alexclaber

However, just to stick up for Stevie (for once! ) he does have a bit of a point. Although a midrange horn does increase the midrange sensitivity and improve the off-axis response, it adds colouration which may not be desired and increases cab size for equal LF sensitivity. It also has no benefit for excursion limited power handling which is the usual limiting factor in bass cab output. So Bill's previous assertion that a Jack 12 will beat a fEarful 12/6 or 15/6 hands down is hyperbole. If you have the power the fEarfuls are more than competitive. Alex

[quote name='chris_pokkuri' post='568144' date='Aug 13 2009, 04:39 PM']hmmm, interesting....(said with a pondering look while stroking my beard in a contemplating manner - theres no smiley for that)[/quote] Also if you have enough power and EQ you can make the Big One sound very much like the Vintage (or in fact many other bass cabs) but you can't do the reverse. Alex

[quote name='stevie' post='568197' date='Aug 13 2009, 05:32 PM']Interesting you should mention the Linkwitz dipole because I half-built one once just to see what it sounded like. I've never heard such clear, detailed bass before or since. They don't need to be expensive either, because you can use a passive crossover, but you do need to give them plenty of room, which is why I didn't pursue it.[/quote] I'm working on something like this for acoustic instruments which might be rather good. Way too big for hi-fi for my little house sadly. [quote name='stevie' post='568197' date='Aug 13 2009, 05:32 PM']Yes, and a properly rated magnet to control the cone movement. I think the term 'fast' when applied to bass doesn't so much mean starting fast but stopping fast.[/quote] Yep. But of course all the magnet in the world won't do anything to stop the cone if too much of the voice coil is out of the gap, at which point you're dependant on the suspension which means the Q goes all awry. I've actually never heard such a good slap sound as from my prototype t'Midget - big excursion ability but very high damping and restricted lows means the woofer is always running within its limits and the motor strength to cone mass ratio is very high indeed. Alex

Some kind of set-up workshop would be invaluable. I've always set up my own basses and I can't understand how anyone could have someone else set up their bass unless they spend ages with them or revisit repeatedly. It's just such a personal thing (in my personal opinion!) Alex

[quote name='stevie' post='568152' date='Aug 13 2009, 04:42 PM']Cheers, Alex. Those discussions don't actually come down on one side of the fence of the other. Last I heard, there had been no definitive study of the subject, although Bill is implying that he has seen a recent study that we're not privy to. He's just not prepared to share that information. On a more practical level, and returning to the original subject, lower group delay is the single and only advantage that a sealed cabinet has in pro sound bass applications. Whether or not it is audible, reflex cabinets have so many benefits that sealed is hardly ever a sensible option for bass. My own view is that the impression of 'fast' and 'slow' bass is due to a combination of factors including high frequency extension and delayed resonances, although other artefacts such as frequency response anomalies can also contribute.[/quote] I'd agree with all that (though I'd say that those discussions come down more on the 'reasonable amounts of group delay are insignificant' side of the fence). For high-end hi-fi I think it's worth worrying more about group delay and in fact any causes of stored energy which is just another reason why Linkwitz's active open-baffle designs are worth investigating if you have a big house and lots of money - but with the demanding SPLs, huge dynamic range and big bottom that is expected from bass guitar cabs there's no doubt in my mind that ported cabs are the way to go. I believe another contributor to 'slow' bass response is the performance of speakers when hit with huge low frequency transients, as when slapping through an amp with deep extended lows. Speakers with too little clean excursion and too extreme a change in behaviour beyond Xmax seem to end up sounding more woolly than punchy when trying to handle such an input. Alex

[quote name='mikek' post='568125' date='Aug 13 2009, 04:24 PM']I'm a bit confused. The owner's manual refers to bass boost, mid boost and treble boost EQ control. What do you mean Alex?[/quote] The owner's manual is wrong. The controls are actually all passive and therefore technically cut only. However the built-in curve to the preamp has boosted lows and highs and cut mids, which means to get close to flat response you have to cut almost all the lows and highs and boost all the mids. That tone stack software is really enlightening! Alex

Lots of bargains in here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=20"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=20[/url] Unless you really know what you want it's safer buying your first rig used as you can then move it on without much loss if it turns out to be unsuitable. Alex

Eminence drivers will always be more expensive here due to import costs. What makes matters worse is that the European distribution changed in the last few months which means stock levels are all awry. I don't even know if anyone other than me actually has them in the UK! Alex

Sustain seems more of a guitar or double bass issue. I've yet to come across an electric bass that doesn't have enough. In fact many players would sound better with a bass with far less sustain, as so little attention is given to making notes short enough! Alex

In my case it's not from the weight of the bass (which is on my left shoulder) but from the right shoulder having to hold the arm up when playing fingerstyle, slapping or strumming. Not knackered but stronger - but as a result inflexible which means more prone to potential injury. Alex

One of these: Thankfully the PA was half-decent. Am looking forward to trying a gig with a Shuttle 6.0 / Barefaced t'Midget - that will be equally small, half the weight and SO much louder and fatter. Alex

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='568022' date='Aug 13 2009, 02:44 PM']Deep massage and shiatsu treatment ... works for me. [/quote] I've been going to a chiropracter for a while now (mainly due to the evils of deskjobs) and since I noticed this shoulder weirdness I've been on a yogic stretching mission to try to reduce the asymmetry. Will see how it goes - glad to know I'm not alone! Alex

Or to put it another way, am I the only person on here whose right shoulder is much less flexible than his left due to years of bass playing? Try lying on the floor on your back with your arms straight and then bringing them over your head as though you're trying to stretch out as long as possible - my right arm really doesn't want to lie flat on the floor. Alex

[quote name='chris_pokkuri' post='567876' date='Aug 13 2009, 12:44 PM']hmmm, what difference in sound is there between a Big One and a Vintage?...[/quote] Big One has deeper lows, more aggressive mids and much more treble. Vintage is rounder and sweeter sounding, Big One has more grrrr and thunder. Alex

You're probably just running out of headroom on the input stages of the amps you're using and thus clipping their preamps. The amount of boost you can get from the active controls on a GB is quite scary. Alex

And another: [url="http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=Group+Delay"]http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=Group+Delay[/url] Alex

One useful link: [url="http://www.trueaudio.com/post_010.htm"]http://www.trueaudio.com/post_010.htm[/url] Alex

[quote name='escholl' post='566984' date='Aug 12 2009, 04:58 PM']aren't you forgetting group delay? always several times higher in ported cabs than sealed, by their design.[/quote] All the evidence suggests that the group delay of a well designed ported cab is inaudible. Bear in mind that the group delay of a typical highpass filter will be much greater than that of a good ported cab, yet I would still always recommend using such a filter when available because the advantages are clearly audible whilst the disadvantages aren't. Alex

I used to play very loud and I like a lot of bottom in my sound and it took a 2000W two Low-B2 rig to achieve that. With 2000W into it the Big One goes even louder and has more bottom where it really counts. Like you say, it's all about moving air! Have you noticed the size of the port on the Big One? There's a very good reason for that and it's not because it looks impressive. Alex

I'd say that the size of the amp is pretty insignificant compared to the size of the cab! And for the latter, more size equals more low frequency sensitivity, which is always a good thing. As it's your first big rig, do not underestimate secondhand Peavey amps - they're almost indestructible, solid tone and great value for money. Not light but still lighter than your current combo. If you buy everything secondhand you can shift it without loss if you decide that you don't like the sound/weight/size/loudness, etc. Alex

[quote name='Absolute-beginner' post='566722' date='Aug 12 2009, 01:18 PM']are you going to make a small portable amp at all to go with your cabs?[/quote] At the moment I feel the market is pretty well catered for. Where weight is a priority I'd lean towards the Shuttle 6.0 or LMIII (depending on your tonal preference). If you're willing to have a heavier amp to save money then the LH500 is really great. For louder situations the GK1001RBII and LH1000 are good choices. Or rack preamps with Crown XTi power amps. There's hell of a lot of choice out there though and most amps are pretty decent (if they suit you tonally - don't try to make an amp sound like something it isn't). Plus power is cheap, not worth skimping on! Alex

[quote name='jonthebass' post='566649' date='Aug 12 2009, 11:57 AM']How about a cab with 2 x 3015LF's and 1 or 2 Midrange speakers in, a kind of Double Big One, Possible?[/quote] It would just be SO big! And total overkill for almost anyone. However I have considered a cab with 2 x 3012LFs plus mid and optional tweeter in a Vintage sized/shape box - the size is just right. I really need to find someone who actually reaches the limit of the Big One on a gig though, it seems we're a long way from that happening with current users. Looking forward to Dood's test-run! Alex

How much are the WTX500s here? Obvious alternative choices are the Markbass LMII/III and Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and there are plenty of very happy owners of both on here. Alex

[quote name='Uncle Balsamic' post='566448' date='Aug 12 2009, 02:03 AM']Does that Big One have the newest crossover?[/quote] Ah yes, I mentioned about sending out the prototype. I decided to send a current production cab in case Myke wanted to keep it - prototype is still here waiting for me to do something with it... Alex

[quote name='Mr.T' post='566414' date='Aug 11 2009, 11:57 PM']If I am right in thinking that it uses the same 15" driver as the Compact, all I can say is that it seems to much prefer living in the larger environment the BigOne offers.... It seems as though it can really breathe.[/quote] It's a different woofer which inherently has a deeper sound but needs more room to operate effectively. The 15" in the Compact has a similar response in the lows to more typical 4x10", 2x12" or 1x15" bass cabs, rolling off relatively high with a gradual slope, whilst the 15" in the Big One stays almost flat for practically another octave and then the response drops like a stone. [quote name='Mr.T' post='566414' date='Aug 11 2009, 11:57 PM']Ahhh, the wheels... Ideal for manouevring around at home on on stage, but I wouldn't want to trust them 100yds across a rocky Cornish carpark. I think a trolley/spare pair of hands/young back would be required.[/quote] Well it isn't designed as an off-road bass cab - tarmac only! However the bottom of the cab is double-thickness ply so you could certainly screw on some really big castors like these: [url="http://www.adamhall.com/uk/AH_p--project_27__b--37022"]http://www.adamhall.com/uk/AH_p--project_27__b--37022[/url] [quote name='Uncle Balsamic' post='566448' date='Aug 12 2009, 02:03 AM']Does that Big One have the newest crossover?[/quote] All the cabs out there have near identical crossovers, just the odd tiny tweak. Alex