The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bass Amps & Effects => Topic started by: tbird freak on September 13, 2010, 02:59:43 PM

Title: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: tbird freak on September 13, 2010, 02:59:43 PM
just got a 210 alumabass cab, copper colored aluminum cones, sounds amazing with my 410 madison! Best of all it was free! Anyone know anything about these things? can't find much on the web, know they are out of buissness. Not sure why, this thing is heavy, built like a tank. and like I said sounds amazing. Any info? Thanks
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Pilgrim on September 13, 2010, 03:22:59 PM
That's a new one on me.  How about sharing some pictures of this unusual rig?
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: tbird freak on September 13, 2010, 03:41:16 PM
How do I post em? says file is to big
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Pilgrim on September 13, 2010, 04:10:20 PM
Open an account on www.photobucket.com and load them there - then just copy the text from the "Img Code" box below each image.  Photobucket is the most friendly spot I've found for photos.

If you have to reduce image size, I recommend www.irfanview.com which is free photo software - it's very easy to open your photo, then choose Image > Resize and choose a new size.  Also very easy to change file formats..just do a "Save As".
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: tbird freak on September 13, 2010, 04:52:41 PM
here it is.
(http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/fordkisskrazy/alumabass005.jpg)
(http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/fordkisskrazy/alumabass002.jpg)
(http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/fordkisskrazy/alumabass003.jpg)
(http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/fordkisskrazy/alumabass001.jpg)
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Nocturnal on September 13, 2010, 08:00:02 PM
I remember seeing a couple of ads for them a long time ago. I think one of the ads had Dean Peer in it. Never actually seen one in person tho.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Dave W on September 14, 2010, 11:21:36 AM
They came out in the mid-90s, company only lasted a few years (maybe 5?). IIRC they seemed to get good user reviews, especially when compared to Hartke aluminum speaker cabs. The negative was that the cabs were supposedly not very efficient and this was supposedly due to the aluminum drivers. In any case, the Hartke aluminum fad was on its way out by the time Bullfrog started up. They were probably just too late.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Hornisse on September 14, 2010, 08:40:22 PM
Did someone say aluminum fad?  ;D  I still use one for my road rig.  An ancient SWR Studio 220 powers it.

(http://i51.tinypic.com/110g51t.jpg)
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Pilgrim on September 14, 2010, 09:40:04 PM
Thanks for the photos!  Pretty cool looking cabs.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: stiles72 on September 15, 2010, 09:11:25 AM
I remember seeing a couple of ads for them a long time ago.

+1    Early to mid 90's...
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Dave W on September 15, 2010, 11:01:01 AM
Did someone say aluminum fad?  ;D  I still use one for my road rig.  An ancient SWR Studio 220 powers it.

I shouldn't have called it a fad, just meant that they were very popular for a while then faded as people went back to conventional cones.

Google brings up a reference to the Bullfrog Alumabass being introduced at the 1995 NAMM show. IIRC that was about the time Hartke was introducing their paper cone speaker line, probably because their aluminum line was gradually falling out of favor.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: tbird freak on September 15, 2010, 07:53:29 PM
Hey, thanks all for replys n info. All I know is I love the way it sounds!!! Its like I finally found my sound, and the guys ( my son's band) Lol. I play with really like it too!. Thanks again.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: slinkp on September 15, 2010, 08:24:14 PM
Bullfrog the company lasted way longer than 5 years if they were still making cabs in the 90s. I distinctly remember playing through a bullfrog as a wee little impressionable 11-year-old bassist around 1981-ish.  I don't remember what it sounded like, but it was bigger than I was, which I guess is why it stuck in my head :)   

Assuming it's the same company, anyway.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on September 15, 2010, 08:46:50 PM
I remember when the cabs came out, they had incredibly unrealistic frequency response specs and were surprisingly affordable: two qualities that tend NOT to be positive in the cabinet world. They also made PA cabs. From what I recall, they disappeared off the scene very quickly, but I did hear a few reports of driver cone separation ala' Hartke and low power handling.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Hornisse on September 15, 2010, 09:41:13 PM
Yeah, the lower right speaker on my Guild/Hartke is a replacement for a blown one.  The other 3 speakers are dated from 1986 while the replacement is a '92.  Still sounds great after all these years.  I remember the Bullfrog speaker cabs as well.  I wanted one but they were few and far between.
Title: Re: alumabass, bullfrog cabs
Post by: Denis on September 16, 2010, 05:50:37 AM
Did someone say aluminum fad?  ;D  I still use one for my road rig.  An ancient SWR Studio 220 powers it.

(http://i51.tinypic.com/110g51t.jpg)

Haha, dang, THAT looks familiar!  ;D