fEARful™ Part Eleven (11)

[masonsjax]

No need to prime before Duratex, but it will help if you're trying to use as little as possible. I painted my ports, port divider, and grille standoffs with black rattle can paint prior to assembly. You could paint with duratex if you prefer. Since my Duratex is a custom color, I just taped up the ports after assembly when painting on the Duratex. Worked like a charm.

 

[JdoubleH]

Thanks! Yeah, I've got foam gaskets for the handles.

Today I put a 1/4" round on the grille standoff, painted it brown (I had already painted the baffle the same color), and stapled on the grille cloth. I also added my logo plate. I had designed this logo a while back, and had always wanted to use it on something. I thought this would be a good opportunity!

That is looking fantastic. I love the grill cloth. Nice graphic design on your logo, too.

 

[FunkySpoo]

So, just out of curiosity, how would these compare to a Bergantino NV215? Don't get me wrong, I totally love my Berg but this thread is makin' me all gassy.

 

[mikeddd]

So, just out of curiosity, how would these compare to a Bergantino NV215? Don't get me wrong, I totally love my Berg but this thread is makin' me all gassy.

How does it compare in what aspect? There are many considerations. Sheer output/lowend/clarity/dispersion/physical attributes/etc.

 

[FunkySpoo]

How does it compare in what aspect? There are many considerations. Sheer output/lowend/clarity/dispersion/physical attributes/etc.

Yes

 

[mikeddd]

LOL! I sort of figured that's what you wanted to know; I had all the same questions when I started researching fEARfuls. As a disclaimer, I'm not too qualified to answer most of the questions b/c I don't own one yet. The kit is literally in the mail as I type.

But from the research I've done and reading all the fEARful threads about a hundred times I've learned a lot. First off, the main magic with all of the fEARfuls (there are multiple 12" and 15" variants) is that they are designed with no compromises. There's enough internal volume, enough port area, cab dimensions are what they are to prevent standing waves, cab is well-braced, crossover uses beefy parts, etc. The cab is matched to the drivers, the crossover is matched to the drivers. No "generic one size fits all anything here.

The 3015LF and 3012LF have high excursion capability and can move massive amounts of air. The spec'd 18Sound mid driver is actually a pro audio PA cab driver and handles a lot of juice. Big output drivers crossed over at their optimal frequencies in optimal enclosures = big, clean, balanced sound.

I know that a 15/6 easily slays any 410 in output and doesn't "beam" like a 410 does. I'll have to defer to the rest of the TB members for actual fEARful vs. Cab X comparisons. Hope this helped a little bit.

 

[FunkySpoo]

LOL! I sort of figured that's what you wanted to know; I had all the same questions when I started researching fEARfuls. As a disclaimer, I'm not too qualified to answer most of the questions b/c I don't own one yet. The kit is literally in the mail as I type.

But from the research I've done and reading all the fEARful threads about a hundred times I've learned a lot. First off, the main magic with all of the fEARfuls (there are multiple 12" and 15" variants) is that they are designed with no compromises. There's enough internal volume, enough port area, cab dimensions are what they are to prevent standing waves, cab is well-braced, crossover uses beefy parts, etc. The cab is matched to the drivers, the crossover is matched to the drivers. No "generic one size fits all anything here.

The 3015LF and 3012LF have high excursion capability and can move massive amounts of air. The spec'd 18Sound mid driver is actually a pro audio PA cab driver and handles a lot of juice. Big output drivers crossed over at their optimal frequencies in optimal enclosures = big, clean, balanced sound.

I know that a 15/6 easily slays any 410 in output and doesn't "beam" like a 410 does. I'll have to defer to the rest of the TB members for actual fEARful vs. Cab X comparisons. Hope this helped a little bit.

Very. Thanks.

 

[Ironfingers]

I'm definitely going to build one of these. I already have the ply, but it's 3/4". I know it'll be heavier, and I'll have to change the dimensions to keep the same internal space. I can handle that. I just wish I had pulled the trigger before the price on the drivers went up.

My main question is choosing which box to make. 12" or 15"? I know the info is somewhere in these many, many threads, but I haven't found much on the difference, or why one would choose one over the other. I believe the wiki just says something about it being personal preference. I'm edging to the 12/6/1 Cube mainly just because of the size/weight issue with the 3/4" ply.

Can anyone speak to the differences between two drivers and why one would use one over the other? I've always played through a 410, so I don't have a lot of personal experience with 15" drivers.

 

[mikeddd]

I just wish I had pulled the trigger before the price on the drivers went up.

Me and you both, man. But at least we'll have them before the supply possibly dries up completely and you can't get one at any price!

These cabs are light no matter which one you're looking at. Of course the 12" cabs will be smaller and lighter than the 15's. If portability is your main concern or if you know for a fact that the 12" will be more than enough for whatever you'll ever need (i.e. you play only coffee house/acoustic trio gigs), then there's no reason to consider a 15" model.

But IIRC, the 3015LF has a great deal more excursion capability than the 3012LF does. So, you get a lot more output than a 12" model for basically the same money, but with the "penalty" of a larger, heavier box.

 

[Sundogue]

I'm definitely going to build one of these. I already have the ply, but it's 3/4". I know it'll be heavier, and I'll have to change the dimensions to keep the same internal space. I can handle that. I just wish I had pulled the trigger before the price on the drivers went up.

My main question is choosing which box to make. 12" or 15"? I know the info is somewhere in these many, many threads, but I haven't found much on the difference, or why one would choose one over the other. I believe the wiki just says something about it being personal preference. I'm edging to the 12/6/1 Cube mainly just because of the size/weight issue with the 3/4" ply.

Can anyone speak to the differences between two drivers and why one would use one over the other? I've always played through a 410, so I don't have a lot of personal experience with 15" drivers.

Tonally they are identical. The only difference is volume output. The 15/6 will be louder than a 12/6. A 1212/6 will be louder than a 15/6. A 1515/66 will be louder than the 1212/6. People choose different sizes and version based on gig needs, ability to haul a certain size, Tube head widths, modularity (like a 12/6 with a 12 Sub added for bigger gigs, or a 15/6 with another 15/6 or 15 Sub for bigger gigs, 15/6 Tube to match Tube head width) etc.

Otherwise they will sound the same. Here's an output chart for you...

 

[Passinwind]

Can anyone speak to the differences between two drivers and why one would use one over the other?

The 15 will get louder and takes less power to get equally loud as the 12. It also requires a larger cab. They sound very nearly the same tonally in the context of a fEARful cab. They cost very nearly the same as well. Using the 12 gives you the option of using a less expensive 6.5" driver in a single woofer/6 configuration. The 15 needs a more expensive mid driver in order to keep up.

Does that help?

 

[Yvarg]

I've been wanting to take the plunge and build one of these for quite some time now, but honestly that's a lot of money for me to put down on something I haven't heard before. Have anyone ever thought about perhaps composing a list of fEARful owners by location who wouldn't mind letting other interested people try out their cabs? I know that seems like a lot to ask, but I think a lot of people (myself definitely included) would feel MUCH better laying down the money for these beasts after hearing exactly how they should sound.

That said; are there any fEARful owners in SoCal that would be willing to let me test out their cabinet sometime?

 

[Ironfingers]

Cool, thanks guys. That's pretty much what I thought. 12" it is then. After a long hiatus from playing I'm back, and the little combo I got to use in the basement, is not cutting it now that I'm playing with actual human beings again. I like quality and that can be pricey, I also like to make things so this is perfect.

I also like that it's nice and small and easily portable. Far cry from the Acoustic stack I used to have. I had to buy a Datsun station wagon to haul it around to gigs. But really I wish I had never sold that thing.

 

[cableguy]

I've been wanting to take the plunge and build one of these for quite some time now, but honestly that's a lot of money for me to put down on something I haven't heard before. Have anyone ever thought about perhaps composing a list of fEARful owners by location who wouldn't mind letting other interested people try out their cabs? I know that seems like a lot to ask, but I think a lot of people (myself definitely included) would feel MUCH better laying down the money for these beasts after hearing exactly how they should sound.

That said; are there any fEARful owners in SoCal that would be willing to let me test out their cabinet sometime?

I think the list has been done before somewhere. Maybe it's on the fEARful site. I have a 12/6 & 12/sub. I think if I were to do it again I would do a 15/6 since the 12" drivers are more than the 15's. Also if I were building out of 3/4 ply I would do the 15/6. Since you are using 3/4 weight I would assume would be less of an issue. my .02

 

[cableguy]

Iron fingers I think you will like the 12/6. With enough power it kicks ass and mine weighs in at under 40lbs.

 

[mikeddd]

I don't know if the 3015LF and 18Sound mid have a gasket on the back. If they don't, should I use gasket tape when installing them? BTW: Any other comments on my "How do I Duratex inside the port?" question from a page back would be greatly appreciated.

 

[masonsjax]

I don't think any of the 3 18Sound drivers I own had gaskets, I used a little silicone sealant when installing. The 3015LF had a gasket built in I believe.

 

[Sundogue]

I've always used window/door closed cell foam tape. Works perfectly and cheap at any hardware store like Lowe's, Menards, Home Depot and the like. It really fills every little imperfection in the edge of any opening. I use it for speakers, handles, jack plates, etc. It's meant to seal air leaks. Less than $3 for a 10 foot roll and you can get it in any width or thickness.

Silicone is a bear to get the items back out of the cab if need be.

 

[wcriley]

...if you know for a fact that the 12" will be more than enough for whatever you'll ever need (i.e. you play only coffee house/acoustic trio gigs), then there's no reason to consider a 15" model...

Only coffee house/acoustic trio gigs????
I can overpower any drummer I've ever met with a single 12/6 (Alpha) and the 450 watt potential of my amp. If that single cab can't keep up with the guitars, then the drums aren't beiing heard by anyone.

 

[wcriley]

I've been wanting to take the plunge and build one of these for quite some time now, but honestly that's a lot of money for me to put down on something I haven't heard before. Have anyone ever thought about perhaps composing a list of fEARful owners by location who wouldn't mind letting other interested people try out their cabs? I know that seems like a lot to ask, but I think a lot of people (myself definitely included) would feel MUCH better laying down the money for these beasts after hearing exactly how they should sound.

That said; are there any fEARful owners in SoCal that would be willing to let me test out their cabinet sometime?

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