Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Clint
Experience	10
Email	Hipnoticband@aol.com
Review date	March 08 2003
Manufacturer	Avatar
Model	B112
Price	$179 + $25 shipping
Item owned for	1-6 months

Dimensions	18"x18"x15.5"
Weight	40 lbs.
Power	450 watts RMS
Speakers	Eminence 12 inch Kappa Bass Speaker, Foster high frequency compress
	ion horn tweeter
Ohms	8 ohms
Other	3/4 inch PLYWOOD cabinet with dadoed joints, the cabinet is covered in
	black carpet, has protective corners, steel reinforced strap handle, full fa
	ce steel diamond pattern expanded metal grill, two rear ports, steel input pan
	el with dual 1/4 inch in/out jacks.

I gig out in 2 modern rock,funk,pop cover/original bands about 4 nights a week. I wanted a small cab to bring to gigs because I got sick of carrying my SWR 4x10 with me everywhere. By the way, the head I'm using is an SWR SM-400S. I figured I could use the 1x12 and go through the bands pa system w/subwoofer on the smaller gigs where we bring our own sound or I could just use the 1x12 as a stage monitor on the big gigs that provide a full sound system. Either way it would pretty much be functioning as a stage monitor and the audience would be hearing me 100% through the mains on the big gigs and hearing me about 60% through the 1x12 on the smaller gigs. I do a weekly Thursday night gig in a small/medium size place where the 1x12 works well when I also plug into our pa system. The Mackie subwoofer gives the lows the 1x12 lacks. I also have a weekly Sunday night gig in a slightly larger room and again I get a great sound through the 1x12 w/Mackie subwoofer. I once did the Sunday gig with just the 1x12 and no pa support. I was really pushing the 1x12 but got away with it, it is not recomended though. The larger stages we play on seemed to be a problem. The 1x12 got lost in the mix of loud drums and guitar, even when I told the soundguy to put some bass in the monitors. I'm not faulting the cab at all. I seriously doubt any 1x12 could handle those gigs(large loud stage, large loud room). When I played the 1x12 side by side with my 4x10 the volume difference really doesn't seem that noticable, it's in a loud gigging environment that the truth comes out.

For the price I think the cab sounds excellent. It's pretty punchy, although not as punchy as 10" speakers would be. Sounds pretty good for slap style and pick playing. I like the sound of the 12" for fingerstyle. It gives a nice round tone, not too punchy and not too boomy for fingerstyle. It's all personal opinion here. It lacks on the lows compared to the other popular 1x12's(Aguilar, Bergantino, Epifani) but it is a fraction of their price. It works well for the smaller gigs I'm doing, however, I do still like some pa support. It will differ from band to band. When I have used the cab in my funky, slightly more mellow band, it worked very well. That band keeps a lower stage volume and hearing myself wasn't problem. When I'm playing in my modern rock band and my guitarist and drummer tend to play louder, the 1x12 gets a little lost in the mix. It makes a great cab for practice, small gigs, etc. I hear that the B112 sounds excellent paired with the Avatar C15 so I'll probably be buying one of those very soon. I would rather bring 2 smaller cabs than 1 bigger one to my gigs. If you are looking for a great all in one cab and don't mind spending the cash, go for the Bergantino 322, that thing sounds awesome! Just my opinion being throw in there. Overall I'm very pleased with the B112. It is what I expected. It's not going to provide the volume/cut of a 4x10 but what can you expect from ANY 1x12 cab? For the price I got it for, this thing is fantastic! I should be buying the C15 soon. Hope this helps some people. Go to talkbass.com and you can find many more comments and reviews on this cab and everything else bass guitar.

Construction	90%
(The protective grill has some sharp edges which will cut you if you aren't ca
reful!)
Clarity	90%
(It sounds very good, not quite as good as the other 1x12's(Aguilar, Bergantin
o, Epifani) but it's a fraction of the price of those. I'm taking that into c
onsideration.)
Volume	85%
(Keep in mind I'm basing this on other cabs(4x10's, etc.), for a 1x12 I though
t the volume was very good. It can't keep up on a large stage but for smaller
gigs it's fine. Playing bass by yourself it will sound loud but go play a lo
t of gigs with it and you will see what I mean.)
Portability	98%
(It's 18"x18"x15.5", nice and small, easy to carry.)
Value	100%
(I won it on ebay new and paid $148 +$25 for shipping, awesome deal!)
Overall	95%
(Great little cab, I now want to mate it up with a C15 from Avatar for what I
hear is a great combination.)