I've been perusing this website on and off for about a week, trying to work out a way forward for my amplification requirements. Let me first of all explain that I like good quality, efficient, powerful sound gear, and would spend the money, if I had it, to achieve such. I play bass guitar (5 string), piano-keyboard, and violin (both electric, and acoustic with in-board DPA miniature mic). I have 3 different amps at the moment, some of which do what they do 'ok', but are NOT top quality: My bass 'amp' is a 120w Hartke head (like in the kick back) with a home made 12” (celestion sidewinder) ported cab. For improving sound level and bottom end I've been augmenting that bass amp with a Carlsbro 90w (Cobra) combo keyboard amp with a 15” and separate tweeter in it. (A sound guy friend (with loads-of-money guitar type gear) recently looked at me, and with concern asked why I use two separate amps for bass
). Thirdly, I have a Behringer 120w stereo 'acoustic' amp with twin 8” cones - it has some convenient reverb settings on it – I use this last one when mic'ing the violin up.Now, if money was no object, I'd go the AER route for the violin. A bass player friend has an Ashdown stack (4x10 on top, with a 15 on bottom) and to me that pretty well kicks and handles the low B just fine, but only when the 15 is coupled up. And for keys, well the Carlsbro is OK for that, but neither my current bass amp/s or violin amp give me great joy. (I do have a lexicon reverb unit so am not bothered about ditching the Behringer). So, that explains where I'm at at the moment. Now, for what I'm looking for: I had no idea I could potentially find something until I happened on BFM's website - Ideally, I'd like to be able to have one full range system that would replace the 3 amps I currently have, but would do the whole thing much better.
My current thinking is a pair of Jack 112's, plus a PA amp with different preamp units for bass and violin. My only reticence is will the pair of Jack 112's do the bottom B string justice or is there noticeable lack of umph due to Jack 112 frequency range? I think the bass duties is perhaps the most demanding aspect – not massively loud requirement but I do get gigs in any one of a 60's band, church acoustic rock type band or covers band and I like the bottom B to be there without rolling off. Violin and keys definitely needs the full range – whether they need the bottom B capability I don't know, but with the system I'd build they'd get it, if required. I've bought the Jack 112 plans, but before I get stuck into it, I'm looking for a sanity check before I commit further. Any ideas? (...I should also perhaps say that I'm half interested in building a small PA, which is a slight influence in going Jack, however, I don't want that to cloud this just for now – it needs to be right on the monitor / backline score which is the primary requirement). Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Charles Jenkinson
Manchester, UK
