I recently purchased a Michael Kelly Dragon Fly acoustic bass. It is my first bass guitar after years of playing upright bass. I would like to build an amp but am looking for advice on the ported vs sealed decision. I think I am leaning towards ported due to the better low end and also the better wiggle room with the specs. Could anyone offer some advice? Thank you.
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Cabinet type advice needed
- Thread starter AcousticBass1
- Start date
Not sure if you know this, but you can't just throw a random driver into a random box. The box needs to be tuned to the driver as driver specs determine the optimum box size and porting. Also there are different box alignments to determine to contour of the low frequency response and how well damped it is. You may find this article informative: Bass reflex alignments explained - Step by step - Audio Judgement
So my advice: Decide the size and number of drivers you want to use. Also decide how much you are willing to pay for parts and supplies. Build a list of drivers that meet the first criteria and down load the spec sheets. Review each driver's frequency response, impedance, power handling, and sensitivity ratings. The frequency response charts only inform you about the mids and highs. The box tuning will determine the low frequency response. Discard any drivers that do not meet your needs thus far. Use the Thiele-Small specs to model the remaining drivers in cab designs that are the approximate size you are shooting for.
Here is an only program to give you an idea how the modeling works. This is a basic program and I don't have any idea how accurate it is: Loudspeaker enclosure calculating with Thiele Small parameter (micka.de)
It has the T/L specs loaded for a range of drivers, so you can play around. If you decide to push on with the project, I recommend getting a real speaker design app, or building from a known plan.
So my advice: Decide the size and number of drivers you want to use. Also decide how much you are willing to pay for parts and supplies. Build a list of drivers that meet the first criteria and down load the spec sheets. Review each driver's frequency response, impedance, power handling, and sensitivity ratings. The frequency response charts only inform you about the mids and highs. The box tuning will determine the low frequency response. Discard any drivers that do not meet your needs thus far. Use the Thiele-Small specs to model the remaining drivers in cab designs that are the approximate size you are shooting for.
Here is an only program to give you an idea how the modeling works. This is a basic program and I don't have any idea how accurate it is: Loudspeaker enclosure calculating with Thiele Small parameter (micka.de)
It has the T/L specs loaded for a range of drivers, so you can play around. If you decide to push on with the project, I recommend getting a real speaker design app, or building from a known plan.
Thank you for your input. I do have a slight grasp of the relationship between driver and box. I am getting advice from my brother who has some experience in speaker building, just not specifically bass guitar amps. He also is located on a different continent which doesn't help either. Budget is a concern so I am planning to go with the Faital Pro 8FE200. I will have to find a plan that matches the specs once I decide on the style of cabinet.
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FYI I believe the Trace Elliot Elf line uses the Faital 8PR200, which is a much more expensive driver than the 8FE200. If you can demo 1x8 combo or a 2x8 cab, it may give you a better idea what a good 8" can do.
Good luck.
Welcome to TB!
In my experience, DIY speaker cabinet building doesn't really save any money, unless you already have the materials lying around. Of course where you are in the world and access to equipment (used or new) can certainly tilt the decision.
If you insist on DIY and a small speaker, I recommend building the Piccolo 8 using the Oberton 8MB201 or Beyma 8G40. It is a very efficient design, and might suffice for a jazz combo, but certainly isn't enough to hang with a rock band. Contact @Arjank as to whether the Faital 8FE200 would work with his design as well.
Discussion is here:
Piccolo8, cab build for piccolo bass
Plans are here:
The Cyclops, a tweeterless 115
It's good that you have the assistance of someone who has built cabinets, but bass cabinet design is distinct from hifi or guitar designs, as @Wasnex pointed out.
In my experience, DIY speaker cabinet building doesn't really save any money, unless you already have the materials lying around. Of course where you are in the world and access to equipment (used or new) can certainly tilt the decision.
If you insist on DIY and a small speaker, I recommend building the Piccolo 8 using the Oberton 8MB201 or Beyma 8G40. It is a very efficient design, and might suffice for a jazz combo, but certainly isn't enough to hang with a rock band. Contact @Arjank as to whether the Faital 8FE200 would work with his design as well.
Discussion is here:
Piccolo8, cab build for piccolo bass
Plans are here:
The Cyclops, a tweeterless 115
It's good that you have the assistance of someone who has built cabinets, but bass cabinet design is distinct from hifi or guitar designs, as @Wasnex pointed out.
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