5.5 Big One feedback
10/06/10 - Big One
I have now played with the Big One on a dozen of gigs in different venues. It seems to do the job very well indeed. Still need to fiddle with EQ at acoustically more troublesome venues but it seems to be quite easy. It did especially well on an outdoor gig without PA support. It alone sounded like regular bassgear with subwoofers.
I also compared it volumewise to Ampeg SVT II + 810Classic. Big one (with Ampeg SVT-IIP pre and Powersoft 1kw module) seems to put out almost as much bass and volume. I also tried to get it to sound similar to the Ampeg (which is a very good, usable and ballsy sound) by boosting the 100Hz and 250Hz on the graphic eq and cutting a little treble. It worked out pretty well.
So, thanks for making such a versatile bass cab!
Best Regards,
Juuso (Finland)
07/01/10 - Big One T
Pleased to say it's amazing, still haven't gigged with the cab yet but it's definitely the most obscenely loud and clearest sounding rig I've played through.
I've currently got one of the old Ashdown MAG preamps running through aforementioned Peavey amp into it, really can't fault it, even does an awesome job with guitar for fx heavy stuff. The only minor gripe I have is that one of the metal corners came off almost immediately after getting it, but obviously that doesn't affect the functioning at all and a bit of wood filler will sort that out pretty easily. Apart from that I've found occasionally when I've wanted to plug different amps into it I've missed not having a jack input as well as the speakon connector, so maybe something to consider if enough people want it.
All in all one of the best musical purchases I've made though, kudos to you and all at barefaced!
Davidd
[Barefaced: We have since switched to larger gauge screws to stop the corners coming loose when they get knocked. Replacement screws (and corners if any have been lost) are being sent to all owners so they can upgrade at their leisure]
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28/11/09 (Big One T)
It arrived yesterday morning.
I managed to have a couple of hours with it with my EBS head at relatively high volume. Initially, I was unsure about the sound, it seemed very middley,and reminded me of an old trace eliott 4x10 cab I had years ago and never liked. However, it is remarkable how it has totally changed after a bit of playing - its punchy with very smooth lows and plenty of volume and less than half of the weight of my EBS 4x10. I think it sounds great even with the amp controls flat and my first impression is that it is exactly what I was hoping for. I shall gig it tonight with my Epifani head and let you know how it goes.
Thanks
David (UK)
04/12/09 (Big One T)
Update:
I have done a couple of gigs with the cab now - the last being a sell out gig at the Jam House (Jools Holland's club in Birmingham) on Tuesday. I used one channel of my Epifani UL902C with the controls flat with an active Sadowsky 5 string with a little bass boost. The band is a moderately loud soul/funk/pop/rock covers band but I didnt get the master volume above 2/10 even with a noisy audience of 500 people (and I am not shy with volume). The sound was very good and clear on stage with very little, if any, bass in the monitors. Comments on the sound were very positive and it is clearly going to be loud enough for any gig I can imagine.
The best thing though was being able to get from my car to the stage with my bass, head, bits and peices and the cab in one trip without any help! It had been raining heavily just before I packed up so I definitely need to get a cover - have you got measurements handy so I can order one? - particularly so I can get cutouts for the handles in the right places.
I have noticed a little farting out on the B and E strings in practice at lower volumes than I would have expected although I didnt notice that on the gigs and I wondered if that might have something to do with the woofer being so new?
Cheers
David (UK)
[Barefaced: That's the amp running out of power and clipping because the woofer is new - once it's loosened up the amp should be fine, if not then more power is needed!]
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06/09/09 (Big One)
had first rehearsal with the cab today, sounded excellent, really clear and punchy, got the amp upto about 30% but had to back it off slightly as it was too loud! There seemed to be a slight frequency specific rattle coming off it at around low G....I've just tried it again at home and I think it was coming off the grille so have tightened it up and it seems ok now, although I can't test it for too long as I'll have the neighbour complaining. Otherwise, I'm really pleased with it.
Neil
[Barefaced: Neil's cab turned out to have a faulty midrange driver - swapped for a new one, AOK!]
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05/07/09 - Big One
Hi Alex, done a few gigs and rehearsals with the cab and I'm in need of some help.
The detail of sound is fantastic, I'm actually hearing all the frequencies I've been trying to eq in over the years with the amp set flat ( I hope that makes sense ). To quote the vintage review " the duvet has been lifted from my ears"( or something like that ).
Anyway the problem I have is when I start to dig in I'm finding the mid driver starts to crap out. I thought this could have been the Demeter, as the output is very high, so I removed it from the equation and just ran the Ashdown but still have the same problem. This obviously only happens when running at a reasonable volume.
Maybe I'm just expecting never ending loudness but I thought it would have been able to handle a bit more.
So there you go, what to do, should I get more power or go for something like the vintage. I'm just not getting the pulsing, throbbing midrange punch I'm in need of.
HELP.
John.
[Barefaced: I'm almost 100% certain that it isn't the midrange driver crapping
out, it's your amp running out of power and clipping and that comes
through loud and clear through the midrange speaker. Bear in mind that
I've pushed my cab with a 2000W power amp and the midrange speaker
never distorts. The solution is more power, something that can deliver
1000-2000W into an 8 ohm load.
Let me know what happens once you try a suitably manly amp! ;-)]
Update: 16/02/10
Been a while since I last spoke to you so I've included our last conversation to jog the memory.
I've finally bought a crown xti 2000 to power the most excellent (and first) vintage look big one.
The cab has been paired with a fender bassman 135 head for the last few months and I've never heard a more pleasing sound, but big volume is now required so I was hoping you could point me towards some power amp settings ( i.e crossover frequencies and whatever else is on there ) to get the most out of the cab.
I hope all is well in bareface world and that you may be able to help.
Cheers
John.
[Barefaced: Glad to hear it's working so well! With the XTi I recommend setting a steep highpass filter at 35Hz and setting the limiter to -3dB and then
running the amp bridged.]
Update: 03/03/10
XTI all plumbed in and fired up and I couldn't be happier.
All the volume I need and finally the tone I've been after.
Whatever bass I put through it, it sounds superb, i can now really play with a light touch and let the amp do the work.
It's the cab that just keeps giving !
Many thanks
A happy emperor.
p.s. My only niggle was that the feet needed bigger screws due to getting knocked off every curb that was encountered.
[Barefaced: Awesome! Power is good. :-) We now fit bigger screws to the feet for that very reason - would you like some posting?]
Update: 08/03/10
I'm sorted on the screw front thanks, the only problem I have now is that I can hear myself too clearly.
The power amp has made a massive difference to the detail of sound meaning i can hear the exact sound of each bass, but also tends to show up any bad technique so more practice needed there.
I really am very pleased with the cab so once again thanks and I'm looking forward to future developments in bareface world.
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Chris Pokkuri
On Saturday I took my LH1000 and BigOne to a gig. The other bands were going to use a huge Peavey 8x10 and some old head that i've never heard of. Now this venue was up two flights of stairs - i've no idea how they got it up there without a crane.
Anyway, I turned up carrying my BigOne by myself and I could see the other bassists looking at me and thinking 'ha, look at his tiny cab, he isn't gonna make much noise with that' The headline band sound checked and the peavey cab farted out a horrible muddy sound while I sat there quietly knowing what was coming.
The band on after us isn't there yet so we sound checked next - my bass sound was warm and clear, it punched through the mix with ease and there was no distortion at gigging volume. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. After the sound check the bassist for the opening band comes up to me "hey, can I use your setup when I play" "sure thing" I reply. They are going to do a quick line check before they play. Now I get to hear what my rig sounds like from the other side. Ooh yeah - it sounds sweet! Our turn to play - the set goes really well and the crowd really enjoys it.
As I start packing up my stuff the bassist from the next band comes up to me "scuse me mate" "yeah" I reply with a wry smile knowing exactly what he was about to say next "Is it ok if I use your rig?" " Yeah go for it" I say. The bassist for the headline band decides he's gonna be stubborn and stick to his fart machine. When the gig is over I chat with the other bassists and tell them all about barefaced and how awesome the cab is. They all agree how amazing it sounded. Then I tell them to pick it up, they are completely shocked at how light it is. It just shows you dont need a massive stack to sound really good. I think there may be some more converts coming your way Alex!
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Date?
The Big One - my first pub gig with a Barefaced cabinet:
I've sold three Eden cabs to make way for the Big One. For a smallish pub like this one (the Salmon & Ball in Bethnal Green) I might previously have taken a D210XLT but more probably my Nemesis NSP115.
There's no stage at the pub, and the set-up space for the band is really tiny.
Musically it went really well. I placed the Big One right at the back, between the drummer & the keyboard player, and I stood directly in front of it. The sound was great - I could actually hear myself clearly without having to turn up so loud as to offend my lead guitarsehole. Alex's comments to me about the dispersion from the small speaker were spot-on ... you can hear yourself from anywhere on stage, and so can the rest of the band.
I was playing a Lakland DD --> Aphex Xciter --> DHA VT2 --> Eden WTX-260 --> Big One.
Friends in the audience told me afterwards that my sound was very bassy but still cut through the mix with ease. I suspect that much of the "bassiness" came from the Xciter.
Also, I have flats on the DD and some foam rubber muting under the strings at the bridge, all of which makes me more "thuddy" anyway. (That Hofner influence isn't easy to lose!)
The WTX-260 produces 260W at 4 Ohms. With an 8 Ohm cab like the Big One it claims to put out 180W. I kept both the Gain and the Volume knobs at about the 11:00 position and was easily able to hold my place with a loud drummer and a pair of guitarists playing through a big Marshall and an incredibly toppy Session.
Stomp on the button on the VT2 to bring in another valve and the floor was shaking, but with absolutely no muddiness. I really can't wait until I can take this cab somewhere where I can open it up properly.
The car ended up being parked 100 yards away. The keyboard player set off to carry the cab for me (no, I don't know why either) and was genuinely impressed when I showed him the whole damn thing was on wheels. He loved it.
On a straight comparison, the Big One knocks both the NSP115 and the NSP210 into a cocked hat. The power, punch and clarity of the Big One means that it's simply playing in a higher league.
I'd need more time and a wider range of venues before I could be so dismissive about the sound of the D210XLT, which is a bloody good cab, but already I suspect that the Big One will come out ahead. Add the useability issue into the equation (weight, shape, wheels, etc.) and it's a no-brainer.
Jack
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Date?
Okay, used the Big One & LH-1000 in anger last night & I can safely say that it is the best bass sound I've ever had, better even then the Peavey Mark IV & Sunn 2x15 I had 20 years ago wink.gif . Everything was there in spades - bass, middle, treble and VOLUME.
I had to roll off a bit of bass to stop the stage vibrating too much, but me sound cut through 2 guits & the drums like a very hot knife through some very soft butter. For the first time in Lord knows how long, the drummist was unable to complain about playing the fastest songs because he couldn't hear the bass. Hehe.
I also couldn't believe how light the cab is - far lighter than the LH-1000 and fits perfectly in the boot of a Focus with room for the amp & rackbag. The one downside is the sensitivity of the cab when paired with such a powerful amp - I bridged it [so 750w into 8 ohms] and struggled to get it above 1 and a bit with PA support. Next time, I might just use one side of the dual-parallel amps [225w into 8 ohms].
It will go louder than I can stand and was shaking too many things loose to get above 5 for long, suffice to say, one would never be short of volume with one of these. Unless the PA broke at Wembley.
Recommended. And for all you 4 ohm purists out there - 8 is probably fine.
[EDIT: seems far lighter than the LH-1000]
John
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Mine just arrived today. It's stunning. Light, compact... and the sound: clear, biting (roll off your mids to taste), and thick.
My Ampeg 410HLF cab will soon retire. It's a beautiful solid cab with lots of bottom. It still does the job and is great for players looking for lots of presence. But the Big One does the same, with more clarity.
I'm away for a week on Sunday, but will do a full review when I get back.
Lovely.
*Edit*
Before I go, I just have to add: this cab is amazing. If you get one, don't be put off when you first plug in. The big speaker is new and tight, so needs a couple of hours playing at high volume to loosen up and unleash its bass. The mids might seem a little in your face at first too. Just adjust your EQ a little. Keep playing. Then it hits you... the tightest, juciest, warmest and clearest bass sound I've ever had.
I can't recommend it more highly. I'm absolutely delighted. And no, I'm not on commission!
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I used the Big One at the Moonfest festival on Sunday. It was the best sound I've ever had live - and it can more than deliver the goods on a big stage. It's got loads of bottom, punchy mids, and crystal highs when you need them. I cut through like never before. In fact, if anything, I think I turned myself up a little too loud.
Since getting the Big One, I've had nothing but complements. It puts my Ampeg 410HLF cab in the shade. I can't recommend it more highly - with a 1000W amp or thereabouts, it's all you'll ever need in any setting, from rehearsals right up to big events.
Steve
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I've used an LH-1000 into both the Barefaced Compact and Big One and find it excellent for the punk / rock that I play. My Spector drives the preamp valve [changed to a Ruby] well and there's a nice growl when I give it some. The simple tone controls do it for me. It's loud too. Very loud through the Big One. Very very loud indeed.
The GK is a totally different beast - 4eq, voicing filters, bi-amp, silver bits, more lights - never used one, sorry.
and on Compact/Big One vs loud band
LH-1000 + Compact - yes.
LH-1000 + Big One - oh yes indeed and better off-axis response meaning you will hear yourself better & so will they. See here. For what it's worth, the guitarists in me band prefer the Big One. So I've ordered one. And some ear defenders.
John
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19/09/09 (Big One)
first and foremost I really have to thank you for making cabs like the big one! I was out gigging yesterday and even in a very bad acoustics environment it sounded like a million dollars. I also talked about the big one in one of the danish forums for musicians, and I'm having a guy called "pete the beat" comming over and testing it out. I actually think he also contacted you right ? - if you need a place to have a showroom here in Denmark - let me know. I got the room for it :D
the sub is now more settled in, which means crystal clear buttom - I had a guy yesterday complaining about lack of treble. so I moved away from the speaker ( not much space so I planted my self infront of the speaker with butt infront of the 6") and he was surprised how well the whole thing sounded - so from now on I'm not gonna stand like that :P
we have something called Bassday 09 here in denmark - sadly I can't partisipate - I would have loved to bring the bigone for one of those- I'm sure you would have gotten alot of orders from it :D
cheers
Lasse
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05/07/09 (Big One)
Had a thirty minute slot at a charity gig on friday night, Due to the usual nerves and added emotion due to the fact it was the drummers wife memorial gig there were things i should have done that i diddnt. I diddnt ask was it loud enough or how it sounded. But the bloke checking the sound diddnt say it wasnt. the low strings sounded really bassey and the highs very high. But, ( so many buts ) I forgot to try turning the treble down. (note i am not too good at explaning what i mean due to lack of understanding, dooh !) I was also standing just to the side of it which may have affected what i heard and it was a big hollow stage. You can really feel the bass. Its such a turn on! ( sorry ) It was a big social club, so im sure it will be loud enough for our usual pub gigs. The gain was just under 5 ( goes to 9 ) and the volume around 9 ( goes to 12 ) I would have it on about 6 with the gloc but it was a bigger room than normal. Anyway this afternoon everyone was out so I got both cabs out and have spent ages swoping from one to the other. The gloc is louder at the same levels but its a 4 ohm cab and the big one is loud enough anyway.
The gloc seems not as bassey on the lower strings but not as trebley on the high strings. I had turned the tweeter right down. Trying the big one and standing about twelve foot infront of it, the extreme of bass to treble i thought i heard at the gig was not there, It was much more even accross the strings. Cutting the treble also took away the glassiness. Side by side both these cabs sound great. The big one gets it because to my ears it has the sound i like and its so easy to move around.
One thing i noticed was that there was a lot of resonance with the amp on the big one and i found it was due to the srews in the amp vibrating loose and the panels vibrating. One screw had fallen out. The gloc cab is carpeted and obviously dampens this resonance so i never noticed the screws becoming loose. I will take the amp out of its case and screw lock the screws during the coming week. I will also put a matt between the amp and big one too absorb that resonance. But i suppose once the screws are tight the panels wont vibrate. no , I will still do it to give the amp an easier time.
I will be going down to the bass gallery in a few weeks with the gloc cab and possiblly a bass for them to sell for me. I dont like the hassle of selling on ebay. I still may look into power and pre amps, but not rack them. Maybe put a piece of wood in a back pack and use that high density foam around them. Im thinking it maybe easier to carry and i can wheel my big one at the same time. Do you think the avalon gives you uncoloured sound set at all the zeros.
Thank you, from me and my back, for a great cab.
Peter.
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14/08/09 (Steve)
It's amazing. Thanks so much. Still need to put it through its paces (damn
work) but it's whacking out bottom end like no tomorrow. I eased off the
mids a bit on the amp and it plays like a dream. You were right though - I
need to boost the volume on the amp a lot more on this than I did for the
Ampeg cab (410HLF 4 ohm) - do you know the reason for that?
Cheers - over the moon.
Steve Tilling
[Barefaced: The Big One has lower voltage sensitivity than the 410HLF due to the higher load impedance and the smaller size / radiating area. But it'll handle quite a bit more power so the answer is to turn the amp up more!]