What do you do? My Emperor not only vibrates stuff off the top of it (amps, beers, etc) but it moves around due to the vibrations. Wondering what's out there to make it not do that anymore. It's kind of frustrating.
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Cab vibrations & movement...
- Thread starter zachoff
- Start date
A properly designed and braced cab should not exhibit these problems. It's one thing if it's arena-sized subwoofer, but not a bass cab.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Yep. Time to open it up and do some bracing. Sounds like your cab isn't. Do a quick search and see how some of the "new wave of cabinet design" do it. The easiest would be crossbracing from the centers of all panels... Or you could figure out a girdle bracing scheme.
I'm kind of surprised that an Emperor cab, with their inherent use of whole woods lumber instead of ply, would go out of their way to properly brace their cab. The panels would be nowhere near "dead" enough.
Yeah, check out their site, it's lumber, not ply. I doubt the baffle is, but the shell definitely.
It's a really early cab. I emailed them and they said one of the first 200 or so they made & it definitely doesn't have bracing like you guys are talking about. I'll see what I can do & thanks. I thought the answers would be to put some rubber feet on it or something. 
Did they used to make guitar cabs and decided to take a swing at bass cabs without seeing what's involved or what? Hardwood guitar cabs I can appreciate, bass cabs no way.
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
- Sep 15, 2004
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It's what's not in there that's the problem: Cross bracing. A properly braced cab doesn't vibrate or dance. Ergo, yours is not properly cross braced.
I have a Emperor 4x12 ( 18x30x30 ) that was recently built and having vibration issues as well but nothing major.
Most of my issues where my tubes getting too much vibrations on top, but I threw a Gramma under the head and that problem was solved.
I also get the issue where the whole cab will shift around a tad bit. I personally think this is because of the two wood sleds underneath. Most bass cabs have rubber feet for that very reason. Again, not a huge issue after tweaking a few things.
Now, I wouldn't knock them for build or quality. The cab is sharply built inside and out and sounds exactly how it is marketed ( key word is marketed). Everyone can argue about sound and what is the best, but out of all the cabs I have owned, this one hits spot on with the sound I'm looking for. If I wanted dub and major solid bass, fEarful would have been in my sight. But for now, I'm wanting old school rock-n-roll grit in your face. Hence why I'm a proud owner of a 4x12 Emperor.
Most of my issues where my tubes getting too much vibrations on top, but I threw a Gramma under the head and that problem was solved.
I also get the issue where the whole cab will shift around a tad bit. I personally think this is because of the two wood sleds underneath. Most bass cabs have rubber feet for that very reason. Again, not a huge issue after tweaking a few things.
Now, I wouldn't knock them for build or quality. The cab is sharply built inside and out and sounds exactly how it is marketed ( key word is marketed). Everyone can argue about sound and what is the best, but out of all the cabs I have owned, this one hits spot on with the sound I'm looking for. If I wanted dub and major solid bass, fEarful would have been in my sight. But for now, I'm wanting old school rock-n-roll grit in your face. Hence why I'm a proud owner of a 4x12 Emperor.
My first gig with my fEARful 15/6 was in a fire hall with freshly waxed floors before I had attached the rubber feet. I had my killowatt+ amp on a table because I wasn't sure if the Duratex was fully cured yet. My cabinet kept walking itself backwards and parking next to the nearby wall. That thing can move some air.
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
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You hid the symptoms, but the problem is hardly solved. A cab that vibrates soaks up energy, energy that otherwise would be heard as sound. A well braced cab sounds better and goes louder.
You are correct, but solved for in the moment. I guess I could contact Sean and see what he thinks regarding the cab design.
**update**
Shot them a email about these concerns and lets see what they have to say!
On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:46 AM, Mill Hasbrook wrote:
I've head some talk on the bass forums (TalkBass.com - Bass Guitar and Double Bass Forums: Basses, Amps, Strings, Effects) that other bassist are having similar issues with tube amp vibrations due to their Emperor cab lacking adequit internal bracing. Does this ring a bell anywhere?
I bought a Auralex Gramma riser, which has hid some of the conditions but have you heard of this? Trust me, I'm 100% happy with the sound, but just wanted to pick your brain to report back to the forums.
Thanks Man,
Mill
da response:
On Thu, July 28, 2011 at 11:41:25 AM, Emperor wrote:
Hey Mill,
It is kind of a double edged sword. Our cabs have alot of vibrations, this is also why they have some much resonance. Where most cabs have a layer of glue and the plastic or leather tolex to dull down vibration, this also dulls the tone. I don't think any more internal bracing would do anything to solve this, we brace the whole cab as well as the baffle. I know some bass players that are fully cranking the cabs will put the head on the ground.
The riser is a good idea. Keep in touch.
I've head some talk on the bass forums (TalkBass.com - Bass Guitar and Double Bass Forums: Basses, Amps, Strings, Effects) that other bassist are having similar issues with tube amp vibrations due to their Emperor cab lacking adequit internal bracing. Does this ring a bell anywhere?
I bought a Auralex Gramma riser, which has hid some of the conditions but have you heard of this? Trust me, I'm 100% happy with the sound, but just wanted to pick your brain to report back to the forums.
Thanks Man,
Mill
da response:
On Thu, July 28, 2011 at 11:41:25 AM, Emperor wrote:
Hey Mill,
It is kind of a double edged sword. Our cabs have alot of vibrations, this is also why they have some much resonance. Where most cabs have a layer of glue and the plastic or leather tolex to dull down vibration, this also dulls the tone. I don't think any more internal bracing would do anything to solve this, we brace the whole cab as well as the baffle. I know some bass players that are fully cranking the cabs will put the head on the ground.
The riser is a good idea. Keep in touch.
That. is. crazy.
My suggestion? check the internal bracing. if not, add a stressed member from front to back inside, at least. 2 small blocks of wood for footing, and a brace you sorta have to knock in place to seat. not drastic overall length where it'd buckle the panels...just a tweak, like .06" longer. glue and screw.
Also, get some amp foot-cups and install them on the "top" of your cab, like on an SVT cab, as added insurance.
No WAY yo should have to rest your head on the floor. It's not about added resonance adding anything, if anything as Bill said, you're taking away. Is he implying the cab shell is supplying some of the tone? Because it kinda shouldn't. Do not take that as a diss on Emperor cabs. At all. I know friends that like and use them often. I have no doubt they put care in their offerings. I do not know the ideals of their design, all I know is some of that thinking is a little backwards.
My suggestion? check the internal bracing. if not, add a stressed member from front to back inside, at least. 2 small blocks of wood for footing, and a brace you sorta have to knock in place to seat. not drastic overall length where it'd buckle the panels...just a tweak, like .06" longer. glue and screw.
Also, get some amp foot-cups and install them on the "top" of your cab, like on an SVT cab, as added insurance.
No WAY yo should have to rest your head on the floor. It's not about added resonance adding anything, if anything as Bill said, you're taking away. Is he implying the cab shell is supplying some of the tone? Because it kinda shouldn't. Do not take that as a diss on Emperor cabs. At all. I know friends that like and use them often. I have no doubt they put care in their offerings. I do not know the ideals of their design, all I know is some of that thinking is a little backwards.
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
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- Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
That response tells me that he has very little understanding, if any, of how electric bass cabs should be designed and constructed. With guitar you can stick some drivers in a box and get a good result. With bass it's considerably more complicated. As an example, this is what the interior of a well made bass cab looks like:
Not shown is the foam or polyester lining, which is also crucial for best results.
Not shown is the foam or polyester lining, which is also crucial for best results.
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