Need Ideas For Cab Choice

Gab124

Gab124

The path is greater than the destination
Dec 30, 2006
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Tulsa
#1
Hello there talkbass people.

I need some ideas for a cab - so let's start with my details shall we....

Background - over 30 years playing, many cover bands, lots of dive bars and some really cool places as well.

Genre - The band I need to upgrade cab for is a mix of southern rock, splash of pop, and classic rock maybe even rootsy sometimes but usually driving. Two guitars, keys, two vocal, drums. Everyone is pretty professional and knows a good deal about being team players.

Tone - I have recently moved over to the pbass (Fender Original 60's) which honestly is a wide variety of sounds once you get into it. I really like the sound of Sean Hurley, Andy Hess for examples. Don't go for the hollow aggressive p tone so much, but really like a thick full tone that remains defined and supports rather than cuts through. I know my role in this band, and it is the platform for everyone - but that doesn't mean I don't want to throw in nice fills and runs that can be noticed. Guitars are loud, but eq is not pumped up with lows, so I have sonic space. I do tend to use a HPF a lot as I have found over the years that all that really low end just mucks things up, but with that said I desire a full solid fundamental with articulation.

Style - I don't slap, I like to lock in with drummer and then find areas to get a little busy sometimes.

Amps - whatever cab I get I have several amps that can be run into it, WD800, PF800, DB751, RUMBLE800, STREAMLINER 600. Most places I play have PA support and I can go into board with either Mesa Subway + DI or REDDI.

The cab I used at my larger shows over the years has finally failed and so I need something for the larger stuff. I do not want a giant 810, though I do love them just don't want to lug that thing around anymore - been there done that. I have been somewhat interested in the Subway 215, but curious as to what else might be a good idea. The last show I played was a good sized outdoor venue on a lake, and my main cab failed before the show by a few days, had to take something smaller and hope it would carry the stage, but alas it failed miserably at that. Some of these larger shows really run a very loud stage volume, so I want to be a little more prepared for the next one.

Thank you all so much for giving me a few ideas!
gab124
 
#4
I should add though, I have a good assortment of cabs for smaller to medium stuff, so a schelppable one piece cab is okay as well.
 
#5
Gab124 said:
Those do look good, but wow 78lbs - good thing it would be modular.
Click to expand...
I thought they were neo's and were lighter - but it's been a while since I owned my M6 Carbine combo. Sounded great though. I'm not familiar with other cabs (like GK's, etc.) the GK 412 is about the same size (or slightly taller) than a 610.

Maybe Barefaced? MAS? Personally I wind up grabbing deals on things I find locally. And I'm still somewhat spry so weighty stuff doesn't deter me. Best of luck with your search.

Raz
 
#6
Razman said:
I thought they were neo's and were lighter - but it's been a while since I owned my M6 Carbine combo. Sounded great though. I'm not familiar with other cabs (like GK's, etc.) the GK 412 is about the same size (or slightly taller) than a 610.

Maybe Barefaced? MAS? Personally I wind up grabbing deals on things I find locally. And I'm still somewhat spry so weighty stuff doesn't deter me. Best of luck with your search.

Raz
Click to expand...

Yeah man thanks for the idea, have been looking into them some. My area has some good stores to try things, but they are the most basic usual, Markbass, Ampeg and some Aguilar, not that I don't like those, I was looking at the Ampeg 610 and Revsound has a neat looking vertical 410 that might be kinda cool, though I don't really know that much about them.
I would much rather focus on rehearsals but danged if this equipment thing always rears it head.
 
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#8
Gab124 said:
Yeah man thanks for the idea, have been looking into them some. My area has some good stores to try things, but they are the most basic usual, Markbass, Ampeg and some Aguilar, not that I don't like those, I was looking at the Ampeg 610 and Revsound has a neat looking vertical 410 that might be kinda cool, though I don't really know that much about them.
I would much rather focus on rehearsals but danged if this equipment thing always rears it head.
Click to expand...
If you don’t mind totin’ the 6x10 it might be a good solution for you. 50 lbs less than the 8x10. Still make big noise with some finesse. There are good deals on used ones out there.
 
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#12
Just to keep things interesting I would recommend that you check out the Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12 cabinets. No tweeter but plenty of highs. They are really light and can be really loud.
 
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#13
Gab124 said:
Hello there talkbass people.

I need some ideas for a cab - so let's start with my details shall we....

Background - over 30 years playing, many cover bands, lots of dive bars and some really cool places as well.

Genre - The band I need to upgrade cab for is a mix of southern rock, splash of pop, and classic rock maybe even rootsy sometimes but usually driving. Two guitars, keys, two vocal, drums. Everyone is pretty professional and knows a good deal about being team players.

Tone - I have recently moved over to the pbass (Fender Original 60's) which honestly is a wide variety of sounds once you get into it. I really like the sound of Sean Hurley, Andy Hess for examples. Don't go for the hollow aggressive p tone so much, but really like a thick full tone that remains defined and supports rather than cuts through. I know my role in this band, and it is the platform for everyone - but that doesn't mean I don't want to throw in nice fills and runs that can be noticed. Guitars are loud, but eq is not pumped up with lows, so I have sonic space. I do tend to use a HPF a lot as I have found over the years that all that really low end just mucks things up, but with that said I desire a full solid fundamental with articulation.

Style - I don't slap, I like to lock in with drummer and then find areas to get a little busy sometimes.

Amps - whatever cab I get I have several amps that can be run into it, WD800, PF800, DB751, RUMBLE800, STREAMLINER 600. Most places I play have PA support and I can go into board with either Mesa Subway + DI or REDDI.

The cab I used at my larger shows over the years has finally failed and so I need something for the larger stuff. I do not want a giant 810, though I do love them just don't want to lug that thing around anymore - been there done that. I have been somewhat interested in the Subway 215, but curious as to what else might be a good idea. The last show I played was a good sized outdoor venue on a lake, and my main cab failed before the show by a few days, had to take something smaller and hope it would carry the stage, but alas it failed miserably at that. Some of these larger shows really run a very loud stage volume, so I want to be a little more prepared for the next one.

Thank you all so much for giving me a few ideas!
gab124
Click to expand...
I would go two used Bag End 15's I have used them for 25 years and most clubs I run one they weigh 40 lbs they project well and cover the tone your looking for no hollow mids no ultra lows the sound is very natural. I play fender basses a 66 precision a 52 and a jazz bass for really large shows I used the acoustic 360.
 
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#15
Most of the cab weight is in the wood, not the drivers.

Most cabs are 3/4" plywood, none or minimal bracing, to keep labor costs down.
This is very sturdy, but quite heavy.

If you are inclined to roll your own, you can use 3/8" or 1/2" baltic birch, lots of bracing, all of which is drilled out with lots of swiss-cheese airspace holes.. these are more like trusses than a solid brace. This amount of hand work is $$$ and why you don't find it in commercial offerings. It offers a significant weight reduction.

Multiple cabs have advantages over a single large one.
Oftentimes, a single driver cab is more closely matched to the ideal volume required by its driver.
Many times you can leave one home, especially if the house offers sound reinforcement.
 
#16
Mike Marshall said:
I would go two used Bag End 15's I have used them for 25 years and most clubs I run one they weigh 40 lbs they project well and cover the tone your looking for no hollow mids no ultra lows the sound is very natural. I play fender basses a 66 precision a 52 and a jazz bass for really large shows I used the acoustic 360.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest the good old S15. I wouldn't say it's my fav cab but it certainly is loud and punchy and a pair is easy enough to move.
 
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#17
The 212
Gab124 said:
What is the tonal difference between the Subway 212 and the 215?
Click to expand...
I haven't had it out on a gig, but have played the 212 side by side with a double 15 Subway stack at home a bit. The 212's voice is more aggressive in the upper mids and tighter/leaner in the lows. I gigged in the classic/southern rock genre for many years, and the 212 would be my first choice if I were still focused there (down to 2-3 rock gigs per year pre-covid).

My usual cab setup in those years was the same Bag End S15-D stack that @Mike Marshall suggests. The Subway 212 is pretty close in size to that stack, half the weight, stronger low end, ability to go higher with the great sounding tweeter, and quite a bit higher power handling. I loved the Bag Ends for decades, the Subways are the cabs that have let me move on from them.

Take it all with a grain of salt. I own the Subway 212 and a pair of Bag End S15-Ds that I'd like to sell.
 
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#18
I have looked at bag ends many times over the years, don't know why I never ended up with one, they sound like they are great. Mesa Subway stuff does have my intrigued just because I have been very impressed with their amps and DI boxes. I have never looked at the EA Wizzy will have to check it out and I always heard Schroeder was very mid focused? I did talk to Dave at Revsound today as well regarding they 215 and 410 vertical and those do sound like a good option as well. I love and hate choices, but dang what a time for bass gear.
 
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#19
bgavin said:
Most of the cab weight is in the wood, not the drivers.

Most cabs are 3/4" plywood, none or minimal bracing, to keep labor costs down.
This is very sturdy, but quite heavy.

If you are inclined to roll your own, you can use 3/8" or 1/2" baltic birch, lots of bracing, all of which is drilled out with lots of swiss-cheese airspace holes.. these are more like trusses than a solid brace. This amount of hand work is $$$ and why you don't find it in commercial offerings. It offers a significant weight reduction.

Multiple cabs have advantages over a single large one.
Oftentimes, a single driver cab is more closely matched to the ideal volume required by its driver.
Many times you can leave one home, especially if the house offers sound reinforcement.
Click to expand...


I have neither the patience or time to build another cab, did it a few times and just not my cup of tea. Would have to agree on the multiple cab thang, but oddly I often would prefer just to carry a larger one as opposed to more trips. For most of my gigs at clubs, I have cabs for that, so the occasional schlep of a larger cab for a bigger gig is pretty good - unless its an 810
 
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