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Post subject: HRD Extension Cab - Any users?
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:57 am
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I just picked up the new Hot Rod Deluxe III amplifier - great amp btw. I'm looking into the Celestion loaded extension cab. (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=600768)

I also happen to have a 8 ohm Vintage 30 speaker laying around. Would I be better off just buying an empty cabinet and loading the V30 in it and use this as an extension to the HRD or buy the matching cab from Fender? I love the looks of the extension cab with the HRD. Which combination would sound better?


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Post subject: HRDlx ext cab
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:03 am
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I just got mine a couple of weeks ago (Celestion G12P-80) . I searched many internet sites, local shops and big chains, to find a cab that was about the same size, to fit under the HRDlx, as well as to use with other amps. None were the same size, many were close, or bigger which would work. Most of the finished cabs that I looked at, that were big enough to put the HRDlx on, had 16 ohm speakers, and I needed an 8 ohm speaker. Getting a good empty cab, then adding a speaker and wiring, etc, it would have cost more than the Fender cab w/ speaker (mine $254 + tax new :D ). Sure, the cab materials could be better on the Fender, but we're back to more bucks, how much to spend?

At first, trying the cab by itself on the HRDlx, the speaker had great, solid, thumpy low end, very good mids, loud and rich, but the highs were very muted. I tried the cab in combination with the HRDlx internal speaker, and it still was lacking highs, but sounded fairly good together. Then I tried the cab with a BJr, and for the clean sound it was still lacking highs. But when using heavy drive on the BJr and the HRDlx, this Fender cab sounded sweet. I could get some warm, smooth tones that would feedback and sustain just perfectly. That is where this cab really shines, it handles drive and distortion very well. I could crank the BJr with both vols at 12, and it sounded amazing, and much bigger than the BJr speaker.

And then, my forum friends here, reminded me that perhaps removing the back panel would help to enhance the highs. I removed the panel on the back, making it open back cab. The speaker wire is short, but I was able to move the panel out at the bottom about 4 inches, leaning the top against the panel supports in the cab. Wow! A very noticeable difference right away. The highs did indeed come through clearer, and the speaker had a better overall sound balance. The lows were still great, just not as tight as before, more loose. The speaker still has a warm, solid, very loud sound with the back off.

I guess that I'll have to make some kind of plywood cover for the back, big enough for cab stability and partially open for the highs. But, overall I am very happy with the cab now. When I first heard it, I thought that I might have to change the speaker, but with the back open on the cab, it will be great for all of the uses that I have for it. And, part of the reason that I like it is that it looks perfect under the HRDlx! :D

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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:12 pm
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Thanks. I looked at getting an empty Avatar cab - but that would cost me $235 shipped - close to what you paid for the HRD cab WITH a speaker. Only question I would have is how much "better" is the V30 vs. the Celestion being preloaded into the HRD cab. What material is the cabinet made of?


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Post subject: HRDlx ext cab
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:41 pm
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I have no idea about the speaker differences. The baffle board looks like a nice piece of wood, probably plywood. The rest of the cab looks like some kind of particle board, but thick and solid. I say particle board based on the smooth, non-wood like appearance inside, but haven't peeled back the covering to see. The pieces that the back panel screws into are definitely particle board, you can see the edges with the back off.

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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:33 pm
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So you have the best of both worlds. Buy the Fender Ext. cab and if you're not 100% satisfied with the sound, put the V30 you already own in it.

I have a Blues Deluxe Reissue with the matching tweed ext. cab. It is slightly more bassey/less trebly but compliments the stock speaker of the combo well. If I had a V30, I'd probably change it out as that is one of my favorite sounding speakers.

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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:27 am
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The same thought went through my mind. Unfortunately Avatar don't sell unloaded cabs in Australia, only loaded ones at $550 with a V30. I wanted the same specs as what you're wanting so I did this

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=44510

The Celstion V30 is a great speaker, apparently a bucketload better than the standard issue.

I think RVM lead is right though, just buy the cabinet where you are and if you don't like it, swap the speaker.

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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:12 am
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I have the same set-up as RVM lead, Blues Dlx RI and matching 112 cab. Punchy sound especially when at gig volume. Definitely worth a try.


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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:12 am
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Impulse7 wrote:
The same thought went through my mind. Unfortunately Avatar don't sell unloaded cabs in Australia, only loaded ones at $550 with a V30. I wanted the same specs as what you're wanting so I did this

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=44510

The Celstion V30 is a great speaker, apparently a bucketload better than the standard issue.

I think RVM lead is right though, just buy the cabinet where you are and if you don't like it, swap the speaker.


Great job on your cab. construction, Impulse7. Your workmanship is top notch! Not meaning to be a criticism, just a statement of my preference in taste...I would have bit the bullet and matched the tweed, then, since you like the open configuration, sprayed the interior a matching shade of yellow or light brown. As it now stands, I'd spray the interior black.

Super job though. And are you happy with the V30?

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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:01 am
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It's too bad we don't have a for sale section. I have a brand new HRD ext cab + a V30 that I'm not using and will probably never use, I bought it to use with my DRRI...

It's a nice cab, heavy and well built, sounds good but I moved to 15" speakers and have no need for any 12s right now. I prefer the V30 over the G12, but the Jensen from the DRRI sounded best in there IMO.


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