In the world of bass gear, so much attention is given to the instrument, the amplifier and the pedals, that bass cabinets are often overlooked. This is an injustice! Bass cabs play an important role in helping bassists craft their tone and broadcast it to the masses.
Early on in my professional career as a touring bassist I learned just how important cabs are, when I was offered an endorsing artist partnership with a bass amp company. This was very exciting for me because I was so broke, Top Ramen was my special occasion..
The company sent me their newest bass amp along with their most popular bass cabinet and I was anxious to take it to the stage. My enthusiasm, however, was quickly abated because the tone of the rig seemed overly bassy, with little or no definition in the highs. I initially blamed the head, because no matter how I adjusted the EQ and gain, the tone didn’t get to where I needed it to be.
The company’s artist relations rep contacted me a few weeks after I received the rig to see how I liked it. Sheepishly, I relayed my disappointment with the tone I was getting. Immediately, he said “No problem! Let’s try a different cabinet.” I was skeptical that this would improve the tone enough to deliver what I needed, but I agreed to give it a try. He then asked me a series of questions about the tone I was looking for, including questions about any famous bassists that have a similar tone, and in a matter of days a new cab arrived at my door.
Even though I was feeling snake-bit and certain the amp just wasn’t for me, I tried out the new cab…and there it was! My tone! I had more definition in the high end, while the low end was warm and full.
That night I celebrated with a Top Ramen meal!
As you work on perfecting your own dream bass tone, be sure to really explore several different cabinet types. Here are some suggestions to help you find the best bass cab for you:
Research Your Tone Heroes
Make a list of bassists whose tone you admire. Look up what gear they use—especially cabinets. For local influences, ask to try their rig (offer coffee—it’s currency!).
Use Your Local Music Store
Bring your own bass and amp to test cabinets. Be respectful of staff time—and please don’t try everything only to buy it cheaper online.
Consult the Hive Mind
Hit up bass communities on social media. Be specific: what’s your tone goal? What gear do you already use?
Lastly, if you are the type of player who plays many different genres and wants the most flexibility when it comes to the tones you can access, consider getting several different cabs. I own various cabs with different speaker sizes/configurations, which I can mix-and-match to create the perfect tone for any genre or venue size.
I hereby declare it: Bass Cabinet Appreciation Month. Celebrate by playing loud, experimenting with your setup—and yes, eating some Top Ramen. You’ve earned it. Got a favorite cab story or a go-to setup? Drop it in the comments—let’s celebrate the unsung heroes of bass tone together!
Story by Dale Titus
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Dale has been a professional bassist for 40 years and during that time was an instructor/counselor at the Bass Institute of Technology, a freelance writer for Bass Player magazine as well as the Editor of Bass Frontiers magazine. He also released The Ultimate Beginner Series for Bass videos and book for Alfred Publishing, as well as the Everything Bass YouTube channel.
3 comments
I have two 4-ohm purple SL cabs. I power them with a GK Legacy1200 because Aguilar only makes one amp that operates at 2 ohms: my DB 751. I sold it because it was heavy. I absolutely loved it, but honestly, it scared the heck out of the superlight cabs! Too bad the TH can’t push 2 ohms. I would have bought one.
I would bet most of us bassists don’t mix cabs with different ohmages. I never have. Holdover training from my interest in guitars and Marshalls, I suppose.
I most often use my SL 410, or my EBS Neo 410 (1000 watts) and a Glockenklang, GK or Genz-Benz amp. (What’s with all the Gs in the amp names?) The cab sounds great and has good output for small bars, etc. I add the 115 for outdoor gigs. And ya gotta love purple!
If I had a 1000-watt, 2-ohm Tone Hammer amp (with two speaker jacks) I would not need the other amps. No need for IRs. I want to hear the amp and the cabs as a cohesive unit. Old school, I know. Ha! Dare to dream.
The GS412 has been my main for overall versatility and ability to take synth levels of low. Saw Stu Brooks using one live and caught that fever. DB series is def a different vibe. The GS just seems tuned deeper. I wanted a cab i could abuse with frequency range and still handle moving by myself. Super glad to have found one. Have Aguilar ever thought about prducing a companion subwoofer for the dub and detuned folks out here? I’m about to build one from a car amp…
I own 5 Aguilar bass amps/heads and two DB 112’s but don’t use the cabinets anymore because they’re too heavy. I’ve been using Schroeder cabinets, Does Aguilar make any lightweight, powerful front ported cabinets like Schroeder, GK or EBS? I do not like rear ported cabinets because on tour most of the time you don’t a wall behind you and the current SL cabinets will not cover the volume required.