Dr. Bass Cabs - Anyone Heard Of 'em...Again

[pookeymp]

Original Posted by Bassman10096 on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 3:36 pm:      
 
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I just blundered across an unfamiliar cabinet manufacturer while surfing Ebay. The name is Dr. Bass and they appear to compete in the lower end cost part of the hifi bass speaker market. Their cabs have a couple of positive reviews in Harmony Central (Let's see...that means at least 2 people like them?) and the manufacturer/seller's Ebay feedback is all good from 19 cabinet purchasers.  
 
I don't know a thing about the manufacturer except that their site is intriguing, though very short on details. Prices shown on the web for 2 way cabs are low (between Acme and Avatar ranges) and the line ranges between 15 and 10's with various horns and tweeters. The Ebay listed cabs (Model 1260 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3709336375&category=10171&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1) are 3 way designs featuring neodymium drivers. These designs do not appear on the site, as the Dr Bass folks explained, the 3 ways are new models. They come in a 12/6/horn for $399 and a 10/8/horn $??. Dr Bass (Mark Serio is owner) says the neodymium lets the 12 3 way weigh only 34 lbs! and with a low end down to 30hz. Now that's intriguing...  
 
Anyone know anything about Dr. Bass?  
 
Bill

[pookeymp]

Hey Bill,
 
I just came across your post as I did a search on these cabs today.  Did you find out any more info on these guys?
 
I had never heard of them before, but was snooping around TalkBass the other day, as I'm in the market for another cab or two.  There's about 2 extensive threads there with extremely positive feedback from quite a # of users...many who have sold their SWR, Auguilars, etc. after using these cabs.  I gave Marc Serio a call and spent over an hour on the phone talking about bass, bass players, and of course cabs.  He's extremely personable, very helpful, and more than willing to take as much time as necessary; I even interrupted his lunch today (not intentionally, of course ) and he still spoke at length with me, patiently answering all questions.  At the end of the day, I ordered his 1000 watt 2x12 birch cab w/ compression horn.
 
I currently use 2 setups: @ church I use an SWR Goliath III (4x10) and a Carvin 1x18.  I love the sound of these 2 together, but am not crazy about the Goliath III by itself (my older Goliath II has a warmer tone)...so these two stay together.  My gigging rig is an Acme B4 (4x10) and an Acme B2 (2x10).  I do love the sound of this rig...very sweet...although in certain venues I believe my high end gets a bit lost...but the bottom end out of these guys are awesome...but I must use the QSC PLX3402 to drive these jokers, as they are power hungry.
 
Anyway, to make a long story longer, I just landed another gig that will be a steady weekly thing, so decided to get another rig to leave there, and this gave me the opportunity to check out something new.  So, in about 3 weeks when I receive my new toy, I will report back and do a comparison with my other rigs.
 
Mikey/
 
P.S.  Marc is in the process of updating his website, as it currently only has a portion of his product line listed.  He has many more configurations available, and will build any custom config you'd like.

[David Houck]

This had me a bit confused; for a while there I thought Mikey was talking to himself .
 
Mikey; I look forward to your report on the Dr. Bass cab.

[bassman10096]

Hi Mikey:  I ordered Marc's lightweight (44 lb) 12-6-tweet 3 way cab.  I think it's a 1260.  About 350w, very nice low end and even balance - paid $399 for it.  I like it.  As Marc, no doubt, told you - his cabs appear to be pretty efficent and the sound is nice.  I'm partial to 12s over 10s or at least like the mix better than just 10s.  
 
I've been running it in parallel with a Mesa 15 and an Acme LowB2 on the other channel with nice results.  I have been toying with getting another 12 from Marc, but I won't make any more moves till my new bass arrives (sometime in the next millenium).
 
I'll be interested to hear what you think of the 212.  Personally, I hope Marc's gear turns out to be the real thing all the way around.  He's like a dream come true - a bassist himself - willing to try anything you ask him to (even customizations) - and his prices are low (for now!).
 
Bill

[pookeymp]

Hey Dave,
Sorry for the confusion...I have been known to ramble on for hours talking with only myself...but not this time.
 
Hi Bill,
Glad to hear you like your Dr. Bass 3-way.  I'm ordering this on blind faith...but then again...I did the same thing with the Acmes and was very pleased.  I also hope that this turns out as good as it seems.  Will definitely be posting back as soon as it comes in.
 
Mikey/

[bassman10096]

Mikey:  Don't feel too bad about the blind faith part - I did exactly the same thing after blundering upon the website and (like you) an hour on the phone with Marc.  
 
One thing I didn't mention - The cabs really are built like the proverbial brick sh--t house! The sprayed on plastic coating is attractive, very hard and seems like it ought to outlast tolex and carpet.  The grills and hardware are good quality.  The grills are not quite as solid as Acmes, but seem fine for heavy use.  The cabs are attractive, good looking logo medallion, etc.  
 
They are also very light.  Unlike Acme's new age bracing system, Marc's views on cabinet rigidity sound pretty common-sense and ordinary (brace the back heavily, because it gets the most air pressure).  My cab's light weight is largely due to the Eminence neomydium 12 driver.  
 
Looking forward to hearing your reaction.
 
Bill

[pookeymp]

Hey Bill,
 
As I also use an Acme B2, I'm curious as to whether you did an A/B comparison w/ the Dr. Bass and the Acme...or even an A/B w/ the Dr. Bass and the Acme/Mesa Combo...and if so, how did it match up?
 
Mikey/