Modifying guitar 2x12

[isher1992]

I am a fan of DIY. Currently have a 1x15 and 2x10, but was looking to compromise with matched 12" drivers. Was thinking about 2x12" guitar cabinets and port them for bass. I was thinking of using Eminience 12LFA's. Just feeling out if it is possible.

 

[nashvillebill]

Most 2x12 guitar cabs are open back, that would not suffice.

 

[isher1992]

The Seismic empty cabs I am looking at are closed back. I thought about caulking the joints to seal it up a little better.

I looked at empty Avatars, but those aren't cheap anymore.

 

[B-string]

Different speaker model/makes have a specific need for cab internal size (volume H X W X L) sealed box and vented (ported) box. If ported, the ports need to be tuned for the speaker and box volume for best results. That is why you start with a speaker and build a box for it.
You might be able to make that box "work" but you need to know the inside dimensions of the box before you'll know if it can be made to fit the speakers.

 

[isher1992]

I'll do some digging. I can find the TS parameters for the drivers. I know Avatar did something similar with their bass 4x12.

 

[cfsporn]

Bass cabinets should be designed around the speakers. Not the other way around.

I love DIY too, but you're going at this backwards.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Currently have a 1x15 and 2x10, but was looking to compromise with matched 12" drivers.

Since there is no such thing as 15" sound and 10" sound, how exactly is a 12" a compromise ?

 

[isher1992]

Overall size. I don't really like 4x10 cabinet size, also don't like how they usually sound.

 

[Eminor3rd]

My gut reaction is that this is a bad idea and that you'll end up very disappointed -- a clean, loud bass signal requires so much more power that cabinets have to be tuned very precisely, which is why most major manufacturers employ custom drivers from their vendors. It's the same reason that boutiques that use off-the-shelf drivers design their cabinets specifically for the speaker.

This is why you see so much less speaker-swapping in bass amps than you do in guitar amps. But I'm no engineer, so I'd recommend asking the TB'ers around who are.

 

[rufus.K]

I'm starting to turn a 1980 Bandmaster 2x12 into a bass cab. Have all the parts so nothing to lose...

 

[isher1992]

I'm not so sure about custom drivers... Fender cabinets IIRC just use Eminence drivers straight from the box.

But in the end I found a pair of Fender Rumble 1x15's and am pretty satisfied with those.