Why not metal cabinets?

[Chrisk-K]

I have a GK 112MBX. I think the cab is made of aluminium. It sounds fantastic and weighs like a feather.

So, my question is, "Why are most cabs made of (heavy) wood?" "Is there an advantage of using wood over light metal?

[jlepre]

Good Question. I used to own a GK Combo years ago, that was light too. Probably hard to fabricate the metal panels, so they would probably be pretty expensive. JMHO

[bongomania]

Wood is easier to machine, joint, glue, drill, and staple (for carpeting). That means lower cost of initial product development.

[elgecko]

"Light" metal panels are flexible, especially in larger sizes maybe?

[Sundogue]

I don't know of any aluminum cabs. Are you sure yours is? That's weird.

I've had issues with metal grills and a metallic resonance to it. I wouldn't think metal would make a very good material for a cabinet.

Anyone else know of any companies making cabs out of metal?

[greenboy]

Be sure and cost out some aluminum with machined integral bracing for an 810 ; }

[greenboy]

Smarter if the drivers have some grunt:

Composite Nidacore Fearful 15/6/1 Build

[jlepre]

http://www.thefind.com/instruments/b...ass-combo-amps

This MB150S-II2 amp is the realization of every bass players secret dream - a light, small, super-portable amp with sweet tone and ample power. Housed in specially designed aluminum cabinets, it is a little over a foot high and wide, weighs only 25 pounds, and drives a 12 speaker. With standard features like a 4-band EQ, standard patching, and a limiter, it makes it the ultimate practice and backstage amp, with many players finding theirs fully gig-worthy.

[bongomania]

Speaking of 810's, a large sheet of aluminum will be prone to stress fractures every time it gets dropped or hit, while a large sheet of 5/8" plywood will take that abuse for decades with no breakage.

[eastcoasteddie]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

...Is there an advantage of using wood over light metal?

they'd probably be better for Metal than wood is...

[greenboy]

I hear Geddy Lee is now going on stage with 16 of these standing on end:

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by greenboy

I hear Geddy Lee is now going on stage with 16 of these standing on end:

Put in a baffle and some speakers and it's road ready!!

[will33]

Originally Posted by jlepre

http://www.thefind.com/instruments/b...ass-combo-amps

This MB150S-II2 amp is the realization of every bass players secret dream - a light, small, super-portable amp with sweet tone and ample power. Housed in specially designed aluminum cabinets, it is a little over a foot high and wide, weighs only 25 pounds, and drives a 12 speaker. With standard features like a 4-band EQ, standard patching, and a limiter, it makes it the ultimate practice and backstage amp, with many players finding theirs fully gig-worthy.

The amp chassis and speaker grill could easily be aluminum, rest assured the cabinet is not. It's light because the amp is 4lbs. instead of 24 or 44. Neo magnet drivers can be measured in ounces instead of pounds. The MB series also lack some needed bracing although properly braced vs. no bracing wouldn't make more than a couple/few pounds difference. Wood density/quality would come into play here too.....the reason I only have one cab made of russian birch. The stuff is so strong I wouldn't hesitate to block up a loaded dumptruck with it and sleep underneath it but the density/strength doesn't save you much weight compared to 3/4".

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by elgecko

"Light" metal panels are flexible, especially in larger sizes maybe?

I would venture that light metal panels would not be stiff enough for use in speaker cabinets if they remained cheap enough to use on a large scale. If they were made stiff enough enough to use for such, I'd guess that they'd probably not be as cheap as the same strength of plywood.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by will33

The amp chassis and speaker grill could easily be aluminum, rest assured the cabinet is not. It's light because the amp is 4lbs. instead of 24 or 44. Neo magnet drivers can be measured in ounces instead of pounds. The MB series also lack some needed bracing although properly braced vs. no bracing wouldn't make more than a couple/few pounds difference. Wood density/quality would come into play here too.....the reason I only have one cab made of russian birch. The stuff is so strong I wouldn't hesitate to block up a loaded dumptruck with it and sleep underneath it but the density/strength doesn't save you much weight compared to 3/4".

The classic MB150 combo is all metal, and as far as I know, does not have a neo speaker. It is a VERY small sealed design, and is liked very much by DB players, since the low end rolls off very high, giving you a very nice amp for moderate volume live performance.

The MB150 combo was one of the first production class D amps (it moved from A/B to D a few years after intro, from what I remember), and has been in production in various, similar formats for about 25 years. Nice little box for a warm, midrange oriented tone.

GK also made a larger version of the MB150 combos with sealed 15" drivers called, I believe the GK1200 (it had blue and pink graphics, believe it or not). I believe that was their first attempt at class D/SMPS, and while it wasn't quite successful, it was impressive at the time.

My guess is, as mentioned above, once you get past a small 15" driver cube, working with a metal can be difficult for cabs, and probably expensive.

[KJung]

Just for the heck of it, if you haven't heard one of these, here is an old recording of mine with a Music Man bass (90's Stingray 5 string with roundwounds) , live, with a 57 in front of the speaker. Wonderfully warm, articulate little combo. Jump to the middle of the clip, since there is a lengthy guitar intro.

http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=116669

[Matt Dean]

CNC'd aluminum with one piece internal bracing might be cool...

[bass_lord_mutha]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I have a GK 112MBX. I think the cab is made of aluminium. It sounds fantastic and weighs like a feather.

So, my question is, "Why are most cabs made of (heavy) wood?" "Is there an advantage of using wood over light metal?

Because metal cabs are NOT the best cabs for Metal...

Giggity!

[will33]

Originally Posted by KJung

The classic MB150 combo is all metal, and as far as I know, does not have a neo speaker. It is a VERY small sealed design, and is liked very much by DB players, since the low end rolls off very high, giving you a very nice amp for moderate volume live performance.

The MB150 combo was one of the first production class D amps (it moved from A/B to D a few years after intro, from what I remember), and has been in production in various, similar formats for about 25 years. Nice little box for a warm, midrange oriented tone.

GK also made a larger version of the MB150 combos with sealed 15" drivers called, I believe the GK1200 (it had blue and pink graphics, believe it or not). I believe that was their first attempt at class D/SMPS, and while it wasn't quite successful, it was impressive at the time.

My guess is, as mentioned above, once you get past a small 15" driver cube, working with a metal can be difficult for cabs, and probably expensive.

So it's not the newer MB stuff, that's all news to me. Aluminum thick enough to not have flex, although still light seems like it would be expensive to me. Bracing would allow the use of thinner gauge material but would add to labor costs. What the damping material be? Something like you use to do a conversion van? Like outer metal body, then insulation/damping, then interior wall. May have to study up on a little GK history here.

[Chrisk-K]

The amp chassis and speaker grill could easily be aluminum, rest assured the cabinet is not.

The 112MBX, an extension cab for the GK microbass series, is an all aluminium cab. I use mine with a GK MB200. The total weight is 18 lbs.