AeroTech cabs from GR. Wow

[stevie]

It's not about cars though. Whatever you think of Italian cars, the Italian PA speaker industry is world-leading.

This isn't the first time that carbon fibre has been used for speaker cabinets, but the cost isn't usually worth it for most people. I can see some people going for it - cost being relative and all that.

I certainly like the look of their heads.

Edited January 27, 2020 by stevie

[karlfer]

Carbon is used in many fishing poles & the top range 16 meter poles are £4k + so top grade carbon is expensive material.

It is however generally very strong in any application, as well as light.

Somebody mentioned the price differential for only a 10lb weight saving. Straw, camel etc.

Looks like the prices are up there with the likes of Bergantino

My main concern is what they will actually sound like, which amps will work/which won't.

Very interesting, although the nearest dealer to me is 100 miles away in Morecambe.

I would think Mark in Bass Direct will get these in.

[machinehead]

Does anyone know the make and models of the drivers they're using?  They look very interesting cabs.

Frank.

[dave_bass5]

10 minutes ago, machinehead said:

Does anyone know the make and models of the drivers they're using?  They look very interesting cabs.

Frank.

You could ask them directly here

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gr-bass-gear-questions.1376653/

[LukeFRC]

I get why folk want super lightweight basses- typically it’s going to be hung off you for the gig...

... but mega bucks on something slightly lighter than a barefaced, when all you need to do is move it at the start and end of the gig.... which 30 years ago your equivalent would be doing with a trace Elliot 4*10 and 1*15 ... ? 

[machinehead]

38 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

I get why folk want super lightweight basses- typically it’s going to be hung off you for the gig...

... but mega bucks on something slightly lighter than a barefaced, when all you need to do is move it at the start and end of the gig.... which 30 years ago your equivalent would be doing with a trace Elliot 4*10 and 1*15 ... ? 

For some with back problems, joint pain and a variety of other health problems, it's important.  And that's before considering future health problems caused by heavy lifting.

Having said that, I've been happy with Barefaced for over 10 years and won't be buying anything else anytime soon, if ever.

Frank.

[dave_bass5]

Takes me over a min (closer to 2 each way) to get down 6 flights of stairs and across the car park to the car, then back up and back down with the rest of the gear. A heavier cab than the one i now have would be a big deal. 

Edited January 28, 2020 by dave_bass5

[stevie]

10 hours ago, machinehead said:

Does anyone know the make and models of the drivers they're using?  They look very interesting cabs.

Frank.

It looks like they're using Sica, Frank. The person on the Talkbass thread claims they are custom designs.

[Al Krow]

9 hours ago, LukeFRC said:

I get why folk want super lightweight basses- typically it’s going to be hung off you for the gig...

... but mega bucks on something slightly lighter than a barefaced, when all you need to do is move it at the start and end of the gig.... which 30 years ago your equivalent would be doing with a trace Elliot 4*10 and 1*15 ... ? 

The AeroTech 212 is, on paper, equivalent to the BF Big Twin in what it delivers.

29 lbs vs 49 lbs. That hardly qualifies as "something slightly lighter".

It's GOBSMACKINGLY AMAZINGLY LIGHTER !!

The Big Twin costs £1,200 new which is hardly bargain basement - I don't think the AeroTech is going to be a great deal above this.

If the cab quality is comparable, there's a new kid in town.

[Muzz]

If weight is so very important for glass backs, can't help thinking that the sort of investment in a cab that's still got to be lifted (and 29lbs, while it's very light in context of a 212, is still enough to pull a weak back) and hefted would be much better used in getting away from backline altogether. My in-ears weigh a few grammes...

Edited January 28, 2020 by Muzz

[dave_bass5]

1 minute ago, Muzz said:

If weight is so very important for glass backs, can't help thinking that the sort of investment in a cab that's still got to be lifted (and 29lbs, while it's very light, is still enough to pull a weak back) and hefted would be much better used in getting away from backline altogether. My in-ears weigh a few grammes...

If i went IEM how would the rest of the band hear me?

[Muzz]

In their monitors? Possibly a conversation to be had with the band?

Think of those 6 flights of stairs with just a bass and a Class D head to carry...lovely 😀

 

Edit: you wouldn't need the Class D head...just DI/FX/preamp...even lighter 😀

Edited January 28, 2020 by Muzz

[Muzz]

Full disclosure; I have three/four rigs, effectively: two BF cabs which can be stacktastic (ST and Compact) with the Walkabout, then either of the BF cabs with the Walkabout, then a Rumble 100 for simple trio gigs (small bar, drummer with hotrods kinda thing*) and then the inears.

It wasn't too hard to get the inears option worked out, and it definitely sounds the best.

* We have two PAs, effectively: a pair of RCF 12 tops and a 12 sub, but also a pair of tiny Bose S1s - if we use the tiny S1s, I use the Rumble.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Muzz

[dave_bass5]

17 minutes ago, Muzz said:

In their monitors? Possibly a conversation to be had with the band?

Think of those 6 flights of stairs with just a bass and a Class D head to carry...lovely 😀

 

Edit: you wouldn't need the Class D head...just DI/FX/preamp...even lighter 😀

All that, and the extra expense doesn't seem fair on the rest of the band though. If my guitarist turned around and suggested IEM for us all id tell him where to get off.

 

[Muzz]

Fair enough, at least you'll be as light as you can be with backline. A good Class D head and that cab would mean your entire backline would weigh less than the guitarist's ego*...

 

* I'm guessing here, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong... 😀

[dave_bass5]

21 minutes ago, Muzz said:

Fair enough, at least you'll be as light as you can be with backline. A good Class D head and that cab would mean your entire backline would weigh less than the guitarist's ego*...

 

* I'm guessing here, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong... 😀

At least we agree about something lol.

[Musicman20]

Just use a Line 6 Stomp/similar pre-amps etc into a PA....even the guitarists.

[dave_bass5]

21 minutes ago, Musicman20 said:

Just use a Line 6 Stomp/similar pre-amps etc into a PA....even the guitarists.

My guitarist doesn't have one. So thats a Stomp, IEM and a better PA we need to buy instead of a bass cab 🙄

[machinehead]

15 hours ago, stevie said:

It looks like they're using Sica, Frank. The person on the Talkbass thread claims they are custom designs.

Thanks stevie.

My only experience of Sica is when I had to replace a Sica 12" driver in my AER Amp 2.  The coil burnt out.  It did sound very good though, so it's hopeful.

Frank.

[karlfer]

On 27/01/2020 at 21:03, karlfer said:

Carbon is used in many fishing poles & the top range 16 meter poles are £4k + so top grade carbon is expensive material.

It is however generally very strong in any application, as well as light.

Somebody mentioned the price differential for only a 10lb weight saving. Straw, camel etc.

Looks like the prices are up there with the likes of Bergantino

My main concern is what they will actually sound like, which amps will work/which won't.

Very interesting, although the nearest dealer to me is 100 miles away in Morecambe.

I would think Mark in Bass Direct will get these in.

^^^^^^^^^^

Thought he might, but poor lad timing isn't going to help.

http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/GR_Bass_Cabinets.html

[thebassist]

Anyone got any first hand experience of these AeroTech cabinets yet?

[MOSCOWBASS]

I've just bought a 4ohm 2x10, should arrive next week. I was looking at adding 3rd BF one10 my 2. 2x one10 is usually fine, but I found myself slightly outgunned on a 60's/70's gig recently. I decided to take a punt at the GR 210 aero. This will give me  4 x10s  with my mesa subway at 2 ohms . God knows when ill get a gig to try it😁

[thebassist]

They look great and they appear to be unparalleled from a weight perspective but I’m very excited about hearing your opinion on the sound.

[MOSCOWBASS]

1 hour ago, thebassist said:

They look great and they appear to be unparalleled from a weight perspective but I’m very excited about hearing your opinion on the sound.

So am I, it's a bit of a lucky dip😁

[MOSCOWBASS]

Relieved the Aerotec 2x10 sounds good in the living room test. Nice clear deep sound and it's so light. I've got the 4ohm version, so I can compare it with my 2xBF one10's, also 4ohms. Mesa d800 amp. The GR bass cab seems louder than the BF's with same amp settings. The GR is also brighter as you would expect, it has a tweeter. Turns out the tweeter control is 3 position switch, not a variavble L pad as per GR's advertising. Not a problem for me, positions are "off, bright and even brighter). The first "on" position sounds good at home, we'll see when and if gigging resumes. Build quality feels good, although I suspect the plastic corners might not stand up to abuse. Digging into low B string  sounds clean, theOne10 pair breaking up a bit before the GR 2x10. Overall pleased so far. Could be tempted to replace the BF's with a GR aerotec 1x12 at a later date😂