BillFitzmaurice.info

Hey all,

I'm a bass player/sound person in an Americana Folk group. Electric bass, violin, acoustic guitar, and clawhammer banjo with occasional cajon and various percussion. I have been using my bass rig as a main PA this past year, and it works splendidly for gigs under 80 people and actually sounds more pure than any other PA I've used (100 works, but is pushing it). It's a MAS Bodai 38.5, however, we need something louder for the 100-400 person gigs where sound support is not provided (becoming more common for us).

We don't like to run super loud. I'm the bass player, and I know I don't output really much below 50hz. 70-200 is my meat and potatoes bass tone, which slots in really well with this group. I also do a lot of ghost/dead notes (think of it as a tuned kick drum of sorts) and I've found a lot of rigs don't handle the fast start and stops required to keep that sounding clean. I'm also interested in the simplicity of the TLAH Pros (no subs), cost, the wide dispersion and long throw, as well as their shape, which should allow them to fit in my car with the other PA gear, so no need for a new vehicle or trailer to haul around subs... I have a QU-16 mixer and would get amps with DSP in order to eq the speakers and the room.

Couple questions
-The website says 50hz is usable, but does anyone have an idea about how many db is down at both 50hz and 60hz?
-Do y'all think two TLAH Pro speakers will suffice for that crowd size (100-400 people at modest volume)?
-How is the clarity and separation of these speakers? The emphasis of this band is on vocal harmony. I've used many systems that don't have good separation of instruments and everything sounds like mush, even if EQ'd well. I also don't want anything harsh in the upper mids/treble.

Thanks so much,
Mat

Those are really designed more as an installed speaker. Very tall and narrow - no real conducive to hauling around and trying to mount on a stand.

If you really don't want to add subs, I'd strongly consider using a Jack 12 per side. Or even some SLA Pros boxes. Without wall loading, the TLAH aren't going to give you much bottom end - neither will the SLA Pro (but it would be easier to build more and stack 'em as needed). The Jack will go lower - but still will lose some of the bottom end up on a stand. When you get to larger crowds, even at low volume, the low end (even your 70hz stuff) is going to suffer without some sub support.

Personally, I would think that two SLA Pros along with a slim T39 or two would give you much better coverage for larger crowds and the SLAs would be fine for your really small stuff as long as use your bass amp.

Another option would be the Omni Tall Boy - it's an all-in-one full range box. But, it's larger and tougher to haul around.

If you just want to always go without subs and the Omni boxes are too large, then I'd go with the Jacks.

Hi Mat! Welcome to the forum!
I built a pair of TLAHs recently, and even played bass through one at a band practice. I kept the bass guitar volume low since I did not want to distract the band members, which means that I can't give a full review in that way. I did give it a full 300 watts, outside, when playing a song with a strong bass line, and I really liked what I heard (clean, clear and loud).
If you were to go this route I would stongly suggest the use of a dolly cart, or installing castors.

Good to know. I wanted to at least ask the question. I'm not fixated on the subless route, but if I add subs, it means I add a few extra things (like a small trailer). I'm going to continue to ponder this and try to get a new set up before the busier spring/summer season when many of the self supported gigs are happening for us. The flip side is if I get a rig with subs, I can take on some more sound only gigs and recoup the cost of the system quicker...

Thanks again

Greetings Mat, what is your location?