to tone ring or not tone ring?

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

to tone ring or not tone ring?

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Flowmaster_G Joined: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 140 Los Angeles, California	Posted on Mar 06 2008 11:19 AM Guys While I understand how a Tonering baffle works, I'm not clear on it's advantage for a guitar rig. For a 15" single Showman cabinet, would you guys suggest a tonering baffle as 'superior" or more desirable or would a regular fender baffle be better? Is the tonering better for bass than guitar? I always heard it was just "better" for a guitar rig but then I'm not sure why. I'm playing a Wilson VM-110 and AVRI Jazzmaster with just a Tank in the front. My amp is a 66 bf showman. g Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Mar 06 2008 11:21 AM I think its better tone with a standard baffle... I believe I will be the only person to say so! Flame on! — THe NEpTuNeS Top
Flowmaster_G Joined: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 140 Los Angeles, California	Posted on Mar 06 2008 12:17 PM but why? specifically? g Top
MelWaldorf Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 648	Posted on Mar 06 2008 12:22 PM I think the tone-ring is most noticable at higher volumes, especially on the low end strings on the guitar (think Misirlou), baritone and bass. The design lets you back off on the bass on the amp since the baffle lets reflected bass through. A nice aspect of the design vs. a standard port is that the reflections come out in the same place as the speaker so the sound remains directional - nice for miking and outdoor shows. It's heavier to carry, but I prefer the tone ring sound to a standard baffle with either one or two speakers. Mel Top
D22 Joined: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 2054	Posted on Mar 06 2008 01:15 PM ...well said Mel. — Top
ShaunNecro Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 524 Bay City (Michigan)	Posted on Mar 06 2008 02:01 PM MelWaldorf I think the tone-ring is most noticable at higher volumes, especially on the low end strings on the guitar (think Misirlou), baritone and bass. The design lets you back off on the bass on the amp since the baffle lets reflected bass through. A nice aspect of the design vs. a standard port is that the reflections come out in the same place as the speaker so the sound remains directional - nice for miking and outdoor shows. It's heavier to carry, but I prefer the tone ring sound to a standard baffle with either one or two speakers. Mel That sounds awesome, how would one go about tone ringing a cab? — I am super sweet www.myspace.com/thetremblors Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1547 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 06 2008 02:07 PM I found these diagrams online awhile back...not the best graphics, but you can get the general idea. The key is the "double baffle". — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025 The Hula Hounds (1996-2000) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
ShaunNecro Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 524 Bay City (Michigan)	Posted on Mar 06 2008 02:12 PM WoodyJ I found these diagrams online awhile back...not the best graphics, but you can get the general idea. The key is the "double baffle". Man thats confusing... Are there any "actual" pictures of a tone ring cab? — I am super sweet www.myspace.com/thetremblors Top
HBkahuna Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1778 Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.	Posted on Mar 06 2008 02:15 PM MelWaldorf I think the tone-ring is most noticable at higher volumes, especially on the low end strings on the guitar (think Misirlou), baritone and bass. The design lets you back off on the bass on the amp since the baffle lets reflected bass through. A nice aspect of the design vs. a standard port is that the reflections come out in the same place as the speaker so the sound remains directional - nice for miking and outdoor shows. It's heavier to carry, but I prefer the tone ring sound to a standard baffle with either one or two speakers. Mel I vote for anything that gets tone like Mel. Top
MelWaldorf Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 648	Posted on Mar 06 2008 02:57 PM Shucks, Thanks HB! Those diagrams are actually show the construction more clearly than pictures of an installation. Basicly, the interior baffle allows the speaker to "float" in the middle of a larger hole in the front baffle while also creating a tuned-port for bass reflection. The interior baffle is smaller than the front one, so bass frequencies can get around the sides and out through the front. The tone-ring itself is a special mount on the inner baffle that aligns the speaker to be flush with the front baffle. There's an auction for a tone-ring cab on ebay right now with internal pictures if that helps: Tone ring Mel Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11076 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Mar 06 2008 03:05 PM Shaun, those drawings are about a clear a picture as one can find about the construction. Keep looking at them and you'll eventually figure out what's going on. Here's a couple pictures of my tone ring cab I took when constructing it a couple years back: The speaker bolts into the metal ring. The thickness of the tone ring and 2" wood strips create the air pocket between the 2 front baffles, and the larger circle cut out in the front baffle allows the sound to escape. The rear baffle is smaller than the front baffle, so sound pushes forward around it and out of the front baffle throught the air gap around the tone ring. Hope that makes sense. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Last edited: Mar 06, 2008 15:19:42 Top
MelWaldorf Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 648	Posted on Mar 06 2008 03:11 PM Yeah, what Danny said. We all know to respect the words of a Jewish carpenter! Top
ShaunNecro Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 524 Bay City (Michigan)	Posted on Mar 06 2008 03:22 PM Ok, I think I understand the drawing now. Thanks for the pics guys, it helps seeing the actual product. — I am super sweet www.myspace.com/thetremblors Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Mar 06 2008 05:10 PM FlowmasterG_ but why? specifically? g Because I have played through both and liked the tone I got with a standard baffle. Didn't analyze it anymore than that. — THe NEpTuNeS Top
SURFmole Joined: Nov 22, 2007 Posts: 901 Portland, OR	Posted on Mar 06 2008 05:36 PM I'd think the tonering cab would do weird things to the frequency curve due to phase cancellation as a result of the huge port being on the front of the box but that's just my "guess"...never heard one actually. — www.apollo4.com Top
ShaunNecro Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 524 Bay City (Michigan)	Posted on Mar 06 2008 05:59 PM DannySnyder Shaun, those drawings are about a clear a picture as one can find about the construction. Keep looking at them and you'll eventually figure out what's going on. Here's a couple pictures of my tone ring cab I took when constructing it a couple years back: The speaker bolts into the metal ring. The thickness of the tone ring and 2" wood strips create the air pocket between the 2 front baffles, and the larger circle cut out in the front baffle allows the sound to escape. The rear baffle is smaller than the front baffle, so sound pushes forward around it and out of the front baffle throught the air gap around the tone ring. Hope that makes sense. What kind of wood did you use for that? Also, what are the dimensions for that tone ring baffle? — I am super sweet www.myspace.com/thetremblors Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11076 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Mar 06 2008 06:10 PM shaunecro What kind of wood did you use for that? Also, what are the dimensions for that tone ring baffle? It's pine, yellow I think. Check ampwares fender list for dimensions. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Mar 06 2008 06:24 PM I have a tonering baffle from a 62 showman that I am putting on ebay shortly, I would love to sell it to some one here... PM me if you are interested. — THe NEpTuNeS Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25687 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on Mar 06 2008 08:17 PM I LOVE the sound of Tone Ring guitar Cabs. Can they be used for bass. or would it let the speaker extend to much, because a lack of back pressure. Jeff(bigtikidude) — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
Flowmaster_G Joined: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 140 Los Angeles, California	Posted on Mar 06 2008 08:18 PM MelWaldorf I think the tone-ring is most noticable at higher volumes, especially on the low end strings on the guitar (think Misirlou), baritone and bass. The design lets you back off on the bass on the amp since the baffle lets reflected bass through. A nice aspect of the design vs. a standard port is that the reflections come out in the same place as the speaker so the sound remains directional - nice for miking and outdoor shows. It's heavier to carry, but I prefer the tone ring sound to a standard baffle with either one or two speakers. Mel Nice explanation. I have a tone ring cab (Showman 115 repro by Zak at Vibroworld) and like how it sounds but never compared it A/B with a regular baffle. I just picked-up a JBL D130 and am considering installing it in place of the current Weber Cali 15, but was thinking it might make sense to get a beater 115 fender cabinet w/standard baffle and install the JBL there and then A/B them. Top

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