Newbie question about beam blockers, tone bra, fizzy lifters

[ibanezrocker720]

First off my name's Terry and I just want to say hello and introduce myself, I signed up on here a while back but never posted anything because I just try to follow the threads and get info from everyones posts. I'm a HUGE Mesa fan and decided it's time I act like one and start getting in on some discussions. I have a 2001 Mesa Dual Rectifier and 4x12 Rectifier straight cabinet. I've been reading up on tips and tricks on here to get better tone and also Greg_Moreira is a friend of mine in my area and he has been giving me some awesome advice as well (Maxon OD808!). My current problem is that I love my tone when I don't sit directly in front of my cab but right in front it's pretty harsh. I've been reading about the Fizzy Lifters, Tone Bras and Weber Beam Blockers and was wondering what everyones experience with them is. I saw alot of people with 2x12 say they like them but I'm wondering about how it will sound with my straight 4x12 cab with V30's. Which do you guys prefer or any other brands for that matter and what kind of positive/negative results would I get? The style of music I play varies but it's mostly heavier down tuned stuff if it makes a difference (Sevendust, Killswitch Engage, Skrape, Dark New Day, etc.) Thanks guys!

 

[danvortex]

Hi !

I use the beam blockers and it works. But before anything else i would change some of the preamp tubes. Some tubes like th JJ ECC83S will really help in that matter espacially in V1 and V2. I also find V5 (output/phase inverter) to also have a role to play in the quality of high frequencies.

In the next few days i will receive NOS mullard and RFT tubes, i've been told they do great to retain a good crunch while taming the harsh highs.

The tubes i use right now in my pre-500 revc are

v1-jjecc83s (tames the highs but keep good gain and crunch)
v2-sovtech EH (gives a high mid kick placed in this position)
v3-jjecc83s (thight lows in this position)
v4-chinese shugang 9th generation
v5-tungsol reissue (i don't know why, i don't like this tube in anyother spot but in V5 this is the one i like the most, more balanced and smoother in the high frequencies than what you will get with Mesa tubes or any other sovtek or chinese


with this cocktail + the beam blockers i can stand right in front of the cab, it is much smoother but has plenty of attack and crunch.

Hope it will help

 

[MusicManJP6]

Look into the 'Mitchell Donuts'. I'm highly considering installing one in my 3/4 back cab.

 

[fluff191]

I put something similar to a Mitchell Donut in my Peavey Triple XXX cab as an experiment. Its actually weird because no matter where you stand the sound and tone is all the same.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I put something similar to a Mitchell Donut in my Peavey Triple XXX cab as an experiment. Its actually weird because no matter where you stand the sound and tone is all the same.

So, did you like this effect or no?

 

[TimeSignature]

Damn, I must have done something wrong with my Mitchell donut! It didnt do anything to the sound in my Fender Supersonic. The beam will still kill your ear.

 

[TimeSignature]

You can see the donut when i took the pic w/ the flash ON my camera.

 

[fluff191]

I put something similar to a Mitchell Donut in my Peavey Triple XXX cab as an experiment. Its actually weird because no matter where you stand the sound and tone is all the same.

So, did you like this effect or no?

I did it differently (due to lack of knowledge at the time). I put the foam over the center of the speaker cone only.

I absolutely love the effect, and all beaming was eliminated. While lots of folks have since told me "that is totally wrong and doesn't work to 100% efficiency blah blah blah", I actually use this cab more than my Mesa 4x12 because it sounds so even in a band setting. Its great.

 

[ibanezrocker720]

Thanks guys for the info...I probably need new preamp tubes anyways since mine still has the original Mesa's in it. I'll give that a shot and look into the Mitchell Donut. I just want to make sure it's something that's easily removable incase I don't like it and something that won't ruin the cab.

 

[TimeSignature]

Fluff191, how did you "attach" the donut?

That IS pretty funny that you did it completely opposite of the way it should be done.

 

[MusicManJP6]

You can see the donut when i took the pic w/ the flash ON my camera.

I'm pretty sure the foam is supposed to fit the entire inside of the speaker baffle so no sound can escape around the foam. It looks like you stopped at the edge of the speaker. I can see some space on the left and right behind the grill cloth that theoretically should be covered by the foam. Mitchell suggests using spray adhesive to attach the foam to the inside of the grill cloth.

I think I'll be installing a donut in my 3/4 back cab when I install an EV speaker in the near future.

 

[TimeSignature]

I dont think any sound will escape. The grill cloth pushes against the donut so that it's flush, the speaker is completely covered (minus the 3 inch hole in the center)

 

[MusicManJP6]

Oh, OK, I see! I'm really wanting to do this!

 

[GIG4FUN]

I have been gigging with my 2x12 vert mesa boogie EV12L loaded cabinet with the Mitchell Donuts in it. I love it and so does everyone else.

I followed that thread over on the Gear Page for a long time before I finally bought some and tried it. IT works well and I do mean very well. I strongly suggest it. I bought 12 pieces from McMaster-Carr so I can do a few more cabinets.

part number: 85735K72
http://www.mcmaster.com

Hope this helps you get on move on!

 

[bduersch]

How does this impact the ability to close mic a cab?

I'm just curious... seems like they're designed to optimize the tone in the room, was just wondering if the trade-off is a change in tone up close.

--B

 

[GIG4FUN]

How does this impact the ability to close mic a cab?

I'm just curious... seems like they're designed to optimize the tone in the room, was just wondering if the trade-off is a change in tone up close.

--B

It's a win win according to my soundman. There are no trade-offs. He has a SM57 on my cab.

This is discussed in the long ass thread over on the gear page. It'll take you a long time to read it though. Put on a pot of tea is you so decide!

 

[fluff191]

Fluff191, how did you "attach" the donut?

That IS pretty funny that you did it completely opposite of the way it should be done.

Sorry for answering the question so late, I had forgotten about this thread!!

I just used 3M Spray Adhesive on the inside of the grill cloth. Had to remove each speaker to do so.

 

[stephen sawall]

There well still be a small amount of beam with the MD when close and directly in front of the donut.

If made properly they well make the sound pretty much the same every place in the room with a closed back cab.

 

[bermuda_]

Just out interest guys, why do people use beam blockers?

 

[stephen sawall]

Just out interest guys, why do people use beam blockers?

When you walk in front of the cab you well hear a lot more treble than if you are on the side or off axis from the front. The goal is to make the sound the same every place in the room. Hence ~ removing the beam effect of being directly in front of the speaker.