Speaker cab modification questions

XBASSX · #1 10-07-2011, 09:09 PM

I don't if there's a thread about this but I couldn't find one.

I wanna know if it's okay to modify my bass cabs. My 15" cab has a depth of 18" and I wanted to know if it's okay to shorten it to about 14" (depth).
Also, I wanna know if I can convert my 4x10 into two 2x10 cabs and run them in unison like a 4x10.
They are just too bulky and heavy plus I don't have a vehicle that can accomodate them and the 4x10 nearly killed me today as I lost my footing down some steps while carrying it. My legs have seen better days but the cab is fine 'cos it's built like a brick s***house.
Another option is to get rid of the 4x10 and just have a 2x10 with the 1x15.

Bass_Pounder · #2 10-07-2011, 09:15 PM

Do not modify the cabs................

They are built to a particular size for a reason. If you change anything, it will mess up the internal volume and tuning of the cab, and could possibly harm the speakers.

If your cabs are too big, sell them and buy ones that are the right size for you.

XBASSX · #3 10-07-2011, 09:17 PM

Thanks. I thought that might be the case. I can deal with the 15" but I might get 2x10's and sell the 4x10.

I have an old empty 2x10 cab, is it possible to load it with 2 of the 4x10's? It would be a cheaper option for me.

JMac4strngr · #4 10-07-2011, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Do not modify the cabs................

They are built to a particular size for a reason. If you change anything, it will mess up the internal volume and tuning of the cab, and could possibly harm the speakers.

If your cabs are too big, sell them and buy ones that are the right size for you.

+1 No point in butchering a good set of cabs cause You dont like to carry'em. Sell'em and buy what fits Your needs. I am 1000% sure there is another player in Your area, that'll take'em off Your hands for the right price.

Bass_Pounder · #5 10-07-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBASSX

Thanks. I thought that might be the case. I can deal with the 15" but I might get 2x10's and sell the 4x10.

I have an old empty 2x10 cab, is it possible to load it with 2 of the 4x10's? It would be a cheaper option for me.

Again, cabs are built to a specific size to match the speakers.

Without knowing the T/S specs of the speakers, or the internal dimensions and tuning of the empty cab, it would be a crapshoot at best.

will33 · #6 10-08-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Again, cabs are built to a specific size to match the speakers.

Without knowing the T/S specs of the speakers, or the internal dimensions and tuning of the empty cab, it would be a crapshoot at best.

+1

If you're just curious, it won't hurt to try it but you can't predict how well it will work. Bring the volume up slowly and use a clean tone so you can hear when the speakers start to complain and watch for excessive cone movement. And don't damage anything so you can put your 410 back together and sell it.

Bass Pounders answer is absolutely correct but I'm starting to reconsider telling everbody to not even try stuff like this. It seems to me most commercially built cabs are mostly all of similair size. There is another group of commercial cabs that tries to be as tiny as possible and that's pretty much your two sizes---regular and small. The tuning may vary but pipe ports can be changed and most slot ports have sufficient area you could block off a portion of it to lower tuning of needed.

They all vary slightly but I don't see many big size differences between different companies typical 410's, 210's, etc. I doubt many of them are optimally built for their drivers anyway seeing as things like looks, size, etc. trump designing for sound anyway.

billfitzmaurice · #7 10-08-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

They all vary slightly but I don't see many big size differences between different companies typical 410's, 210's, etc. I doubt many of them are optimally built for their drivers anyway seeing as things like looks, size, etc. trump designing for sound anyway.

+1. If you want to find the optimum match up between an existing cab and a new driver by all means use a box program to do it. But don't assume that cab manufacturers do the same. Many do, of course, but just as many build the box to the size that their marketing department specifies and load them with whatever driver the required profit margin for its price point allows.

will33 · #8 10-08-2011, 09:06 AM

To be fair, I do see some significant variation in 115 cabs but typical 112's, most but not all 212's, nearly all 210's, 410's and 810's whether ported or sealed all seem to be very close. To the point where you could disassemble and measure only to find out it might be a difference of 1/4 cu.ft. just seems to not make that much difference. I think most of it comes down to driver design/choice and tuning for lowend response.

Talking the bigger commercial companies here, not the small guys, boutique outfits, etc. They're coming up with some really nice stuff.