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I want to build a cabinet...

J

jamreveler

Nov 6, 2013
7
0
#1
To maximize my Genz-Benz Shuttlemax 9.2 amp.

I have been using this amp at my rehearsal space with two GK 4x10s and loved it so much I bought my own.

Now I need a cabinet and rather than gamble on used gear or go test a dozen options I'm thinking I want to just make my own custom cab so I can dial in my tone exactly as I want to. Help if you can please!

I'm thinking a 4x10 cab with an appropriate horn, but frankly I'm starting at ground zero here. I use a Schecter Diamond series that is a bit of a J/P crossover. I look for definition from low all the way to high with plenty of bottom but not a lot of distortion. Think Phil Lesh... I play in a Dead cover band. Overall, I'm looking for warmth throughout just not so warm the notes get lost. Warmth, definition, bottom, clarity and controllability. I know I know, long list but here's the thing... I'm getting the tone I want already from the amp, I just need a cabinet that will reflect this. I don't play super huge rooms, but when I do I anticipate driving the mains through the direct out. So what I really want to be able to do is hear myself well 5-10 feet in front of it, and send that sound into the room largely unimpeded.

I know there are a ton of cabinet building sites, etc. But looking for input into how I translate the exact tone my amp is producing into the room, knowing the tone I'm after. In particular, speaker selection, wood type/quality, any wiring recommendations... Thanks for any and all help!!!
 
#3
Thanks! I can't say honestly that I know I want a 410. Just seemed like the right way to go. My gear knowledge is admittedly for ****. I'm going for a tone and looking for guidance so thank you thank you!
 
#6
.
I have a fEARful 212 (fitted with a little horn for top end) and a Genz Benz Uber410 that I run with my Shuttlemax 12.0.

To my ears the Uber410 definitely has more output (ie. it's cetainly louder!), but not quite the bottom end of the fEARful, but there's next to nothing in it.

The fEARful is a lot lighter than the Uber410.

What do I use more?
The fEARful for rehearsals.
The Uber410 for indoor gigs.
The pair of them outdoors. (Ear bleed stuff!)

I've often thought that I should build a 15/15/6/6 fEARful, but seriously, how many cabs do I really need? Not that many!
 
#7
OzzyGreg said:
I have a fEARful 212 (fitted with a little horn for top end) and a Genz Benz Uber410 that I run with my Shuttlemax 12.0.

To my ears the Uber410 definitely has more output (ie. it's cetainly louder!), but not quite the bottom end of the fEARful, but there's next to nothing in it.

The fEARful is a lot lighter than the Uber410.
Click to expand...
Your profile lists a "fEARful 212 sub", what is that exactly? If you mean a 1212 sub, then it's really not a standalone bass cabinet, as it doesn't have the mid driver. Without the mid, it's going to sound pretty muffled, and the addition of a horn is still going to leave a huge hole in the midrange. Which might explain why it doesn't sound as loud to you.

It might depend on the kind of tone you are going for, but I feel my 15/6/1 can get louder than my old Uber410. Of course, the Uber410 was 4 ohms as opposed to the fEARful's 8. The big difference tonally is that the fEARful doesn't have the big low mid hump, which is where a lot of the body of the sound is for the Uber (and most other commercial cabinets). If you eq in the mid boost, the fEARful will match perceived volumes better.

They are both great cabinets, and there's lots of others out there. It's very fulfilling to build your own cabinet, but unless you've heard one before, you won't know how it sounds until you've built it. Definitely try out as many cabinets as you can before you decide what to do.



jamreveler said:
definition from low all the way to high with plenty of bottom but not a lot of distortion
Click to expand...
jamreveler, this quote is the reason I thought fEARful would be perfect for you, as it describes the overall feel of a fEARful quite well.
 
#9
I wanted build a cabinet a year ago. But I got Barefaced Big twin (12/12/6), with markbass SD1200.
So i change my mind after that. Very light weight, and really loud.

I was thinking to build a cab again lately 15/6, to get a small cab for practice, and like EL Murdoque said. "Cost more to build". So i change my mind again.
I'll buy it, maybe from Barefaced again, or from LDS cabs.

Piece of advice to save money and time, buy it don't build it.
 
#10
I built my 15/6/1 from a cut kit, and I had to buy some tools that I didn't have. It cost about $600 total, not including my labor of course. If you did all the cuts yourself, you could do it cheaper. I'm not going to argue value, but I think that's pretty inexpensive for what you get.
 
#11
smeet said:
I built my 15/6/1 from a cut kit, and I had to buy some tools that I didn't have. It cost about $600 total, not including my labor of course. If you did all the cuts yourself, you could do it cheaper. I'm not going to argue value, but I think that's pretty inexpensive for what you get.
Click to expand...

+1

I have yet to see a commercial cab that competes with the fEARfuls at their price range.
 
#12
There really isn't anything quite like the fearful - and if you have the skills to do the build there is nothing in the price range that will even get close. DIY from scratch is a slippery slope.

DIY with plans that get down to the driver and crossover and bracing placement level is another thing entirely.

I had panels for my last fEarful build cut for me at the lumber yard on their panel saw. Needless to say, this was not a Lowes or Home Depot but a real lumber yard... One that caters to cabinet makers. Yes it cost maybe $50 more for the wood and the cuts but .... Very nice wood and cut to plan sizes... $50 well spent... Or grab a cut kit from Leland...
 
#14
smeet said:
I built my 15/6/1 from a cut kit, and I had to buy some tools that I didn't have. It cost about $600 total, not including my labor of course. If you did all the cuts yourself, you could do it cheaper. I'm not going to argue value, but I think that's pretty inexpensive for what you get.
Click to expand...

Yeah. $600 for a really good cab, it's not much.
But when i was looking to build it, it was expensive than get a new cab.
 
#15
I've got some advice, OP:

If you're going to build your own cab from scratch and have never done it before, you have a whole lot of research to do. Also the skills and tools required are significant. It can be fun and rewarding if you take your time and get it right; disappointing, frustrating and costly if you don't. Even if you build a great cabinet, having it sound an exact, certain way is a lofty goal.

The Fearful cabinets are lauded by many and I bet they are great. But, like all cabinets, they are a speaker mounted in a box. There is nothing magic about them. IMO, what sets Fearful apart and is the basis of their unique merit is 1) bracing, 2) an excellent crossover. If you take the Fearful route, you will surely end up with (as has already been pointed out in this thread) a hi-fi, loud and cost-effective cabinet which sounds like what you want.

OTOH, I'm a little concerned that if you fell in love with the Shuttlemax on top of twin GK 4x10's, then maybe that's what you should get.
 

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