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I have a Dual Showman head and cabinet, and I really like the way
it sounds, but sometimes the 36x24x12 speaker cabinet is too large to
1.carry
2. set up on a stage the size of a postage stamp.
I am thinking about having a 2x12 or a 1x15 cabinet built. I'd
like it to still have the hold downs for the Showman head, but be as
small as possible. I was thinking about 28x20x12, but someone
mentioned that a cab this size would "sound like crap". Would I need
ports if the cabinet has a closed back?
Any ideas? Is this a good idea? Am I just wasting money?
Thanks
Chris
I don't think that smaller cab would sound crappy....however I would have it
built so that you could try it with the back partially open as well as closed
up....All my small cabs for guitar are approximately the size you are
considering. I leave about 1/3 of the back open and use a single EV-15L I love
these cabs....they sound great on small stages and are super easy to carry. We
typically run them standing up with a foam pad under the head for vibration
isolation...works great.....I also frequently put my cab up on a milk crate so I
can hear it better. But I think your friend is correct that if you try and stuff
two 15's in there, they will sound choked......I have always wanted to try a
single 12 tone ring layout.....it would be about the size you are considering
and would "woof" with the best of them. The single speaker cabs have a more
focused/pure tone without annoying dopplers and dead spots......Sounds like a
fun project to me........good luck and let me know how you
like it......best reverbs, eddie (the wood butcher) katcher
Chris <> wrote: I have a Dual Showman head and
cabinet, and I really like the way
it sounds, but sometimes the 36x24x12 speaker cabinet is too large to
1.carry
2. set up on a stage the size of a postage stamp.
I am thinking about having a 2x12 or a 1x15 cabinet built. I'd
like it to still have the hold downs for the Showman head, but be as
small as possible. I was thinking about 28x20x12, but someone
mentioned that a cab this size would "sound like crap". Would I need
ports if the cabinet has a closed back?
Any ideas? Is this a good idea? Am I just wasting money?
Thanks
Chris
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dave,
Fender made at least three lengths of tilt-back legs,
14", 16" and 19" tall. According to ampwares dot com,
the mid-'60s piggyback cabinet used the 16" set.
Search around, they should be available both used
and new. I found this link via to Google, there
are lots of others:
<>
unlunf
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
>
> Chris:
>
> I bought an empty 2 x 12" cabinet for my Bassman 50 on
> ebay...(about $100)
>
> I mounted 2 x Celestions, and it sounds GREAT!
>
> I will modify mine to add the Fender style thumbscrew
> holddowns...these can also be found on ebay...
>
> I can't add Fender tilt-back legs, owever...my cabinet is
> too short.
>
>
> It's an open back, but I like the sound...
>
> -dp
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
>
>
for example, at ampwares! in Europe, thomann.de is cheapest, if
anyone cares.
--- In , "unlunf" <unlunf@y...> wrote:
>
> Dave,
>
> Fender made at least three lengths of tilt-back legs,
> 14", 16" and 19" tall. According to ampwares dot com,
> the mid-'60s piggyback cabinet used the 16" set.
>
> Search around, they should be available both used
> and new. I found this link via to Google, there
> are lots of others:
>
> <>
>
>
> unlunf
>
> --- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Chris:
> >
> > I bought an empty 2 x 12" cabinet for my Bassman 50 on
> > ebay...(about $100)
> >
> > I mounted 2 x Celestions, and it sounds GREAT!
> >
> > I will modify mine to add the Fender style thumbscrew
> > holddowns...these can also be found on ebay...
> >
> > I can't add Fender tilt-back legs, owever...my cabinet is
> > too short.
> >
> >
> > It's an open back, but I like the sound...
> >
> > -dp
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
> >
> >
>
unlunf:
I was interested in the 14" tilt-back legs...but my little
2 x 12" cabinet seems just a wee-bit too short for even 14"
legs...In fact I believe the cabinet is 14" tall...the legs
need about an inch or two of free space in order to clea
the corner protectors on the cab.
-dp
--- unlunf <> wrote:
> Dave,
>
> Fender made at least three lengths of tilt-back legs,
> 14", 16" and 19" tall. According to ampwares dot com,
> the mid-'60s piggyback cabinet used the 16" set.
>
> Search around, they should be available both used
> and new. I found this link via to Google, there
> are lots of others:
>
>
<>
>
>
> unlunf
>
> --- In , DP <noetical1@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Chris:
> >
> > I bought an empty 2 x 12" cabinet for my Bassman 50 on
> > ebay...(about $100)
> >
> > I mounted 2 x Celestions, and it sounds GREAT!
> >
> > I will modify mine to add the Fender style thumbscrew
> > holddowns...these can also be found on ebay...
> >
> > I can't add Fender tilt-back legs, owever...my cabinet
> is
> > too short.
> >
> >
> > It's an open back, but I like the sound...
> >
> > -dp
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one
> click.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
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__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
Chris,
Last question first: No, your efforts won't be a waste of
time/money/effort. Whether you build a simple cabinet
yourself or have it built, you will gain a lot of pers-
pective in how cabinets are built and why they are
designed the way the are. And that can't be bad, can it?
For most smaller venues, it would be prudent to consider
an open back 1x12" cab, with a speaker that can take the
Showman's power. You might also take Eddie's approach
with the 1/3 open, 2/3 covered back, as this will also
stiffen up the side panels, which might be a good thing
if you have to crank it up. A fully enclosed cab, even
for a single 12" speaker, will require more than 3/4 the
overall size of the 2x15" cab - witness the original
Showman's 1x12" cab dimensions. (As found at) Ugh, too heavy, no benefit.
I'd not go with the 15" purely due to the weight of it.
But if a really good deal came along, that low cost may
override your feelings about the weight of said speaker.
The end result is something you'll have to judge, but
then again, are you going to have one of each to compare
side-by-side? That's not real hard, but a bit expensive.
(Until you eBay the unwanted unit. <g>)
And even an open back 2x12" box is gonna take up some
stage floor space, unless you set it up vertically.
Besides the weight and cost issues, it's another good
reason to go with just a single speaker.
(Again, for smaller venues.)
Just a thought (or two).
unlunf
--- In , John McCorvey <eddiekatcher@y...> wrote:
>
> I don't think that smaller cab would sound crappy....however
> I would have it built so that you could try it with the back
> partially open as well as closed up....All my small cabs for
> guitar are approximately the size you are considering. I leave
> about 1/3 of the back open and use a single EV-15L I love these
> cabs....they sound great on small stages and are super easy to
> carry. We typically run them standing up with a foam pad under
> the head for vibration isolation...works great.....I also
> frequently put my cab up on a milk crate so I can hear it better.
> But I think your friend is correct that if you try and stuff two
> 15's in there, they will sound choked......I have always wanted
> to try a single 12 tone ring layout.....it would be about the
> size you are considering and would "woof" with the best of them.
> The single speaker cabs have a more focused/pure tone without
> annoying dopplers and dead spots......Sounds like a fun project
> to me........good luck and let me know how you like it......
> best reverbs, eddie (the wood butcher) katcher
>
> Chris <chris@b...> wrote:
>
> I have a Dual Showman head and cabinet, and I really like the
> way it sounds, but sometimes the 36x24x12 speaker cabinet is
> too large to:
> 1.carry
> 2. set up on a stage the size of a postage stamp.
>
> I am thinking about having a 2x12 or a 1x15 cabinet built.
> I'd like it to still have the hold downs for the Showman head,
> but be as small as possible. I was thinking about 28x20x12,
> but someone mentioned that a cab this size would "sound like
> crap". Would I need ports if the cabinet has a closed back?
>
> Any ideas? Is this a good idea? Am I just wasting money?
>
> Thanks
> Chris
>
Wood Butcher here always sizes his home brew cabs for
15's....want to go with a 12? use a reducer
ring.....As you have probably already figured out, I
love to tinker....I have a pretty mean sounding 24 x
36 11.5 Showman style cab with a pair of Clestion
Vintage 30's. They are pretty meaty and fairly light.
Still somewhat bulky though.... ed
--- unlunf <> wrote:
> Chris,
>
> Last question first: No, your efforts won't be a
> waste of
> time/money/effort. Whether you build a simple
> cabinet
> yourself or have it built, you will gain a lot of
> pers-
> pective in how cabinets are built and why they are
> designed the way the are. And that can't be bad,
> can it?
>
> For most smaller venues, it would be prudent to
> consider
> an open back 1x12" cab, with a speaker that can take
> the
> Showman's power. You might also take Eddie's
> approach
> with the 1/3 open, 2/3 covered back, as this will
> also
> stiffen up the side panels, which might be a good
> thing
> if you have to crank it up. A fully enclosed cab,
> even
> for a single 12" speaker, will require more than 3/4
> the
> overall size of the 2x15" cab - witness the original
> Showman's 1x12" cab dimensions. (As found at
> ) Ugh, too heavy, no
> benefit.
>
> I'd not go with the 15" purely due to the weight of
> it.
> But if a really good deal came along, that low cost
> may
> override your feelings about the weight of said
> speaker.
> The end result is something you'll have to judge,
> but
> then again, are you going to have one of each to
> compare
> side-by-side? That's not real hard, but a bit
> expensive.
> (Until you eBay the unwanted unit. <g>)
>
> And even an open back 2x12" box is gonna take up
> some
> stage floor space, unless you set it up vertically.
> Besides the weight and cost issues, it's another
> good
> reason to go with just a single speaker.
> (Again, for smaller venues.)
>
> Just a thought (or two).
>
>
> unlunf
>
>
> --- In , John McCorvey
> <eddiekatcher@y...> wrote:
> >
> > I don't think that smaller cab would sound
> crappy....however
> > I would have it built so that you could try it
> with the back
> > partially open as well as closed up....All my
> small cabs for
> > guitar are approximately the size you are
> considering. I leave
> > about 1/3 of the back open and use a single EV-15L
> I love these
> > cabs....they sound great on small stages and are
> super easy to
> > carry. We typically run them standing up with a
> foam pad under
> > the head for vibration isolation...works
> great.....I also
> > frequently put my cab up on a milk crate so I can
> hear it better.
> > But I think your friend is correct that if you try
> and stuff two
> > 15's in there, they will sound choked......I have
> always wanted
> > to try a single 12 tone ring layout.....it would
> be about the
> > size you are considering and would "woof" with the
> best of them.
> > The single speaker cabs have a more focused/pure
> tone without
> > annoying dopplers and dead spots......Sounds like
> a fun project
> > to me........good luck and let me know how you
> like it......
> > best reverbs, eddie (the wood butcher) katcher
> >
> > Chris <chris@b...> wrote:
> >
> > I have a Dual Showman head and cabinet, and I
> really like the
> > way it sounds, but sometimes the 36x24x12 speaker
> cabinet is
> > too large to:
> > 1.carry
> > 2. set up on a stage the size of a postage stamp.
> >
> > I am thinking about having a 2x12 or a 1x15
> cabinet built.
> > I'd like it to still have the hold downs for the
> Showman head,
> > but be as small as possible. I was thinking about
> 28x20x12,
> > but someone mentioned that a cab this size would
> "sound like
> > crap". Would I need ports if the cabinet has a
> closed back?
> >
> > Any ideas? Is this a good idea? Am I just
> wasting money?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Chris
> >
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
Dave,
From your description, it looks like you may not have
a Bassman cabinet. It may not even be a Fender cab, but
let's look at something else for a moment.
In all the years I've looked at amps, I've never known
Fender to make a box just barely big enough to hold the
speaker(s). Could you in fact have a Tremolux bottom
that was re-fitted with 12" speakers? That should
measure out to 17x27". Compare that to the Bassman's
21x30", and report back here on what you find, if you
please.
BTW, these figures come from Teagle and Sprung's book
"Fender Amps - The First fifty Years", and are corrob-
orated on the ampwares site.
Given that you may like the cab and want to keep it,
original Fender or not, have you considerd just buying
the legs (preferably used), and cutting them short?
Might look a bit crude, but then again, function is
the name of the game here. Alternatively, have a
machine shop copy the hardware design, but with a
shorter leg. Might look even better than a cutoff leg.
On many Fender combo amps, the legs do not clear the
corner protectors, so don't give that a second thought.
Just wiggle it around, the leg will clear if you
'persuade' it in the right manner. <g>
unlunf
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
>
> unlunf:
>
> I was interested in the 14" tilt-back legs...but my little
> 2 x 12" cabinet seems just a wee-bit too short for even 14"
> legs...In fact I believe the cabinet is 14" tall...the legs
> need about an inch or two of free space in order to clea
> the corner protectors on the cab.
>
> -dp
>
When I bought my repro legs I noticed that the leg is curved towards
the bottom of the leg specifically so it will clear the corner
protector. This was also the case on another pair of repro legs that a
friend bought. Is this the case on the vintage amps?
--- In , "unlunf" <unlunf@y...> wrote:
>
> On many Fender combo amps, the legs do not clear the
> corner protectors, so don't give that a second thought.
> Just wiggle it around, the leg will clear if you
> 'persuade' it in the right manner. <g>
>
>
> unlunf
Jacob,
Nope, mine are straight. Well, they are now that I
applied a little 'corrective' force to make 'em
that way. They had been knocked outta shape,
probably from a fall.
unlunf
--- In , "Jacob Dobner" <jacobdobner@y...> wrote:
>
> When I bought my repro legs I noticed that the leg is curved
> towards the bottom of the leg specifically so it will clear
> the corner protector. This was also the case on another pair
> of repro legs that a friend bought. Is this the case on the
> vintage amps?
>
> --- In , "unlunf" <unlunf@y...> wrote:
>
>> On many Fender combo amps, the legs do not clear the
>> corner protectors, so don't give that a second thought.
>> Just wiggle it around, the leg will clear if you
>> 'persuade' it in the right manner. <g>
>>
>> unlunf
>
I have a cab with pull out casters (ampwares has 'em) and at times
take out the back casters and not the front ones to angle my cab.
not a substitute for tilt legs, of course, the angle is much less
then with tilt legs, and you cant put your amp on top. however, for
rehearsal in our rehearsal room (approx 10 by 10 yards, about 5 yards
high) I prefer this over the 45 degreeish angle of tilt back legs.
just thought I'd throw it in.
WR
--- In , "unlunf" <unlunf@y...> wrote:
>
> Jacob,
>
> Nope, mine are straight. Well, they are now that I
> applied a little 'corrective' force to make 'em
> that way. They had been knocked outta shape,
> probably from a fall.
>
>
> unlunf
>
>
> --- In , "Jacob Dobner"
<jacobdobner@y...> wrote:
> >
> > When I bought my repro legs I noticed that the leg is curved
> > towards the bottom of the leg specifically so it will clear
> > the corner protector. This was also the case on another pair
> > of repro legs that a friend bought. Is this the case on the
> > vintage amps?
> >
> > --- In , "unlunf" <unlunf@y...>
wrote:
> >
> >> On many Fender combo amps, the legs do not clear the
> >> corner protectors, so don't give that a second thought.
> >> Just wiggle it around, the leg will clear if you
> >> 'persuade' it in the right manner. <g>
> >>
> >> unlunf
> >
>
Thanks for everyones input, it really helped me decide what to do.
Up next - speakers!
Chris
