!"[/color] http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/generation-three-hardware.htm

[quote name='fatback' timestamp='1380377395' post='2224486']Thanks, still not sure though whether mixing new and old, say old Midget and super Midget, is not on.[/quote] I haven't written the bit about old and new yet!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1380281374' post='2223169']So, some questions for Alex: Are the new cabs to be used only in pairs of the same model? If they can be mix/matched wich combos would you reccomend?[/quote] [url="http://barefacedbass.com/which-barefaced.htm"]http://barefacedbass.com/which-barefaced.htm[/url]

I'll also add that if you make a cab which not only has very even frequency response, but also really good polar response (dispersion), really good transient response (immediacy of the notes starting and stopping), and really good dynamic response (showing through all your accenting and variations in loudness), then you won't need to be as loud to sit just right in the mix compared to using a cab which was less good at any one of these aspects.

[quote name='skychaserhigh' timestamp='1380204116' post='2222272']With the Barefaced cabs there is always a lot of emphasis on how loud they can go. In real world gigging situations what matters to me is the tone and being able to hear what I'm playing clearly.[/quote] Can I just state this really really clearly: [b]TONE COMES FIRST FOR US!!![/b] But if a cab can't play loud enough, its tone falls apart well before it stops getting louder. Make cabs that sound great AND are great at playing loud and they'll sound great on loud gigs, quiet gigs, outdoor gigs, gigs where you have a much louder dep drummer, gigs where the PA turns out to have no subwoofers, etc etc etc etc.

The '69er is a sealed cab with a fairly high Q alignment so below about 100Hz its excursion limited power handling is basically constant at ~400W continuous, all the way down to about 20Hz (at which point leakage will start messing with the alignment). You won't hear much output below 40Hz but you'd be very unlucky (or silly!) to hurt it.

When I get some time I'll add a page to our site explaining about mixing and matching Barefaced cabs of different types / generations. It would be much much easier for us to put the grill over the port - it would mean we could spend a significant amount less time getting the finish right. However doing so would choke the port at high SPL so we'd either have to accept that compromise or put in a port that was about 30% larger in area which would make the cabs about 20% larger then they currently are. Maybe we should do what everyone else does, hide the port behind the grill, forget about the real world LOUD gig performance and make some more money on each cab we sell?

That Kemper looks very clever. The Markbass Multiamp I tried at the bash on Saturday was remarkably good too. However, with most bass players being fairly simple creatures I don't think you can go wrong with a nice valve preamp or class A discrete like the Avalon U5. The other thing to consider is if you need loud monitoring for tracking drums and bass live or whether it'll be all be via headphones.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1379772293' post='2216632']why do you think this is Alex?[/quote] I think mostly because they're more demanding in terms of amplification than our other models (combination of lower sensitivity for their size and how they interact with amps as they approach/exceed full power) and partly because they're heavier/larger in comparison for their output. Awesome tone and output if driven right though. The new Third Generation BB2 and BT2 solve all those 'problems'!

[quote name='jmchich' timestamp='1379943509' post='2218495']So is the new ported 2x15 a replacement for the dubster? Was considering a dubster when I have some money, very sad if it's gone.[/quote] The Big Twin 2 effectively replaces the Dubster. As it stands no Dubster owners have used powerful enough amps to take their cab beyond the Big Twin 2's max LF SPL capabilities, plus the Big Twin 2 goes lower, is far more tonally versatile, smaller and possibly lighter too.

Anyone asking about T-shirts, I've made a terribly fancy page for online ordering of them: http://barefacedbass.com/product-range/T-shirts.htm (The weird thing that's happened to the bottom border was obviously a stylistic decision, asymmetric is in...)

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1379935484' post='2218351']I want to see pics of the new BF cabs![/quote] There should be a few! The silver cloth grill cabs were both production examples, the ones without grills are pre-production (and in the case of the Big Twin 2, not enough close to cosmetically finished!) versions. We're getting our new steel grills custom made (by the same company that does JBL's) and are expecting them today - should look really nice and be tougher than before.

Just updated this bit, hopefully it answers the above questions: http://barefacedbass.com/which-barefaced.htm

Hopefully this will shed some light - sorry, it's 3000 words long and there aren't any pictures either! http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/generation-three-development.htm

I'm just uploading some info about how this came about - it's been a very long and difficult road! Incidentally, is anyone getting strftime warnings when they go on our site? Our suspected hack last week was a server migration which didn't go right (not my fault, I have no clue with this stuff!) and I think we've lost a config setting which is causing this error. I'm trying to fix this myself whilst awaiting my webmaster's advice...

That was awesome! Manic as ever, wish I could have been there earlier, wish I'd brought some more of the Barefaced team (although the car was full of cabs...) Completely failed to tell everyone that we had T-shirts available and apologies to those trying other rigs when certain individuals were giving the new Generation Three cabs a whirl at slightly antisocial SPL! Great to see/meet everyone I saw, though I'm disappointed to see quite how many were there who I know that I didn't chat to. Hamster and I agreed we need a 48 hour day next time.

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1379140576' post='2209031']Is anyone bringing a Barefaced Midget that I can try?[/quote] We'll have something almost as small with us! We have our T-shirts here now. £15 each cash on the day, should raise some money for the charity pot from the profits!

[quote name='Russ' timestamp='1379499868' post='2213316']Also, as a heads-up, your website's throwing an error right now...[/quote] Aarghh, we've been hacked again!!! Thanks for spotting that. Anyone know how to fix this security breach in CMS? It happened about a month ago and our webmaster was going to sort something out but we've been hit again before the weakness as been fixed.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]1. Hamster - Tea, coffee & biscuits[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]2. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Schecter Diamond P5, Levinson Blade B15, amp & cab tbc[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]3. Happy Jack - Matamp GT120 with Barefaced stack[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]4. Bluejay - something left-handed - possibly my new Bass Collection, or the Godman acoustic but, depending on space, I may simply come with the BC Relay Baton[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3], which is right-handed[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]5. OBBM - Bergantino CN212, Aguilar TH500, A couple of old Fenders, perhaps a Sadowsky UV70.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]6. chris_b[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]7. Clarky[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] - I will be bringing a 3/4 double bass, a MarkBass Mini CMD 121P amp, and possibly also my Ampeg Baby Bass[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]8. Russ - Sei 5-string, Spector 5-string, Markbass 6x10"/Ampeg SVT-7[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]9. Irvined - Retrovide RV4 and home brew bass pedals[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]10. xilddx - 1983 USA Fender Jazz / 2010 USA Fender Stratocaster Deluxe V-Neck / POD X3 LIVE[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]11. Sibob[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]12. Barneyg42-Status S2 Classic five, Ibanez BTB 6-string fretess,TC BH500, TC BC 2x10, Barefaced Compact and various pedalage![/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]13. Walman - T[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]C BH250, & will probably bring the Wal, synth & bass pedals, plus the L2500s (definitely the fretted one)[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] and Streamliner 6 & Barefaced Super12T[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]14. Paul S - some stuff. BF rig, maybe a Westone Pantera X790 in case anyone wants a look?[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]15. BetaFunk - I will bring a selection of British 60s basses (Vox, Burns, WEM) plus my Shergold Marathon.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]16. Billy Apple. Matamp GT200 Rig. Ruttmoth P Bass, TBird too maybe. Some Pedals.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]17. Jazzneck (gig and her highness permitting) - Ampeg AEB and my £60 OLP MM alike.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]18. Simonedward (with blessing of authorities) - Jaydees (Series II, GA24 custom and fretless), a Trace amp (probably), lots of TC toneprint pedals.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]19. Walbassist - Veillette Archtop fretless 5, Sandberg VT5 and BSX Allegro 5[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]. Aguilar Tonehammer 500 and Bergantino CN212[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]20. Phil Adams[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] - my ESP 5 string fretless, and probably my Stagg fretless[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]21. Fat Rich - Fenders, Status[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]22. Molan - Ritters, Celinders, Alleva Coppolo etc.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]23. 51m0n[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]24. Dropzone[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]25. ped - Vigier passion 4, Buscanti Jazz, Vbass[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]26. Urban Bassman - Shuker JB5 Custom, US Masters EP53 Fretless, Ashdown Kylstron 500 and 4x10[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]27. PTB - MTD 535, Reverend 5L,[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]28. StephenYork - Alpher Custom 5 String, Markbass LM3, Markbass 2x15 (and maybe the missus)[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]29. hen barn - Status kingbass, status energy 5 string(ebs loaded); Genz Benz streamliner; Vanderklays 2x10 1x12; Lots of pedals! [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]30. bigbeatnut - lots of teeny pedals and a themed selection of basses Probably Status Eclipse LTD 5, Status shark 5, Status S1 5 (last two fretless); for sale: [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Jackson C5[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3], and maybe [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Enigma Q-balls and Boss AW3[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]31. Shockwave - Warmoth P-J Antigua bass, 6 String Letts bass (If built)[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] otherwise my Gibson Grabber tuned Drop C.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]32. Kiwi - Shuker 6 and custom strat[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]33. Bassmanady[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]34. pete.young[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]35. Marcus Bell - Jaydee supernatural roadie 2 active; Status series 2000 [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]36. dave.c - [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]1985 Vigier Passion II and a 2008 Passion IV possibly a Vigier Excess[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]37.[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] The Greek[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]38.[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] Bassface2k10[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]39.[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] Lozz196[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]40. Truckstop[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]41. urb[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]42. SpaceChick [tbc][/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]43. Throwoff - new bass and/or Genz Benz 410[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]44. TomKent [tbc] - Jazz Bass, P Bass, half my Krampera stack[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]45. Wolverinebass - either the Alembic or the Buzzard[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]46. iD Entity - Zon Sonus 5, and maybe my Ampeg Micro VRs, and some pedals[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]47. JapanAxe - G&L L1505 an Yamaha BB400S fretless - plus [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]TC Classic, [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Orange Valve Tester[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3], and Barefaced Midget (non-tweeter version)[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]48. Grand Wazoo - One Dingwall ABII Roasted Maple Neck and one Vintage PRS Bass with a small amp (Ibanez promethean) to allow them to be played and heard.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]49. Bikenbass - Fender Roscoe Beck V, GK MB200, Barefaced Compact. [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]50. NancyJohnson [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]- two or three thunderbirds and my Ashdown/Hartke stuff. I'll bring my Waterstone Tom Petersson12-string bass too unless Warwickhunt has bought it by then. I'll be with drummer Darren Oliver-Jones[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]51. Dougal - Xotic Precision, ACG Super J, Rickenbacker 4004[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]52. MacDaddy - Paul the drummer and kit.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]53. Oopsdabassist [tbc][/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]54. Discreet [tbc] - with or without The Bass Doc 'Discreet' Custom P?[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]55. Chriswareham - Ampeg SVT CL with 1x15 and 4x10 cabs; Stingray Stealth in drop Bb; pedalboard with Compulator, Darkglass B3K, EH Clone Theory and EH Electric Mistress[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]56. Timmo[/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] - brand new Clover Avenger 4 left handed[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]57. Noisyjon[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]58. Bloodaxe [tbc] - SB-900 & Ibanez Promethean[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]59. JamesFlashG - with a bass or two[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]60. Chimike - Acoustic 320 rig, plus Roger Giffin bass[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]61. Captain Rumble - Barefaced S12 T, Tec amp Puma, Sandberg basic, mex Jazz plus a Barefaced Compact and Eden Highwayman to sell[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]62. smaz [tbc] - Fender A/E Fretless MIJ Precision[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]63. Jcater[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]64. Stickman[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]65. sockdeluxe_mikey[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]66. alexclaber - some Barefaced thingies, a RIM Custom 5 36", and some amps and maybe some T-shirts![/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1379336885' post='2211387']Which manual Alex?[/quote] I'd assumed you meant the cab's manual? If you like the P through a Schroeder then I'd try turning the lows down and the low-mids up (both quite a lot) and the high-mids down and the highs up (both to a lesser degree). Fiddling with the pickup height can make a big difference - it's so quick to do that you can actually do it during soundcheck, just put a screwdriver in your back pocket. I'd also try turning the gain down and the master up or vice versa - gain staging can have pretty weird effects. [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1379336885' post='2211387']For the first time in the 30+ gigs I have used this, a young bass player wandered over at the end and said "Is that a Super 12". "Yes" beamed I. "Sounds great" sayeth he. "Cheers" sayeth I. 5 minutes later the drummer berated me for being a bitching old git. [/quote]