RichardH

Thanks for that BeLow. More:


[b]fox[/b]
I see DIY cab building is popular (big hi to Fretless Eric from another PFMer). I started on my Bass Cab project over the holidays after I calculated the area required. Got the MDF cut for free at Homebase and had all the other tools I needed on hand. Screws every 4 inches or so... there is so much glue under those butt-joints its unreal!

I calculated the cab internal volume for 4 x 10-inch Eminence Delta drivers. If this cabinet is successful then I shall be adding an identical ported 15-inch drive unit as well. The locking wheels (on a removeable plate) are from Ikea, Grab handles and carpet from Maplins. Wood from Homebase. Everything is bolted and sealant mastic applied to joints and edges where air might escape. This is going to be as air tight as I can get it.

This is one heavy mofo so the wheels will in all likelyhood stay


[i]Cutouts for the grab handles [/i]


[i]Trying the grab handles for size... yep all fits... [/i]


[i]No speakers yet so creatively filled in space provided... Plus obligatory dog.[/i]

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[b]BeLow[/b]
Fox

Looks like a substantial undertaking there - certainly looks neat in the pics.

I am finding it hard going as I have to tidy all my tools away and getting them out again each session - sometimes twice a day!

Carpet job looks neat - how did you do the seams - removable back panel was one option that I had considered?

I have actually used some floor varnish now as I am running out of patience having to buy specialist stuff - it has been hard wearing on other projects and I had plenty left? Not sure the woody look will be everyone's taste but it fits in well with our Ikea furniture!

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[b]fox[/b]
Used a staplegun. Started at the bottom and wrapped it round. Folded fabric to the bracing fronts and trimmed the back so the only visible seams are the back side edges (I'll cover that with cabinet edging). Airtight cab seemed best for Eminence ?Qr so removeable anything (other than the speakers) is a no no.

Woody FX is cool If I'd used wood I'd have varnished also. Carpet covers up a multitude of sins but it deadens the cab nicely...

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[b]fox[/b]

Last Night I decided to go for the final push. A foxy with too much time on his hands is a very bad thing. So seeing as I had four new Eminence Delta 10 Loudspeaker drive units arrive the other day for my bass speaker rig I decided to start the long haul to finishing this Bass Cabinet. Exactly one half of my planned sound-system. There's a Ported 15-inch monster as well...



Step 1. Involved laying out on the floor. Getting them square and central to my measurements -- note: the diagonal lines pass through each of the perimeter holes perfick-like. Hah!



Step 2. Employ use of my partner's tall cake tin (which was a perfect fit BTW) to draw the inner hole through which the speaker will go. Drill hole into each inner hole for the Jigsaw to go into.



Step 3. Cut the holes and clean it and then {breathes in anticipation} -- yes damnit they fit! Hah!



Step 4: Drill holes into the 8 x hole spaces per loudspeaker. Clean and then spray MDF board in regulation black (there will be a grille to go in front to protect the speakers). Sand gently and then spray again and again... and again one last time. This stuff is dry enough to work with in minutes. I threaded through a bolt into each hole and fitted washers and nuts etc. Not hooked up the speakers with hookup wire yet. I need to scope the best wiring arrangement for an 8 Ohm 4 x 10" Cab... I never done this before! I know some guitar cabs are daisy chained... Dunno. Will Google and ask.

Anyway. All joints sealed with silicone sealant. Pushed baffle into place and tapped 4 screws for now in each corner. More will go in on the final hookup -- plus more sealant when it finally gets... squished and screwed into place.

Lay Bass on top (for scale). [snap] There! That'll do for tonight!

Hmmmmmm it looks familiar!

Hell yeah! If you're an old punk like me...



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[b]fox[/b]

I'd asked about and a fellow forum-goer showed me a rear-ass shot of a 4 x 10 Marshall Cab which I boiled down to this wiring diagram (I have put it up here as it might be useful for others reading this thread to be tempted to DIY).




The reason for doing it this way is thus:
[quote]Driving two chassis in parallel (splitting the + wires and - wires) halves the impedance the amp sees. Then putting a second set of parallel-driven chassis in series brings the impedance back up to the original value, i.e. to the amp, the impedance more or less looks like it has to drive a single chassis.[/quote]
So there you have it. More as it happens. Anyone else had any progress?

The carpet is] bog-standard grey Maplins carpet. I had a look at the vinyl covering and went "Ewwwww" (and immediately thought of "Warm leatherette"). They only had enuff of the Grey Mottled Carpet so that was that. Looks allright really. Link here. Heavy-duty staples staplegunned every inch or so (on the lip behind the baffle plate and underneath behind the wheel-plate).

I drop off the "bass bitz in a shopping bag" project next week for routing out neck and pickup wells and pick up a NS Design CR4M next week then I go off to try out new strings and bows.

all coming together fast now....

[b]BeLow[/b]
I'm thinking about building one of these cabs - had a look at Fretless Eric' s EV Cab designs, but I liked the look of this Fane 125L compact design on this link.

[url="http://www.fane-acoustics.com/public_html/...c2/cabinets.htm"]http://www.fane-acoustics.com/public_html/...c2/cabinets.htm[/url]

However not sure on the driver to put in - Fane are good in my experience but are expensive and harder to get locally than Eminence. The Cab is an extension cab for my 210 MAG combo - so it is a 'bottom' end speaker.

Also I was thinking I might buy a cheaper speaker first, then maybe go for a Neo later. Wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these units?

Budget solution would be

[url="http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...ers/alpha15.htm"]http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...ers/alpha15.htm[/url]

Slightly dearer

[url="http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...end/legcb15.htm"]http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...end/legcb15.htm[/url]

Up market lightweight Expensive

[url="http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...neo/neo2515.htm"]http://www.eminence.com/eminence/pages/pro...neo/neo2515.htm[/url]

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[b]RichardH[/b]
The Alpha looks like it would work - it is specced to work in a cab between 106-177l, so a 125l cab should work OK. The Legend doesn't mention a recommended cab vol, and the Deltalite states 70l (so opportunity for an even more compact cab!)

P.S. I found [url="http://www.bluearan.co.uk/"]http://www.bluearan.co.uk/[/url] cheapest for Eminence stuff - just looked and they don't list the Alpha 15 though - the Gamma or Beta look like they'd go in a 125l cab though.

P.P.S. the Electrovoice 15" cab is 3.2 cubic feet, which works out at 90 litres. The 12" cab is 1.3 cubic feet, which comes to 36 litres.

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[b]BeLow[/b]
Richard

Given that I need to get some good bass sounds, and that I already have a compact 1x15 combo which struggles struggles when at volume - so I need to go for a good low frequency response, so the Fane design cab is probably the better one to go.

The Beta looks good for this cab - and does not weigh as much as the legend.

Just in case I change my mind have you found an Emminence that would suit the EV cab?

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[b]RichardH[/b]
I already have a Gamma 15 in a slap together DIY cab, with takes 82-139l, so just in range - when I get back into DIY mode I'll be using that.

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[b]mottlefeeder[/b]
An alternative to tolex is a rollered- or sprayed-on textured coating. It is sold in USA as truck bed liner, and one UK stockist is
[url="http://www.paco-systems.co.uk/bedliner.html"]http://www.paco-systems.co.uk/bedliner.html[/url]

I have to say that I filed it for future reference, and have not used it myself.

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[b]BeLow[/b]

Plywood purchased from B&Q today (should have been on holiday in NYC but plan got blown out by wife's grandma's funeral so diverting myself).

18mm Birch ply in an 8'x4' sheet was just under £32, but they do 4 cuts by machine for free - so I now have enough planks to cut to size for top/bottom/sides and front and rear panels (saves time). Next job is to cut to length and true up edges with a plane prior to gluing - have to pick kids up from school soon so maybe that is job for another day.

Any ideas on where I can get cabinet corners, speaker grill and a connector plate - Maplins look a bit dear to me?

What are the views on best sort of speaker leads - will go for jacks for ease of interchangeability unless someone tells me that is daft.

Going for the Gamma speaker as it seems to match the cabinet volume but anyone know how it would compare with the Beta?

Beta needs a slightly larger cabinet (but has slightly higher power handling and bass response and is a tad lighter and cheaper) - probably won't change my mind but I have enough wood left to build second cabinet I reckon.

-----------------------------------------
[b]RichardH[/b]
Be interested to see how you get on finishing the cab. Are you tolexing it? I can't visualise how to deal with the front edges - I think the only way would be to wrap it round into the front recess and then make a full sized grill frame to sit into the recess, which would hide the tolex wrapping round. If you see what I mean!


---------------------------------------
[b]BeLow[/b]

Had thought of that approach - still a bit undecided - I have a Trace rig and an Ashdown - odd tolex style covering or carpet.

Unusually I have thought rather than be precious about it, I might try the paint on stuff mentioned earlier in the thread.

My long term plan is to have a good cab - as an extension to the Trace / Ashdown then sell one or both to finance a Markbass amp / combo - which possibly be carpet covered. Then I may have to make another cab (2x10?) - also if I do go down the markbbass combo route I may paint the front panel around the speaker to match the colour of a markbass speaker - or is that just naff?

I have sort of resigned myself to having a mix and match finishes for a while. Want to build and see what it sounds like first - things will slow down for a bit as Christmas approaches and I have a gig for first time in years.

I was due to do a 6 hour drive to Sheffield in the snow on Sunday so I could pickup 2 basses from Jon Shuker - but only one is ready apparently (sighs) so that is coming up in a week or two. Haven't ordered the speaker - it may be orderd after Christmas for cash flow reasons!


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[b]BeLow[/b]

Cab construction underway - not making a superb job of it but I am sure it will be OK.

Bit of advice needed - I am in the process of ordering the bits (from CPC who seem to have most of the parts) for it - I have not been able to find a speaker grill anyone got any ideas.

I really want something to go across the entire front of the cabinet rather than just on the speaker.


-----------------------------------------
[b]Fretless Eric[/b]
When I finally finish mine I will be using a wooden frame with a cloth covering.

This should only be considered if you take on board that it is not as strong as some metal grille, possibly from your local metal merchant/B&Q/Homebase, etc.

My cabs look a bit naff at the moment both being incomplete but needs must when you have gigs and want to use them.

I must try to finish them and post pics now I have a new ISP, but life gets in the way...

Before you go too far in the construction it is worth considering making the back panel removeable. This will allow covering all panels, with Tolex or whatever, and making a nice job of it. Trying to achieve a good looking join on a one piece cabinet is difficult.

Good luck,
Eric.

Edit - PS they still sound great with the Kappa 12s and ABM300 [still working]

This thread was a long running one in our previous incarnation, and re-reading it I thought there were some good bits that are worth keeping, so here goes. Hope the original contributors don't mind me repeating their outpourings.

Later in the thread, Eric found a link to all the plans for the Electrovoice cabinets, so I thought I'd post that right at the top to save hunting:

[url="http://archives.telex.com/archives/EV/Builders%20Plans/"][size=3][b]Electrovoice cabinet plans[/b][/size][/url].

Please note that this thread is not exclusively about the EV cabs - watch out for much cool cabinet making!

Now read on...

================================

[b]Fretless Eric[/b]
Having seen DIY suggestions raised in the "Ickle cabs" thread I thought that it might be a good idea to have a separate "DIY cabs" thread to keep information together for future reference and also to stop hijacking the thread. Some of this will be familiar but it sets the scene.

To summarize my situation;

Requirements:-

1. portability - to give my back an easier job.
2. quality sound - I don't want to compromise sound in a way that you have to with practice amps.
3. versatility - I can use a combination of cabinets depending on the situation.

I don't think I am unique in wanting these things and so this thread may be of interest to others.

I currently use an Ashdown ABM300 driving an ElectroVoice EVM15B in a TL606 cabinet [EV designed for EVM15, I have a “pdf” data sheet if anyone is interested]. This has only recently taken over from a Trace Elliot SMX1215 combo which has been my mainstay since new used with the EVM15 as an extension for bigger gigs.

Whilst sounding great and recommendable, the 15" EV is still on the heavy side for lugging up and down stairs. A while ago I read on now defunct "The Bottom Line" website a guy named Paul Mitchell using an Electrovoice TL806 cabinet with a Fane Studio 12. As I had a couple of spare EVM12Ls(!) I considered using them in this cabinet, either singly or as a pair [I have a pdf of this as well as the 606]. I already had a couple of these made up in heavy MDF but I intended just rebuilding in ply. Unfortunately this driver is not suitable for bass.

I built one plywood TL806 to try out different 12" drivers.

I tried out an Eminence Kappa 12 last week with the band which showed that it was entirely suitable. I have bought an Eminence Deltalite 12 (Neodymium magnet) to try because it is so light. Based on the Kappa, I will certainly be building a second cabinet with the intention of using one for practicing and two for gigs. If I need more I will drag out the 15" and use alone or with a 12".

I have sourced most of my hardware from Adam Hall Supplies but I’m after some vinyl covering with a closer match to the stuff Ashdown use. If anybody can help on this, I would be very pleased to hear?

Cheers,
Eric.

---------------------------------

If you do make a cab, a good idea is to cut the central pieces from a single "plank" cut from the 8'x4' sheet, this ensures the central part of the cabinet is made of parts all the same width and the sides will fit flush without any planing I think I still have a cutting plan somewhere to get three TL806s from one 8'x4' sheet, I'll look for it.

The two Eminence dat sheets say that the drivers I have bought are suitable for this size cabinet and, so far, I have avoided the "less controlled" response; if the port needs different tuning then I'll play with blanking plates but the Kappa sounded entirely suited . I have yet to try the Neo magnet DeltaLite.

---------------------------------

Well the Neo...

I was really looking forward to trying this out as the amp [ABM 300 Evo II] now weighs more than the cab with Neo!

As I expected it didn't have a "traditional" character to the sound but I suppose because of it's "neutral", clear presentation it sounded great for slapping, although there isn't much call for that in the current main band.

In combination with the Kappa, it could be a really nice set up. Not for "metal" type volumes, but then again, I don't need them.

I played for most of the evening and I got used to it but still the weight aspect was the biggest plus. towards the end of the rehearsal I turned the snares of the snare drum so I could hear it on it's own :shock:

The lower notes were not clean and were giving me a "puffy" type sound below about an open "A" string.

On checking, there are descrepancies on Eminence's data sheets about useable frequency range and I have asked BK to investigate.

So unfortunately I can't recommend the DeltaLite 12" although the 15" might be fine.

Rishard, thanks for the links. Kept me amused for ages. I'm waiting for samples to arrive, I really fancy a couple of Wine Red cabs

Cheers,
Eric.

---------------------------------

Next contender is a Celestion K12S. Its only a 100W speaker but should be enough for me for practice [as opposed to rehearsing] or maybe with the second cabinet.

Its a spare I just took out of my guitar amp now I've put an EV12 back in it.

Sounds good indoors at low level, we'll see how long it lasts.

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[b]RichardH[/b]
Eric - are you rejecting the Eminence Kappa 12" then because of weight?

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[b]Fretless Eric[/b]
That's definitely going in the "bottom" cabinet of the pair, this instinctively sounded right when I plugged it in.

I'm still trying others out for the "top" cab. and I can say that although the DeltaLite puffs at the bottom it doesn't sound out of control and, along with a drum kit, etc. making a row I could use it. In fact I did last week, but I don't have that leave-it-in-the-cabinet feeling that the Kappa gave me. It is extremely light though and could yet sway it with both cabs together.

I'm still waiting for BK to give me some back-up on this speaker, I was told that there are three different data sheets for the same model :shock:


---------------------------------
[b]any fule kno that[/b]
how much did the wood cost cut and everything? I'm going to make another cabinet for a 15" speaker i'v got because the guy who made it c*cked it up and while i'm at it im tempted to make a 2*10 if i can get some cheap drivers of ebay...

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[b]RichardH[/b]
Well a sheet of decent 8x4 ply will cost around £25, and you may find yourself paying around 50p per cut - depending on where you go. Eric has a cutlist for 3 of the EV 12" cabs from 1 8x4 sheet, and I've worked out a cutlist for an EV 12" and EV 15" cab from one sheet (adjusting the 12" cab so the height is the same width as the 15" so they'll stack easily).

---------------------------------
[b]CrazyKiwi[/b]

Anyone tried the celestion neo cones yet?
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[b]Fretless Eric[/b]
I think we paid more for our ply as we went for the absolute best quality Nordic Birch we could get, the guitarist has stained and waxed his! and we didn't go B&Q as we wanted to get as accurate cuts as we could to minimise reworking.

I used Evostick "Timebond" its called, which gives a bit of time before it sets hard. Even this wasn't quite enough for Monday's heat and I noticed last night a couple of edges on the back need regluing. This is the best kind of contact adhesive, don't get instant. I put the silver corners on last night and, together with the black leather handle, the first cab is looking very nice indeed. I am planning to use Fender style silver grille for now and maybe wicker [to match my hardwood Boogie] at a later date.

I haven't tried the Celestian but last time I looked the low frequency wasn't any good. I spotted the Fane "N"lite the other day though and the NL12 MB400 looks promising.

[url="http://www.fane-acoustics.com/public_html/...LITE_SERIES.PDF"]http://www.fane-acoustics.com/public_html/...LITE_SERIES.PDF[/url]

Might give it a go later.