another DIY 2x15 build on the cheap

[45acp]

Ok, quick back story- over a year ago I got an Eminence legend CB15 driver for free in a partial trade deal. I threw together a makeshift MDF cab (per Eminence "medium" cab build specs) just to have a cab to leave in the jam room. This way I could leave my GK in the band trailer... one less thing to unload.

I was VERY pleased with the sound. These drivers are really dark on paper but I had no problem getting a nice hifi sound with crisp top end thanks to some minor eq tweaking.

Over time I began to prefer the legend to my own GK-15... so I took the junk cabinet to a gig one night for testing and loved it.

I have a couple of reasons for wanting a 215 cabinet. My amp is an older SWR B350- not a lot of power there at 8 ohms. 4 ohms would get me some much needed headroom. Also, having a tall cabinet meant I didn't have to put the thing in a chair, or move the head to the floor and tilt my cabinet back on stage. Also, in many situations a taller cab on castors is actually easier to move than a smaller heavy cab that has to be carried 100% of the time.


So here we are. The cab is going to be split volume design, or 2 separate enclosures in one box. Specs are the "medium" design from the eminence page- pretty basic 3.0 ft3 Vb with a pair of 4" ports 5.5" long with Fb at 50hz.

I got everything cut out yesterday afternoon. Cab will be 1/2" Baltic birch

 

[Downunderwonder]

You're going to love it when you're finished.

 

[David A. Davis]

Sub'd! I love a good 215 build. Good luck!

 

[45acp]

Thanks guys!

Exterior is now screwed/glued together-

 

[will33]

That is going to be one loud, thumpy, and pretty compact 215.....nice.

 

[daveman50]

Nice.

And may I ask... what is that vehicle in the background??!!

 

[45acp]

That's my wife's car... 32 ford coupe

 

[45acp]

Started on some of the bracing and got the holes cut in the front plate. Also if you notice, the divider board and bottom are both pieces of regular 3/4" ply- I did this partly for strength but mostly because I didn't want to buy two sheets of birch. So far, im going to be able to build this and only purchase 1 15", 1 sheet of ply, and a grill. Everything else is recycled.

 

[will33]

Looking good.

Only thing that sticks out to me is that the handle mounts look pretty high for a dead lift on the cab....unless you're really tall. I'd be inclined to locate them down a little bit above the center shelf.

 

[jlepre]

Just curious...where did you get your plans?

 

[JMac- Wiskerface Designs]

Very Cool, and excellent work so far.

 

[45acp]

Looking good.

Only thing that sticks out to me is that the handle mounts look pretty high for a dead lift on the cab....unless you're really tall. I'd be inclined to locate them down a little bit above the center shelf.

Im only 6'1"... but after the test fit I decided I wanted them high. It's not as awkward of a position as it looks, and ive got plans for a small single handle on the bottom near the castors that will make it a breeze for 2 people to carry up stairs.

Just curious...where did you get your plans?

Plans??? What plans???

I just found the specs on the eminence home site, did some measurements and started cutting. Never built a bass/guitar cab before but I did used to do a lot of car audio stuff back in the 90's. And I also stayed at a holiday inn express last night.

 

[will33]

Im only 6'1"... but after the test fit I decided I wanted them high. It's not as awkward of a position as it looks, and ive got plans for a small single handle on the bottom near the castors that will make it a breeze for 2 people to carry up stairs.

Cool, a second low handle will make lift and load easy.

 

[dhsierra1]

You're going to love it when you're finished.

+1, that's a great all-around 15", nice build.

 

[will33]

Just curious...where did you get your plans?

I think he's using eminences cab design pdf for the Legend. Doesn't give specific dimension but does give internal volume and port size and length. Should come out alright.

 

[daveman50]

That's my wife's car... 32 ford coupe

nice, thought i recognized it - my dad had one a long time ago.

 

[Downunderwonder]

No disrespect but the handle position looks about as useful as mammaries on a bull. For a single person carry you need your handles low enough you can hold it above your knees, or else you can only walk backwards.

 

[45acp]

No disrespect but the handle position looks about as useful as mammaries on a bull. For a single person carry you need your handles low enough you can hold it above your knees, or else you can only walk backwards.

I know the handle location looks off, but it's perfect. Allow me to explain-

With castors the cab is going to be 46" tall. To carry it above the knees would mean it would tower over my head in front of me... can't see where im going. It's going to have castors, which means 99% of the time it will be rolled. With the handles up high, it's easy to lean back onto one thigh and carry over an entryway, or up one step. It's also easy to for one person to get into the back of a truck in that same manner. With the "way too high" handles up top, and a single handle on the bottom it will be super easy for 2 people to carry up stairs. (Not really an issue as we only have one upstairs gig 4-5 times a year)

Got some more bracing screwed and glued, and the ports are glued in. Didn't get a pic, but the ports also have another small square about 6"x6" behind them to make the hole 1" thick

 

[kbakerde]

That is a really nice clean looking cab. I am curious as to how it will turn out and how it will sound. Hoping good things for you.

How do you like the Legend's? I have an old 215 cab I am wanting new drivers in and I am debating on the Legends vs the Beta 15A vs the Delta 15A. My amp only drives 135w, but the stock speakers fart out do early.

 

[David A. Davis]

PVC pipe for the ports?