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New bass amp/speaker concept

#103
Wait a second here, I think the problem is the design isn't gimmicky enough!

Lights? pshaw, any fool can stuff lights in a clear box, even syncing them to FOH lighting or an arbitrary light controller, or reacting to frequency/spl/what-have-you isn't much above that.

But, let's start with a double walled ported cab, where the ports go through both walls. Fill the space between the walls with water and goldfish. Then stick a smoke machine in that mother, maybe a laser behind each port as well. Now the cab has fish, lights, smoke, and lasers! For the crowd what says that still isn't enough gimmick, you can still mount a fire feature on top of the bloody thing!

I don't expect the longevity of a mechanical driver to be improved by operating it in an atmosphere of suspended particulate matter, but damn the drivers, full visuals ahead!

Bonus points if you can teach your cab how to blow smoke rings...
 
#104
Caledonian_Enterprises said:
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.
Click to expand...

Looks cool.
Caledonian_Enterprises said:
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.
Click to expand...

Looks cool. I like the speakers facing up at an angle. The wattage... is it @ 4 ohm or 8ohm?
 
#105
tedious1 said:
Bonus points if you can teach your cab how to blow smoke rings...
Click to expand...

A ported cab with a smoke machine inside would do that I bet.

As for OP, you're choosing form over function and it doesn't sound like you have the engineering chops to make it sound good. That may not matter, since classes like yours produce BS 99% of the time.

Are you going to be graded on function by someone who knows what bass amps are supposed to sound like? Or do you an A if it looks flashy, makes noise and you spell everything right in the business plan?
 
#106
/\/\3phist0 said:
now we just need to design a sealed cab that guitarists can get INSIDE of so they can hear themselves loud enough, yet acoustically damped to reasonable stage volume for the rest of the band :)
Click to expand...
The scientists from Name That Tune are pioneers in this field. Just tell the guitarist that he is on double-special display.

nttmain1976set.jpg
 
#107
will33 said:
There are some "golden ratios" for cab dimensions that help break up resonances without needing so much batting. I remember one of them being .6 to 1 to 1.6 but there are others.
Click to expand...

Good call. That's what I'd do, and not use batting.

If a golden ratio isn't practical for whatever reason, either 1) angle one of the panels at least 22.5 degrees in two dimensions; or 2) angle two panels at least 22.5 degress, and each in a different dimension. But this is probably even less likely to be practical.

I'm not too worried about the material being scratch-resistant. Anyone who spends the big bucks for a specialty cab is going to be careful and protective.

I have restored the finish and shine to fiberglass horns using very fine sandpaper followed by rubbing compound followed by polishing compound. If you use a material that can be user-restored, that would be a big plus.

Will there be a grill of some kind?

I wouldn't be in the market because I'd be a competitor.

Best of luck with your class project.
 
#108
tedious1 said:
Wait a second here, I think the problem is the design isn't gimmicky enough!

Lights? pshaw, any fool can stuff lights in a clear box, even syncing them to FOH lighting or an arbitrary light controller, or reacting to frequency/spl/what-have-you isn't much above that.

But, let's start with a double walled ported cab, where the ports go through both walls. Fill the space between the walls with water and goldfish. Then stick a smoke machine in that mother, maybe a laser behind each port as well. Now the cab has fish, lights, smoke, and lasers! For the crowd what says that still isn't enough gimmick, you can still mount a fire feature on top of the bloody thing!

I don't expect the longevity of a mechanical driver to be improved by operating it in an atmosphere of suspended particulate matter, but damn the drivers, full visuals ahead!
Bonus points if you can teach your cab how to blow smoke rings...
Click to expand...
pshawwww,,, it needs to be Friggin' Sharks with fricken lazer beams on their fricken heads!
 
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#110
I've got a possibly for you. A cab with a small speaker box on top that you can turn in any direction for a stage monitor. And when your cab is behind you, you can turn it sideways towards the drummer so they can hear you and better lock in.

A big square snowman.
 
#113
.
*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.
Click to expand...

I admire your innovative approach to designing an alternative style bass amp. :thumbsup:

If it works, great, if not then no problem.
Design isn't all about success, it's about thinking outside the square and striving to improve on an existing idea and trying it out, whether destined for success or not!
The world of design is filled with far more prototypes and failures than success stories. It's how we learn and develop future ideas.

Market research is an integral and very important phase of the design process, as I'm sure you know. ;)

You won't find a tougher research resource than TB!
This place is full of .......... nah, let's not go there! :rolleyes:

All (no, actually, most) of this feedback is useful for your assignment.

Me?
If:
a) I was looking for a new amp
b) I wanted more visual stage presence
c) Your amp was lightweight, powerful and sounded "good" to me
d) It wasn't too expensive

.....I'd think about buying one from you, if you did eventually market it.
 
#114
Could you do a wood cab with a plexi front, and then a mirror and some lights behind the plexi so you still get a nice look without having something made completely out of plexi? Plexi scratches really easy so I think it shoudl be used as an accent on something as large as a cab. The amp is nice, though. Maybe build and SVT clone into it or something.
 
#116
infraviolet said:
Could you do a wood cab with a plexi front, and then a mirror and some lights behind the plexi so you still get a nice look without having something made completely out of plexi? Plexi scratches really easy so I think it shoudl be used as an accent on something as large as a cab. The amp is nice, though. Maybe build and SVT clone into it or something.
Click to expand...

You could also engrave a logo on it & edge light for further effect...

Invalid Link Removed
 
#117
There is no way in hell I'd be interested in anything entirely plexiglass - IMHO that Hiwatt example is exactly what is wrong with society today.
But, hey - I've never been accused of knowing what I'm talking about.

However, I think a Tube-Head targeted for Upright Bass would be interesting:
1. Adjustable Input Impedance (highly appealing)
2. 1/4" and XLR input options
3. 'Phase' switch (useful for feedback purposes)
4. Optional - 2 channels with independent E/Q for each
5. Switchable 'Dummy Load' (maybe even a motor like the Weber MASS) for silent use/DI/Headphones/whatever

No need for a Monster - maybe 100W, whatever.
 
#119
Is this for an engineering course or a marketing course?

If for engineering, perhaps a way to make it meaty would be to do a careful analysis, of 1/2 inch plywood and an equivalent weight of acrylic, for a basic single driver ported bass speaker. You could cover aspects including structural, heat/cold, shock & vibe, material cost, manufacturing processes, etc.
 
#120
Anything other than an instrument used on stage should be black so the people and the instruments are the focus. Just my personal preference from being a roadie in my younger years. The lighting/AV guys are there to do "pretty".
 

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