• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Build your own cabinet - bad idea or really bad idea?

I suggest that when you find yourself turning up at the end of the set may be more likely because of ear fatigue combined with band volume creep more than thermal power compression.

Also, when using rear ports behind the magnets, there needs to be sufficient depth between the magnets and the end it the lift tube, otherwise there will be a shift in the tuning of the system due to air friction (windage loss)
 
I suggest that when you find yourself turning up at the end of the set may be more likely because of ear fatigue combined with band volume creep more than thermal power compression.

Also, when using rear ports behind the magnets, there needs to be sufficient depth between the magnets and the end it the lift tube, otherwise there will be a shift in the tuning of the system due to air friction (windage loss)
Never underestimate volume creep. Especially in your average (too small) practice space.
 
You guys must remember Billy, who posted here some time ago. He planned to build speakers by putting the drivers in tubes, or drum shells, I don't recall exactly. He may have been a genius, I don't know. His posts were entertaining.
Billy did not use that term in reference to himself. I applied it.

He called his design something like "Klops Drums".
 
  • Like
Reactions: pie_man_25
I have this crazy idea of creating tubes, like Bazooka car sub-woofers tubes, but stack four speaker tubes vertically. A 15" on the bottom tube, then two 10" speakers and then an 8" speaker on the top. Kind of like a snowman.
There's a post floating around by a guy that used a bass drum shell as an enclosure for a 15" driver. You could use sonotube (concrete forms) for the upper shells. This is a fun reason to DIY, although it probably won't be much fun to lug around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: placedesjardins
There's a post floating around by a guy that used a bass drum shell as an enclosure for a 15" driver. You could use sonotube (concrete forms) for the upper shells. This is a fun reason to DIY, although it probably won't be much fun to lug around.

Not only that, but it probably wont sound good either.

Although, if it was round, you could roll it, instead of carrying it.
 
Last edited:
With proper plans and good support, you can build a great cab for decent new cab money with crummy tools. I know, because I did it with a 14v cordless circular saw, a 14v cordless drill, handful of clamps, and a two speed rotary tool.

Support is key. BFM forums kept me from setting my build on fire. If you don't know what you're doing rage will set in at some point, but it will be totally worth it once you start playing through it.

http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=15402
 
Keep in mind that it's easy to do it badly.

I would suggest that you approach it as a learning experience, with the realization that it might also result in something really useful—but might result in only being a learning experience.
 
The real question is, will your wife pitch a fit about all the time you spend out in the garage with the tools?

Or, can you sell this as a home improvement?

My very patient wife was super cool about the fEarfuls, but I had to throw in a total gut kitchen remodel, new appliances, and quartz counter tops.

Sneaking a nice used cab in the back door might have saved some dough.

Counter tops on Wed!

Cab building can be habit forming. As soon as this kitchen remodel is done, and I get my garage back, ( we've been cooking out there the past year or so) I'm building another fEarful 12/6 cube.

Use good plans and components, have fun.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dukeorock
The real question is, will your wife pitch a fit about all the time you spend out in the garage with the tools?
Yes.

Or, can you sell this as a home improvement?
No. Unless it is an L-shaped office desk with one bottom drawer that opens to a ported 15" inch woofer and pencil holder.

My very patient wife was super cool about the fEarfuls, but I had to throw in a total gut kitchen remodel, new appliances, and quartz counter tops.
Sneaking a nice used cab in the back door might have saved some dough.
Counter tops on Wed!
Cab building can be habit forming. As soon as this kitchen remodel is done, and I get my garage back, ( we've been cooking out there the past year or so) I'm building another fEarful 12/6 cube.
Use good plans and components, have fun.
I've remodeled the kitchen and two bathrooms.
I couldn't sneak any cabinet project unless I installed the woofers into the walls. I don't have a lot of square footage in my home. I regret that decision.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dukeorock
Building a quality bass cab is maybe %10 of the work, designing it is the other %90. As a person that built their own cabinet, there is no way I could design a bass cab. There is some serious science that goes into it. A guitar cab is a different story.

Car subs are generally not tuned, at least to my knowledge. The guys I know that make them, even professionally, just use a standard cubic volume for every driver, they base it off driver size. I wouldn't design my bass cab that way, I would design a cabinet around a driver(s) based on what I wanted to achieve tonally.

My son Henry runs a company that makes all kinds of custom loudspeaker instillations from cinemas to venues to recording studios to yachts and has designed many a championship winning ICE instillation, for a good many of the leading loudspeaker manufacturers.
There is a fair deal more to designing the J&L 12x15" British Championship winning Hexahornport competition sub,
than just reading the sujested cabinet internal volume, don'cha know old chap!.:-(