Speakers for Acoustic 402 Cab?

popvulture · #1 10-15-2010, 01:49 PM

Hey friends. I have an old Acoustic 402 2x15 cab, Acoustic 220 head, and I play a late 60s (I think) Hagstrom Concord Bass... The cab is empty, and I need to order some speakers. Bass speakers are pretty foreign to me... Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should put in, or what I shouldn't put in? I'm on a budget, and bass isn't my main instrument anyway, so I don't want to spend a ton of money on this, just need something pretty reliable that will sound good... I'm thinking around $100 per speaker would be perfect. Any help is greatly appreciated...

RickenBoogie · #2 10-15-2010, 05:32 PM

First, you should find out what the original spkrs were that came with the cab. That's the BEST option. Otherwise, you'll need to measure the cab's interior, including any ports, and use those measurments to find a suitable replacement. It's not as easy as just "dropping in" a pair of 15" spkrs, though someone here may know of a good replacement.

Mr. Foxen · #3 10-15-2010, 05:53 PM

I wouldn't suppose the ones in it originally are the best option. Wasn't nearly as much science going in to them then as you can do on free software now. It would get you nearest to the original sound, but you could probably get a broader range, more modern sound with modern drives, and hugely more headroom.

saxofunk · #4 10-15-2010, 06:08 PM

Once upon a time I owned a 402 and emailed Eminence about replacements. They recommended something, maybe a Beta, I think it was the same model Carvin was selling. It looks like they have changed model names since then though. What I'm getting at is shoot an email to Eminence they may be able to help. In my email I included cabinet volume, vent size, and information about the head I was driving it with.

poorbassist15 · #5 10-15-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxofunk

Once upon a time I owned a 402 and emailed Eminence about replacements. They recommended something, maybe a Beta, I think it was the same model Carvin was selling. It looks like they have changed model names since then though. What I'm getting at is shoot an email to Eminence they may be able to help. In my email I included cabinet volume, vent size, and information about the head I was driving it with.

The Beta 15? I think those will work in any cab.

popvulture · #6 10-15-2010, 06:56 PM

Awesome... I'll check out the Beta 15... Have any of you ever used Jensen MOD 15s? I see that they're just within my price range, and Jensen has always seemed reputable to me. I can't find much info on these speakers, other than the smaller sizes, which people are using for guitar.

gbarchus · #7 10-15-2010, 07:05 PM

The original cabinet came with CTS square magnet speakers with the option to upgrade to JBL D140s. JBLs may be out of your budget range so I would look for a pair of used Electrovoice EV15L speakers instead of Jensen Mod 15s. Although they would work, as the Eminence Beta 15, I generally stay away from stamped frame speakers for bass.

Gale

bottomend! · #8 10-16-2010, 03:29 AM

I have this cab and can tell you from personal experience that you've got a great piece on your hands!

When I bought mine it had the original speakers in it but they were in rough shape so I went to the Carvin store ( I live in the Hollywood area) and bought their version of the Eminence 15" speakers for about $65 bucks each. All I can say is that they felt like they were born to be in this cab. The combination could easily fill a 200 seat club without a hiccup. The speakers were of the stamped frame variety so they were certainly helped maintain the ease with which this can can be lugged around and I've never owned an easier 2-15" speaker to load and unload - If you go this route you'll see what I'm talking about. It's nearly featherweight in this configuration!

I've also had a pair of JBL M-151 in there that are simply wonderful sounding speakers and really made this cab respond beautifully but at a cost - it now felt heavy and cumbersome to a fault. I couldn't load it and out of my car without feeling like I was gonna pop the spine out of my neck ect. I've since removed them and installed them into my 406 cab with tilt-back wheels which has a great way of hiding all that magnet weight.
At some point I'll get another set of the low budget Eminence drivers and throw them back into the cab because in my opinion, the Acoustic 402 is nearly the perfect desert island cab for bass. Nice vintage warm and fuzzy lows with plenty of low-mid punch and good top end...

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...&vReviewShow=1

popvulture · #9 10-16-2010, 07:53 AM

Very cool, thanks for all the help guys. I also talked to a local guy here in Georgia, and he mentioned the same speakers. I think I'm going to order the Beta 15s this morning. I'll let you guys know how it sounds in a few days.

popvulture · #10 10-17-2010, 02:27 PM

Hey Bottomend! (and anyone else who might be able to answer this)... This might be a dumb question, but in your 402 cab, do you know if it has speaker insulation, and about how much? When I got this cab from the previous owner, there wasn't any in it, and I don't really know if it needs it, and if it does, how thick, etc.

I ordered the Beta 15A's, they're on the way, and should be here early this week, so I'm just trying to get the cab ready so that when they arrive I can drop them in and be ready to roll.

Mr. Foxen · #11 10-17-2010, 02:47 PM

Line it with knobbly foam, like mattress topper.

Chopper · #12 10-17-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popvulture

Hey friends. I have an old Acoustic 402 2x15 cab, Acoustic 220 head, and I play a late 60s (I think) Hagstrom Concord Bass... The cab is empty, and I need to order some speakers. Bass speakers are pretty foreign to me... Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should put in, or what I shouldn't put in? I'm on a budget, and bass isn't my main instrument anyway, so I don't want to spend a ton of money on this, just need something pretty reliable that will sound good... I'm thinking around $100 per speaker would be perfect. Any help is greatly appreciated...

HMMMM did you buy this in Utah? I used to have the same rig.

saxofunk · #13 10-17-2010, 03:45 PM

My 402 was uninsulated.

bottomend! · #14 10-17-2010, 04:43 PM

My 402 is/was uninsulated - which doesn't seem to affect the great tone that issues forth but I'll be loading it up with the stuff next time I install speakers thought because I know it's "supposed" to be there. I just loaded up a small combo that didn't come with insulation and the difference was quite noticeable.... and since the 402 ALREADY sounds amazing - well, it just might make a grown man cry when all is said and done.

popvulture · #15 10-17-2010, 08:56 PM

Awesome, I'll probably install some insulation in the cab tomorrow evening then. I have some old empty PA cabs that are fixing to go to the dump because I don't have room for them, so I might just steal the insulation out of them if I can get it out neatly...

Chopper, I actually got it all here in Georgia. Got the head from one guy, then a week later got the empty cab from another guy who lived in North Carolina. Did you also have a Concord?

bottomend! · #16 10-18-2010, 02:16 AM

BTW I also have a Hagstrom Concord in red.

Chopper · #17 10-18-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popvulture

Awesome, I'll probably install some insulation in the cab tomorrow evening then. I have some old empty PA cabs that are fixing to go to the dump because I don't have room for them, so I might just steal the insulation out of them if I can get it out neatly...

Chopper, I actually got it all here in Georgia. Got the head from one guy, then a week later got the empty cab from another guy who lived in North Carolina. Did you also have a Concord?

Man the first rig I baught was the 220 head and 402 cab in colorado springs co. Sold it to a cat in Utah. Negitive on the comcord good buddy.

Bassmec · #18 10-18-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarchus

The original cabinet came with CTS square magnet speakers with the option to upgrade to JBL D140s. JBLs may be out of your budget range so I would look for a pair of used Electrovoice EV15L speakers instead of Jensen Mod 15s. Although they would work, as the Eminence Beta 15, I generally stay away from stamped frame speakers for bass.

Gale

You could have Altec 418's as an option too, it was stock in the 270 2 X 15 + horn guitar rig.
A mate of mine used to have a 470 series 6 X 12 with Altec 417H series 11.
each driver weighed in at 17 lbs.
It sounded a total beast to me though, I coveted that cab hugely back then.
I wonder where it is now.
I still have an original 408 4 X 15 with original CTS Squares.
Runs Every Day, reliable and solid. I am going to be buried in it.

bottomend! · #19 10-19-2010, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmec

You could have Altec 418's as an option too, it was stock in the 270 2 X 15 + horn guitar rig.
A mate of mine used to have a 470 series 6 X 12 with Altec 417H series 11.
each driver weighed in at 17 lbs.
It sounded a total beast to me though, I coveted that cab hugely back then.
I wonder where it is now.
I still have an original 408 4 X 15 with original CTS Squares.
Runs Every Day, reliable and solid. I am going to be buried in it.

Altec 421 were made for bass so I would recommend a set of those over the 418. I have a pair of the 6-12 Acoustic cabs - it's called a 404 and it's definitely a secret weapon cab. With the stock speakers loaded inside it sounds like 9/10's of a full SVT 8-10 rig. I know the Ampeg followers around here dont want to hear that but it's true. The 404 is an absolute beast - I couldn't even begin to imagine it with an upgraded set of speakers in it. WOW! It is single handedly the most difficult cab to move around that I've ever owned.. I take that back - I used to have a set of those BagEnd 4-10's with the concentric tweeters. the cab weighed around 120lbs and I lived on the second floor. Not pretty.

A stock 404 weighs about 135lbs so there is just no debate about lugging it upstairs by yourself if you want to live to see another day. The weight of the 402 with stock speakers wouldn't be an issue at all though.

vaccastracca · #20 12-28-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomend!

My 402 is/was uninsulated - which doesn't seem to affect the great tone that issues forth but I'll be loading it up with the stuff next time I install speakers thought because I know it's "supposed" to be there. I just loaded up a small combo that didn't come with insulation and the difference was quite noticeable.... and since the 402 ALREADY sounds amazing - well, it just might make a grown man cry when all is said and done.

For a few weeks I had two 402 bottoms with the original speakers...one older and more beaten one with insulation and a newer one in perfect shape without insulation.
Even if they both sounded excellent, the one with insulation sounded warmer and rounder...Not dramatically, but you could feel it easily! So I sold the "new" one and kept the beaten one!
220+402 is my main rig in the last few years! I love it and I think it slays most of the more expensive and (supposedly) more powerful amps on the market (both vintage and modern)! My 1975 Rickie loves it too!