• 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.

New bass amp/speaker concept

C

Caledonian_Enterprises

Guest
Feb 23, 2015
14
8
40
#1
Hey,
Im currently designing a concept valve amp/bass speaker for a uni project to take to market. its in early stages of development but will be constructed of plexi glass and lit with colour strips. Im looking for market feedback regarding interest in the product.
The spec shows the sizes and dimensions, the angle on the face to project the sound and some possible options.
The speakers selected were Eminence, Fane, Celestion.
The unit will come with wheels and an extention to pull it (making it portable).
Costing of the products would be - 12" setup, around £600. 15" setup, around £700. 4 x 10" setup, around £1000.
I also attached a picture to show an example of how the design should look.
Hope to incorporate a silent recording feature aswell.

*NOTE* This university project is to design a product that is new or different that is marketable, it will be designed, business plan made, concept built. but it will never go to market. this is a new area for me, hence why i am on here to find out if there is interest in the product and what could be done to make it more appealing to the bassplayers, i have had focus groups with many bands and distributors but m still looking for more information.
 

Attachments

  • Sppec.jpg
    Sppec.jpg
    32.9 KB · Views: 146
  • GuitarShow_18_zps02337708.jpg
    GuitarShow_18_zps02337708.jpg
    189.9 KB · Views: 380
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: baceface
#5
Dubista said:
Do you have any prototypes? What do they sound like? How loud do they get? Apart from being made from plexiglass and lighting up, why should I buy your cab over something like a barefaced?
Click to expand...

The concept is still in early design stages, i was just looking to find out how much interest the product would get and if anyone would have extras they would like to see included in this concept.
The concept being constructed of polycarbonate is because it is unbreakable and to show attributes such as the valves glowing. Each product will be hand built with optional extras, sound likely ranging from 92db to 110db, how they sound is yet to be tested.
This product is aimed to be something different from what is available on the market, using best quality components at an reasonable price
 
#7
I like the concept, especially for the head! Personally though, I would rather see the sides and back of the amp cab made out of wood, and the baffle made out of plexiglass. Obviously adjustable colour for the LED would be preferred so everyone can make them the colour they want, and make sure to keep the weight down! Another thought is to maybe do a 2x12 instead of the single 12" setup, just so it can push enough air to be comparable to the 4x10. Not a huge fan of the tilted front baffle....and to keep manufacturing costs down I would make FEWER models of the amp head. A 300W and a 500W version should give everyone what they need.

Keep us updated...I'd be interested to see where this goes!
 
#9
Woodsbass said:
I like the concept, especially for the head! Personally though, I would rather see the sides and back of the amp cab made out of wood, and the baffle made out of plexiglass. Obviously adjustable colour for the LED would be preferred so everyone can make them the colour they want, and make sure to keep the weight down! Another thought is to maybe do a 2x12 instead of the single 12" setup, just so it can push enough air to be comparable to the 4x10. Not a huge fan of the tilted front baffle....and to keep manufacturing costs down I would make FEWER models of the amp head. A 300W and a 500W version should give everyone what they need.

Keep us updated...I'd be interested to see where this goes!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, the addition of wood panels could be incorporated perhaps as a vintage model or something (maybe with Jensen classic speakers). The lights will be colour changeable with a range of settings such as a music/light setting. I'll consider the two 12" idea however, the concept was to make a bass amp/speaker that was different and compact/ portable. The idea of making it a combi was a bad idea I think? The tilted front was just to project the sound.
Sure I'll keep you posted
 
#10
Caledonian_Enterprises said:
Thanks for the reply, the addition of wood panels could be incorporated perhaps as a vintage model or something (maybe with Jensen classic speakers). The lights will be colour changeable with a range of settings such as a music/light setting. I'll consider the two 12" idea however, the concept was to make a bass amp/speaker that was different and compact/ portable. The idea of making it a combi was a bad idea I think? The tilted front was just to project the sound.
Sure I'll keep you posted
Click to expand...

I agree that it is important to keep things compact, but you also have to make sure it is USABLE in the conditions most players want to make it marketable. If you go read through MY thread (titles 2x(2x10) vs 2x(1x12) vs 2x(2x12)) I think you'll find that a lot of people believe a single 12" speaker isn't enough to keep up, even in a practice environment.

Back to the tilted front...my issue with it comes from the fact that MANY bassists like to stack their cabinets on top of one another, and the tilted front would make this hard to do.
 
#11
What is the point? If there isnt some batting in the cab, I doubt the sound it will produce. Batting negates the premise of this project. Also having worked extensively with acrylic, there is no way you could give me a cab built out of it. It is heavy, difficult to repair, and not as strong as a wooden alternative.

I would like to hear one technical/sound criteria that these cabs would excell over those made of wood.

There are lots of cool aesthetic options out there. That is all this premise is. Unfortunately too many sacrifices would have to be made with this kind of design, it isnt viable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ddnidd1, kdemello1980, DwaynieAD and 6 others
#12
CL400Peavey said:
What is the point? If there isnt some batting in the cab, I doubt the sound it will produce. Batting negates the premise of this project. Also having worked extensively with acrylic, there is no way you could give me a cab built out of it. It is heavy, difficult to repair, and not as strong as a wooden alternative.

I would like to hear one technical/sound criteria that these cabs would excell over those made of wood.

There are lots of cool aesthetic options out there. That is all this premise is. Unfortunately too many sacrifices would have to be made with this kind of design, it isnt viable.
Click to expand...

Batting will be included in the final design, the shell is made from polycarbonate which is indestructible and stronger than acrylic or wood, but thanks for the reply
 
#15
Caledonian_Enterprises said:
Batting will be included in the final design, the shell is made from polycarbonate which is indestructible and stronger than acrylic or wood, but thanks for the reply
Click to expand...

What is the point of having transparent panels if you are going to cover them with batting? Also, I dont care what it is made of, it can still crack and scratch. Repairing a damaged panel is going to be impossible for the vast majority of consumers or shops.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kdemello1980, PazzoBasso, Jim Carr and 1 other person
#20
What's gonna protect the cab from accidental scratches? The plexiglass I've worked with was great against blunt forces and drops but sharp force and scratches marred it all up.
Also you could hook the lights up to a voltage sensitive device on the input so the cabs sync to your playing. Additionally a MIDI or CV in for control via the house light controllers. Itd be a sick idea for backline if it was hooked up to your whole light show scheme and the whole band had em. Also multi colours/different colors on different faces? You could also market small demo speakers as an educational device for music tech classes (I.e. a speaker where you can see the inside and show your students how porting, speaker excursion, parts of a speaker, etc all work in a loudspeaker it music technology class.) just my 2 cents I think its a neat flashy idea!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bill Whitehurst and T_Bone_TL

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back