2x12 Cabs

[79adam79]

I have a custom cab w/ the following dimensions:
-Height: 15.25"
-Width: 28.25"
-Depth: 12"
Compared to Fender and Marshall 2x12 Cabs, the width and depth is pretty much the same, but the height is 5-8" shorter. How will this affect the sound? Thanks.

 

[Oblivion DC]

Less volume inside a cab is generally going to translate to less lowend, less thump. But that might be fine for the style you're playing.

 

[79adam79]

Less volume inside a cab is generally going to translate to less lowend, less thump. But that might be fine for the style you're playing.

Yer familiar w/ my style of playing? It's a mix of hard rock, metal and punk, but I guess u somehow already knew this?!! I was thinking of buying some wood and extending the height of the cab, but I have no idea what wood was used, and I'm assuming if I did this I would have to adjust whatever acoustic modifications were done inside (if any). Although, I'm not sure if this would be a waste of time if the current size is conducive to my playing style, as u say.

I would like to load in a new set of speakers. Right now there are supposedly two lower end Fender speakers, one from the '80s, the other from the '90s. I'd like to get a couple Vintage 30s, but unfortunately all the ones being sold locally are 8ohms; I need 16ohms (the Ext. Speaker output is 8ohms). I was also thinking of maybe buying two different speaker types.

Is the performance of the speakers affected if their total wattage is closer to that of the amp's? For example, my Fender Super 210 is 60 watts. If I loaded the cab w/ speakers that were equal to, or a tiny bit higher than 60 watts, I'd think that they'd be pushed more and sound more aggressive. Is this true? Versus having, say, two Vintage 30's, which would be over double the amp's wattage.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[JackBootedThug]

Less volume inside a cab is generally going to translate to less lowend, less thump. But that might be fine for the style you're playing.

Yer familiar w/ my style of playing? It's a mix of hard rock, metal and punk, but I guess u somehow already knew this?!! I was thinking of buying some wood and extending the height of the cab, but I have no idea what wood was used, and I'm assuming if I did this I would have to adjust whatever acoustic modifications were done inside (if any). Although, I'm not sure if this would be a waste of time if the current size is conducive to my playing style, as u say.

I would like to load in a new set of speakers. Right now there are supposedly two lower end Fender speakers, one from the '80s, the other from the '90s. I'd like to get a couple Vintage 30s, but unfortunately all the ones being sold locally are 8ohms; I need 16ohms (the Ext. Speaker output is 8ohms). I was also thinking of maybe buying two different speaker types.

Is the performance of the speakers affected if their total wattage is closer to that of the amp's? For example, my Fender Super 210 is 60 watts. If I loaded the cab w/ speakers that were equal to, or a tiny bit higher than 60 watts, I'd think that they'd be pushed more and sound more aggressive. Is this true? Versus having, say, two Vintage 30's, which would be over double the amp's wattage.

Thanks,
Adam

let me paraphrase-
"It might be ok for you, depending on what style of music your playing."

 

[sg guy]

-get a new cab-(MESA with V-30's)-

-sell your cab-

-or ya can re-wire your 8 ohm speakers is series-

 

[79adam79]

-get a new cab-(MESA with V-30's)-

-sell your cab-

-or ya can re-wire your 8 ohm speakers is series-

I wish I could afford a Mesa cab!
Why would I wire two 8's in series? My amp calls for an 8ohm ext cab, not 16.

 

[Loudness250]

If you wire the speakers in series it adds up to 16 ohms. Then you can run the cab at maximum by running the amp at 16ohms............................................It's louder!

 

[79adam79]

If you wire the speakers in series it adds up to 16 ohms. Then you can run the cab at maximum by running the amp at 16ohms............................................It's louder!

The amp is expecting an 8ohm load from the ext speaker. Won't something break if connected to a 16ohm cab?

 

[Revson]

If you wire the speakers in series it adds up to 16 ohms. Then you can run the cab at maximum by running the amp at 16ohms............................................It's louder!

The amp is expecting an 8ohm load from the ext speaker. Won't something break if connected to a 16ohm cab?

Nope, as long as your amp is seeing 8Ω or greater then it'll be a-ok. When it sees less than 8Ω is when too much current gets pulled and your transformer overheats, melts the windings, and shits the bed.

 

[79adam79]

If you wire the speakers in series it adds up to 16 ohms. Then you can run the cab at maximum by running the amp at 16ohms............................................It's louder!

The amp is expecting an 8ohm load from the ext speaker. Won't something break if connected to a 16ohm cab?

Nope, as long as your amp is seeing 8Ω or greater then it'll be a-ok. When it sees less than 8Ω is when too much current gets pulled and your transformer overheats, melts the windings, and shits the bed.

Louder? Wouldnt it cut the output in half, not to mention run the power tubes (and amp in general) hotter? Basically reduce the life of the amp?

 

[79adam79]

Would it even be worth upgrading the speakers in this cab? Will it be a waste since they don't have enough room to breathe (cuz of the lessened height)? Or am I over thinking?

 

[Avi8r2005]

You can always upgrade the speakers, but if the cab is made of cheap materials, may not make much difference. Maybe just hold off and get a cab to your liking with the speakers you want already in it.

 

[79adam79]

You can always upgrade the speakers, but if the cab is made of cheap materials, may not make much difference. Maybe just hold off and get a cab to your liking with the speakers you want already in it.

Ya, I have no clue what type of wood it's made of...if I had to guess, something cheap. The problem is that I'm cash poor, so making my own custom 2x12 would probably be the way to go. I just needa figure out how much materials will cost me. Also, what would the go to wood be? Birch? I'd also needa do research on setting up the acoustics on the inside. This would be my first project of this type. I do have access to tools.

 

[Avi8r2005]

Yep birch plywood is a good option. I built my own based on the dimensions of a Bogner OS 212 and loaded with V30's. A sheet of 4x8 3/4" plywood would cost you about $50 or so from Home Depot, tolex and grill materials vary depending on where you get it from. If you don't mind the DIY type stuff, its a fun project to do and its not brain surgery to construct. By the time you're done buying all the materials and speakers though, you may be pretty close to the total cost to have bought an already constructed cab. Check out Avatar speakers, they usually have some deals on cabinets. Good bang for the buck.

 

[79adam79]

I'm thinking about going the used route...look for something structurally sound w/ crap cosmetics. I don't care what it looks like, just what it sounds like.