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Custom DIY 2x15 cab build

#121
i'm going with a 2 part catalyzed poly clear on the grill. the stuff that i have goes on super sticky and bonds to just about anything really well, and it's impervious to solvents when dry. first i'll clean it to remove any oils/fingerprints, let it air dry and then i'll shoot it with the clear poly.
 
#122
Just for your information, there is a catalyzed two part product called Invalid Link Removed, available Invalid Link Removed. It goes on like water, very thin, yet offers what seems to be great protection. They put this stuff on the leading edges of airplanes to protect the paint. I've experimented with it a little and it looks promising.

I've had good results with aluminum when I do a de-greasing followed by an acid etch, then a rinse in deionized water prior to spraying. I've used pickling vinegar from the grocery store as the acid. It doesn't dull the aluminum but it apparently gives it some microscopic edges for better adhesion.
 
#123
thanks for the tip.
i just scuffed it with 220 grit with my makita random orbital sander to give it some 'bite', rinsed it with soap and them acetone and then sprayed it with the 2 part catalyzed poly and it feels really bonded to it. time will tell how well it holds up. if it doesn't, i can always scuff it an shoot it again.
 
#124
2x15cab-16.jpg


i replaced all of the prerimeter and standoff screws & washers with stainless steel ones...... it looks pretty good to me. ;)
 
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#128
Excellent work Mr. johnk. So how's she sound? From what everybody says about the voicing of the Streamliner, I'd think the two would compliment nicely with the amp fattening the low end and warming up, taming a bit the "mid forwardness" of those 3015's.
 
#129
will33 said:
Excellent work Mr. johnk. So how's she sound? From what everybody says about the voicing of the Streamliner, I'd think the two would compliment nicely with the amp fattening the low end and warming up, taming a bit the "mid forwardness" of those 3015's.
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IMO, in this cab the 3015's don't sound all that mid forward. they have a TON of low end, and plenty of highs for me. i love the sound of it. it sounds frickin' huge, and is way louder than my ampeg 810 (maybe twice as loud!).
 
#130
johnk_10 said:
IMO, in this cab the 3015's don't sound all that mid forward. they have a TON of low end, and plenty of highs for me. i love the sound of it. it sounds frickin' huge, and is way louder than my ampeg 810 (maybe twice as loud!).
Click to expand...

This doesn't surprise me a lot, the Ampeg drivers (modern ones especially) give up a lot of sensitivity to be able to take lots of power in a sealed box (at least that's my guess). The modern 810E is rated right around the same sensitivity as a single 3015.

Allso 3015's get kind of a weird rap as being midforward...they're just smooth on the bottom which takes the emphasis of upper bass off. They're also quite gentle in the mids at least according to eminence's chart Most bass cabs have a big bump there.

Most of the complaints I've heard of 3015's vs. K140s is actually related to the JBL drivers having way more sensitivity in the mids/up top.
 
#133
will33 said:
I dunno, people say that to describe them. Rspands is probably onto it. The chart doesn't look peaky. Perhaps the lack of a midbass bump makes them sound middy by comparison.
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Lots of people who have never heard them like to repeat other people's comments is my experience on the subject. And folks seem to think they can generalize from the 3012HO to the 3015 when the two speakers really don't sound that much alike.
 
#135
rpsands said:
Most of the complaints I've heard of 3015's vs. K140s is actually related to the JBL drivers having way more sensitivity in the mids/up top.
Click to expand...


this is helpful, thank you. I've a pair of D140s and I'm finding the mids/highs absolutely frightening (in a very good way :cool:) so just curious to hear from experienced ears how the 3015s compare. Of which I hear great things, but I've not heard them myself ergo why I ask since the JBLs and my EVM15B-IIs are my reference points for 15s. This old dog would like to learn a few new tricks :D
 
#137
johnk_10 said:
IMO, in this cab the 3015's don't sound all that mid forward. they have a TON of low end, and plenty of highs for me. i love the sound of it. it sounds frickin' huge, and is way louder than my ampeg 810 (maybe twice as loud!).
Click to expand...

The light weight and huge sound is very appealing.

I understand that there isn't such a thing as one cab that covers all the basses (pun intended). Maybe this is an unfair question at this point since it's early days still, but if you had to choose between the 215 and an old 810 to use with an SVT, which would you choose and why.

What are your thoughts on the strengths of one cab over the other sound wise?
 
#139
Ok so how about a "Head Shootout"? You've got a great assortment of amps and I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would like to know what this thing sounds like. The speaker comparison you did a while ago was great. Hook up that mic and get cooking!!!!
 
#140
dhsierra1 said:
so then how would you characterize the sound compared to some of your JBL D/K 15" loaded cabs?
Click to expand...

well, K140's are still my favorite sounding bass speaker. i think that the JBLS are smoother and 'prettier' sounding tha the 3015's, but the 3015's ain't no slouch. and rpsands is absolutely right, 3015's don't sound anything like 3102HO's. 3015's are way smoother, have way more low end and ar nowhere near are 'peaky' sounding in the mids.

as far as comparing it to an ampeg 810, it depends on what model/year of 810 you're referring to. my 810 was one of the dark sounding ones before i replaced four of the tens with Jensen mod50's (and it sounds great now), but even then, between my 810 and this 2x15, i actualy prefer the 2x15. it's way louder, smoother and has more low end.

while the grill was off, i did try the 2x15 again today with the ports blocked, and i actually like these 3015's a little more as a sealed cab (but also probably just cuz i'm used to playing thru sealed cabs). it definitely has less lows when sealed and feels 'tighter', but i think i'm going to run them unblocked on my next gig anyway, and control the lows with the eq on my amp.

i'll A/B some clips of this cab against to one of my 2x15 JBL K140 cabs in a day or two and you guys can decide which one you like better.

rather than do the clips with a bunch of heads, would you rather i use the STM900 or my SVT for the clips?
 

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