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Damping Material

L

LZBass

Jul 24, 2009
28
0
Illinois
#1
I've got a newbie question... Would every cabinet be better off if damping material was used? Specifically, I've just picked up a used Peavey 115 with a Scorpian Plus. There is no damping material used. Would it improved performance/sound if I added some?

Thanks for any help!
 
#2
I don't know that every cabinet would, but I'm 95% sure yours would. Go to Target, Wal-Mart or wherever and buy the cheapest foam twin mattress pad they have. I did this with my old Peavey and it really improved the sound. Make sure you cover all the flat surface inside (including the top and bottom). I used a staple gun to attach mine, worked great.
 
#3
LZBass said:
I've got a newbie question... Would every cabinet be better off if damping material was used? Specifically, I've just picked up a used Peavey 115 with a Scorpian Plus. There is no damping material used. Would it improved performance/sound if I added some?

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Any cab that's not fully lined should be considered defective.
Use an inch to two inches of either open cell foam or polyester batting, both available at Walmart in the fabric section.
 
#4
Though you consider your question newbie material, you at least ask about internal damping instead of dampening:

beer.jpg
 
#5
I have no first hand experience with bass cabinets, but when I used to build speakers, I'd dampen them with poly-fil from Wal-Mart. Just LOOSELY pack it in the cabinet.

Another thing that helps tremendously is making sure the cabinet is properly braced. If it has no internal bracing, that's a bad thing.
 
#7
chadhargis said:
I have no first hand experience with bass cabinets, but when I used to build speakers, I'd dampen them with poly-fil from Wal-Mart. Just LOOSELY pack it in the cabinet.

Another thing that helps tremendously is making sure the cabinet is properly braced. If it has no internal bracing, that's a bad thing.
Click to expand...

Caveat: ported cabs should be lined. Sealed cabs should be filled.
 
#8
I lined my Kustom 2x15 with 1/4" felt and hated the result. I saw a pic on EBay of the exact cab with the original padding ( similar felt ) so I did the back,sides and the middle insert between the 2 Jensens. The resulting tone was muffled and lame... I probably did something wrong but I like the tone much better after I removed it all.
Please report back on your results when you've done this.
 

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