I don't think you could tint the black. I believe they start with the white stuff and go from there.
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fEARful Part Twelve (12)
- Thread starter greenboy
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scottbass
Bass lines like a big, funky giant
I got my grill from Leland - same bent edges as the Reliabile Hardware one. I laid 3/8" thick rubber gasket tape around the outer edge of the baffle board right up alonside the joints where the baffle meets the sides, top & bottom lips. I cut the corners of the gasket tape at 45-degree angles like you would with a picture frame. However, the gasket material is so soft that the joints just disappear when they are brought together, so I don't think that was really necessary - butt joints would have worked just as well. Then I mounted the grill using the standoffs. I screwed it down until the standoffs were just slightly compressed, and the edges of the grill settled nicely into the gasket tape. It looks dandy and there is no vibration whatsoever.
The grill doesn't fit perfectly tight in the opening, but overall there is probably less than 1/8" clearance between the sides of the grill and the sides, top and bottom edges of the cabinet around the baffle.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,065
- 45,983
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I bought a few different universal colorants [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and started with white Duratex. I also experimented with painting over the Duratex with acrylic metallic paint from the same place.
lelandcrooks
Commercial User
That's a good idea.
Actually that is by plan. I've made them so they fit tightly enough you have tap them in with rubber mallet. Not a good idea. There's just enough variations in the cabs that I cut them a tad small. I really don't like making grilles very much. At one point I thought I really get involved with making custom grilles. Now it's only for cabs I build and flat packs by request.
I'd rather run my table saw.
nearly finished
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
more pics on my wiki page
Rad Bassman - TalkBass Wiki
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
more pics on my wiki page
Rad Bassman - TalkBass Wiki
Hi fEARful users. I've been cosidering my first fEARful build for a long time now, but just recently discovered Avatar's TB153. I understand that it is probably not built at all to the fEARful standards but it is substantially cheaper for me. I guess what I'm trying to decide is... Are the minor differences (minor differences is at least what I see) between the two cabs worth the extra $$?
And I understand that cost with comparison to 'sound/build quality' is a very relative thing and different people will pay different amounts for it. I think I'm just trying to figure out what those differences are that account for the price difference, and figure out if it is worth it to me...
And I understand that cost with comparison to 'sound/build quality' is a very relative thing and different people will pay different amounts for it. I think I'm just trying to figure out what those differences are that account for the price difference, and figure out if it is worth it to me...
build your own to spec fEARful, it will be cheaper than buying a TB153, it aint rocket science, that bit has already bin done by Greenboy
having the right tools can be a concern to some but i managed it using nails and glue... without clamps, a fair amount of improvising with tensioned straps and anything heavy that i had around to ensure everything fitted tightly together, probably took a fair amount longer than some of the expert woodworkers here, it was hard work getting all the cuts as straight as possible but use of PL glue makes the build process quite forgiving and you end up with a strong product at the end of it.
it seems that several people are trying to build/design 2/3 way cabs that are basicly inspired by greenboy's designs, most have compromises from the GB designs, i.e. port size, crossover design etc.. IMHO go fEARful, it does what its meant to do, REALLY WELL
I would love to build my own but to be honest, I don't have the skills, tools, or place to do it right now. I could probably find the resources to assemble the cab from one of those speakerhardware deluxe kits but with what I would want for a 15/6/1 it would cost me around $750 plus time, finish, grills and the avatar is under $600.
Does anyone here own both an fEARful and the avatar TB153?
Not that we're all growing money trees out back, but I think the fEarful cabs I built put me at the top of the boutique cab pile at fraction of the cost.
What is substantial savings? What does a new or even used top o the line go for?
I built the 15/6/1 for $500 and the 12/6 cube for under $300. Granted, this was before the price hike on the LF drivers, so ad a hundred or so to each.
I sold my used Epifani 1-12 for more than it cost to build the 12/6, IMHO the fEarful 12/6 cube is easily three times the cab.
Plus I get say "I built that!"
The only way to know is to A/B the two cabs, and I'd put my money on the Greenboy in that horse race!
What is substantial savings? What does a new or even used top o the line go for?
I built the 15/6/1 for $500 and the 12/6 cube for under $300. Granted, this was before the price hike on the LF drivers, so ad a hundred or so to each.
I sold my used Epifani 1-12 for more than it cost to build the 12/6, IMHO the fEarful 12/6 cube is easily three times the cab.
Plus I get say "I built that!"
The only way to know is to A/B the two cabs, and I'd put my money on the Greenboy in that horse race!
Those of you building your own from scratch and buying your own plywood. Are you getting it from Lowes or Home Depot? If so how do you know it's "void free"? I'm not sure if "void free" is important but when I look at the specs from Bergantino or Genz Benz or Aguilar cabs they always list "void free" plywood.
for the sake of $150 i would buy the drivers ASAP and spread the cost over a few months, building a fEARful is building a cab that negates the need to trade in and buy again, i'm not saying the TB153 isn't a good cab, but when GB designed the fEARful range he did not include an eminence mid driver for use with the 3015LF.. why? i think i would be right in saying its because it doesnt quite cut it, the 3015LF is 1 hell of a driver, crossed over at 800Hz it needs a decent mid driver with it and the right x-over.
as far as woodworking skills goes.. i dont really rate my own, i built my cabs, i know where the imperfections are, (yes there are a few tbh), but the boxes are solid, they may be 1/8" out here n there, but in the great scheme of things they still kick ass v every other cab i've tried.
yes i am biased, i went fEARful, and i have no regrets, none whatsoever
For 1/2" Baltic birch, you will probably need to call a lumber yard.
I think the price was about $35 per 5'x5 sheets. I had the yard rip the sheets to 2' and 3' wide rips so they would go in the back of the Subaru.
I built the 12/6 out of the 2' rips, and I'll get the 15" sub cab out of the 3' rips
I think the price was about $35 per 5'x5 sheets. I had the yard rip the sheets to 2' and 3' wide rips so they would go in the back of the Subaru.
I built the 12/6 out of the 2' rips, and I'll get the 15" sub cab out of the 3' rips
One option is buy the 8 ohm TB153 with the 3015LF so you have a fairly good cab now. Then down the road when you have more cash, have a local woodworker / carpenter build you a box, or buy the flat pack from speakerhardware.com. Now you have a good platform to start. Buy the 18sound mid and the CBG crossover and harvest whatever you can from the TB153 such as the 3015LF, handles, corner protectors, jackplate etc. After all that you should be 80-90% there. You'll still need a (duratex) finish, foam batting and grill, but those are not expensive.
Its a slower process but in the end you'll have a true spec fEARful.
Out of curiosity, is anyone playing lower than B through their fEARful cabs? I ask because I just order a .210 string from Circle K Strings and am tuning to Eb0. I only have an Ampeg 810 right now and would like to get a cab or two that can hit a little lower. The thought of getting Accugroove cabs is very tempting, but I don't want to drop that sort of cash right now! I figure if I build fEARful cabs it might sound a little better for the lows.
Please do not go off topic and tell me I'm stupid for tuning that low or say I cannot hear it.
Please do not go off topic and tell me I'm stupid for tuning that low or say I cannot hear it.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,065
- 45,983
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
As soon as I read that, I knew how silly my question was!
Very tempted to build a 15/6 now. I was thinking about ordering a cut kit but shipping into Canada will cost way too much. Oh well, I know I have the tools to cut the wood. Better read through some build logs because I might have to tackle this in the new year, or as soon as I finish my tele (which just needs to have the pickguard drilled, a nut installed, and the electronics connected). I figure if I read enough of these threads/logs, I'll know exactly what I'll want/need.
If I fall in love with it, I'll consider building a 1515/66 (or have one made by LDS) and sell the 15/6.
Very tempted to build a 15/6 now. I was thinking about ordering a cut kit but shipping into Canada will cost way too much. Oh well, I know I have the tools to cut the wood. Better read through some build logs because I might have to tackle this in the new year, or as soon as I finish my tele (which just needs to have the pickguard drilled, a nut installed, and the electronics connected). I figure if I read enough of these threads/logs, I'll know exactly what I'll want/need.
If I fall in love with it, I'll consider building a 1515/66 (or have one made by LDS) and sell the 15/6.
dhomer
Commercial User
- Apr 9, 2009
- 675
- 13
- Disclosures
- Owner, Gigmaster Soundworks, Auth. greenboy designs builder, MI
Menards has been my local source. The larger stores stock arauco and their version of baltic birch. These are the only two types of plywood stores like this stock that is suitable for speaker building.
Arauco is relatively cheap, but the downside is warpage. Menard's 4x8 baltic birch is slightly different from its 5x5 cousin, but it is still very suitable.
Beyond that, i'd strongly suggest doing some searching at non-chain store lumberyards
dhomer
Commercial User
- Apr 9, 2009
- 675
- 13
- Disclosures
- Owner, Gigmaster Soundworks, Auth. greenboy designs builder, MI
I'd be better of building it anyway. I don't think LDS shipping me a 1515/66 is a good idea. BHO would be a better option, but building it would be so much more rewarding/awesome.
Gonna be looking over ALL of the 15/6 builds to see the exact supplies/tools needed. If I can, I'll start it before 2012 hits.
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