• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Deciding on whether to break down a 2x15 into separate 1x15 cabs

pfschim

pfschim

Just a Skeleton with a Jazz bass
Supporting Member
Apr 26, 2006
9,364
10,977
SF Bay Area
#1
I have an LDS 2x15 cab loaded with very nice (to my ears) Faital 15PR400's and no tweeter.
Reviewing my current gear and the type of gigs I do these days, I just don't have a serious need/use for a 2x15 cab. I originally had Don build me the cab to accommodate a Fender Studio Bass head that I had bought which is 26" wide, so the 2x15 is quite a wide cab.

I ended up grabbing a late 70's Fender Fullerton 1x15 cab loaded with an EVM EV15, which works great with the Studio Bass amp ... another reason the LDS cab mostly sits idle.

I'm considering breaking down the LDS cab and putting the Faitial 15s into two 1x15 cabs.
I found some cab specs for the Faitial's on US Speaker site that give me a "Large" or "Med" cab option ... the key difference seems to be where the -3dB point is (Large = 48.04hz, Med=53.1hz). I'm leaning in the direction of the Med spec for these drivers as I never need to push super deep lows and slightly smaller cabs would probably get used more often.

I'm also interested in perhaps having natural wood cabs (oil stained ?) like the Bag End cabs.

I'm not super well equipped or experienced with this kind of thing, but I have a neighbor who is very capable builder/maker type with a great workshop, so I would probably enlist his help with getting this done.

So, anyone have any thoughts and guidance to share on this decision process ?
 
#4
I might not have been as clear as I could have. I'm not planning on cutting the existing LDS cab up in any way. I was thinking of just making two new 1x15 boxes (using the US Speaker dimensions) and taking the Faitals out of the LDS cab, and putting them in the two new boxes.

And I am not super experienced with building, but that's what I would call on my neighbor for help with.

But hey, I could just sell the LDS 2x15 cab and buy 2 new 1x15 cabs ... or not, I really don't need any more cabs. In fact, as I think about it a bit more, the easiest thing would be to just sell the LDS cab ... perhaps along with a few other things too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chickenwheels, smogg, SteveC and 2 others
#5
There is something to be said for Instant Gratification.
Along with not having to stock up on all the tools, clamps, screws, guns, adhesives, ad naseum.
And without the (seemingly) endless amount of labor and finish work.
Then finally always second-guessing yourself if it was indeed an ideal match of driver and new cab.

Buy a quality replacement.
My advice: buy a pair of 1x, rather than a single 2x.
Easier to carry, and a probably closer to ideal match of internal volume to the driver at hand.
And you get it "right now"
 
  • Like
Reactions: pfschim
#10
abarson said:
Your LDS cab has the greatest value as is, and might turn into an irreversible failure if you try cutting it down. Sell it and use the proceeds for your 2 x 115 build. Since you're solid on the Faitals, having someone design and build you a pair of 115s is a better option.
Click to expand...

Sell it as-is and buy something more suitable. I see too many failed experiments in the classifieds.

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: pfschim and SixtyCycleHum
#16
thanks for the replies. Just idly mulling this over right now. If I think about it critically at all, I really should spend the time to sell off a handful of things that I just don't use anymore ... including the LDS 2x15 cab, and then step back and make a decision on new stuff ... if any.

TBH, I'm pretty GAS free at the moment, and comfortable with that state of mind. I am not feeling the itch for anything new to add to my gear pile.

maybe some items hitting the Classifieds soon ??
 
  • Like
Reactions: lomo, SteveC and S-Bigbottom
#17
Zooberwerx said:
Sell it as-is and buy something more suitable. I see too many failed experiments in the classifieds.

Riis
Click to expand...
I can appreciate the sentiment of your reply. Selling would be perhaps a bit easier, but of course there is all the potential b.s. that comes with that too. The shipping would be a pretty big challenge with such a larg-ish cabinet unless I just stuck to a local sale only position.

OTOH, I don't think it would be much of an experiment if I used the cabinet plans from US Speaker hardware and got the help of my tool capable neighbor on the build. He helped me with adding bracing to the Fender EV15 cab and it was kind of a cool neighborly hang opportunity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Astronaut and Zooberwerx
#18
bgavin said:
There is something to be said for Instant Gratification.
Along with not having to stock up on all the tools, clamps, screws, guns, adhesives, ad naseum.
And without the (seemingly) endless amount of labor and finish work.
Then finally always second-guessing yourself if it was indeed an ideal match of driver and new cab.

Buy a quality replacement.
My advice: buy a pair of 1x, rather than a single 2x.
Easier to carry, and a probably closer to ideal match of internal volume to the driver at hand.
And you get it "right now"
Click to expand...

yeah, but as I mentioned in my OP, if I decided to do the project, I would just use the cab specs for the Faitial drivers that US Speaker posts on their website (so no guessing on my part) and I would turn to my tool/building experienced neighbor, who has a fully equipped workshop and the experience to guide me through the build (which I don't imagine is super complicated as far as these things go).
 
#19
pfschim said:
I have an LDS 2x15 cab loaded with very nice (to my ears) Faital 15PR400's and no tweeter.
Reviewing my current gear and the type of gigs I do these days, I just don't have a serious need/use for a 2x15 cab. I originally had Don build me the cab to accommodate a Fender Studio Bass head that I had bought which is 26" wide, so the 2x15 is quite a wide cab.

I ended up grabbing a late 70's Fender Fullerton 1x15 cab loaded with an EVM EV15, which works great with the Studio Bass amp ... another reason the LDS cab mostly sits idle.

I'm considering breaking down the LDS cab and putting the Faitial 15s into two 1x15 cabs.
I found some cab specs for the Faitial's on US Speaker site that give me a "Large" or "Med" cab option ... the key difference seems to be where the -3dB point is (Large = 48.04hz, Med=53.1hz). I'm leaning in the direction of the Med spec for these drivers as I never need to push super deep lows and slightly smaller cabs would probably get used more often.

I'm also interested in perhaps having natural wood cabs (oil stained ?) like the Bag End cabs.

I'm not super well equipped or experienced with this kind of thing, but I have a neighbor who is very capable builder/maker type with a great workshop, so I would probably enlist his help with getting this done.

So, anyone have any thoughts and guidance to share on this decision process ?
Click to expand...

cutting an existing cab in half ... too many things can go wrong ...

sell the cab and build / buy 2 1x15 cabs. For me I am a big fan of 2x12 cabs and 2x10 cabs
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back