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custom cab - 2x10 ish (LDS, Portaflex, SVT)

henryjurstin13

henryjurstin13

Supporting Member
Jun 5, 2005
1,471
897
NWAR - 72764
#1
First of all, I'll state the obvious. I like passive 4 strings with overdrive. (think Allen Woody of the older Gov't Mule) I use plenty of pedals, prefer sealed cabs & no horns.

I have a B-15R that I like a lot, but the cab is pretty ineffecient. It doesn't hold any lows at all, is very rattly, and I just plain think I can get much better tone in the small package. Which leads me to a custom cab. This cab will also need to be used with my SVT-CL head. ( I know the difference between 300 & 100 watts of the two, but just in case I wanted to use it... I've got an 8x10 on the way, so this cab will just be a small gig/house cab)

I've thought of several options/routes, but would like some feedback to help my brainstorming... don't won't to forget any options.

2x10, 1-15 -- but, then thought it might be a lil heavy... so, would a 2x10, 1x12 do any better? I like 10's a lot, especially given the tone in an 8x10. But, in order to achieve that "round" tone known from the B-15... I was thinking about a cab with 2 chambers, 1 for the 15 & 1 for the pair of 10s.... this cab is becoming quite heavy in design, no?

2x10 extra tall. this way i can have a sealed 2x10, but still enough space up top to install the 'flip' portaflex head. so i could flip it down into the amp for travel, but not affect the sealed cab.

3x10?

4x10 stacked a lil more vertically than the NV610.

I really like the mid punch from the Ampeg 8x10 cabs. I'd really like to find a similar tone in a much smaller package. I'm thinkin about using Don at Low Down Sound. I have yet to contact him, because I'm still thinking of the concept. (he gets a lot of positive comments on quality & pricing)

Very early stages of a custom cab, but this is the place to get great advice. I'll appreciate any/all comments. Just keep in mind the general tone I'm wanting to achieve. I don't play active basses & I don't care for hi-fi.

thanks!! :help:
 
#4
i would say go with the Ampeg portabass 2x10 cabs they also have 2x12 cabs so maybe if you combine the two you will get areally nice sound. they are very portable cabs they are light and have built in wheels like a rolling suitcase. if i had the money i would get those expecially if you like the "round ampeg sound" because the SVT2x10 sounds great just not enough volume/power handleing. they could defenently handle the SVT CL (i dont think the SVT CL can do a 2ohm load however.)

maybe a SVT2x10+svt1x15 is up you ally? or do you want it all in one cab? im confused
 
#5
SVT-CL can do a 2 ohm load just fine. I really prefer the "magic" of a sealed cab. I don't need a 2x10/2x12 setup, as I'm looking for a smaller cab (and yes, I'd like to keep it to one cab). As I stated earlier, I've got an Ampeg 8x10 for the big shows...

I'm trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone:

- tweak out my B-15R tone a lil bit, b/c it is not effecient right now
- customize a smaller cab for smaller shows, that is similar to the tone of an Ampeg 8x10

The reason I mentioned a 2x10/1x15 all-in-one cab ---- it would give me the option to build a pair of 10's completely sealed off (like in the Ampeg 8x10) AND I would have the option to get that classic R&B "round" tone the B-15 combos are known for. Maybe this will clear up my intentions a lil better.
 
#9
from DON at LDS

Hi Justin, Here's a thought----I like the hemp cone series from Eminence---a lot--! A good smaller cab for you might contain a neo 15"---450 watts---sealed---and add 2---hemp cone 10's ( in own chamber---sealed ) Cab. size approx. 23 wide x 28 tall ----16" deep---weight about 45 lbs. should have plenty of power handling plus tight, vintage throw ala svt.
Click to expand...

Looks like weight might not be an issue with a 15/210 cab.

Any suggestions/ideas? And just so you know, my priorities in this cab are:

1 - TONE
2 - effeciency
3 - cosmetics
4 - weight (and we've already got this under control)
 
#10
Hey Justin. Per our PM's... another idea is a multi 8" cab. Don makes some killer 4x8 cabs... talk about punchy and small. I'm not sure if a neo 8 would give you what you want. I know Don has some proprietary 'long throw' Eminence 8's that are totally smokin'. He had a 4x8 with classic tolex and Fender type grill cloth that was very cool.

You might want to PM Chef if he doesn't (or hasn't) shown up on this thread. He's a big fan of Don's 8's, and can give you more of a feel for the tone versus the 'classic' Ampeg type vibe.
 
#11
I have no experience with sealed cabs or ampeg stuff at all.
I defer to Don as to how to best achieve this.
I know he's built cabs that incorporated the flip top in the past...
 
#12
That sounds cool and not too heavy for a single cab. Any chance you could say what the quote is? or Pm me with it? Just curious.
Thanks.
 
#13
Got another email back from Don today... it will be affordable. I will be going through with this project, hopefully within the next 2 months. Please everyone ---- throw out some brainstorm ideas!! Help me cover all aspects of this cab, so I don't regret not thinking about an option(s).

thanks, jh
 
#15
Because it isn't a sealed cab. I want a sealed cab, so it sounds like the Ampeg 8x10. Also, the other goal is to get a sealed 15 to use with the B-15R head.

______________________________
I'm trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone:

- tweak out my B-15R tone a lil bit, b/c it is not effecient right now
- customize a smaller cab for smaller shows, that is similar to the tone of an Ampeg 8x10
______________________________
 
#16
henryjurstin13 said:
I want a sealed cab, so it sounds like the Ampeg 8x10.
Click to expand...
The Ampeg 10" driver has an EBP of 79. This puts it midway between 50 (optimal sealed) and 100 (optimal vented). The Eminence Alpha 10 is very close to the Ampeg OEM in some aspects.

In a sealed B2 alignment, the Alpha 10 is significantly different than the Ampeg OEM driver. Optimal B2 volume for the Alpha is 6.6 cubic feet per driver, and the Ampeg 3.6 cu.ft. per driver. You can stuff them into smaller volumes, as Ampeg does.

Seeing how the above played out, I would measure the volume of the chamber holding two 10" in your big rig. Use that volume, and buy two Ampeg 10" drivers from Ampeg. This will get you as close to the 810 sound as possible. The Ampeg OEM drivers are 32 ohms, so your 2x10 will be a 16-ohm cab. Understand the impedance implication before making a purchase.
 
#18
Just heard back from my Eminence contact....

There's not a lot of bass speakers available that will work well in sealed enclosures. The only 15" I would recommend is our Legend CB15. In using a sealed enclosure you give up the option to tune the cabinet to a desired or optimal frequency. I realize what you're saying about liking the way it sounds, but you're really limiting your options.

The hemp cone will not work in a sealed enclosure. It needs a 0.6-1.8 cu. ft. vented enclosure. The Legend BP102 is the way to go if you want sealed. It is a very proven "Ampeg" replacement speaker. I've attached a page of designs for both speakers I've mentioned to give you some ideas on how they like to be used.
Click to expand...

He included some graphs & charts... but, truthfully they don't make a lot of sense to me.:rollno::rollno::rollno:

If anyone has interest in helping me with this, shoot me an email ( [email protected] & I can fwd the charts to you.
 

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