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What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

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  • What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

    Hi everyone!

    I was thinkig of building my cabinet too, since I saw so many of you, who know, how to build it.

    What kind of wood is the best for a cabinet? What tickness?
    I was thinking of classic 4x12 cabinet. What are the measures of an angled type?
    Can you post the dimension in centimetres, please?

    I was planning to put in Celestion Vintage 30. After googling a bit, I saw that they come in 16 and 8 Ohm version. My amp is currently 4 Ohm, but I want to make my cab work so, that I could switch between the resistance (just in case, if I buy 8 or 16 Ohm amp). Would playing with 4 Ohm amp on 8 Ohm speakers harm anything?

    Does anyone have the wiring scheme?

    This is my first step (the decision making), so come with as many informations as possible.

    Thanks for your participation.

  • #2
    Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

    I just about finished building mine. See here: http://www.jcfonline.com/ubb/noncgi/...;f=12;t=001946

    Here are the dimensions:

    width - 30" (762mm)
    height - 29.5" (749mm)
    depth at bottom - 14" (356mm)
    depth at top - 11" (279mm)

    The cab is straight up to half way, and then angles backwards at approx 12.5 degrees.

    I used 3/4" void free 11 ply birch.

    If your amp has a 4 ohm output, then the best way to match that would be 4 - 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel.

    Let's take some possible scenarios.

    4 - 16 ohm speakers
    -wired in series = 64 ohms
    -wired in parallel = 4 ohms
    -wired in series/parallel = 16 ohms
    (series/parallel mean 2 pairs of series wired speakers, wired in parallel)

    4 - 8 ohm speakers
    -wired in series = 32 ohms
    -wired in parallel = 2 ohms
    -wired in series/parallel = 8 ohms

    4 - 4 ohm speakers
    -wired in series = 16 ohms
    -wired in parallel = 1 ohm
    -wired in series/parallel = 4 ohms

    So, technically you could use 4 - 4 ohm speakers, but I imagine they are much less common than 16 ohm speakers. 8 ohm are out of the question for your application.

    Some cabinets are wired to a switch that offers a choice of settings.
    Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

    http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

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    • #3
      Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

      If you need a wiring diagram, I can draw something up for you. Let me know.
      Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

      http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

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      • #4
        Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

        My Peavey Butcher cab has the cloth speaker grille, and it is about 1/2" away from the speaker baffles. it is supported at the angle in the baffles by 1/2" thick strips of wood attached to the baffles.

        I wouldn't go much further than 1/2" because the further back you mount the baffles, the more you reduce the internal volume of the cabinet, ultimately affecting the sound of the cab.

        The one I built has a perforated steel grille, and it is mounted right to the front of the baffles, and is screwed on using washer head screws.
        Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

        http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

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        • #5
          Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

          PM me with your e-mail address, and I'll send you the wiring diagram.
          Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

          http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

            Oh, and as far as what you will need for wiring, other than the speakers, you will need the following:

            approx. 2m of 14 or 16ga wire
            16 - #16 female crimp-on spade connectors
            crimping tool
            1/4" input jack

            You could solder the wires on to the speakers, but I prefer the spade connectors. that way it's easier to re-wire it in the future, or change speakers.
            Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

            http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

              The cab that comes with TF700 (head), which is exactly the same as TF300 (combo), is 8 Ohm. How come? There says only 4 Ohm on amp.

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              • #8
                Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                What head is that? Is it solid state?

                I believe that solid state amps can safely run a higher impedance cabinet, just not one of lower impedance. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
                Sleep!!, That's where I'm a viking!!

                http://www.myspace.com/grindhouseadtheband

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                  Originally posted by zeegler:
                  If you need a wiring diagram, I can draw something up for you. Let me know.
                  <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would be very thankful! What do I need for wiring, except wires, speakers and input jacks?

                  Do you have any ideas how to make front panel with netlike tilt over the speakers? I was thinking of placing the speakers and inch or two deeper to the cab.

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                  • #10
                    Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                    I recommend using 3/5" baltic birch plywood for the cabinet.

                    Speakers and ohms were covered pretty well by Zeegler.

                    I personally would put in 90 watt Celestians (may have to get them from Mesa)
                    and run it 8/16ohm.

                    Have fun and post pics when its complete.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                      Originally posted by zeegler:
                      What head is that? Is it solid state?
                      <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The TF700 is a Laney Tube Fusion hybrid. So solid state power, a single 12ax7 in the preamp.
                      Hail yesterday

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                      • #12
                        Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                        Try Oak for the cabinet, or maybe mahogany? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
                        I had a set of Acoustic Research AR-2a speakers made with solid Oak, and those things kicked ass. They were made in the 50's.

                        Newc
                        I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

                        The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

                        My Blog: http://newcenstein.com

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                        • #13
                          Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                          Originally posted by zeegler:
                          What head is that? Is it solid state?

                          I believe that solid state amps can safely run a higher impedance cabinet, just not one of lower impedance. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
                          <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I am afraid to ask, but what actually is a solid state? I'm not very sure if my data is correct.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                            Originally posted by vwall guitars:
                            I recommend using 3/5" baltic birch plywood for the cabinet.

                            Speakers and ohms were covered pretty well by Zeegler.

                            I personally would put in 90 watt Celestians (may have to get them from Mesa)
                            and run it 8/16ohm.

                            Have fun and post pics when its complete.
                            <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Interesting. Maybe I will be putting 90w Celestions. I've found out that Celestion Vintage 30 is very cheap here (89 USD). How's with the price in USA?

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                            • #15
                              Re: What I have to know before building a guitar cab?

                              Solid State = Transistor (no tubes for the power amp or preamp - Hybrids have a tube preamp and Transistor power amp)

                              Newc
                              I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

                              The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

                              My Blog: http://newcenstein.com

                              Comment

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