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Sunn 2x15 upgrade project

squidbass

squidbass

Sep 29, 2011
167
8
Murfreesboro, TN
#1
Hello TB community! This summer I'm embarking in many projects involving upgrading my gear. First up I'd like to upgrade my cab. I'm running a 300T on top of matching 2x15. The speakers seem like they can't take all the power so over 5 volume they tend to start losing clarity. Any suggestions as to what drivers would be more efficient in handling 300 tube watts in a 2x15 enclosure? I also might be looking into padding the cab on the inside, I was told that mite help tighten up the sound a little, any thoughts? Thanks for any helpful info and/or suggestions.
 
#2
Yes to lining it if it isn't already. Couple sticks of crossbracing never hurt either. Find out what you can about the current speakers first. The "5 on the knob" doesn't really mean anything. With a strong enough input signal you may already be driving the amp to high output. Plus tube amps are supposed to get a little compressed when turned up.

Legend CB158's are a good fit for more moderate priced stuff and a pair cqn handle the amp. 3015 neo's for nore expensive stuff, and more forward sound in the mids, but make sure you actually need the speakers first. Your amp could easily be already giving as much clean sound as it's going to give with the volume half way up, with more and more distortion coming as you turn up further. They're all a little different.
 
#3
Thanks for the knowledgable reply! The cab and speakers are all bone stock so there's some work to be done for sure. Ive looked at guitar center for some 1/4" thick foam but they are so expensive there. Is there anywhere online that I could be overlooking that sells what I need but for less?
 
#4
squidbass said:
Thanks for the knowledgable reply! The cab and speakers are all bone stock so there's some work to be done for sure. Ive looked at guitar center for some 1/4" thick foam but they are so expensive there. Is there anywhere online that I could be overlooking that sells what I need but for less?
Click to expand...

1-1/2" foam mattress pad top, or quilt batting layered up to the same thickness. Either available at your local fabric store for $10-$15.
 
#5
go to wal mart and get some of the "egg crate" foam that they put on beds. That stuff is what a lot of people seem to recommend. Also, I would recommend getting WindISD for finding suitable drivers, getting good drivers for a bass cabinet isn't as simple as finding speakers for a guitar cabinet - you have to look at T/S specs and the internal dimensions of the cabinet and port dimensions (if there are any).
 
#7
pie_man_25 said:
go to wal mart and get some of the "egg crate" foam that they put on beds. That stuff is what a lot of people seem to recommend. Also, I would recommend getting WindISD for finding suitable drivers, getting good drivers for a bass cabinet isn't as simple as finding speakers for a guitar cabinet - you have to look at T/S specs and the internal dimensions of the cabinet and port dimensions (if there are any).
Click to expand...

How do I find this windlsd you speak of? I tried googling it but all that came up was some BS porn, and some other crap that didn't look safe to click on. Good idea on the foam tho it's very cost effective, that may be what I go with, still weighing my options..
 
#11
You are on the slippery slope to fEarfuls.

It starts out with an innocent little cab project. "My 2-15 isn't really doing it for me." Rolls off on the lowest notes, not very tight sounding, farts, chuffs, breaking up in a very non musical way, whatever....

My old Peavey 2-15 in a nutshell. A couple Force 15's from EV, way back in the eighties, started the DIY thing. Better than the stock drivers, about as much as I could afford at the time.

Fast forward a couple decades and I drag this stuff out into the light. It needs some help, there is new gear to look at.

I put in a pair of 3015's. Neo drivers from Eminence. Better, and the cab lost a bunch of weight. But still not quite getting it. More insullation, I use quilting stuff from Walmart. Lots of it. Better, but still.. Some new grills, fresh castors, at least we're rolling in the right direction.

Next the 3015's went into home built TL-606 cabs. Way better! It's a wonder what the right size box with the right size port can do. This is were the winisd comes in. But still...For a five string, tuned down a half step? The B flat is not getting across with authority.

Next stop? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Before that, if you really like your cab and head, I'd try each with other cabs/heads. Sort out where the problem really is. Maybe the head needs some help. Maybe it's the cab.

Good luck!
 
#12
Fuzzfarmer said:
I used to have Sunn 300T, thing was awesome. Ran it through a Ampeg 8x10, sometimes two 8x10s.

Another option besides upgrading speakers, just add another cabinet to the rig.
Click to expand...

Yea it rules! The guy I bought it from keeps suggesting that I just get another 2x15, and I agree that that'd be awesome. I should find another one and upgrade all 4 15" drivers and line the cabs. That rig would kill!
 
#14
squidbass said:
Yea it rules! The guy I bought it from keeps suggesting that I just get another 2x15, and I agree that that'd be awesome. I should find another one and upgrade all 4 15" drivers and line the cabs. That rig would kill!
Click to expand...

Yea. Im currently using a '73 Sunn model T, into 2 Peavey 2x15s.
I stopped playing bass for a while there, and mainly played guitar, so I got rid of my big heads and cabs...haha

I sold my Sunn 300T, to a dude that lives in Memphis. Im pretty sure he sold it to someone else. Part of the skirt on one of the knobs isnt missing on yours is it?
 
#15
singlemalt said:
You are on the slippery slope to fEarfuls.

It starts out with an innocent little cab project. "My 2-15 isn't really doing it for me." Rolls off on the lowest notes, not very tight sounding, farts, chuffs, breaking up in a very non musical way, whatever....

My old Peavey 2-15 in a nutshell. A couple Force 15's from EV, way back in the eighties, started the DIY thing. Better than the stock drivers, about as much as I could afford at the time.

Fast forward a couple decades and I drag this stuff out into the light. It needs some help, there is new gear to look at.

I put in a pair of 3015's. Neo drivers from Eminence. Better, and the cab lost a bunch of weight. But still not quite getting it. More insullation, I use quilting stuff from Walmart. Lots of it. Better, but still.. Some new grills, fresh castors, at least we're rolling in the right direction.

Next the 3015's went into home built TL-606 cabs. Way better! It's a wonder what the right size box with the right size port can do. This is were the winisd comes in. But still...For a five string, tuned down a half step? The B flat is not getting across with authority.

Next stop? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Before that, if you really like your cab and head, I'd try each with other cabs/heads. Sort out where the problem really is. Maybe the head needs some help. Maybe it's the cab.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Yea I've been leaving my rig at my guitarist house as we have been jamming/writing/recording. He actually sat down awhile with it and dialed in a manageable tone. But my only complaint was roll off of lows and farting out at a higher volume. Also when I boosted my clean signal it kinda seemed a bit too gainy for my taste. Maybe natural overdrive but that's what my channel 2 is for. My guitarist has it sounding pretty good right now but still I feel theres room for improvement. I love the sound of 15's over 10's but I would like to tighten the sound up a bit. I was thinking that getting more efficient drivers and lining the cab would help with that. But you guys are right, I haven't taken into consideration the cab itself. If I get some Neo 3015's or similar would them drivers work with my cab? Probably no. I going to download the winisd and see what that says. Also I'm thinking of just adding another 2x15 to the mix.
 
#17
Fuzzfarmer said:
Yea. Im currently using a '73 Sunn model T, into 2 Peavey 2x15s.
I stopped playing bass for a while there, and mainly played guitar, so I got rid of my big heads and cabs...haha

I sold my Sunn 300T, to a dude that lives in Memphis. Im pretty sure he sold it to someone else. Part of the skirt on one of the knobs isnt missing on yours is it?
Click to expand...

Nope, I got this from a guy who lived in Huntsville,AL. Cosmetically the amp is perfect but it's about due for a retube and usual maintenance, which is my next project..
 

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