My original bass rig was a Carvin r1000 pushing a 4 x 10 + 1 x 15. Main bass is a Ibanez SR505. Lots of stuff to haul and sounded loud, but undefined. Sold. Bought a Gallien Krueger RB700 and a 1 x 12 Hartkey Hydrive. Sounded better but obviously not as loud. Great low end in the 60 hz area but the for the life of me could not coax any lower mid range out of it. The upper register sounded great with the horn off. I like a little sizzle and the 1/2 paper + 1/2 aluminum driver had smooth and crisp top end. Problem, with no mids it was very difficult to "hear". Enter the J12. Keep in mind I have not broken in the driver properly yet. My first reaction was, Whoa, way too much midrange. (playing at home with no other accompaniment). I tried it in conjunction with the Hydrive but they did not compliment each other at all. So with maybe 30 minutes of goofing around trying to dial it in it was time to pack up and head to the gig. At first I thought it sounded a little better in the noisy venue but still too midrangy. Once the drums were mic'd and pumped through the PA, i thought hmmm, this isn't too shabby. Once the full compliment was up and running, it was like wow, thats it! It's punchy, full and almost bright enough for me (built with no piezo). Very "Flea" esque sound and the best part is, I can hear it now. I used to have issues with playing higher register, I would lose volume and not hear the high notes. Now everything is pretty smooth. I would prefer a bit more low end which may come once the driver is broken in. And a little more sizzle which may call for me putting in a piezo. But, for a single 12 it was very impressive. The build was slow but I am a hack at woodworking so that's on me. I feel an itch to build another one (or 2) coming on...... god help me. A 3 x 12 Jack stack would be incredible. I am not kidding when I say the 2 best cabinets I ever have owned have been my two BFM cabs built by me. I like that!
