Are the empty Seismic cabinets any good?

[HolmeBass]

Oy vey.

Why ask? Because I was hoping someone had direct experience with the cab and could either say "hey, it's not too bad for the money" or "it sucks, don't waste your time". I am aware that different speakers will respond differently. Just looking for that experience.

Why those cabs? Because I saw them online, and with free shipping, the price might be right. I'm also curious about if there's another ready-made cab by a different company that might be better. I recently moved to northern VT and I don't know much about the area, so I might be stuck with mail-order. Good used cabinets with shipping are over my current budget.

Why do I say I'm not interested in, as you put it, "nerdy details"? Well. I haven't posted here in a while, but I still come around to read. I've read through a bunch of those threads over the years. So, abstractly, I do care about the nerdy details. But I'm good with measurements to build a replacement cab if that's the route I go, and right now I'm just trying to see if there are ready made options that could save me renting shop access and spending the extra time. Time and money are both in short supply for me. I just lost a few grand worth of gear and furnishings. I want something I can set up, and I want it two weeks ago. So I'm not super picky and I'm not looking to perfectly optimize an enclosure for these ancient speakers. I will be happy with a box that works, that will stay together until I can afford something else, and I will be happier without the hassle of building it. Does that all make sense?

On one hand I want to apologize to you and anyone else who I inadvertently rubbed the wrong way by using the word "nerdy". It's not meant to be derogatory. I guess I can't blame y'all for taking it that way. I didn't mean to raise the temperature.

On the other hand I think you and Redbrangus in particular came in a bit hot. It's unhelpful and kind of insulting. Really not in the mood for it after everything that's happened recently, which isn't your problem, but man... ouch. Not too cool. I guess if nothing else, your posts are a good reminder of how unwelcome my own sarcasm and snark has doubtless been to other people in the past. Hakuna mattata.

Yeah, it did rub me the wrong way and I sent snark of my own back. I am sorry money is tight, but your question just gives off an air of mild obliviousness combined with a bit of casual entitlement that’s still off-putting.

If I were you I would build a box sized like the original. But if you have to rent a shop to do that… can’t you just buy a used bass cabinet? A used 410 for $300? Anyway…

You want “a box that works”. Very very hard to say without nerdy details and a better understanding of what “working” means to you.

If the speakers are actually still functional, then those guitar cabinets you are looking at will “work” in that sound will come out. How good it sounds, and how long the drivers will hold out are things that cannot be determined without some nerdy details.

Would it work for a metal gig? I am thinking that is a very very long shot. Would it work in a coffee shop gig? Very hard to say. Maybe, but who knows? Would it work for quiet practice in your place? Probably good enough. There is chance it could be awesome and you’ll never look back. I would say that is a long shot.

 

[HolmeBass]

The Williston VT Guitar Center has a used SWR Goliath 4x10 for $250.
They also have a 2x10 Carvin cab for $340.
Not sure how long of a drive that is for you, but if I was looking for an inexpensive bass cabinet, and wasn’t too picky, I would take my amp and make the drive over there for a test drive of a couple of cabs.

SWR 410 Goliath for $250 all day long. Save $65 a week and you’ll have it in a month.

 

[abarson]

@Seashore
SWR 115, kind of in your neck of the woods, I guess.
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Peavey 115 further to the east
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But I'd be all over this one if it's near enough
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Sell the speakers to a guitarist.

 

[BlueTalon]

@Seashore
SWR 115, kind of in your neck of the woods, I guess.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Peavey 115 further to the east
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But I'd be all over this one if it's near enough
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Sell the speakers to a guitarist.

Those would be worth taking a drive for.

 

[pjb15]

Also the Bag End 2x10 is an excellent sounding cab that’s really loud, as long as you don’t need your lower lumbar vertebrae… you can usually find one on guitar center used for around 300$. I would definitely look
At used market on GC instead of trying to build something for your previous speakers.

 

[Seashore]

@Seashore
SWR 115, kind of in your neck of the woods, I guess.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Peavey 115 further to the east
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But I'd be all over this one if it's near enough
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Sell the speakers to a guitarist.

Really appreciate the links, thanks, one of these might actually work out for me.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I had a Seismic 12" monitor that I bought to help out a stage situation about 7 years ago. I had a spare $100. It arrived in good shape. Sound quality was meh. XLR input was not soldered on 2 legs. Tweeter inop from new and disconnected. Carpet cover not well glued and peeling in a few months. 2 random failures on stage retired it. I tried to use it and give it away unsuccessfully. I ended up scrapping it, saving the grill mesh and a few screws. A repurposed kid's stereo from the early '80 would be a less expensive equivalent.

Technically, it worked sometimes and made sounds most of the time when desired, occasionally when not. If you have no choice, with great hesitancy, I advise you to give it a go and be prepared for utter disappointment if you bring even modest expectations to the table beyond the gear looking similar to a photo of said gear.

 

[Seashore]

I had a Seismic 12" monitor that I bought to help out a stage situation about 7 years ago. I had a spare $100. It arrived in good shape. Sound quality was meh. XLR input was not soldered on 2 legs. Tweeter inop from new and disconnected. Carpet cover not well glued and peeling in a few months. 2 random failures on stage retired it. I tried to use it and give it away unsuccessfully. I ended up scrapping it, saving the grill mesh and a few screws. A repurposed kid's stereo from the early '80 would be a less expensive equivalent.

Technically, it worked sometimes and made sounds most of the time when desired, occasionally when not. If you have no choice, with great hesitancy, I advise you to give it a go and be prepared for utter disappointment if you bring even modest expectations to the table beyond the gear looking similar to a photo of said gear.

Thanks for the review. This makes me want to steer clear of the company. I can really only buy one thing right now so it needs to be a thing I can use for a while.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

If you can find the time and money, a trip around the local pawn shops may net you what you seek. Heck, keep an eye out for an 8x10 cab as those have been dropping in price as folks look to lighter solutions.
Fishheadjoe

 

[Jim C]

I was given a Seismic 2x10 bass cabinet that came with a very fair used equipment buy. It was actually a favor to the seller as he was moving and he needed it gone. It has damaged drivers.
For the last 6 months I've been wondering what to do with it.
Thanks fellas, this thread made the decision!

 

[bwoodman]

440live sells empty cabinets on ebay under the handle "capajnr" but doesn't have a 212 for bass now, and their guitar 212s are even smaller than Seismic Audio.

+1 on this company - they used to be in So El Monte and before that, Whittier So Cal - I used to buy cabs from Greg Garcia (owner) - he's a one or two man operation and the cabs are plywood vs I believe the Seismic cabs are particle board. But as mentioned, this too is "speaker in a box" / non engineered / crap shoot way to go.