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Building my First Bass Cab..HELP!!!

B

BassoMatik

Aug 23, 2012
42
0
#1
I want to build my own bass cabinet because 1) I'm sick of looking at and wishing I could buy relatively expensive cabinets :bawl: and 2) Because I want the pride of building something by my complete solitary self.

Any tips for building the 'actual box'???

The particular driver is a LEGEND CA15-4 - 15" BASS GUITAR SPEAKER from ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) 4 ohms is perfect for what I need because it'll increase the power of my current amp.

The box size required is 3.82cu.ft.. How would I dimension what I cut to fit that parameter?

Should I go sealed or ported? I know the advantages and disadvantages of both. But how would I even go about porting it?

:bassist:
 
#2
And I'm doing this out of cost effectiveness really. I do want to build my own cab, so please don't try to talk me out of it :)

A similar cab that I want to buy is around $250. Seeing that the driver is only $90, the plywood can't be too expensive ($10 for a big sheet at the local Menard's) throw in a little blood (jigsaw!!!!!!), sweat and maybe a few tears. It can't all add up to $250?
 
#3
Lol you are in for a good learning experience.

As has been said to you in other threads, check out greendoy and BFM DIY designs for ideas about bracing, stuffing, finishing, and so forth.

A simple google search turned up the manufacturer's infor page, and their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and even [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

before you spend any more money do some research. As an example a $10 sheet of ply wood isnt going to build you a cabinet worth building or playing.
 
#4
I have one last question for you to answer. I mean I know for a fact companies are basically all revenue and profit based, so I'm not going to get any breaks there. Seeing that good 410's can go for sometimes over $500+, I can buy good speakers and plywood for much less than that and have at it myself. So would it be more economical to just build my own cabs from here on in?
 
#5
CL400Peavey...I looked up all that stuff last night and yes, I found all the hyperlinked stuff. I just want suggestions on how to build the box. I'm not going for the absolute budget cab here, there's obviously better plywood out there. But for me, if I can build a cab, have my own personal pride about doing it and totally cut out what the companies are trying to make for a profit, it just seems to make more sense to me.
 
#6
BassoMatik said:
I have one last question for you to answer. I mean I know for a fact companies are basically all revenue and profit based, so I'm not going to get any breaks there. Seeing that good 410's can go for sometimes over $500+, I can buy good speakers and plywood for much less than that and have at it myself. So would it be more economical to just build my own cabs from here on in?
Click to expand...

IMHO if you are going to take the time and effort to build a DIY cab, there are much better designs out there for less money than copying a commercial cab.
 
#7
For that one, I'd just follow eminences cab design pdf. I think that medium size one is around 3.7 cu.ft., or maybe that's where you got the 3.82. It uses two 4" I.D. tube ports. Can use cardboard mailing tube or pvc pipe for that.

All those sizes are net internal space. You have to allow for anythiny that takes up space inside the box, including the driver itself and the ports.

There is a "golden ratio" of box dimensions of roughly .6 to 1 to 1.6 that is supposed to help mitigate internal reflections/cancellations, etc., but, many people throw that out the window and build to whatever size and shape they want.

That ratio, or something close to it though ends up to be a cab with a little bit smaller footprint and little bit taller stature than your common cube. That's nice for setting up on cramped stages, sliding in small car doors, and allows the driver to be mounted a little bit higher off the floor/closer to the ear.


Remember the number 1728. You'll use that a lot.
 
#8
BassoMatik said:
CL400Peavey...I looked up all that stuff last night and yes, I found all the hyperlinked stuff. I just want suggestions on how to build the box. I'm not going for the absolute budget cab here, there's obviously better plywood out there. But for me, if I can build a cab, have my own personal pride about doing it and totally cut out what the companies are trying to make for a profit, it just seems to make more sense to me.
Click to expand...

What im telling you is a sheet of plywood that you get for $10 is pretty unsuitable for building a cab. Its probably MDF or chip board, and will not hold up to the task of a bass cab.
 
#9
I started building subwoofer enclosures almost 20 years ago.
feel free to pm me or call me with any questions.

I have built many kickass cabs in my day and started doing it for the same reason as you, to have killer sound and spend my money on the good stuff (speakers, etc...) and save by building the cabs.
 
#10
What im telling you is a sheet of plywood that you get for $10 is pretty unsuitable for building a cab. Its probably MDF or chip board, and will not hold up to the task of a bass cab.

I know that :) That was just my observation went I went there. There is better stuff there, that was just the minimum
 
#11
BassoMatik said:
I have one last question for you to answer. I mean I know for a fact companies are basically all revenue and profit based, so I'm not going to get any breaks there. Seeing that good 410's can go for sometimes over $500+, I can buy good speakers and plywood for much less than that and have at it myself. So would it be more economical to just build my own cabs from here on in?
Click to expand...

Doing a simple 115 box is a good way to get into building. You may save a little $ if you don't put a value on your own labor and time. Consider that buying education instead. You usually don't save big bucks DIY'ing but you'll come out pretty good on this one because you only have to buy 1 driver and commercial 115's can be several hundred dollars.

You usially DIY because you enjoy it, or to make designs that aren't widely available commercially, or just to customize your rig for your own personal situation.
 
#13
no. stop.....re-evaluate. read, read, read, read, learn. Info is cheaper (sometimes free) than the materials to build a quality cabinet.

???? What???? What do you mean by info? I have the specs and everything. I'm confused by your post!?!?!
 
#15
Are you going to put a full face grill ?, Input jack plate, corner protecters, tolex or line-X, feet on the bottom, handles......... ?

I already looked into everything. I may or may not put on a face grill, but I've done my research (something a lot of people don't think I have). Input jack plates are around $12-13. Corner Protectors, you can buy those at any furniture store for $5 bucks? I don't plan on doing anything to the plywood except painting it. If I decide to go 'luxury', you can buy casters for what, a dollar a piece at the very most? Handles? I can put a nice looking kitchen drawer handle on it (may sound stupid, but you don't need fancy handles to move something).

I'm comparing the cab I WANT TO MAKE to a cab I WANT TO BUY. The cab I want to buy is $250. With all the materials I have so far, I'm 'maybe' looking at around $120-130. Put on a face grill? (I have experience in metal working), what's keeping me from buying sheet metal (don't even get me started on this, I know how much MY local retailers cost) and making my own face grill.
 
#20
Yep! The little parts add up. For the (my first) cab I'm building right now, the driver was $129. Everything else has added up to $158. My box, externally, is 24in hi X 19.5in wide X 18in deep. Pretty close to 4.0 cu ft internal. Single 15in driver. 1/2in plywood, handles, casters, corner protectors, jack plate with 2 speakons, flared port tubes, cloth front grill, herculiner covering. Screws, bolts, T-nuts. Endless questions have been answered, patiently, by folks on this forum.
 

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