if this is in the wrong section i apologize, me and a friend are going to be building 2 bass cabs in the upcoming weeks, a 4x12 and 2x15 and since neither of us a gear buffs or junkies i wanted to ask the talk bass community. we play distorted punk, think discharge, disclose, framtid and so on. so we'd need speakers that could handle the distortion and still give a little clarity without being as muddy as you'd expect to be with it distorted. for anyone interested the cabs are based off the jcm 800 series bass cabs. not looking to replicate other then the shape. any and all speaker suggestions are welcome.
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speakers...
- Thread starter chrispunx
- Start date
So overall "looks" are the most important?
Why not build empty cabinets then have the bass player DI'd into the FOH.
You'll have the stage look, and the best sound.
Why not build empty cabinets then have the bass player DI'd into the FOH.
You'll have the stage look, and the best sound.
If you are building bass cabs there are much better options than trying to shoe horn bass speakers into guitar cabs that are not designed for them.
Are you planning on using both the 412 and the 215 for your rig or is the 412 the guitarist's?
looks? i never mentioned anything about looks.
i'm not trying to shoe horn bass speakers into a guitar cab...i mentioned nothing about a guitar cab...i'm building 2 bass cabs. maybe i'm just not following.
+1
Craigslist is littered with plenty of affordable "off the shelf" options of that layout that would work great. FWIW- I'd bet You could find something that would suit Your needs for half the price it would cost for the drivers alone. IMO-There isn't a whole lot of need for rolling Your own if You aren't doing something that is pretty darned special (lighweight, 2 or 3 way,etc).
Those JCM 800 bass cabs are just guitar cabs with bass speakers in them.
Also why combine a 412 and a 215?
Why 4x12 and 2x15?
It's common for big stage acts to have fake cabinets on stage. The real sound comes out of FOH
If you are going to replicate an existing speaker cab, then the proper speakers are the same ones used in the orignals.
Cabs are built around the specs of the speakers. You cannot just build a cab and throw any speaker in there and expect it to sound good.
If you are set on building your own, then you need to do a lot of research before cutting the first piece of wood.
Cabs are built around the specs of the speakers. You cannot just build a cab and throw any speaker in there and expect it to sound good.
If you are set on building your own, then you need to do a lot of research before cutting the first piece of wood.
Unlike with skinny-string guitar, you can't just throw random drivers in a random box with bass guitar and expect it to sound good.
Before anyone could make any reaonable suggestions, they'd need to know:
The interior volume of the cab you want to build.
Whether you intend to port it and, if so, what tuning frequency you want.
Then they'd need to spend a lot of time with a simulation program comparing different drivers to the box's size/tuning.
Right so you are kind of up the proverbial creek with replicating the JCM 800 cabs. Now if you are looking to build cabs with newer speakers I wouldnt recommend trying to get them into the same form factor, as it was crap then, and is crap now regardless of what speakers you choose.
Lets start over.
What do you think you are going to gain with adding a 412 to a 215?
There are some very good 12" and 15" speakers out there, but we have to know what you wish to accomplish with them. Personally I would think that unless you want to do something special with the drivers, buying used cabs is the easier/cheaper route.
Then you are going to have to make revisions to the cab to make it work with other speakers.
Making a cab is not as easy as building a box and throwing some speakers into it. There is engineering involved, and lots of knowledge.
If you are not aware of what each spec of a speakers T/S parameters means, then building your own may not be for you.
For some tips and such, read the stickies at the top of this forum. There is plenty of leads and links for you to use in your research.
+1 the reason you're not getting the answer you want, is because the project you propose makes very little sense. So much engineering and work goes into building a bass cab, it's not for the untrained. much better to buy used gear, and know it will work.
If you have decided on doing a 2x15 then look at the 15/15/6/6 Fearful. it's a proper design by a well known designer. If you build it to spec I doubt if you'll need a 4x12.
- Feb 9, 2012
- 349
- 11
- Disclosures
- Authorized Builder: fEARful bass, greenboy designs, Bill Fitzmaurice
In addition to what everyone has said above, it's good to spend a little time on some DIY cabinet reads. There is a lot to know about building a cab in addition to correct enclosure size, such as adhesives, bracing, damping material, etc.
I play a lot of punk in one of my bands. IMO, a system with a dedicated midrange has been what works best for me. It gives a bite and attack that you'll grow to love.
I play a lot of punk in one of my bands. IMO, a system with a dedicated midrange has been what works best for me. It gives a bite and attack that you'll grow to love.
+1
You can't go wrong with a fEarful
You can get louder with the same power with a Bill Fitzmaurice design. Loud, really loud.
