stevie

Although this is only at a few watts, the distortion measurement is still very impressive.

Here's the impedance curve of the slotted port version. The cab is tuned to about 46Hz, a bit lower than the first tube-ported version.

This is the anechoic frequency response of the cab - in other words, the response of the cabinet excluding the room reflections. Because of the size of my measuring space, it's only valid down to 300Hz. To measure lower than that, I need to go outside, measure the LF response, and then stitch that to my 300Hz+ measurement. Unless you have an anchoic chamber, everyone uses this method, or a variant of it, to get a full range curve. With the weather as it is, this is not going to happen today. However, I did carry out an RTA measurement with the cab on the floor (how it will actually be used), which tells us what we need to know.

Phil, a peak like that followed by a dip is invariably a resonance. Located just under 1kHz as it is, I'm pretty sure it is a surround resonance.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1446056120' post='2896579'] Just to help square things up with what we're hearing on the recordings, can you remember which cab had the healthy one? [/quote] Yes, the cabinet (on the left, for those who were there) made up in 1/2" ply had the good driver in. Most people (including me) seem to prefer this one from the recordings. On the other hand, there was near unanimous agreement at the Bash that the other one sounded better. The only explanation I have for this (and I wouldn't bet my life on it) is that we were all listening well off axis at the Bash, i.e. we were all quite close to the cabs. So the peaks would have been much lower in level than in the recordings, which were made directly in front of the cabs. There was also a substantial amount of "panel talk" coming from the 1/2" cab that the close micing would not necessarliy have picked up.

I would have posted this a lot earlier but I hit a snag. When I started measuring one of the cabs I have here, it didn’t measure the same as the one I had had here a few weeks ago. I spent hours trying to figure out what was going on. I even started recalibrating all my measuring gear. Eventually, I pulled out a speaker that I know measures flat and tried it: it was flat. The penny dropped and I put the second cab on the bench and measured it. There was a problem with one of the Beymas. This makes a bit of a mockery of our comparison test at the Bash. This is how they measured. I’d say one of those was definitely not to spec. The red one is the good one, by the way. More to follow shortly.

Adding to what could be Basschat's longest Feedback thread........ Nik bought a speaker from me last week and was a pleasure to deal with.

I also preferred B from those recordings, and I preferred the Italian amp at the time. I think preferences were evenly split at the Bash as far as I could tell. It's going to be interesting listening to the Basschat 12s.

I'm pleased to learn my memory isn't playing tricks on me.

Well I know which one I prefer here, although I thought the difference was more marked on the day.

Graham T kindly had collected 2 prototype cabs from Phil and taken them along to the bash. I set them up side by side and invited people to compare them - without telling them what the difference was. In fact, the first one was built from 1/2" ply, fully braced (with tubular ports). The second was in 3/4" ply with no bracing (with a slot port). Phil had previously told me that he preferred the 3/4" ply version and most of those who listened on the day stated a preference for the 3/4" ply cab, with only one person preferring the other one. The sound difference was not considered to be huge but it was definitely there. Woodinblack made a recording of the two cabs. When he puts them up, everyone will be able to compare them and also get an idea of what they sound like. Most people thought the cabs were well balanced, even though I specifically mentioned our concern that the mids might be too forward. Only two people said they would prefer less midrange, although several said they thought the cabs would benefit from a tweeter. Let's see what the general consensus is when people hear the recordings. If it's generally favourable, we'll move on quickly to drawings, photos, measurements, etc. so that anyone who wants to can get building.

For what it's worth, I've spray painted metal speaker grilles with Hammerite and Platikote spray paints. They both give a professional finish that looks just like powder coated, although it's not as tough. It's tough enough though and certainly tougher than a can of car spray paint (which I'd be reluctant to use here). I expect that using either of these paints to spray over an existing painted or powder coated grille would work, but it would be advisable to spray the back of the grille first just to make sure.

What a lovely bunch of guys - and such a phenomonal selection of gear to try out. From a sixties P-bass (and lots of Fenders), to Lakland, Warwick, Stingray, Status, Ibanez, G&L plus quite a few custom builds. There was even an Ashbory. Amp brands included Trace, Genz, Markbass, Warwick, Barefaced and Ashdown. The DIY community was represented by Jim's Fearful 15/3 and a couple of prototype Basschat 1 x 12s. Thanks to everyone who brought their gear along and also to Jim for doing the organising. The Italy vs. Indonesia match took place and was recorded for posterity. I would venture to claim that they were clearly not the same, but have a listen when the audio files are posted and make up your own mind. Woodinblack also recorded the Basschat 12s, which I am looking forward to hearing when he puts them up. It was not long enough, I'm afraid, as I didn't get a chance to try everything I wanted. Maybe next year.......

I've no experience with the 15 but judging from the spec sheet, it should sound similar to the 12. Definitely not just a woofer; the treble is there but it's not extended.

I take it you're referring to the 12" driver(?). It's got enough HF for most people but I'd describe its sound as 'warm'. It you want tweetery type top end, it hasn't got it. It's fine as a standalone speaker but you're not going to sound like Marcus Miller.

I hope everyone attending the bash will have a listen to these cabs as critically as possible. The next step is to voice them (as they say) and we'd like your input on this. I'll have a Markbass LMIII connected, and will be inviting you to adjust the tone controls to get as close to the sound you'd like from the finished cab. I'm going to try to bring some measuring gear if I can. I'd also like to point out that I'm selling an Eden 15+horn speaker cab, a 1,000W power amp, some 12" speaker chassis, an electronic crossover and some outboard equalisers on the For Sales boards and would be happy to deliver any of these to the bash tomorrow.

[url="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7113983.htm"]http://www.argos.co....ber/7113983.htm[/url] I've had this small bench saw for a few years and it's only had about 20 minutes of use in total. I need some more space in my workshop and hope someone can make use of it. Either collect from Dorchester or I'll bring it along to the SOUTHWEST BASS BASH this Sunday, 20th. Message me first (obviously).

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1444888879' post='2886942'] Ah, the fabulous Davey Paton. One of my fave players. Recorded in his brief Wal using phase IIRC. GREAT LINE, AMAZING TONE! [/quote] Is that a Wal? I thought it was a Stingray. Perhaps I should post the link on the 'I hate Wals' thread.

I would hope it's the stock driver. Lots of manufacturers make minor changes to a stock driver so that they can claim to have a custom design. The problem is, when you need to replace a driver - or several - said manufacturers can *and do* hold you to ransom. It would be a point in TKS' favour IMO if they are using stock drivers (which I think they are doing).

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1444982758' post='2887776'] Eminence, I believe. Not sure of the specifics. [/quote] The specs listed on the TKS website match those for the Beta 12A, but I can't say for sure without seeing inside the box. For anyone who has looked or would like to check, there are a couple of detailed photos of the Eminence driver in my For Sale thread (be warned!) here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/271289-12-bass-guitar-drivers-eminence-and-das//."]http://basschat.co.u...ence-and-das//.[/url] The Beta is a fairly lightweight driver - so it would make sense.

Yes, that's a real shame.