smeet Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Hi all, this is my first post, please be gentle... I am considering buying a (slightly) used Retro Six 10, which is too far from me to try out. I'm in the US, so Barefaced cabinets are very rare. The 610 barely exists over here. From a cursory search it looks like there aren't even that many in the UK? I'm hoping that there are a few owners that could weigh in and help me. Or even if you've heard one. Or heard of one. Lately I've been in a ridiculous cabinet-buying frenzy, looking for THAT SOUND. Here's what I have right now: Bergantino NV610 Baer ML212 fEARful 15/6/12 and 12/6/1 (home-built) Ampeg 212av My quest is for something that is easy to carry, can do a crushing ROCK sound, as well as being able to do more modern jazz/fusion/dance/whatever, can sound huge like an 810, but still articulate and pleasing in a lower volume setting. So far, the Baer gets the closest to filling these requirements. The NV610 is amazing, but it's heavy, and it's very mid-focused. A wonderful vintage rock sound, but more highs and (a bit) more lows would be nice, while retaining those beautiful mids. So... Given the high cost (even used) over here, will the Retro Six 10 do what I'm looking for? Will it really give me something that I don't already have covered? Is it worth twice the cost of a used NV610? Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated. Edited April 1, 2015 by smeet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest monsterthompson Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I'm interested in this thread. Smeet is a good guy, a good player, and he's played my BF SC and SM cabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Is it the Retro Six 10, or it's predecessor; the 69er? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeet Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 It's the Retro Six 10. I guess the guy has only had it for a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeet Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 Hmmm. Well I guess I'm passing on the Retro. I couldn't leave the seller hanging. It feels too risky to put that much money into something I can't try or even hear demos of. Not getting any user feedback makes it that much scarier. Where are the enthusiastic testimonials? Are there just no owners out there online? Or are people not so happy with theirs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I think that's a good idea. Barefaced seem to divide opinion on here. A lot of people love them, but then there are those who don't aswel. So to splash that cash on something you haven't tried, which is known to divide opinion is a bit of a risk! I have never played through a Retro Six 10 so can't comment on that. Ive owned a Big Twin T though, and that was immense. IMO perfect for heavy rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 [quote name='smeet' timestamp='1427925845' post='2736068'] Hi all, this is my first post, please be gentle... I am considering buying a (slightly) used Retro Six 10, which is too far from me to try out. I'm in the US, so Barefaced cabinets are very rare. The 610 barely exists over here. From a cursory search it looks like there aren't even that many in the UK? I'm hoping that there are a few owners that could weigh in and help me. Or even if you've heard one. Or heard of one. Lately I've been in a ridiculous cabinet-buying frenzy, looking for THAT SOUND. Here's what I have right now: Bergantino NV610 Baer ML212 fEARful 15/6/12 and 12/6/1 (home-built) Ampeg 212av .......... Will it really give me something that I don't already have covered? [b] Is it worth twice the cost of a used NV610[/b]? [/quote] I'd 'guess' this is the comment that finished off any discussion..?? Berg cabs are revered over here pretty much by all. IMO. But not many people here have a need for a 610..as that is too much cab for the gigs they do too often...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeet Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 (edited) Interesting. From what I have read on talkbass, I never realized there was much disagreement about barefaced. I just figured they were expensive to ship to the US, and that everyone loved them on the other side of the pond. Well, now I know. For arguments about fEARfuls, I'll go to talkbass. For barefaced, it's basschat. Edited April 3, 2015 by smeet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 And whatever you do Smeet, don`t mention the handles....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 What do you mean Lozz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 We've only been selling the Six10 for a few months so there aren't many out there yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I've been comparing my Retro Six10 to my Berg NV610 today, and at the moment the Barefaced wins on lows and smoothness in the mids but when I play aggressively the Berg breaks up and sings while the Barefaced just gets louder. I'm far from finished testing but at the moment, they both sound amazing! The Berg sounds more 'Fridge like' but only when driven hard. The Barefaced is more civilized in comparison but can still 'rock hard' in a vintage sort of way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1428099011' post='2738169']I've been comparing my Retro Six10 to my Berg NV610 today, and at the moment the Barefaced wins on lows and smoothness in the mids but when I play aggressively the Berg breaks up and sings while the Barefaced just gets louder. I'm far from finished testing but at the moment, they both sound amazing! The Berg sounds more 'Fridge like' but only when driven hard. The Barefaced is more civilized in comparison but can still 'rock hard' in a vintage sort of way.[/quote] With a good amount of power pushing it I've got the Two10 to start breaking up and growling and then overdriving in a really awesome way. I've never managed to push the Six10 loud enough to get the same effect - it will do it though, it'll just be [b]VERY VERY VERY LOUD[/b]! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Bob, just had a thought - you might want to try blocking the hybrid resonator's port on the bottom of the cab. A rolled up t-shirt will do the job (that's what I used in testing), just make sure it's a tight fit! This will reduce the output in the lows and also cause the cab to overdrive sooner. You may find that this is the best way to use the cab for all your indoor gigs if you want that extra growl - then outdoors take advantage of the extra output and power handling from the hybrid resonator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6v6 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1428400651' post='2740839'] Bob, just had a thought - you might want to try blocking the hybrid resonator's port on the bottom of the cab. A rolled up t-shirt will do the job (that's what I used in testing), just make sure it's a tight fit! This will reduce the output in the lows and also cause the cab to overdrive sooner. You may find that this is the best way to use the cab for all your indoor gigs if you want that extra growl - then outdoors take advantage of the extra output and power handling from the hybrid resonator. [/quote] Dumb question, what actually is a "hybrid resonator"? It looks like a port, so what makes it different to a port? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='6v6' timestamp='1428401239' post='2740848'] Dumb question, what actually is a "hybrid resonator"? It looks like a port, so what makes it different to a port? [/quote] Not a dumb question - smart question! A port has one tuning frequency and the effect is very much like moving the lowest slider on a 12 band graphic EQ up by a fair few dB. The hybrid resonator has two tuning frequencies, one lower than a typical port tuning frequency, one higher. Its effect is more like turning up the bass knob on a 3 band EQ by about two dB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShergoldSnickers Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) [quote name='6v6' timestamp='1428401239' post='2740848'] Dumb question, what actually is a "hybrid resonator"? It looks like a port, so what makes it different to a port? [/quote] Not a dumb question. A very interesting question. Ah... almost simultaneous posting with Alex. It would seem I'm a member of the same mind-hive. Edited April 7, 2015 by ShergoldSnickers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1428400651' post='2740839'] Bob, just had a thought - you might want to try blocking the hybrid resonator's port on the bottom of the cab. A rolled up t-shirt will do the job (that's what I used in testing), just make sure it's a tight fit! This will reduce the output in the lows and also cause the cab to overdrive sooner. You may find that this is the best way to use the cab for all your indoor gigs if you want that extra growl - then outdoors take advantage of the extra output and power handling from the hybrid resonator. [/quote][quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1428400651' post='2740839'] Bob, just had a thought - you might want to try blocking the hybrid resonator's port on the bottom of the cab. A rolled up t-shirt will do the job (that's what I used in testing), just make sure it's a tight fit! This will reduce the output in the lows and also cause the cab to overdrive sooner. You may find that this is the best way to use the cab for all your indoor gigs if you want that extra growl - then outdoors take advantage of the extra output and power handling from the hybrid resonator. [/quote] I don't have a problem with the RS10, I love it, I was just trying to describe the initial differences I heard. It's interesting what you say about the hybrid resonator and the T shirt, perhaps an 'adjustable port' might give owners some degree of flexibility in fine tuning the lows, great for improving boomy stages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1428427175' post='2741186']I don't have a problem with the RS10, I love it, I was just trying to describe the initial differences I heard. It's interesting what you say about the hybrid resonator and the T shirt, perhaps an 'adjustable port' might give owners some degree of flexibility in fine tuning the lows, great for improving boomy stages.[/quote] Great! The T-shirt thing sounds a bit ghetto but it works really well for blocking a big round port - and you can't see it because it's underneath the cab. A big ski sock works well too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 That's really interesting. Good question well answered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1428434777' post='2741288'] Great! The T-shirt thing sounds a bit ghetto but it works really well for blocking a big round port - and you can't see it because it's underneath the cab. A big ski sock works well too! [/quote] It sounds as if you're talking yourself into supplying a tee-shirt with every cab (or maybe a ski sock..? ). Don't be surprised if customers start haggling over tee (or sock...) sizes..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Would one of those port bunger-uppers that Trace used to supply work with one of these cabs? There must be a few of them around as you never see them being used in Trace cabs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1428670764' post='2743625']Would one of those port bunger-uppers that Trace used to supply work with one of these cabs? There must be a few of them around as you never see them being used in Trace cabs...[/quote] It's a flared port so I don't think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Great news! Flares are in fashion again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Just to add to the OP's question - I don't have a 610, but I do have 2 of the 210 4 ohm cabs and am completely bowled over by them. I love the low B string sounds I get out of them and they are pretty light too. I wouldn't have wanted to drag a mini fridge sized cab around with me - no matter how light it was, hence avoiding the 610. I may buy aniother 210 at some point to replicate the 610 if I was ever doing that kind of gig regularly, but at the moment, one 210 is often enough for what I need! Positive testimonial from me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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