SLM Ampeg cabs from 98 to I think 2006 were made of OSB, not MDF. Better than MDF, not as good as wood. But SLM cabs before 98 were made out of plywood and sound great.
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Are SLM era cabs really that bad??
- Thread starter chubrocker
- Start date
pablomigraine
Commercial User
Can someone clarify? Were the SLM-era cabs made of OSB or particle/chipboard?They're not the same thing.
Thanks!
between 1998 - the LOUD takeover, SLM used both particleboard and OSB during different periods. There were also a number of different speakers used during this period. The new LOUD cabs are made with Eminence drivers (import).
Ehhhhh, From what I've read round here and on other forums regarding speaker cab construction. The sonic differences are kind of moot.
MDF, isn't great for building anything(furniture, cabinetry, whatever). As it doesn't hold fasteners very well, and turns into mashed potatoes at the sight or water.
BTW-Sorry for the minor thread derail Chub.....
It takes a little EQing, but I'm able to brighten up/tighten up my SLM era 810. I drop the bass knob on my GK head to about 10 o'clock, and boost the highs. It's perfect for my drop C metal stuff. Instead of derping around for another cab, I'm just gonna find a way to deal with what I've got.
I'm FINALLY going to check out a silver front SLM era cab in two days. From pics, it looks new. Comes in a travel case, so I'm a bit excited about this.
I ended up getting the cab. The Anvil Road Case is an added plus. I got it for $625, so a fair price. It was a bit dark sounding, but that was really not an issue with me. Construction seems solid. His 3Pro sounded better than mine tho. LOL I'll be curious to A/B it now side-by-side with my ported 810.
That is a good price. And the darkness can be EQ'd out, or you can replace the top two speakers with Jensen Mod 50-32's or Eminence Legend B810's and get some of the brightness back if you want it. You will lose power handling with the Mods, but not with the B810's.
Or you can just turn up the treble, which is free
Or you can just turn up the treble, which is free
Here are some pics for those that might be curious. Appears to be USA Eminence speakers. Baffle is plywood? 11- or 13- layer OSB if not. I had a hard time telling specifically with the black paint. OSB is my thought due to the smoothness.
I'll make do with this cab for a while. I am only finding SLM era cabs around the KC area right now for sale minus one older version, but its only 300 watts power capacity.
I'll make do with this cab for a while. I am only finding SLM era cabs around the KC area right now for sale minus one older version, but its only 300 watts power capacity.
Baffle's plywood. They at least had the good sense to realize that using OSB for the baffle is not a good idea.
Congrats, sounds like You got a pretty good deal.
Now, all You need to join the cult is an all tube head. Membership includes a cult member button, and a silly haircut (all at no additional charge to You). (LOL!)
Enjoy! Yes, if the darkness isn't Your thing it will dial out very easily.
Now, all You need to join the cult is an all tube head. Membership includes a cult member button, and a silly haircut (all at no additional charge to You). (LOL!)
Enjoy! Yes, if the darkness isn't Your thing it will dial out very easily.
Actually, the seller will have a new LOUD SVT-CL for sale soon....I'm contemplating a 2Pro tho as I the extra EQ is tempting. Then again, too many knobs and sliders. LOL
mb
mb
That's the one crazy thing about the OSB 810E I had. As I recall the baffle, shelves, and bracing were all plywood with the back, sides, top/bottom parts being OSB. It wouldn't have seemed that they saved that much $ wise by doing that. Couple a bucks is a couple a bucks I guess.
Actually, Jerrold Tiers told me that it wasn't really a bean-counting thing at all, but the head of SLM legitimately thought it was a superior material to plywood.
Rite-on...
A 2pro is one cool beast of an amp. I agree with Ya though, it is a bit busy with buttons, EQ sliders, and the like. One cool feature I do like about the 2 pro, is the separate gain and drive knobs.
I own a SVT classic, so no further SVT gas in the near future.
Dang, WTH was He smoking? OSB isn't the worst choice, I guess. Well, at least they've gone back to what works the bestest.
With the price of recones being about the same as new speakers, I don't see the point. Not like they're the irreplaceable CTS alnicos....I haven't received my cult buttons yet.
Anyway, since the speaker cone was part of the factors that contributed to the dark tone, would reconing the drivers (instead of buying new speakers/baskets) help?
I did several hours of searching OSB last night. I found a variety of threads (speaker cabinet and other construction threads) stating that US plywood at the time was very inferior and inconsistent in strength. Russian plywood was very prone to warp. Altho not as strong, OSB provided consistency and was a bit cheaper. It was interesting to see how strong the thoughts about OSB were on both sides of the conversation--particularly threads from the early 2000s. Being a superior product to US plywood (at the time) was mentioned several times.
JMac4strngr said:
Congrats on the cab!
Re the 2 pro. Ime, it sounds pretty darn close to the other SVT's, & it's actually fairly easy to leave the controls you don't need alone
The graphic is switchable ain't it?
& iirc, the Drive control can simply be left alone, & one can adjust gain & master for use as a regular SVT-CL.
Well, pretty much, it does have an extra tube in the pre doesn't it?
