Epifani UL Series 2 112 Cabinet

Price – $500

Available at BassNW and other fine retailers

The Good Stuff:

The Epifani UL2 112 is is the first in my series of three reviews of compact, 1×12 cabinets.  This cabinet is a lightweight cabinet with big tone.  Despite featuring an ultra-light Epifani Aluminum-frame neodymium driver, this little sucker will pump some BASS (response is 43Hz to 16kHz).  The neo driver and the Italian poplar plywood construction keep the cabinet down to 31 pounds, and the top-mounted handle make this super easy to move.  I’ve now played it at multiple gigs and rehearsals and I smile every time I pick it up.

The cabinet features 2 Speakon and 1/4″ input/output jacks, allowing for ease of use with a second cabinet.  With a 300W rating and 8 ohm impedance, this little cabinet can easily handle what micro amps can deliver.  With a 100dB sensitivity, this is a pretty loud (i.e., efficient) cabinet.

The tone can best be described as “accurate” and “clear.”  No matter where I am on the neck of my bass, the UL2 112 offers a full, clear tone with minimal coloration.  I wouldn’t describe the tone as “warm,” nor would I describe it as “cold.”  It is clear — which really is great in live band scenarios.

Having never before used 12″ speakers for bass, I am pretty impressed.  The cabinet offers more fundamental in the tone than a 2×10, but quicker and tighter response than a 1×15.  I found it just as easy to dial in modern, aggressive tones than it was to dial in big, fat country thump.

EDIT: I forgot to add that I tested this cabinet with both electric and upright, so let me add my thoughts about the upright in particular.  When paired with my Eden WTX-260,  I thought the UL2 112 did a great job.  The low end was solid and not too “woofy,” and the clarity was great across the range on the bass.  I felt that I could plug into a flat EQ with this cabinet and get a great, round, solid tone, where I was doing a lot of EQ tweaking with the other cabs I will be reviewing.

The Bad Stuff:

The only thing negative that I can say is not really a bad point about this cabinet, per se.  Having played this cabinet both alone and with other 112s, I feel that a single cabinet just doesn’t produce enough volume with a loud drummer.  But, all bets are off with two!

Well, I suppose I can add that this is not a cheap cabinet.  However, the price of the UL2 112 is well within the price range of similar cabinets and, after all, you get what you pay for with this cabinet.

Overall:

This is a great, if spendy, cabinet that is perfect for bass players tired of moving heavy cabinets.  Great tone, great portability.

Advertisement