Trace Elliot Cab Missing Ports!

[alanolynn]

Good morning to all!

This my first thread so thanks for reading...

So, I picked up a Trace Elliot 1528 Cab for next to nothing, but as it would turn out, the ports are just holes! No actually porting inside.

I'm trying to figure out what the dimensions of the ports are, and what would be the best material for the job.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

 

[96tbird]

If there is nothing rattling around inside the cab, as in loose port tubes, then the holes are the ports: it was designed that way.

Btw, for future reference, hardware means bridges and tuners, etc. this belongs in AMPS forum.

 

[BassmanPaul]

The ports would be the diameter of the hole by the thickness of the baffle. Many cabinets use this method.

That said it is equally possible that 'tbird is correct and that the tubes are missing. If the condition of the ports look finished then probably there are no tubes.

 

[alanolynn]

The holes are not finished, and there is even some glue left around them. So I know that tubes were there.

Thanks for the help, Paul and for the correction/advice, tbird.

 

[96tbird]

T/E should have the specs you need and maybe replacement tubes. You should attend to it so the max efficiency is reached. I don't see any problem using it until then. It just won't sound as good as it could.

 

[kringle77]

Hey Al, welcome to the wonderful world of talkbass. I played his cab the other day and it is definitely missing the ports. Even so, the cab just rocks balls. It sounds great and tone wise, gives my favorite cab a run for it's money. With the ports installed, Im betting it will gain much more efficiency in the low end. This cab reminded me why I thought I had a good tone (many years ago) with my old peavey 2x15, thats because I did. I had forgotten how good some of these 2x15's could sound. Im interested to hear what the port length should be and if anyone has the specs on the drivers for the 1528 or 1524 cabs. I couldn't find anything except that they were made by celestion.

 

[BassmanPaul]

From what I've heard, Celestion are very closed with their driver specs. This confuses me 'cos I'd expect them to WANT to sell drivers.

 

[JFOC]

I just picked up a 1524 this week.

The ports are black PVC 4 inches in diameter 6 inches long.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Hey Al, welcome to the wonderful world of talkbass. I played his cab the other day and it is definitely missing the ports. Even so, the cab just rocks balls. It sounds great and tone wise, gives my favorite cab a run for it's money. With the ports installed, Im betting it will gain much more efficiency in the low end. This cab reminded me why I thought I had a good tone (many years ago) with my old peavey 2x15, thats because I did. I had forgotten how good some of these 2x15's could sound. Im interested to hear what the port length should be and if anyone has the specs on the drivers for the 1528 or 1524 cabs. I couldn't find anything except that they were made by celestion.

According Trace, Celestion custom made them specially for Trace's requirements.

The model numbering scheme is all over the place. I'm picking 1528 is a double banger 1153, like the new addition on the team trace thread, but 8 ohms seems unlikely. My 1518 is a single 15 8ohm, big box, big sound.

You should probably plug the holes in the meantime. It will be deeper but not as loud, safer for the drivers than open holes tuning.

 

[alanolynn]

I took the cab apart and it does still have the original Celestion speakears, and everything is still solid inside.

JFOC-Thanks!!

 

[Stumbo]

I took the cab apart and it does still have the original Celestion speakears, and everything is still solid inside.

JFOC-Thanks!!

Also make sure the insulation is up to speed. 1.5"-2" of open cell foam (mattress topper) should do it.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I never heard of 1528 before. Are you sure it isn't 1524 ?

 

[alanolynn]

Its a 1528, meaning 15"...x2....@8ohms

 

[frettman]

Here's a resource if you're still looking for port tubes for your cabinet.

http://www.britishaudioservice.com/parts.php?mfg=1&cat=3

I used to use an older 1048H, sounded fantastic, but was not much fun to transport - 90+ lbs.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Its a 1528, meaning 15"...x2....@8ohms

New one on me.

The numbering isn't consistent across the range. The 1153 is an 8 ohm 1x15, go figure.

 

[kringle77]

I e-mailed trace elliot about any help locating replacement drivers for the 1524 and 1528 cabs and just never got a response. Anyone on here know what to replace them with so that they actually sound like the origionals? No, a 3015 won't sound like them but, a 15pr400 might be in the ballpark.

 

[Downunderwonder]

iirc Trace used Fane's for awhile. Try asking on the team trace thread.

My 1518 has 6" tubes too.