Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Dave Edwards
Experience	36
Email	lhbassist@yahoo.com
Review date	October 13 2003
Manufacturer	AVATAR
Model	B-112 Bass cabinet
Price	160.00-Ebay
Item owned for	6 months to 1 year

Dimensions	See Wbsite for dimensions
Weight	about 40 lbs.
Power	450
Speakers	Eminence
Ohms	8
Other	carpet covering. plastic corners, full metal grille

I have the older, rear ported model, now replaced by a taller, front ported design. I wanted a reasonably light, portable cabinet to use with my Acoustic Image Clarus amp, for upright bass. I also wanted a great deal, and who doesn't? The search led me to try a number of cabinets, and finding the Avatar website, via an Ebay auction, where Dave sells his cabinets regularly. I bought the cab, on Ebay, for $160, + $29.00 shipping, and received the cab in 3 days. The shipping box alone said a lot about this company. It was clean, and efficently packed. when I unpacked it, and plugged it in, well, I was pretty surprised. I had just taken up my friend's offer to borrow and try a $525.00 bergantino 1-12 bass cabinet, for which he is a dealer. I brought the Bergantino back to the store, and I brought the Avatar, because I wanted to compare the two head-to-head. I bought the better cabinet- the Avatar. We used the same amp to power both cabinets, using the same bass. The Bergantino is undeniably a high quality product, but listening, and really hearing the comparison, was awakening. What I heard, is that while the Bergantino has a nice top end, it seems to have a low end 'drop off' below 'a' on the 'e' string, it's compact size, porting and tuning seems to cause this. I think even a small bass cabinet should be strong in this area, after all, it's a bass cabinet, right? The low mid, and low punch advantage went to the Avatar. It uses a Foster tweeter, and the tweeter in the Bergantino is a better sounding unit, but if you run the level control just 'on' slightly, is sounds fine. I love this cabinet, and have a lot of cabinets- 12 at last count. I use it as the top cab in my bi-amp electric rig, and stand-alone for upright. The cabinet price is still a great deal, even with the price increases at Avatar. I think they are all now available either 4 or 8 ohm. If you absolutely need to spend your money to buy 'boutique' stuff. well go for it.... but these are great products, and you could buy 2 of these for the price of a 'name' cab. Dave Noss, the owner, responds quickly to e-mails, and will talk to you on the phone. He actually cares about your purchase....that's rare in today's corporate world. My next cab purchase will also be an Avatar.

Construction	100%
(Really well built)
Clarity	98%
(sounds clear and focused)
Volume	90%
( after all, it's only 1- 12" speaker!)
Portability	95%
(very easy to handle)
Customer Service	100%
(Order one, and talk to Dave, you'll see.)
Value	100%
(you won't find a better cabinet for the money)
Overall	98%
(Nobody's perfect, but they try!)