Carpeted Cab Question

Russell L · #1 03-24-2011, 06:49 PM

How 'bout this--

Is it possible that that fuzzy carpeting on so many speaker cabs could be fizzling out some of your sound? I don't suppose anyone's ever tested one and then ripped it all off just to test it again (if so, I'm afraid of you). Perhaps someone has had experience, though, that would enlighten me in some way. Frankly, I see no reason to doubt that they would sound different. The question is, whether or not it's notieable. And, I suppose that there are many other facts to be known, such as what frequencies could be affected. Or, does it even make a crap of difference, lol.

I can't stop thinking about it, so...

TimmyP · #2 03-26-2011, 12:19 AM

There are arguments to be made both ways, but it's reality that matters. If there's a difference, I'll bet folks would split 50/50 as to which sounds best.

Pollinator95 · #3 03-26-2011, 09:55 AM

I´m pretty sure it doesn´t affect the sound. If you post this in the Amps forum, I´m sure BFM, greenboy, Alex Claber or the like will give you a definitive answer.

Ursus Tyrannus · #4 03-26-2011, 07:35 PM

I dont know about shag but I know about carpet padding.
I "upholstered" a set of cabs with extra thick carpet padding. I just stapled it onto the cabs and duct taped the edges, it made the cabs look like they were made of head cheese. Later I painted it metallic black, it looked like the cabs were made of asphalt...but I digress...
When I took it all off down to the tolex the cabs sounded no different to my ears.

Russell L · #5 03-27-2011, 07:48 PM

Well, thanks for some replies, ya'll. What got me thinking about it was when I was thinking about how speakers move air. So, naturally, I thought about how a cab vibrates, moving air in its own way. I imagine that cab material could also affect how it vibrates, or how much it vibrates. Then, when I pictured the carpet on the wood, it made me wonder if it would somehow dampen those vibrations. Here's an analogy: consider how the body of a hollow-body guitar vibrates. If you cover it with something, it would dampen it. How would it sound with felt or carpet on the outside? I dunno if that's even a viable comparison, but you get the idea. Maybe carpet on cabs for electric instruments and amplified sound gear has such a miniscule effect that it's not worth discussing. It's just that I don't know if it is or not. But, apparently it didn't make any difference to you, Ursus Tyrannus, when you took that foam off, so that may be a good indication that carpeting on cabs really doesn't amount to a hill of beans when it comes to altering the sound of a cab. That's a relief to know, to me.

On another topic about carpeted cabs, I'll just say that I hate it. Everything sticks to it, especially my cats' and dog's hair, don't ya know. But I have three amps with it on them (Fender Bassman 150, SWR Workingman's 12, and my beloved Markbass CMD 121H).

pin_head_47 · #6 03-27-2011, 08:01 PM

Well, you got the right idea, except for one thing... A good cabinet isn't supposed to vibrate. At all. It's the complete opposite of a hollowbody guitar, in that respect. That's why it's somewhat difficult to build a light weight cab, because it takes a certain amount of mass or bracing to make a cab that doesn't resonate. It doesn't matter if you dampen it from the outside, because you don't want it to vibrate in the first place.

MNAirHead · #7 03-27-2011, 09:42 PM

the reality is your paying audience can not hear the difference between my holy grail amp and one you scored off ebay for $100

Only "tone" comments I've ever received were from fellow bassists... they're not the tipping kind

Russell L · #8 03-28-2011, 09:00 PM

Well, this all helps clarify the issue. Like I said, I was wondering.

MNAirHead · #9 03-28-2011, 11:04 PM

Russell

I've tried them both with and without carpet... some with tolex...

There is no noticable difference..

The reality is many of the comments about tone are only relevant to the ears of hard core bassists... in this context much of the tone discussion does not equate to more gigs or more tips.

I'd say no.. some scientist may have data that can conflict..

I've had specific designs sell right off the stage.. these were 1 off cabinets.. I beleive it was construction, engineering and desgin.. not the carpeting.

Russell L · #10 03-29-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Russell

I've tried them both with and without carpet... some with tolex...

There is no noticable difference..

The reality is many of the comments about tone are only relevant to the ears of hard core bassists... in this context much of the tone discussion does not equate to more gigs or more tips.

I'd say no.. some scientist may have data that can conflict..

I've had specific designs sell right off the stage.. these were 1 off cabinets.. I beleive it was construction, engineering and desgin.. not the carpeting.

Thanks.