(another) cab rehab thread

[Crockettnj]

I'm a sucker for a bargain, a project, and old cabs in need of some TLC, so I thought I'd share my most recent project.

I snagged an old ACME low b2 on craigslist. Fully functional, but it looked a little rough from so many years of gigging NYC & NJ. The original plan was to use it a little, see how I like acme, and then sell it off like so many others before.

I ended up liking it- really LOVING it- paired w/ my current cab(s) that I decided to keep it until I cobble together a proper sub to replace it.

"Before" shot, which actually makes it look good. the carpet was worn, front rusty, and the metal was a hazard.



I pulled the carpet off, yanked the metal edges, and disassembled the cab to satisfy my curiosity.



The beast


3/4" ply with THICK bracing along and opposing walls. The vaunted "stressed" bracing can be seen inside


xover


I used a heavy wire brush left over from a patio cleaning job to scrape the grill. I considered going w/a chrome spray (ala old school Bergs) but opted for simple black.

I then sprayed it with 2 coats of "high heat radiator" paint- flat black. I ran out and had some drips, so I finished witha gloss coat of krylon glossy black. I picked these since they were the only black spray cans I had in the shed.



I really wanted to oil finish the wood (like the oiled BagEnds James Hart has shown off here!) but the wood was really sub par w/all of the tack & screw holes, that blasted glue, and a bunch of other imperfections.

Durams (sp?) water putty left over from the 70's was used to fill screw and nail holes. I just didnt feel like messing w/bondo, and the putty was almost empty anyway.

There were some cab wall misalignments not seen w/ the carpet on, (see pic) so I hit them w/ 40 grit on the vibratory sander. Not perfect, but not bad. I dont own a router (yet).



I had some help with the final sanding







Oil based BIN primer was brushed on. One coat of Duratex with a low nap roller, and then one coat with that weird high nap roller.

I gigged it that night while it was still drying!





This Acme's favorite accessory is the matching BFM omni 10.5



thanks for looking!

[Foz]

Durham's is rock hard putty, and you and them boys is rocking pretty hard too.




Nice...

[JimmyM]

looks great!

[Sundogue]

Looks great and I'll bet that rig sounds killer.

[ncbassman]

That looks really good.

[joeyjoejoe]

i just did this over the winter and turned an old beat up v4 cab into a bass cab.
got the cab for $50 (empty) and it was a fun project. i just need to buy corners and a couple other pieces of hardware. maybe a vinyl cover too.

i'll just post the before/after pics unless anyone wants to see more

[Crockettnj]

Thanks for the comments. I dig the "cab rehab on a budget" threads.


JoeyJoejoe- Consider some small metal corners on that Ampeg... it'd look good, not cost much, and help protect the corners (as designed!).

I really like those "wood" cabs. There is something really classy about wood cabs with either oil or some nice poly/stain. It just gives a nice feel.


I have been planning on building a tiny 1x10 for the S2010 I have laying around. I think I'll finish it in stain and poly, black metal corners, simple strap handle... Yeah. I like it.

[Crockettnj]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Looks great and I'll bet that rig sounds killer.

It sounds awesome for my desired tone and style. HOwever its a 4 ohm acme and an 8 ohm BFM, so I am sure my Gibson would not appreciate it if (ok, when) I pushed it hard and loud.

Eventually I will sell it off to fund some 3012LF loaded Titan 39's for the PA system.

[John D]

[quote=Crockettnj;8991792]



quote]

Great job! I think this may become your most memorable cab.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Crockettnj

like the oiled BagEnds James Hart has shown off here!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Crockettnj

thanks for looking!

It came out looking Awesome! Great job

[Crockettnj]

Thanks James- Those Bags give me gas!

[BassmanPaul]

Stand that B2 on its end like it was designed and you'll like it even better!!!

Paul

[BassmanPaul]

You can get covers from Acme and protect your work during transit.

Paul

[Crockettnj]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Stand that B2 on its end like it was designed and you'll like it even better!!!

Paul

It spends most of its time on the "side", as you mention, so its taller. However, while the logo originally matches the tall profile, the handles and the crossover control plate most certainly dont. The original cab corners make it ambidextrous, so thats a draw.

While the benefit of getting those drivers more aligned may NOT be debatable, based on the conflicting characteristics mentioned above, the "design" is a bit of both. I think Andy hedged his bets on that.

Either way, I hear ya and agree.

[BassmanPaul]

Wait till ya stick another B2 on top of that one! You'll never go back!!!

Paul

[bass4worship]

Great job on that b2. Looks real nice.