Reggae bass guitar, what should I build?

[CptanPanic]

I play reggae bass guitar, and like that deep low sound. I have a big cab that I like, but I wanted to build a small cab to use for practice and such. I was looking at the O10.5, but don't like the response under 250Hz. Can I build something like the 10.5 but with a bigger speaker? How about something like the Tuba 18? I don't know how the T18 would work as a bass speaker since the SPL chart only goes to 200, does anyone have a full chart for this? So any suggestions?

Thanks,
CP

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I was looking at the O10.5, but don't like the response under 250Hz.

Compared to what? Since no commercial electric bass cabs publish SPL charts you have no basis for comparison. The 10.5 has low frequency response equal to or better than any 1x10 I'm aware of.

I don't know how the T18 would work as a bass speaker since the SPL chart only goes to 200,

That's because it's a subwoofer to be used to a maximum of 150 Hz.

[Tim A]

Take that cabinet, pull the mid-high EQ back to where the lows are, and it'll still be a helluvalot louder and lower than anything else in it's class, easy.

[CptanPanic]

I was looking at the O10.5, but don't like the response under 250Hz.

Compared to what? Since no commercial electric bass cabs publish SPL charts you have no basis for comparison. The 10.5 has low frequency response equal to or better than any 1x10 I'm aware of.

I am not comparing it to anything. I want a 1x10 that sounds like a 4x10 or large 1x15. Is that asking for too much? It is crazy that commercial cabinet makers don't publish SPL charts.

[Harley]

I want a 1x10 that sounds like a 4x10 or large 1x15. Is that asking for too much? .

Bill's cabs perform marvels but not impossibilities.

Believe me, if you want just one cab with a 10" in it, then the O10.5 spanks the pants off anything else out there with one 10". I have even compared it to a 210 and in my opinion, the )10.5 is better BUT to better a 410 is just trying to defy the laws of physics. Even a Lamboughini won't do the job of a 20 ton dump truck.

I have the whole range of cabs ( O15LB, DR280, DR250, O12LB, O10 and O10.5 ) as demos and the O10 is the one I use for most gigs because of size/performance. At 19kg ( about 42lb ) the O10 gives a 410 a good run for its money and suits reggae real well.

If you want monster sound in one cab - the O15TB with the 3015LF is the ticket....but it's much larger and harder to lug around.

So, do a bit of a stretch and build the O10 with 2 DLII 2510s in it ( don't go BP102 ) and you'll have a cab that will never disappoint your reggae mates.

[bitSmasher]

reggae? scoops for sure

[Harley]

reggae? scoops for sure

I disagree.

Run it flat and let your fingers do the talking

[bgavin]

Bill, I think you have RTA from some of the reggae groups.

Q: where is the energy concentrated?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Bill, I think you have RTA from some of the reggae groups.

The Wailers.

Q: where is the energy concentrated?

50-60 Hz.

[CptanPanic]

Ok I bought the Omni 10 plans, and Think I will make a single 10.5 to start. I was thinking of using a BP102 since they are so cheap and I get in 4 Ohms. Will this be ok?
Thanks,
CP

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Ok I bought the Omni 10 plans, and Think I will make a single 10.5 to start. I was thinking of using a BP102 since they are so cheap and I get in 4 Ohms. Will this be ok?
Thanks,
CP

BP102 is OK if you don't care about mids, and with raggae you don't. 4 ohms is a bad idea should you ever want to add a second cab.

[CptanPanic]

My amp works to 2 Ohms so that should be ok.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

My amp works to 2 Ohms so that should be ok.

-1. What it will tolerate and what you should run it at aren't the same thing. The list of reasons why you should not run at an amp's minimum rated load has a number of entries. The list of reasons why you should has none.

[Tom Smit]

Ok I bought the Omni 10 plans, and Think I will make a single 10.5 to start. I was thinking of using a BP102 since they are so cheap and I get in 4 Ohms. Will this be ok?
Thanks,
CP

BP102 is OK if you don't care about mids, and with raggae you don't. 4 ohms is a bad idea should you ever want to add a second cab.

And when you add the 2nd 10.5, you'll notice a real nice improvement for small gigs! (I'm sure you'll want to add 'cuz it sounds so good) Therefore, keep each cab at 8 ohms.

TomS

[bgavin]

I want a 1x10 that sounds like a 4x10 or large 1x15.

Not going to happen.

First, the 4x10 makes more noise per volt. The 4x10 will always sound louder at the same knob setting, using the same drivers. The 15" 3015LF is 3~6dB more sensitive than any of the Eminence bass 10s, so the 15 will be louder also.

Next, you are not going to get big bass out of a little cabinet unless you trade away a lot of efficiency.

I've measured the 10.5 and it is not the ticket for big bottom.
This box doesn't have much in Bill's 50~60 Hz range.
Especially so, when compare to the hot midrange you would have to EQ down.
As noted above, neither does a commercial cab.

The O12/3012LF or the O15/3015LF is your ticket for a big bottom.
These two drivers have the cone excursion (Xmax) you require to run high levels.

If you can tolerate the size, the 3015LF is the right choice.