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  #1  
Old 01-20-2020, 06:31 PM
3notes 3notes is offline
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Default Cabinet Question

Would it be wise to build a tight fitting cabinet for a small guitar combo amp.?? Top, bottom, sides and back. Think Fender Champion 20 or Fender Super Champ x2.

I'd use pine board. I think it would look cool painted in a cool color. I love working with wood. Just wondering about this..... Positive replies will set me in action.
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Old 01-20-2020, 09:26 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Great idea - some purely informational questions:
  1. Which/what size speaker do you have in mind?
  2. What are the projected cabinet dimensions (HWD)/open or closed back?
  3. What is the projected weight of the cabinet?
  4. What are your tonal requirements?
  5. What amp(s) will it be used with?
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Last edited by Steve DeRosa; 01-20-2020 at 09:32 PM.
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Old 01-20-2020, 09:29 PM
DukeX DukeX is offline
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A combo cab? I wouldn't. If you want the closed-back option, you can just make a removable panel to close the rear opening. I'd just make a closed back speaker cab instead, maybe a little oversized but with a 10" speaker of your choice. That will give you more tonal options, and you could plug other amps into it as well.
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Old 01-20-2020, 10:48 PM
3notes 3notes is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeX View Post
A combo cab? I wouldn't. If you want the closed-back option, you can just make a removable panel to close the rear opening. I'd just make a closed back speaker cab instead, maybe a little oversized but with a 10" speaker of your choice. That will give you more tonal options, and you could plug other amps into it as well.
Oh.!! That's a great idea. Makes more sense to me, too. Thanks for the reply.

Steve .... I was thinking of "wrapping" my small Fender Champion 20 amplifier with an 8" speaker. Using pine board. Now Duke has pointed me in a different direction. Build my own speaker cabinet. I like that idea....
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Old 01-20-2020, 11:19 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3notes View Post
...Duke has pointed me in a different direction. Build my own speaker cabinet. I like that idea....
That's what I thought you meant in the first place, and IMO that Champ 20 would benefit tonally (in terms of both frequency range and headroom) from a high-efficiency 12" rather than an 8" - check out some of these:

https://www.eminence.com/guitar-bass...ze=12#speakers
https://www.eminence.com/guitar-bass...ze=12#speakers

- and if you really want to go ultra-lightweight, here's a couple that'll make you a chiropractor's worst customer:

https://www.eminence.com/speakers/sp...odel=Lil_Texas
https://www.eminence.com/speakers/sp...del=Tonkerlite
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Old 01-21-2020, 11:03 AM
Big Band Guitar Big Band Guitar is offline
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I used cabinet grade 3/4 nom plywood.

Fairly flat and doesn't cup or twist as much as pine.

Pine is fine if you get it rough, plane it. and assemble it on the same day.
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Old 01-21-2020, 02:58 PM
DukeX DukeX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Band Guitar View Post
I used cabinet grade 3/4 nom plywood.

Fairly flat and doesn't cup or twist as much as pine.

Pine is fine if you get it rough, plane it. and assemble it on the same day.
Good advice. I use 5/8 voidless Baltic birch. I've used 3/4 as well.
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Old 01-21-2020, 11:38 PM
3notes 3notes is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Band Guitar View Post
I used cabinet grade 3/4 nom plywood.

Fairly flat and doesn't cup or twist as much as pine.

Pine is fine if you get it rough, plane it. and assemble it on the same day.
What is 3/4 nom plywood.?? I haven't a clue.
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Old 01-22-2020, 09:51 AM
Big Band Guitar Big Band Guitar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3notes View Post
What is 3/4 nom plywood.?? I haven't a clue.
That would be 3/4 nominal size somewhat less than 3/4 inch.
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Old 01-23-2020, 09:53 AM
3notes 3notes is offline
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Originally Posted by Big Band Guitar View Post
That would be 3/4 nominal size somewhat less than 3/4 inch.
Oh. Yes, of course. But wouldn't it be better described as 3/4" board is named 1" board.??

There is no 3/4" board, is there.??.......

BBG .... See what you've done now. LOL ........
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Last edited by 3notes; 01-23-2020 at 10:14 AM.
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  #11  
Old 01-23-2020, 11:30 AM
seannx seannx is offline
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Actual sizes are different from nominal sizes for dimensioned lumber and plywood.

2x lumber loses .5” in thickness during milling, and .5” to .75” in width. A 2x4 is typically 1.5” x 3.5”, a 2x6 is 1.5” x 5.5”, a 2x8 is 1.5” x 7.25”...

1x lumber loses .25” in thickness during milling, and the same amount in width as a corresponding 2x size. For example a 1x4 is typically .75” x 3.5”, a 2x8 is 3/4” x 7 1/4”...

Plywood is made from thin sheets of wood glued together, a completely different process. The nominal thickness of plywood may equal its actual dimension, or be slightly smaller. So 3/4” plywood can be a full 3/4” or up to 1/32” thinner.

When working with plywood, and finished dimensions are critical, it's necessary to measure the plywood and adjust for the difference.
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  #12  
Old 01-23-2020, 11:57 AM
Big Band Guitar Big Band Guitar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3notes View Post
Oh. Yes, of course. But wouldn't it be better described as 3/4" board is named 1" board.??

There is no 3/4" board, is there.??.......

BBG .... See what you've done now. LOL ........
In my shop I make boards any thickness I want. Plywood I have no control over.

So yes there is a 3/4 board.
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The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday.

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  #13  
Old 02-12-2020, 06:40 PM
C-ville Brent C-ville Brent is offline
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Late to this party but been busy with work. I've built 3 1x12 speaker cabinets, all starting with 1" x 12" pine boards. Two have slanted baffles of slightly varying degrees and all with the option of open/closed back. Hardware from Parts Express. WGS and Celestion speakers. I like sound from open back, but closed back option probably be beneficial if playing with others. Switching between 3 different tube heads provides a lot of variety. Perhaps the best thing is that you can make them uniquely your own - materials, design, quality of materials, speakers, size, color/finish, etc. Best of luck and enjoy!
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  #14  
Old 02-13-2020, 03:49 AM
wrathfuldeity wrathfuldeity is offline
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Its a rabbit hole, its fun and why stay with the usual box. Did one years ago as a winter project and quite happy with it. Have done a few mods and changes but it works. Steve's notes are important to figure out.

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/intere.../#post-5389375
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