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Post subject: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:09 am
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I am building an exact replica of a Mesa/Boogie 2 x 12 Horizontal Recto cab. The only difference will be the covering material and, of course, it will not have a Mesa logo. I am using the same materials, dimensions, and construction techniques: 3/4" 7-ply birch plywood rabbet joined for the top, bottom, and sides, and 1/2" birch plywood dado joined for the baffleboard. 1/2" birch plywood for the back as well. The back will have a rubber gasket for an air-tight seal. Handles, jack plate, and whatever other items will be recessed so they will not stick out and snag things or get chipped/broken.

My wife's grandfather was a wood worker. He passed away a few years ago, and all his high quality wood working tools have just been sitting there all this time. My wife's grandmother told me a while back that I could have it all!!!!
All the tools are top-of-the-line Craftsman. Included in all this is: a really nice table saw(this thing is sooooo heavy!) with a huge stack of blades and a dado kit, a router and router table, scroll saw, jig saw, belt sander, random orbit sander, planer/joiner, hand planers, chisels, clamps, and every imaginable bit, blade, and accessory. Tons of stuff that I don't know what it is or does. And lots of other stuff I've forgotten about or failed to mention. I already had a really good Porter-Cable circular saw that I splurged on a couple of years back. When it comes to tools, I'd rather get a high quality tool rather than a cheap one, even if I just have to get a piece at a time to slowly build my collection. Nothing worse than a tool breaking right in the middle of an important project!

I am a metal fabricator, not a wood worker. All that's fueling this project is common sense and advice from knowledgeable fellows. Any advice, tips, and suggestions you guys can give me will be greatly appreciated. I'm just a hobbyist that got lucky and inherited a bunch of good equipment. I'm also a perfectionist and I want my finished products to be perfect. I want this cab to be just as good or better than anything one can purchase. I chose the 2 x 12 Horizontal Rectifier cab because it is pretty much the standard for closed back 2 x 12 cabs. Even if you don't like Mesa/Boogie amps, you can't deny that they make a top-of-the-line product.
I'm also considering ordering a mono/stereo mounting jack plate. Should I put in a divider to separate the two speakers if I do the mono/stereo jack?

Here's what I've done so far:
The rabbet joint I cut out with the table saw. I initially was gonna do it with the router, but my friend at work said that he'd just do it with the table saw. I have to admit he was right. I don't think it could have turned out better. The cuts are very smooth and the dimensions are precise. I used a 200 tooth ATB blade. I have about 30 different blades for the table saw, so I looked up a blade guide on the internet to choose the appropriate blade for my application. Here is a great article and blade guide:
http://www.rockler.com/articles/saw-blades-101.cfm Scroll down just a bit to see the guide.
The dado was made with the router. I bought a 1/2" straight router bit for about $17 at Home Depot. I made two passes: the first was about 1/8" deep, and the next pass made the total depth 1/4"

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:33 am
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So far, the total cost is around $100. The 3/4" 7-ply birch plywood was $47 for a 4x8' sheet. The 1/2" birch plywood was around $17. I also bought some 1" wood screws and a small bottle of Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. The 1/2" router bit was $17. This will also give me enough material to build another 2x12 cab. I may build a 1x12 or a 2x12 open back cab with it.
I still have to purchase handles, corners, rubber gasket material for the back, rubber feet or maybe casters, and jack plate. I have some Sheffield speakers that a friend at work gave me. I'll use those until I am able to buy the ones I want. I am still as of yet undecided on speakers. I think I'll use a V30 and a C90.
Once again, any advice, tips, or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:28 am
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That's some fine looking work there, Hollis.

RAWK ON!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:45 am
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Thanks Arjay!

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:07 am
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What's the plan for the speaker installation, Hollis?

Rear-loaded via studs and keps or front-loaded using screws and T-nuts?

How about grill cloth -- removable frame type?

I'm looking forward to the next pictorial installment.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:25 am
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Good questions Arjay, and I'm still not 100% decided. Though I'll probably go with a front-loaded speaker using screws and T-nuts. I'm gonna check with a couple of manufacturers, but I'm gonna go with a separate grill frame. I don't want the grill cloth on the baffle board. What do you think?

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:32 am
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I favor Fender's traditional Leo-era method of a grill frame glued to a removable baffle board, but the fixed baffle board with a separate frame is a legitimate-and-sound method as well. Be sure to use an ample number of velcro strips to hold it securely and prevent buzzes or rattles -- say, velcro every ten inches or so.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 6:21 am
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Hi. Nice looking wood work for a grandson :D

I am going to build several custom cabinets (probably have them made).
I noticed your speaker cabinet will be a "closed-back".
Have you considered the possibility of making your cabinet a convertible?
These are the cool cabinets that allow you to have the closed-back,
or, remove part of the back-panel to have an open-back speaker cabinet.

I have heard nothing but positives for open-back cabinets,
and that closed-back cabinets have a hard time filling a room
with music compared ot open-back cabinets.

What do you think or have experienced? Toppscore :)

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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:01 am
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A closed back cabinet should project forward more than an open back cab....depending on the speakers it could be more directional or spread the sound out closer,2x10s vs. 2x12s for instance,different highs and lows....that's what I've noticed with different speaker configurations....but it might just be me too. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:26 am
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Toppscore wrote:
I am going to build several custom cabinets (probably have them made).


There's nothing inherently difficult to building amp cabinets or speaker enclosures so long as those who attempt it have some experience working with common hand tools, can follow a basic assembly sequence, and are familiar with the materials required. I've been at it for a number of years now......

Image

After having "dissected" countless amps during a restoration process, I discovered the logic and simplicity of the procedure and now feel comfortable enough that I can pretty much duplicate any design or style.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 3:42 pm
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Arjay, how did you get your baffle cutouts so round? I drew the circles with a pencil and cut them out with a jig saw. Mine will certainly get the job done, but they are not "perfect" like I would like. In fact, they really bother me. I'm thinking of recutting the baffle board.

_________________
2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 3:47 pm
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I could cut out a ring-shaped jig out of metal on one of the CNC lasers at work, then cut out the holes with a router... That would make them perfect. I can make anything out of metal. Wood...not so much.

_________________
2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 4:02 pm
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Hollis Prince wrote:
Arjay, how did you get your baffle cutouts so round? I drew the circles with a pencil and cut them out with a jig saw.


I used the same method, Hollis.

Then I block-sanded the inside rim with a home-made shaper that I fabricated for just these occasions. It allows a nice finished look to the openings, which helps belie the fact that the cab is indeed home-made.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 5:05 pm
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ok, I see. What type of blade did you use? I was having a lot of trouble curving the saw around and staying precisely on the line. The 3/4" birch plywood is really tough and I was wondering how you did it. Maybe it's just my inexperience, but it seemed really difficult. Maybe there is a better choice of blades?

_________________
2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Build Thread! - 2 x 12 Closed Back Cab
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 5:54 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Toppscore wrote:
I am going to build several custom cabinets (probably have them made).


There's nothing inherently difficult to building amp cabinets or speaker enclosures so long as those who attempt it have some experience working with common hand tools, can follow a basic assembly sequence, and are familiar with the materials required. I've been at it for a number of years now......

Image

After having "dissected" countless amps during a restoration process, I discovered the logic and simplicity of the procedure and now feel comfortable enough that I can pretty much duplicate any design or style.

Arjay


How do you do the top front route?

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