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Double Bass Building a cab?

S

SplitNick

Aug 1, 2003
345
5
North Alabama, Huntsville
www.myspace.com
#1
So I am thinking of building some 1x12 cabs. I own an Avatar 2x12 cab which I quite like the sound of, but I want to build a few smaller cabs for different applications.

I have building specs for the EV 806 cab (a 1x12 configuration), but there is not room in this box for a tweeter. I am condiering building it either without the tweeter (using an Eminence Kappa 12) or, hopefully, finding a 12" driver similar to the one used in a Wizzy.

Does anyone have experience building a cab like this? Is a no tweeter 1x12 going to produce the sound of a double bass with enough clarity? Are Wizzy-like, horn-loaded drivers available on the aftermarket?

Any input is appreciated.
 
#2
I've got a droll little article at my site about a homemade 1x12 that I use for DB. Another interesting note is that Eminence is now making a lightweight version of their 6.5" closed back midrange. I bought the heavy version of the 6.5" mid, and have played with and without it. To be honest, the mid doesn't seem to markedly improve my sound.
 
#4
I have been using this cabinet for a few years. It sounds pretty much like whatever you feed into it. The extreme lows are sacrificed in order to deliver a clear midrange. I like it both on DB and slab. Tipping the scale at around 18lbs is a real bonus as wel.
 
#6
About the upper range, I am presently playing an old Kay, so it is conceivable that my bass isn't really even producing the upper harmonics that would challenge my speaker. This is something I hope to test soon, as I am shopping for a carved bass right now. Once this has happened and I have a decent pickup installed, I will revisit my tests with the 12" and midrange. What I have done is to build the midrange plus crossover into its own little box, so I can easily try with and without.

Part of me wants the simple one-way system to work just fine because it is nice and compact.
 
#7
In my experience, the cabinet (driver) has a very clear, pronounced midrange that helps it cut through. It isn't bright at all but it just works. If you are familiar with the Wizzy 10, I found the two cabinets to sound similar but the Wizzy had more mids which I didn't like. Fdeck's cabinet plays much louder, and sounds better, I think.
The only time it didn't cut through was using my old flatback, Evahs, Realist into a Focus. I currently use a Markbass head running dead flat with no problem at all.
Tonight I played my fretless chop loaded with passive barts and strung with flats. The sound was loud and clear.
YMMV, YMWCB, etc.
 
#9
I looked at the title of the thread and thought you needed to construct something to carry your rig. :D

checker-cab-2.jpg


Seriously-- fdeck is a very valuable resource here. He's done the work.
 
#16
Nick,

You'd actually want a shorter port by, let's see... (37/40)^2 = 0.86, so make it 86% of the original length.

About sealing the driver, I think my latest Eminence came with a gasket for rear mounting, otherwise in the past I have used foam weatherstripping like you suggest.

F
 
#18
IMHO the HF unit in most bass cabinets adds mostly click and scratch. A big exception is the one used by Euphonic. It's large enough that it can actually get down into the mids a bit. So I'd say don't bother with a tweet if all you have room for is the same thing as most all the other cabs have.

I'd just get an Acme LowB1 and say to heck with it.
 
#19
I can dig that Acme, but I really want to learn how to build these on my own. If I can reduce costs and come up with a cab that I really like I'll feel real nice.

Right now I have like three designs I am looking at. One is the Fdeck design. I actually have that laid out on some 3/4" Birch Plywood. I had to make a few modifications from the 1/2" Ply specs.

I am also looking at Clinks design and a 2x10 that DukeLeJeune is developing. I may end up building all three and probably still staying around the price of atop quality cab.

Who knows. I am just having fun. I am also trying to figure out a switchable harness to make a 8 ohm cab a 4 ohm cab to switch between heads or aplications. I may be way out of my league with that project. I have the physical mechanism drawn out, but I am not to savvy on resistances and how to alter them. It is fun anyway.
 
#20
I heard that cabs are generally pretty easy to build. But one for DB might be a bit harder.. especially if you're looking for it to retain the upright bass-yness.

Fdeck is a good reference, ask for his cab info.
 

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