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15" for an old Fender Cab

S

StevenOh

Guest
Jun 4, 2012
12
0
#1
Hey everyone! I'm a long time lurker, first time poster... And here's my query:

I have an old Fender Bassman 2x12 that I'm currently not using for guitar but have been plugging my Fender Showman into and using it for bass and it sounds absolutely incredible (think Paul McCartney and other milkshake-thick 60s bass sounds). I have no desire to ruin the speakers that are in the cab currently, so I thought about changing out the baffle and replacing it with a 15" bass speaker.

I really want to maintain that classic 60s bass sound. What would be the best way of going about this?

Your help is greatly appreciated. I searched the forum and skimmed through the FAQ and didn't really find anything that answered my question, so I apologize if this question is a no-brainer.
 
#3
my first choice would be the Eminence CB-158, put a 4 inch diameter vent of around 2 inches in length in the front baffle for a box tuning of around 45-50 Hz. Some would probably run that a little higher since you're using only 50 watts to get a little more oomphf out of it.

Another fav around here for vintage applications would be the Eminence Beta 15 and Delta 15.

Make sure the cab is properly sealed, add a some bracing to the back panel, and line the back and sides w/1" of poly fill (the stuff used for quilts etc).
 
#5
The classic 60s sound comes from the classic 60s tube amp you are playing thru. Not to say speaker choice is unimportant.

Consider the Warehouse Guitar Speakers 15" bass guitar model, I got one that sounds fantastic in a sealed cab. It's nice & responsive for guitar too.
 
#6
dhsierra1 said:
my first choice would be the Eminence CB-158, put a 4 inch diameter vent of around 2 inches in length in the front baffle for a box tuning of around 45-50 Hz.

Another fav around here for vintage applications would be the Eminence Beta 15 and Delta 15. Again, vented/tuned is good here.

Make sure the cab is properly sealed, add a some bracing to the back panel, and line the back and sides w/1" of poly fill (the stuff used for quilts etc).
Click to expand...

I should also note that the Showman is a 4 ohm head (it's essentially a dual showman), so the CB-158 wouldn't be ideal for that reason.

Admittedly, I'm rather ignorant when it comes to the tuning and venting of cabs. I've been told, and this probably isn't correct, that if I replace the rear baffle with something that will leave an opening (such as a two piece baffle covering the top and the bottom but leaving the middle section open) will negate any reasons for having any other venting and tuning. Is that true?
 
#7
StevenOh said:
Interesting. Thanks! I'll do just that.

Other suggestions are welcome as well. :)
Click to expand...

of course if you can find yourself an old JBL D140F or K140 then you'd really be cooking with gas :cool:

I have a Showman as well I'll sometimes run into a 2-15 Showman cab (modded) w/two of the D140Fs and that just nails the tone.

But the CB158 and the other Emi's are very nice as well, and lot cheaper and easy to get ;)
 
#8
StevenOh said:
I should also note that the Showman is a 4 ohm head (it's essentially a dual showman), so the CB-158 wouldn't be ideal for that reason.

Admittedly, I'm rather ignorant when it comes to the tuning and venting of cabs. I've been told, and this probably isn't correct, that if I replace the rear baffle with something that will leave an opening (such as a two piece baffle covering the top and the bottom but leaving the middle section open) will negate any reasons for having any other venting and tuning. Is that true?
Click to expand...

no, you can run the 8 ohm speaker w/the Dual Showman. I know they're rated for 4 ohm but those OTs can handle it fine and it's done all the time (and has been done for years), they're very robust. I normally use my 8 ohm Showman through a 4 ohm 2-12 guitar cab.

If you have any questions about it the guy around here to check w/is JohnK_10. PM him, though I'm sure he'll respond to this as he's Mr Vintage amps around here.

Open back baffles are fine for guitar, but you need a completely sealed (intact) back baffle for bass. Any porting/venting should be done on the front baffle.
 
#11
StevenOh said:
I thought about changing out the baffle and replacing it with a 15" bass speaker.
Click to expand...
Why? It won't work any better. If you want to upgrade it use a pair of Eminence Beta 12.
I've been told, and this probably isn't correct, that if I replace the rear baffle with something that will leave an opening (such as a two piece baffle covering the top and the bottom but leaving the middle section open) will negate any reasons for having any other venting and tuning. Is that true?
Click to expand...
You can port the cab, and doing so on the back is a lot easier than on the front. A 3 inch ID vent 6 inches long per driver will work well, giving 2dB additional low end output compared to sealed.
 
#12
Don't mess up a nice vintage cab, they are already dwindling in number all the time. Just get or build a different 15" or dual 15" cab to use for bass, and keep the 2x12 for guitar purposes. If you don't think you'll be playing guitar, then sell the cab to a guitar player who will appreciate it for what it is, not try to make it what it isn't.
 
#13
I have to agree with 'heat.

There doesn't seem anything so unique about your cab requirements that you should modify this specific cabinet and, it being vintage, all the more reason to not modify it. There are many other options available to you other than modding this cabinet (i.e. other new and or used cabs with varying configurations).
 
#14
There wouldn't really be any modifying of the cab, just a replacement of the baffle (it's merely screwed on). So it wouldn't be destroyed or anything like that. The original baffle, which already has extra screw holes and a changed grill cloth from a previous owner, would be put away safely and out of harms way. I'm not one to irreversibly modify anything vintage, beyond acceptable wear and tear components (electrolytic caps, etc.), so no need to worry, folks!

The reason why I was planning on changing to a 15" bass speaker rather than the two guitar speakers in there is obviously due to my bass playing. I figured a bass speaker would function much better for low notes than anything a guitar speaker would be able to handle. The reason I asked these question is because I'm admittedly ignorant on these subjects and I want to learn.

All-in-all, I think I might just go ahead and buy a dedicated bass cabinet. I really love this cab for guitar, but it's just not being used and rather than getting rid of something I like (the first step towards regret), I thought I'd make it usable for bass.

Thanks for all the help, everyone. It's much appreciated! :)
 
#16
StevenOh said:
The reason why I was planning on changing to a 15" bass speaker rather than the two guitar speakers in there is obviously due to my bass playing. I figured a bass speaker would function much better for low notes than anything a guitar speaker would be able to handle.
Click to expand...
Speaker size has no bearing on suitability. The drivers I recommended are made for bass, otherwise I wouldn't have recommended them.
 
#17
Fred Mertz said:
Blackface Showmans are either 4 or 8 ohm. Starting in '67 the 4 ohm Dual showman heads said "Dual" on the faceplate. You should check the numbers on the output transformer to determine what ohm speaker you need.

125A30A = 8 ohm
125A29A = 4 ohm
Click to expand...

I've already done that, but that's always great knowledge to have! I've had this amp for years. It's a '65 and it's a dual showman with a "Showman" faceplate.
 
#18
billfitzmaurice said:
Speaker size has no bearing on suitability. The drivers I recommended are made for bass, otherwise I wouldn't have recommended them.
Click to expand...

It wasn't so much speaker size as the type of speaker (bass speakers versus the guitar speakers that I currently have in the cab) as well as a matter of making the cab weigh equal to or less than the current weight. Unless I bought two 12" neo speakers, I didn't want the cab to weigh more than the cab with guitar speakers. Saying that, I've always been a fan of 15" speakers for bass, but take that for what it's worth.
 
#19
StevenOh said:
It wasn't so much speaker size as the type of speaker (bass speakers versus the guitar speakers that I currently have in the cab) as well as a matter of making the cab weigh equal to or less than the current weight. Unless I bought two 12" neo speakers, I didn't want the cab to weigh more than the cab with guitar speakers. Saying that, I've always been a fan of 15" speakers for bass, but take that for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
Of more importance is the low 85-100 watt output of the Showman, depending on the vintage. It needs the additional sensitivity of two twelves over one fifteen. And the drivers I recommended weigh no more than the originals.
 

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