Jack 12 review

[chunkylover73]

I just finished my tweeterless Jack 12 loaded with a 3012HO driver yesterday evening about an hour before a gig. I gave it a quick test in the garage to make sure everything was working and away I went.

I play a Fender Jazz V very poorly through a Sansamp RBI preamp and a Yorkville Bassmaster XS400 head. I can only reiterate what has been said here before: the Jack 12 is an awesome bass cab. It's incredibly clean and clear, the lows are low, and even without the tweeters the high end was still present. I don't play much slap and pop, but with a little boost of the treble on my bass Higher Ground never sounded better.

Just a couple of comments based on my experience. First, take your time with the finishing work. I was in a rush to get it done and while I was as accurate as I could be with the construction, I didn't spend enough time filling and sanding. I finished it with black floor paint (which actually turned out nice - I gave it three coats with a wet 2000 grit sanding between coats) but instead of covering the flaws they just stand out more. I also installed a strap handle but I find it a little awkward to carry single handed. It can definitely be done, but I think I will install carrying handles so I can use both hands when needed. Finally, I'm going to have to upgrade my amp to something a little more powerful that can take advantage of the capabilities of the cab. I thought I might need a second Jack but I definitely won't.

The grill isn't installed yet but I should have it sometime this week. Pictures will follow. Thanks to Bill for an excellent design and to Leland for getting everything here so quickly.

[Mikey]

Glad you're happy with it!

That's a GOOD amp! No need to replace it. More power wouldn't equate to more than a few decibels gained. Instead, I'd highly recommend a RNC compressor. It'll set you back a few bones, but it's worth every penny. I can just about guarantee that it'll give you that little extra OOOMPH that you feel you're missing.

[AntonZ]

I'd highly recommend a RNC compressor. It'll set you back a few bones, but it's worth every penny.

+1 for the little RNC compressor from FMR Audio.
Very transparent yet so effective. Great piece of kit.

[kynetx]

Instead of a bigger amp, I HIGHLY recommend building a second Jack. I used to play bass through a pair of 2510 loaded J10s, and if the characteristics are the same, adding a second cab (vertical stack) will greatly enhance the bottom end. I gigged once with the single Jack and the difference was quite noticeable to me. For me a single Jack played through a Crate BT-350 had to be pushed to amp clipping. The same setup with two cabs barely broke a sweat while rattling booze off the bar from 20 feet.
A lot of the BFM fans are bass players and the go-to setup is a pair of Jacks.

Those same Jacks were used last weekend at a prom where I played top 40 Rap and Dance tracks. They were being driven by an old Crown 460-watt amp. I used a rental sub. Not sure of the brand, but the logo was a greek beta. It was a 500-watt 18 in a some sort of single-reflex bandpass configuration. I'm moving to a place where I can re-assemble my shop, but it's been out of commission for a year so I haven't been able to build the T48s I want. Anyway, the Jacks had no trouble keeping up and probably could have overpowered it but I didn't want to deafen the kids.

[Tom Smit]

I've got O10.5s (precursor to the J110). One is nice, both stacked is much better.

[Dantreige]

Glad you like your new cab. I really like my stacks as well.

I agree with the others here that you should add another jack to your stack rather then getting a new head.

A few reasons for this. One, adding another cab will be louder. Two, that other cab will be even closer to your ears, so you'll hear it even better on stage. Three, the frequency responce will flatten out as you stack these cabs, making them sound even better then the one you have.

I almost never have the need for the extra volume of two Jacks, but I like the sound of both, and having the second one closer to my ears is enough to always bring them both to gigs.

Need some pics brother!

[LiefStevens]

Your cab can handle twice the wattage that your amp puts out (at 8ohms) so a more powerful amp will get you a little more volume. If you like your amp adding a second cab will give you a large volume boost and also a lot more bottom. While the RNC is great on a lot of stuff I have never liked it on live bass. If you want to use a compressor I would recommend a dbx 160A, Markbass Compressore, or if funds are limited a dbx 163x.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Your cab can handle twice the wattage that your amp puts out (at 8ohms) so a more powerful amp will get you a little more volume..

Very little, as in perhaps 2dB. A second cab will give him 6dB. No brainer.

[LiefStevens]

Your cab can handle twice the wattage that your amp puts out (at 8ohms) so a more powerful amp will get you a little more volume..

Very little, as in perhaps 2dB. A second cab will give him 6dB. No brainer.

That was my point if it didn't come across. BTW with my 210 I haven't turned my master volume past 9 o'clock even out doors with a 9 piece band:)

[bzb]

Any of you bass nerds using a single 110/112 with the little kickstand that Leland sells?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Your cab can handle twice the wattage that your amp puts out (at 8ohms) so a more powerful amp will get you a little more volume..

Very little, as in perhaps 2dB. A second cab will give him 6dB. No brainer.

That was my point if it didn't come across. BTW with my 210 I haven't turned my master volume past 9 o'clock even out doors with a 9 piece band:)

I understood you to mean he should buy a bigger amp. A second cab will give a better result with the same amp.

[DaveK]

+1 on the stacking difference. It's not just louder, it's lower and fuller. It works for J110 and J112. Even if you turn down the amp so the SPL is the same, the pair still sounds better.

For me, J110 < J112 < J210 < J212.

[jswingchun]

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212.

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212 < 4xJ110

[Kirk Baptista]

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212 < 4xJ110

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212 < 4xJ110 < 4xJ112!!!

Wow, we could go on like this forever!

[Harley]

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212 < 4xJ110

J110 < J112 < J210 < J212 < 4xJ110 < 4xJ112 <T48/DR250