Quick 2x8 extension cabinet build.

[GunsOfBrixton]

Using up some scrap shelving from a recent family room remodel.

Going to leave it bare for a bit. Maybe tolex it in the future. It is big enough to make it into a 2x10 if I want.

 

[PhredE]

Any idea what speakers you might install?

 

[Peegoo]

@GunsOfBrixton UPcycle, baby!

That is nice work!

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

@GunsOfBrixton UPcycle, baby!

That is nice work!

Thanks. Once I got the jig set up properly, it was a breeze. Especially since I was using A whiteside spiral router bit. It cuts through the pine like butter and leaves clean edges.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Any idea what speakers you might install?

Well, I am going to test out a pair of 5 Core speakers (made in India). They cost a princely sum of $24 for the pair. I know someone who is running 4 of them (10" though) in a cab and likes them. We shall see. If they are duds then no real lose.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Finished this project up. The speakers leave a little to be desired. But the cab is built and I can swap in other speakers at anytime. Even make it a 2x10 if I want.

 

[Rockinvet]

Nice work! She’s a beauty.

 

[Stevo Bambino]

Sweet build. What is the router jig you used to make the finger joints called? I need to build a couple cabs and I am not a wood worker, so I have no idea what these tools and things are even called.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Sweet build. What is the router jig you used to make the finger joints called? I need to build a couple cabs and I am not a wood worker, so I have no idea what these tools and things are even called.

"box joint jig" or "finger joint jig".

 

[ChicknPickn]

Well done. A beauty.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Sweet build. What is the router jig you used to make the finger joints called? I need to build a couple cabs and I am not a wood worker, so I have no idea what these tools and things are even called.

@NoTeleBob has it. What kind of cabs do you need? Might be easier to find someone to cut and finger joint the boards for you instead of investing in tools you will only use once. The porter cable jig I have was not cheap. Do you already have a router and a good bit?

 

[SerpentRuss]

@NoTeleBob has it. What kind of cabs do you need? Might be easier to find someone to cut and finger joint the boards for you instead of investing in tools you will only use once. The porter cable jig I have was not cheap. Do you already have a router and a good bit?

A table saw jig works well and can be built easily if you buy a dado. You can make it from scrap. So, if you have a table saw, that's a good option.

 

[Mongo Park]

Nice build, I like when old wood gets a new life instead of going up in smoke
Yah those jigs take some messing with to get dialled in. I have one and bought an old garage sale router so I can leave it setup. I have a dovetail bit in it so it depth is important.
Finger joints set a speaker cab in the world class gold standard, looks classic and are super strong
So how do you rate 2 8’s for bass. I have been dreaming of a 4X8 “mini” bassman style cab. Or more practical a 2 X8 like yours.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

The 2 speakers I have in it are a bit lacking. Not horrible for $24 for the pair but I will be replacing them at some point. The bass response is OK.

 

[ievans]

Finger joints are strong, but surprisingly, are only marginally stronger than basic miter joints, according to this test by Jason at Bourbon Moth. Miter joint failed at 200-210 lbs., finger joint at 210-220 lbs. Strongest was a splined miter joint at 260-270 lbs.

He also has a good video on making a table saw box joint jig. I much prefer using a table saw for this kind of joint than a router. I have a Freud 1/4" & 3/8" box joint blade that works really well. I almost never use my dado set any longer.

 

[jonrpick]

Nice build, I like when old wood gets a new life instead of going up in smoke
Yah those jigs take some messing with to get dialled in. I have one and bought an old garage sale router so I can leave it setup. I have a dovetail bit in it so it depth is important.
Finger joints set a speaker cab in the world class gold standard, looks classic and are super strong
So how do you rate 2 8’s for bass. I have been dreaming of a 4X8 “mini” bassman style cab. Or more practical a 2 X8 like yours.

@Mongo Park I have a Hartke 4x8 that was part of a small solid state half stack setup, it originally had the 4x8 and a small head. The cab just looks like a typical angled 4x12 Marshall-type cab, just much smaller. With stock speakers (cheap no-name) it sounds pretty good, and the bass isn't lacking. It's not nearly as deep-sounding as a 4x12, obviously, but I have no complaints there.

At some point I'll be installing "real" speakers in it to see what it can do. As it stands now, it already has the snap of 8" speakers but with a MUCH bigger sound than what you'd get from a single 8" speaker in an open back cab.

 

[Stevo Bambino]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I do not have a table saw, but I do have a very nice router. My Dad does have a table saw but I am not a fan of working at his house because he makes everything take 4 times as long. I plan on building a 2x8" cab, 2 1x12" cabs, and at least one head, probably two. I have 2 8" 16 ohm speakers that I got for free from a friend, and 2 12" speakers from curbside organs that were headed to the dump. Our town has a "Spring Cleanup" every year where everyone brings their dead trash to the curb and the city picks it up in dump trucks and hauls it away. I used to drive around and look for interesting things. One of the organs I found was my neighbor's 1940s Wurlitzer. I pulled the power amp and field coil speaker out just before the trucks got it. I wish I could have gotten more out of it. It was loaded with tubes.

I am also interested to hear how GunsOfBrixton's 2x8" cab sounds. I have heard many people on this forum state they prefer 2x10" cabs. That might be the best but I am working with what I have. I do prefer a 1x12" over a 1x10" and a 1x8" sounds gutless to me. I have never heard a 2x10" yet and I hope to hear a 2x8" soon.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I do not have a table saw, but I do have a very nice router. My Dad does have a table saw but I am not a fan of working at his house because he makes everything take 4 times as long. I plan on building a 2x8" cab, 2 1x12" cabs, and at least one head, probably two. I have 2 8" 16 ohm speakers that I got for free from a friend, and 2 12" speakers from curbside organs that were headed to the dump. Our town has a "Spring Cleanup" every year where everyone brings their dead trash to the curb and the city picks it up in dump trucks and hauls it away. I used to drive around and look for interesting things. One of the organs I found was my neighbor's 1940s Wurlitzer. I pulled the power amp and field coil speaker out just before the trucks got it. I wish I could have gotten more out of it. It was loaded with tubes.

I am also interested to hear how GunsOfBrixton's 2x8" cab sounds. I have heard many people on this forum state they prefer 2x10" cabs. That might be the best but I am working with what I have. I do prefer a 1x12" over a 1x10" and a 1x8" sounds gutless to me. I have never heard a 2x10" yet and I hope to hear a 2x8" soon.

The cab sounds just OK. That is, the speakers are not winning me over. But then again, they were only $24 for the pair.I will be buying some better ones to try. Thinking about a pair of Jensen mod 8-20's or a pair of celestion 8 15's. What kind are the 2 you have? Feel free to send them to me and I will test them.out in my cab and report back to you

 

[Stevo Bambino]

I have a vintage Jensen C8R. I had two but one did not work. So I bought a B-stock Weber 8A125 to replace it. I really just need to build a cab for them.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

So, I bought a pair of Jensen mod 8's and put them in this cabinet. Quite an improvement. More clean headroom, nice breakup as they are pushed a little bit. Really happy with the result.