Author Topic: F# String? (Read 260 times)

Bradley Young · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:58:55 PM »

The Elf will do the deed, I would not recommend the Whappo Grande.

The Grande does not have the ability to produce the fundamental-- the box is simply too small. Based on the driver, it would have to be 9 or 10 cubic feet to really go down that low.

That being said, the fundamental isn't really all that important on a bass guitar; you mostly hear the second harmonic, which would be 46Hz.

One cabinet that definitely goes that low is the Acme. They sound great, but require much power. my low B-2 is feeling great when I hit it with 500 watts. They are commonly hailed as being not loud, which I'd disagree with: feed them enough power, and they get loud.

As far as practicality, I'd submit that anything that low is just sound and not musical. You have to judge that for yourself, though.

Bradley

dnburgess · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2009, 01:22:07 AM »

Andy Lewis does not recommend Acme cab's for sub low B applications. They are -6db at 30Hz (close enough to low B) and the design is such that they fall off steeply below that.

The Whappo Grande is -6dB at 19Hz.

richbass939 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2009, 09:20:42 AM »

I remember seeing some ads in Bass Player a couple of years ago that had Chuck Rainey claiming that the Phil Jones Bass amps (all with banks of 5 speakers, I think) would handle his F#. I always wondered how that really worked but I don't have any personal experience with either 5 speakers or a low F#.
Rich

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:57:22 AM »

I had to check out the link to the BAGEND Bassault R (thanks lmiwa). Very impressive! Especially the weight - 310 lbs! I can't wait til they start using neo speakers, so they can bring the weight down to a practical 275 lbs. or so... heh heh. I'll stick with my Acmes for now.

LMiwa · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2009, 11:45:48 AM »

According to the PJB site, the 8T/24B combination is good down to 23Hz.

I have the 8T/16B combo that is spec'd to 27Hz, and that's about right. I tune my basses down a 1/2 step, so my low Bb is about 28Hz.

bkbass · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2009, 09:23:00 AM »

I had a Warmoth Gecko that was originally strung up as a sub six. Tuned F#,B,E,A,D,G. I had left the nut unglued so I could switch it back to a regular contrabass within 1/2 hour or so using a standard nut. The F# was a 145 gauge from D'ADDario. Several problems arose. More than two thirds of my amps would not track the lower frequencies. 1000watts pre amp/amp setup sucked it dry in seconds. Cheap practice amp no problem go figure. Most likely only able to reproduce 2nd or 3rd harmonics. The only tuner,and I have them all from $19.99 up to rack mounts, to accurately track the lower freqs.was the white Boss TU?? floor stompbox tuner. The lower frequency exploration is a full commitment time and dollar wise. The asymetrical neck of Maple with Bubinga stringers held up with no neck tension /warping problems, the Ducan PU'S tracked fine and the bridge saddle was left grooved for a low B so it had to be next to bottomed out in it's height but did so on the Hip Shot bridge.The biggest expense is in the amps/cabs. There's not much to choose from and it's expensive. If I were going to seriously pursue extra lower freqs. I would vie for around 3 thousand watts and a properly made cab. Not to decry Bag End or Accugrove's efforts. US Speaker does carry several manufacturers of 21 speakers. The raw speakers are expensive approx.$750+ Perhaps a local builder or Low Down Sound could make a proper box. I'm sure Dr.Bass would be up for the build. I read a lot of heavy metal players are detuning their basses and running them through SVT stacks. I have a raised eyebrow on whether or not they are actually getting clean clear bass fundamental with the full frequency doubling and halfing of the wave form. I believe the Ampeg 8x10 rolls off at 55cycles some one correct me please. I would offer that you go down to the local banjo center and try the Roland Bass synth or the octave peddle stomp boxes or even the rack mountable DJ bass extender processors out there. I know Peavey makes one also BBE etc. This way you can still explore while keep everything intact while spending the least amount of money and be able to quickly switch back and forth at the flick of a switch. Hope this helps.

sonicus · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2009, 10:15:07 AM »

Thanks bkbass__
I really think that you have sized up as to what one is in for in this frequency range .______$$$$$$$_____________!
Perhaps if well done if might be worth the 'SHOCK AND AHH
The lowest used frequency that I know of that has been used for musical performance is SUB-CONTRA C@ 16hz!!!! from a huge Bass pedal tone in a cathedral organ.What you hear is the 32hz second harmonic!

keurosix · « **Reply #22 on:** July 09, 2009, 04:24:57 PM »

Greetings Dr. J.
I have an AccuGroove EL Whappo cab 4- way with 15 woofer, and it handles a low A tuning REAL good! Of course, you will need an extra long scale bass, 35 minimum. 36 or 37 is about right for a low F#. A 34 long scale bass sounds weak for a low B, and would not cut it for a low F#. I have to disagree somewhat with Bradley about the Whappo Grande: AccuGroove cabs are state of the art and will open up your ears to something magical. They publish the cab specs on their webpage, and are bold to say it does handle the F# fundamental:

http://www.accugroove.com/

You WILL need a strong poweramp, and maybe your ears will or will not even hear it. But you WILL definately feel it!
Happy hunting!
Kris