Jack 12 - for bass guitar

[ZolkoW]

that's my first BFM cab. I didn't use it in band situation yet, but I expect a LOT from it...
it's replacing (I hope...) two of small 1x12 direct radiating boxes (they were self-made, too). I re-use the Deltalites from them, but as I built only one at first, I was able to A/B test them.

first impressions: I was a little disappointed, I didn't feel that the Jack was so much louder. actually, I couldn't even decide, which is louder. The little other box was mid-heavy, and it seemed to be more "present".

then the other day I made some samples (30Hz sinewave, etc). I ran them through the Jack, and everything in the room was shaking. this cab was awful loud with a 180W/8 ohms amp, at half volume, at 30 Hz!!!
I don't have subs, but have heard some usual "high-end" (I mean: high priced) bassguitar cabs, but I think, I never heard a 30Hz signal that loud. I'm turning up the volume, and it gets louder! /not that usual distorted mid-rangey "loudness"/
frightening
I think, I would rarely need another cab of this, but I have the other Deltalite there, so it's not a question... 300W, 4 ohms, 2 J12.... can't believe, that I ever need more.

I'm looking forward to the next rehearsal!

I left out the hi-freq section, and I feel, I don't really need it, but the second cab might be built with it... I don't know yet. for bass, it seems to be okay without piezos, although I like crisp highs. this cab takes EQ very well!!! if I turn up the highs on the regular cab, it doesn't sound right. it's annoying, distorted... this cab has less highs with flat EQ, but I can turn the pot fully clockwise, it sounds good. on the low EQ: the same, it can take it!
the vinyl covering isn't that flawless, but from a couple of meters away, it's okay

thanks, Bill!

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

It's a revelation when you first play through a cab that effortlessly goes all the way down. I remember, not fondly, when I played through commercial cabs and avoided going below A for fear of the speaker farting out. That's what prompted me to start designing and building my own cabs, and with the very first not only was I able to go below A, I live there.
I run my J112 with no tweeters, the first cab in 20 years where I've done so. I didn't intend to do so originally, but found in testing that it did what I wanted without them. Slappers and poppers would probably prefer it with a four to eight element melded array.
As to why the Jack didn't initially sound louder than the old smaller cab, a cab that's too small will seem loud, because it will have a response bump in the midbass where the ear is more sensitive. That's what companies like Schroeder and Eden do to make their cabs seem louder. They are loud, but they don't go low. As you now know Jack goes loud and low.

[Gregory East]

Crikey, if stacking up radiator cabs is anything to go by you're going to get a helluva nice surprise when you finish the 2nd one.

btw, what's up with the "feet" on the side??

[Chris_Allen]

btw, what's up with the "feet" on the side??

Pack space optimisation? I certainly wouldn't want to damage such a good looking cab!

[David Carter]

btw, what's up with the "feet" on the side??

Pack space optimisation? I certainly wouldn't want to damage such a good looking cab!

He's probably done the same thing I did with the 8U rack case I built. Put a strap handle on one side and feet on the other, and it's an easy one-handed carry that you don't have to flip over before setting it down.

[ZolkoW]

He's probably done the same thing I did with the 8U rack case I built. Put a strap handle on one side and feet on the other, and it's an easy one-handed carry that you don't have to flip over before setting it down.

exactly. I wanted to spare some handles (and money and weight... mostly money , and I used only one, on the side of the box.
I can carry it quite easily in one hand (it's about 17-18 Kg), and I can put it down to the side, then flip over. it would be easier to move with more handles, but I like the clean look, too.

[Harley]

I can carry it quite easily in one hand (it's about 17-18 Kg), and I can put it down to the side, then flip over. it would be easier to move with more handles, but I like the clean look, too.

+1. My J110s and J112s have just one handle. I like the idea of the feet - I will do that on mine too I think.

[crockettnj]

that's my first BFM cab.

And THAT is the best looking bass rig I have seen on BFM, TB, or whatever.

AWESOME.

[ZolkoW]

And THAT is the best looking bass rig I have seen on BFM, TB, or whatever.
AWESOME.

thanks, I'm glad that you like it.

I'm after the first rehearsal with Jack!
And yes, now I'm sure, it can absolutely be called a BASS RIG, as it can replace my previous ministack with ease.
I think I mentioned, my prev. rig was 2x1x12 with the same deltalites, in quite small vented boxes. nothing unusual about them, maybe even a little bigger boxes than EBS and similar brands sells.
It's hard to believe, but my amp setting was the same, only with one box now. the J12 is significantly smaller then the prev. rig.
and it goes lower, and it can be even louder, if necessary. and this is with about half the amp power (4/8 ohm: 300/180W).
very serious.

I tested it both normally, and flipped to its side: on the side I could hear the highs a bit better, but I liked the sound more in normal position.
the cab was on the ground, and I was sitting on a bar chair right in front of it. I still think, that if I used my rig only for electric bass, I would go with tweeterless design again. for a second cab, too. but I'm planning to use it with EUB (under construction ), so it's still not decided.
I like simplicity, and avoiding every unnecessary things, like tweeters and crossovers, if I'm not using them.

instruments: my main bass is now a self-made 5 string, but yesterday there was my older 4str P-bass too. It was funny to hear the difference.. the P was so much thinner, AKA vintage
but I liked it very much, the cab made the differences more pronounced, than my previous cabinets. I like that, I think that means the cab has less influence on the sound.
the box was lower on the ground (the ministack's upper driver was much closer to my ear), but I could hear the notes better.
the best cab I've heard so far.

[Tom Smit]

I like this picture!!!


Congrats

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I like this picture!!!


Congrats

Me too, I'm going to add it to the catalog page.

[ZolkoW]

Me too, I'm going to add it to the catalog page.

thanks.
By the way: catalog page? where can I find it?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Me too, I'm going to add it to the catalog page.

thanks.
By the way: catalog page? where can I find it?

http://www.billfitzmaurice.info/Jack.html

[ZolkoW]

oh, I get it
yeah

[thomas]

wow, looks brilliant!!!!
congrats.