Author Topic: Acme Low B Cabs (Read 651 times)

Earl Schreyer (eschreyer2) · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2003, 07:26:17 PM »

Hi Guys,
Yes it is true that the Acme's don't have the sensitivity that some other cabs do (not as loud for the same volume setting) and they do like a lot of power. However, with that said, it?s been my experience that I can still get a killer tone without spending a fortune on megawatts. I bought the 4 ohm version. I use a modest crown powerbase1 that is only about 250watts per side, or 500watts bridged mono in the 4 ohm load. For practice or small gigs, I just run one side at 250watts and it?s plenty. Granted I have to turn my preamp (Trace Elliot GP12xV) output level up to about 4-5, but not enough to overdrive and distort the power amp. If I bridge mono, I?m usually down around 2-3 on the output level. As a matter of fact, my stage volume would have been too much if I turned up more. Maybe it?s my combination of preamp and power amp, but it works fine for me. I?m even considering buying one more B-2 and driving each with one side of the powerbase1. Twice the fun, I?ll cut through anything.

A potential problem is that if you have to crank up you preamp output level too high, you may either distort the output of your preamp, or the level may be too hot for your power amp and again, may result in distortion.
The Acme is very clean (and so is your Alembic)so distortion will not sound good!!

The four B-1?s seems pretty cool, I like a unique rig.

-Earl

David Burgess (dnburgess) · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2003, 03:11:12 PM »

I have been using 2 Acme B1s with a QSC PLX 1202 and Alembic F1-X for a few weeks now and offer the following comments:

1. The tone is superb.

2. One B1 is great for practice or rehearsal with bands that play at civilised volumes. I have finally achieved the holy grail of a rig that I can move from car to studio in one trip! Bass over my shoulder - electronics in a Gator roller rack and speaker in the other hand!

3. The full rig struggles with a loud band. I have been rehearsing with a three piece with a really loud guitarist (drums have to be mic'd in the rehearsal studio!) - and have been getting some speaker distortion (which kind of suits the music) and occasional amplifier clipping at the required volume levels. So I'm considering getting an Acme B4 and running my amp bridged - 1200 watts into 4 ohms should keep the guitarist at bay.

Jonathan Johnstone (stoney) · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2003, 05:02:25 AM »

Hi All, I returned my iAmp350 and purchased the iAMP800. First of all it made all the difference in the world with my Acmes (lob b1& low b2). I've been playing my Brown Bass through it. I had replaced the original pickups with Fat Boys. Even with the 800 and various pre-amp configs, I still wasn't getting the tone I wanted. So I fired up my Essense...that did it, all my tone was there. I took out the Fat Boys, and re-installed the original picups in the Brown Bass. Tone has been restored. Ordering another Low B-1 today.

Regarding the problems with my first low B 1, I sent it back to Andy. Apparently I had a bad woofer, he replaced it with no problem and sent it back. My only complaint is that I'm out 46.00 for shipping.

Stoney

Jonathan Johnstone (stoney) · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2003, 05:08:35 AM »

(Message edited by stoney on April 02, 2003)

dannobasso · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2003, 08:05:44 AM »

I just received my Low B2. Good sound. I set it on top of my Epifani 310 with a F1X and QSC PLX1602. I would only caution you all about high end frequencies. I've blown 2 bulbs due to a signal surge from a recording set up and adjusting the tweeter. This is much better than blowing the tweeter but you have to take the cab front apart and remove a woofer to get to the bulb. Otherwise I'm very happy with it and my back is happy too!.

stoney · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2003, 05:22:55 AM »

Hey Danno...

uuuuhhhh, what's a bulb? Is it the fuse?

Stoney

dannobasso · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2003, 05:42:58 AM »

Yes, yes it is. I thought it odd meself but the wisdom is sound. Instead of using a fuse that might not be on hand or such, an 1156 car tail light bulb was employed. This is not unlike protection systems on PA speakers. If too much juice is going to the horn, the bulb lights up to let you know KNOCK IT OFF! I have that on some JBL cabs I have. But it is not visible in the ACME. But 10 minutes, a screw gun and an 1156 bulb and you are back in business. Also you can get these bulbs just about anywhere in a pinch. So in technical terms, (which I am not well versed in , I use a Mac) bulb = fuse. Better the bulb than a burnt out tweeter!

stoney · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2003, 10:54:20 AM »

Hey thanks. Makes sense.

David Houck · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2003, 07:06:04 AM »

I read these reviews earlier today. This guy went back to his Eden 210xlt from his Acme B210 because of the efficiency issue; he blew a driver in the Acme. Interesting reading; but he does describe the Acme as the old series.
http://www.jeffnet.org/~addicott/gear/acme210.html
http://www.jeffnet.org/~addicott/gear/eden210xlt.html
I play through a couple of Eden 210xlt's but from time to time I think about trying a B210, I can always stand to have more low end; but I am concerned about the efficiency question.
For David Burgess, two suggestions. One, sit down with the guitar player and have a serious heart to heart discussion about volume. Two, go to an ear specialist and order custom earplugs with 25db filters. For people like us that are so serious about tone, its really a shame when you start losing your hearing.

Author Topic: Acme Low B Cabs (Read 651 times)

Earl Schreyer (eschreyer2)

David Burgess (dnburgess)

Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)

Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)