Andronico Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Hi friends, last Dicember I bought a Line 6 Spider III HD75 Head for a good price and I was using it connected to the speaker of my guitar combo... Then I had to buy a cab for it or build one... I know that build a cab is not the more exciting thing in the world to do but I love build things so I took the second way. Last two weekends I was working in it, the specifications are : - 2x12¨ guitar cab. - Speakers : 12¨,60W, 8 ohms guitar speakers. - Mono input : 120W at 4 ohms (speakers in parallel). - Stereo input : 60W at 8 ohms (per channel). - Box : 15mm MDF sides, 30mm front, all joined with glue and wood inserts, with wood reinforcements inside. - Back in three parts, with a center door to use the cab closed or opened. - Finish : black tolex with metal corners protectors and metal handles. - Front : wood frame with black cloth grill and aluminum binding. - Wheels : heavy duty metal/plastic wheels. Here are the partial results of these days : Step by step pics : All the parts cutted : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab001.jpg The speakers : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab005.jpg My friend Taz checking my work... http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab007.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab010.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab011.jpg Gluing a mdf strip to add thickness to the front : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab012.jpg Making the holes for the speakers : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab013.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab017.jpg During this week I´ll have several free hours to work. More pics soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 This is really cool. I have the Spider3 150W head with 4X12 cab. I want to run two 4X12 cabs but I can't find a flat front line 6 cab as it seems they only make a slant cab. Two slants won't work since I need to stack them and I have three small kids and that would be a recipe for disaster. So, I've been contemplating building a second flat faced cab so I can run two cabs in 75 mono per cab. I also want to change the tolex to a different color on the existing pieces. Likely a snake skin with flat black grills! Your's looks so good it has me inspired to get started on that project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth guitars Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 This is really cool. I have the Spider3 150W head with 4X12 cab. I want to run two 4X12 cabs but I can't find a flat front line 6 cab as it seems they only make a slant cab. This might help: http://www.line6.com/store/hardware.html?m...p;dealer=online http://www.instrumentpro.com/P-LINLINE6CAB412-SB.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 hmmm, Guess I only looked for Spider3 cabs and not the Vetta cabs. I suppose they are all basically the same. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 The king of DIY has returned! I really like it. As always, it's clean clean work. If you ever put together a schematic/drawing/CAD/PDF of how you went about the construction, don't forget to let us know! I'd like to add it to my collection if possible. How did you go about making the holes for the speakers perfectly circular? I have seen a few router jigs, like the ones they use to cut soundholes on acoustics. I've also read a few articles detailing how some manipulate the dimensions of the cabinet to emphasize certain frequencies. I didn't know if you came across this in your readings, or what you thought about it. Congrats again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Thanks Xanthus, I have more pics of each step than I show in the forum, but I don´t want to bore you with them. Could be a good idea to do a detailed PDF with schematics and pics, If I have enough time in the future... I´ll try. About the holes for the speakers, they are not perfect if you look close enough... I used three tools to make them, the pics shows the order : First I cut the holes close to the circle line : Then I sanded the circle to make it almost perfect using this little DIY tool : Finally I used the router to round the circle : About the dimensions of the cabinet, I was looking and reading for some weeks. I know that is important the relation between the box, the materials and the speakers... but honestly I just copied the dimensions of an existing design and only make the open/close back modification to play with this feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoughtless 7 Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 You decided what speaker you are going to put in there yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 You decided what speaker you are going to put in there yet? Yes, there is a local manufacturer that make some really nice guitar speakers. I put one in my guitar combo to test and sounds good. I really don´t know how will be the result with the cab (open or close) and the Spider III, because the HD75 is a modeler amp and the speakers add some colour to the sound but I´ll have to try and tweak the tone controls to my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 More progress to report. I completed the box, all is joined, reinforced and waiting for the flat black paint and the finishing. The results : More pics : The inside reinforcements : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab024.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab029.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab030.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab035.jpg The cab with the front routed : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab026.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab036.jpg The three parts back : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab028.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab038.jpg Today I´ll buy the metal corners and handles and I´ll be painting in flat black all the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan316 Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Couple of questions. Do you plan to test the cab and speakers with both the open-back and a closed-back? That plastic jack plate scares me. I love steel cup jack plates. Do you have a source for them? www.partsexpress.com has been good to me for cab building/repairing. Recessed jack plate and handles? You got a router, you could make it look really clean and professional. Rhino-liner? Duratex? I've been hella-impressed by the looks AND the durability of both, far superior to Tolex wrapping or just spray-painting, makes the cab watertight which helps when loading in/out in winter and the snow's falling heavy. Grill cover? Metal grate, cloth, vintage mesh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Hi Bryan, your questions are welcome ! Yes, the back will have a door to use it open or close. For the moment the jack plate will be a plastic one because I want to obtain all the parts locally and I live in Argentina... The jack plate and handles will be recessed. I´m painting all the box in flat black to seal the MDF and then will be covered with black tolex. The grill will be black cloth in a wood frame with aluminum binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Man Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 This build looks very good, can't wait to see it finished. Are you going to do any porting for closed back use? Also, It doesn't actually really matter if the circles aren't perfect, as long as the speakers fit, since the you will have a grill on the front anyway right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirge for november Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Thanks Xanthus, I have more pics of each step than I show in the forum, but I don´t want to bore you with them. Could be a good idea to do a detailed PDF with schematics and pics, If I have enough time in the future... I´ll try. That would be really interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 The cab is now covered with the black tolex ! First I painted the box with flat black : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab043.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab044.jpg Then I began with the tolex : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab047.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab048.jpg Here are the metal corners and handles that I bought : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab039.jpg Now I have to install them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Lookin good! What did you use to glue on the tolex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Lookin good! What did you use to glue on the tolex? Contact glue, the same that you can use to glue a carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Man, you've got to have some patience to get that tolex perfect. I applaud you for that. I made a floor box for my PodXT Live, so I wouldn't have to worry about it getting knocked around. I bought a similar material to tolex, and it took me maybe 3 tries with each piece to get it to fit right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Man, you've got to have some patience to get that tolex perfect. I applaud you for that. I made a floor box for my PodXT Live, so I wouldn't have to worry about it getting knocked around. I bought a similar material to tolex, and it took me maybe 3 tries with each piece to get it to fit right! Thanks Xanthus, you are right, patience is the key for a good job ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2008 More progress to show, I´ve installed the metal accessories : When I installed the wheels, I used two longer screws to stop the rotation of the wheels. The stability of the box is higher in this way. http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab056.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab058.jpg The connections for the speakers : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab066.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab068.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab069.jpg Now I´m working in the wood frame for the front grill cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted May 24, 2008 Report Share Posted May 24, 2008 Those longer screws won't affect moving it around at all? Now that you can't get the full 360 degree rotation out of them... Still impressed with that tolex, hahaha. I couldn't do it myself If I build a cab, I'll probably just stain it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2008 Those longer screws won't affect moving it around at all? Now that you can't get the full 360 degree rotation out of them... Yes you are right, the screws affect the moving around, you only have almost 180 degree rotation. But if you look closely to the wheels you can see that the pivot on which the wheels rotates is not in the centre, and if the rotation is 360 degree and you rotate all the wheels to the centre of the cabinet, the stability of the cab + head is not good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 Ok, I follow now. I would have never thought of that, hahaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 My cab is finished ! Pics of the back : More pics : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab089.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab091.jpg I made the latch of the back door using a little piece of black plastic. Details of the door´s latch (in opened position) : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab077.jpg Details of the door´s latch (in closed position) : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab078.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Pictures of the front : Details of the aluminum binding : http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab083.jpg http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/a...2x12/Cab084.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudz Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Great job. How does it sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.