help reguarding fixing an old cab... (bag end)

meinl · #1 05-31-2010, 10:12 AM

Hey,

So yesterday I bought a Bag End 15" cabinet off of craigs. This cab is older and has definitely seen a good amount of bars and gigs.

It is big, it is not ported, 2 banana jacks on the back, and is really nice wood. The wood is about an inch thick and is layered. I have an uncle who is a carpenter and he said it was very high quality wood. I believe its from the 70's, but still have no idea as to models. I believe gauser speakers were used then by bag end. If it did have a gauser speaker it is long gone. There was a ripped 15" jbl in there.

So I am wondering what kind of speaker should I stick in there? I don't know the cubic feet of air inside as of yet. I'll try to post some pics soon.

It did have a wood finish which is somewhat there. I think I could sand it down. Many scratches are down through the 1st layer of wood, but it is about 8-14 layers. The problem is if I sand it takes off all the evidence that it is indeed a bag end which is imprinted in the wood.

thanks,
matt

**IvanMike** · #2 05-31-2010, 10:38 AM

you have a vintage S15-B in birch. nice find. Call bag end for a quote on a speaker. they should also be able to tell you what other speakers they put in there back then and the internal dimensions and TS parameters of the box. if you look in the bag end club thread i have a bunch of pix from an original BE catalog in there, i think it includes speaker choices from back then.

meinl · #3 05-31-2010, 12:48 PM

the cab size and layout seems to be the same size as the deep red S15B-D. Their is excess room above the driver. It does not have the front vent though. So I think it may not be listed. thanks though that helped me in finding the model like it.

meinl · #4 05-31-2010, 12:58 PM

I found this thread here same kind of cab
The pics they have there have a metal grill over the driver I believe there is a clothe one that goes over that.
Old Bag End Cabinet Questions

4Mal · #5 05-31-2010, 01:19 PM

An Eminence Delta 15 LF or Omega Pro 15 will probably do nicely in there. Bag End's current 15 is an OEM version - which they charge through the wazoo for ...

I have a 2x12 of that same era in the garage. I would load it but it's tough enough to move empty ...

If you get the internal volume of the cab, you could easily port the cab as well. That and get casters on it if they aren't already there...

If you were closer, I'd be happy to give you the 2x12 so you could arrange a blast shelter... ;~)

meinl · #6 05-31-2010, 01:31 PM

ya I'll see how much they charge about $120 is as much as I will spend on a new driver for the medium sized beast. I will probably fix it up and sell it since I don't have a head.

The guy I bought from was "interesting" to say the least. Seemed like he had hit the drugs a little bit to hard back in the day. He wanted to sell me a car speaker

to put in it.

BassmanPaul · #7 05-31-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meinl

ya I'll see how much they charge about $120 is as much as I will spend on a new driver for the medium sized beast. I will probably fix it up and sell it since I don't have a head.

The guy I bought from was "interesting" to say the least. Seemed like he had hit the drugs a little bit to hard back in the day. He wanted to sell me a car speaker

to put in it.

You could possibly have the JBL re-coned for not too much more than your $120.

Loading a car sub into the cabinet would have worked. Not well but it would have made sound!

Paul

**IvanMike** · #8 05-31-2010, 03:53 PM

i'm pretty sure the original s15-b model didn't have the front port option. in any event, i think some of the new ones come with a board to screw over it to be sealed or not. if that bag end club thread doesnt have the speakers listed let me know and i'll look them up for you

**IvanMike** · #9 05-31-2010, 04:02 PM

JBL E140, JBL 2231, Gauss 4580, Gauss 4583F the first model of each brand is louder but not quite as deep in the lows, the second model each are not as loud but have more low end response.

if the dimensions of the cab are 18x27.75x24 its an S15-B, if they are 22x32.5x29 its the rare S15-LB low bass cab. same speakers were offered in each.

the finish could use oiling when you sand it, BE sells oil, but other kinds are probably fine for the birch ply.

meinl · #10 06-01-2010, 04:00 PM

It's 24x27x18 so less rare. Would you put a speaker that could go lower or louder? I play a 5 string so I would do lower personally then again I sure don't do a ton of big gigs.

the speaker in there I salvaged some parts from and wasn't good for the bass cab. The guy said he thought he had replaced it a few times. thanks for the help though.

peace,
matt

meinl · #11 06-01-2010, 04:25 PM

just got an email back from bagend and here is what it said.

"Back in those early days of the company, many of the speakers were custom made. It is likely you have found one. Your description matches what is probably an early sealed (no port) predecessor to our current S15B-D:
http://www.bagend.com/bagend/s15b-d.htm

Also back in those days, we used a number of JBL drivers, so it is possible yours is the original driver. A good replacement would be our E-15 15" driver. It is the one used in our S15B-D above. The cost for the E-15SRP (1 year warranty) is $175 plus shipping. The E-15 (6 year warranty) is $233 plus shipping."

I know see I have many options for speakers

maybe I will leave that up to the buyer when I sell it.
cheers,
matt

**IvanMike** · #12 06-01-2010, 08:48 PM

i would go louder. the speakers they used back then they rated at 100 dB and 96 dB, maybe 10-15 Hz lower for the quieter speakers but those cabs have a heck of a lot of low end no matter what.

meinl · #13 06-03-2010, 03:09 PM

ok sounds good the loud ones I can get for a little cheaper too.