Dual use: Otop212 for a tube bass head AND big venue rig?

[spongebob1981]

Hi everyone, I'm Frank from Argentina. Sorry for my funky english =P
I'm building a DIY 40w tube head and looking for a cab for it.
Been reading quite a lot and learning quite a bit too

I'm looking to build a cab for my soon to come DIY tube head. Read the Otop212 is a very nice way to go, since I play a fender P and is the design of the head is strongly inspired in the ampeg portaflex. I'm a little scared by the low bass response in that cab, but I think I'll go with it anyways, since Bill and more than a couple of you recommend it...
Also Marko Ursin's post on using it like I plan is very inspiring. Great pictures, huge mojo, too bad the photobucket account went offline.

Now, to complicate things a little bit :
I also have an acoustic 330 head that puts out the loudest 300w I've ever heard. But the cab is a modified 403, too big and kind of in the boomy side. Built AND modified in the 80's, I bet I could improve my sound with newer cabs.

a) should I also build a sub to put under the Otop212 and thus making a full stack for big venues? (Although they might be TOO big, dunno how low would get also)
b) discard the Otop at all and build a couple jacks? That will be one at home to use with the tube one and 2 to stage (10? 12? portability is sounding nicer every day)

Looking to get the plans this week and start in summer vacations
see ya!

[WB]

Read the Otop212 is a very nice way to go, ... I'm a little scared by the low bass response in that cab

While I don't have an OT212, I do use an OT12 and DR250 that I bi-amp with a sub for electric bass. The OT12 rolls off steeply at 125 Hz and is pretty much useless without a sub. Not trying to be discouraging, but you may not like the lack of bass.

b) discard the Otop at all and build a couple jacks? That will be one at home to use with the tube one and 2 to stage (10? 12? portability is sounding nicer every day)

That would be a nice plan. I would build the J12's for the extra sensitivity.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

OTop 212 is an acceptable bass cab if you're looking for a vintage tone, ie., thin on the low end, and you use it in small clubs at moderate volume. Running it with a dual BP102 loaded T39 below it for large gigs with adequate power would make for a very nice modular setup. But a stack of two to four J110s or J112s would also be sweet. I'd check the impedance capability of the Acoustic, if it will run 2 ohms the latter option would be my recommendation. If it only goes to 4 then the first option w/passive crossover would get the most from a 4 ohm rated amp.

[spongebob1981]

Tnx for reading!
The acoustic 330 does go as low as 2 ohm. If that is advisable in a head that is close to 30 years is another issue
I'm beggining to wonder if Jacks would not be a better choice...

Lets rephrase the whole deal:

a) Keeping in mind that tone will be the resource most sought after, usable SPL levels after but as close as posible: Will a pair of Jacks (10 or 12 is yet to be decided) built to specs do the job of serving a tube head with honors and eventually serve duty as a medium power (300w) bass rig?
After all the work that head is giving me I want THE TONE out of it. All the way. Never heard even a well thought cab, much less a horn loaded one and all this reading is growing it into me

Please chime in, I am really excited on being so close to get this stage started.

[Tom Smit]

Harley has said numerous times that the J110 (x2) has all the tone necessary (and said that he is a tone merchant for bass).
The Jack10 built to spec will be able to handle the Acoustic power.

[spongebob1981]

Jack it is then!
I'll check on the dimensions of the cabs so I get an idea of the size they will be and decide wich one, the 10 looks like the winner.
Thank you very much guys, see ya!

EDIT: In a year or so, when I finish this project I'll tell you how it went.