My $6 1x12" DIY cab (tons of photos)

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bowlfreshener

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I recently made a 1x12 for about $8 myself out of a dead combo amp (if you don't count what I paid for the combo when I got it new in 1990)...The money went to the 1x2 and the jack/jackplate parts...
vjstack002.jpg
 

WireLine

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I recently made a 1x12 for about $8 myself out of a dead combo amp (if you don't count what I paid for the combo when I got it new in 1990)...The money went to the 1x2 and the jack/jackplate parts...
vjstack002.jpg

Years back I did something similar with a Peavey Bandit that gave up the ghost...took off the Peavey logo, threw away the non functioning chassis, and put name badges from all sorts of things on there...but I didn't run the "expense" of a jackplate - I just hardwired a 6 ft speaker cord to whatever speaker was in there at the time...

You know what might be a fun experiment? Take a Fender 2-15 cab and replace the baffleboard with one cut out for a single 10...the proper application of a Theile Small port with that much back room for a good 10 could make for one hell-ACIOUS cabinet...might be a tad on the overkill side, though (/tongue in cheek)
 

JohnnyCrash

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I recently made a 1x12 for about $8 myself out of a dead combo amp (if you don't count what I paid for the combo when I got it new in 1990)...The money went to the 1x2 and the jack/jackplate parts...
vjstack002.jpg



That front panel sticker sums up guys like us... HAHAHA I love it.

Has anybody seen Saturday Night Live's spoof on MacGyver?

We're all just MacGrubers in a world of MacGyvers.
 

Vol. Knob

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Hey, that's the best use of a solid state Crate I've ever seen.

In the pic below, the 2x12 cab under the silverface Pro is a former Peavey Classic from the early '80s or late '70s. It was aweful. When it died I left it in the basement for a decade. Last year I trashed the chassis, tore off the grillcloth, added some fabric art I bought at the local city market, placed some random lumber accross the front, loaded it with an Eminance GB12 and one original Utah from the Pro, and closed the back. It actually sounds pretty good.
rigmarch2007.jpg
 

IronJoe

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Well done, Johnny Crash.

Seems like as good a time as any to try inserting a MacGruber youtube clip.

 

JohnnyCrash

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"MacGruber, he's recently divorced and he's filing for bankrupcy..."

My favorite is when he's asking for stuff and it turns out to be the ingredients for a Bloody Mary.

When he's eating that sandwich with no shirt on... ah man, I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.

Here you go, my favorite three episodes:

 

JohnnyCrash

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JohnnyC,

What are the dimensions of the cab?

Oh...

11" deep
16" baffle width & height - so add 3/4" on either side for the exterior dimensions (17.5").

I started with 18" lengths and used 3/4" fingerjoints... like I said, my fingerjoint jig and saws are all ghetto-tastic, so I had to trim a little bit off to make it all even - ergo my 17.5" dimensions :)

MacGruber style tools with MacGruber style skills (or lack of skills).
 

mikfer

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Dimensions?

Oh...

11" deep
16" baffle width & height - so add 3/4" on either side for the exterior dimensions (17.5").

I started with 18" lengths and used 3/4" fingerjoints... like I said, my fingerjoint jig and saws are all ghetto-tastic, so I had to trim a little bit off to make it all even - ergo my 17.5" dimensions :)

MacGruber style tools with MacGruber style skills (or lack of skills).

Thanks!
 

electricbody

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Very cool. I've been thinking of doing something like this for a while. One of these days when I finally move out of my apartment a cab will be first on the list of things to "build."
 

Paul in Colorado

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It's funny this came up. I'm about to do the same. I have a baffle from a destroyed humungo Bandmaster cab that I can cut to size. I have some scrap plywood, but I'm thinking maybe I can find some other scrap wood for the the cabinet. The T-Shirt grill is a great idea since I have a bunch of black T-Shirts I never wear. And I have some scrap pieces of black and cream tolex so I could do a two tone cab.

Johnny, I'm inspired! Thanks, buddy!
 

JohnnyCrash

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...I have some scrap plywood, but I'm thinking maybe I can find some other scrap wood for the the cabinet...

Check out your local hardware store - like I said, I only used $6 in pine to make this cab.

The baffle can be play, but don't skimp on the cab itself.

As far as the T-Shirt grill, it was easier to put on than the Fender oxblood stuff - or other grill cloths. I put the shirt on the baffle like I was dressing my kid or something, the material stretched well, then I stapled and cut the back off Paramedic style... only thing is, I can tell it'll get a little dirty easier.

I've been trying to figure out the MacGruber theme on guitar, only thing is the vocals are mixed super loud and I can't stop laughing at the lyrics!
 

DrewB

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image removed

:D

Oh my GOSH! Johnny, you gotta do this! That's way cooler than Fender's attempts at big pimpin' with their sunburst cabs!

The great thing about the grille cloth is that it's easily replaceable if you get bored with it. You could keep an eye open for good candidates at garage sales and second-hand shops.

What fun! I'm gettin' the itch to build another cab now...
 
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