Mr.T Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 I have been looking into what type of grilles to fit onto my homemade cabs, when... I noticed that some grille cloths are advertised as 'acoustically transparent'. This led me to wonder how much a punched steel grille affects the sound of the average bass cab? Some steel grilles are listed as being 40% free air, so this must have an affect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 [quote name='Mr.T' post='772537' date='Mar 12 2010, 10:36 AM']I have been looking into what type of grilles to fit onto my homemade cabs, when... I noticed that some grille cloths are advertised as 'acoustically transparent'. This led me to wonder how much a punched steel grille affects the sound of the average bass cab? Some steel grilles are listed as being 40% free air, so this must have an affect.[/quote] I did some tests on punched metal grilles and found that they caused a a very slight reduction in HF. They won't affect bass guitar frequencies at all, although it makes sense to go for the more open ones. A wooden frame and cloth grille is lighter than a full punched steel type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 [quote name='stevie' post='772546' date='Mar 12 2010, 10:44 AM']I did some tests on punched metal grilles and found that they caused a a very slight reduction in HF.[/quote] That's what my ears were telling me, I just wondered if I was imagining it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 I bought some of this [url="http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=ADH0721&browsemode=category"]http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=ADH...semode=category[/url] to use as a temporary measure, but it looks awful as I cant get it to sit flat. I was thinking of ironing it under a damp towel. Has anyone had any success with it? I haven't decided whether to go for metal grilles or cloth. If I go with cloth, would a piece of 6mm ply with the speaker and port holes cut out of it do the job as a supporting frame? (I have searched the net and can't find much info on making grilles). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 [quote name='Mr.T' post='779492' date='Mar 19 2010, 09:49 AM']I bought some of this [url="http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=ADH0721&browsemode=category"]http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=ADH...semode=category[/url] to use as a temporary measure, but it looks awful as I cant get it to sit flat. I was thinking of ironing it under a damp towel.[/quote] I haven't used that particular cloth, but heating with a hairdryer usually tightens up a cloth grille. You could try a frame made out of softwood batten, say half or three-quarter inch inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 I don't have the depth to use batten, as I designed the cabs to use a metal grille. If I go with cloth, it will have to be on a 6mm board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I tried using that stuff on a homemade cab last year. It was sh*t, looked sh*t, ripped easily and I took it off Sorry, no use I know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 You need to tighten it fairly hard to keep it flat. Got a feeling I have a roll of something similar from Maplin, but never used it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 [quote name='Merton' post='779692' date='Mar 19 2010, 12:50 PM']I tried using that stuff on a homemade cab last year. It was sh*t, looked sh*t, ripped easily and I took it off Sorry, no use I know...[/quote] Actually, your reply is a lot of use, thanks. It will save me lots of time.... and thinking I am missing a trick on how to fit it nicely. I'll chuck it in the bin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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