Beam Blocker

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

I installed a 15" JBL D130-F in my Twin Reverb Re-Issue. The results are great. Nice sparkly highs and tight clean bottom end. Problem: On stage with the band I have to increase the treble in order not to get buried in all the midrange frequencies bouncing around. The Twin can get ice picky if you are right in front of it. Has anyone tried the Weber Beam Blocker? Here's the link: http://www.webervst.com/blocker.html

Any opinions on this product or suggestions for this problem? Thanks - Tim

Bengt Erlandsen · From: Brekstad, NORWAY

Havent tried the product but have noticed the problem with speakers/amps/highs that can cut a hole thru the crowd. If there is too much mid-range freq's on stage it could be solved by having EQ on the monitors. That of course costs extra money. Sometimes the sound on stage can clear up if all band-memebers lower their monitor volume.
Having the time to do a proper soundcheck and get everything balanced so all band-members hear all the others in regard to their own monitoring makes for a better performance also.

Bengt Erlandsen

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

I did that for years on my guitar rig that had a pair of D120's. I saw a Stevie Ray Vaughn photo that showed duct tape over the "beam". I think it helps. That beam off a JBL or Black Widow is pretty fierce. It's a narrow beam about 4" wide, pretty focused straight ahead. I like the Weber idea as it diffuses the sound. I may have to try one. One thing I learned years ago is to NEVER EVER point that beam at your own head or at the soundman. That beam is so strong that a soundman 100' away will think your amp is really loud when it's not, and he'll mix accordingly. Pointed at your head, that beam will just shred your ears into tinnitus land. I usually set my steel amp up on a crate so the "beam" blows at the back of my pack-a-seat and nowhere else.

Brad Sarno

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

Thanks fellas! The band mix is generally pretty good and we're not a high volume outfit. I have had some comments that the high harmonic slide on "Sleepwalk" can be too piercing. I think I will try the Beam Blocker for only $20. I like the idea of diffusing the highs and there's been good feedback over on the Fender Forum. I'll let you know if it works.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I tried the duct tape method on a SF Twin the other night.
I think it helped with the ice-pick factor.
I just used a strip of silver-face duct tape straight across the middle of the inside of the grill, from one side of the grill to the other. Is there a more correct method (SRV?)?
Has anyone seen the Weber BB system?
Is the Weber unit actually a concave oval right in front of the cone?... Cuz the wife has 2 plastic mashed-potato type serving spoons in the second drawer that look just like that picture, and she's gonna wonder why I'm taking them to the gig next week.

I'm serious.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Yes--it's a concave disc suspended over the center of the speaker. The "back of the spoon" faces the cone. Very low tech. One note--if the speaker is front mounted you will need to use some sort of hardware/junk when mounting the BB in order to offset it and clear the speaker rim. the BB is designed for rear (flush) mounted speakers. When I get around to putting together an order of some other stuff I also plan on getting one of these.

jim milewski · From: stowe, vermont

this is a great post, I agree with Bengt, monitors and mics are so good now, that exsessive volumes can be reached on stage without feedback causing more vocals to be heard and in turn the amps crank up more, the result is bad. I have several amps with the BW 1501 with the aluminum dust cover, I bought two BWs on ebay only to find they were 1502 DT and non metalic dust covers, what they are is deep basket bass speakers, something I've never seen used for steel, although the paper work showed the frequency response which was suitable for steel and it even said it was suitable for guitar etc.. To my surprise these are mt favorite speakers, and because that "beam effect" is missing from them, smooth all the way, I contemplated spraying automobile rubber under coating on the dust covers of my other BWs to rid that harsh spot. I guess that's why good sound men never place the mic over the center of the speaker.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

On the Fender Forum, word has it that the Beam Blocker doesn't diminish the highs, but disperses evenly. Same high end sparkle, just no intense beam. The result is described as giving you a much larger perceived sound. I'm anxious to find out.

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