stevie

The handles were the right way up - it's the cabinet that was upside down.

To expand briefly on my much-maligned laconic comment, I would just explain that the cost of producing a 3-way loudspeaker system with a high quality midrange driver and HF unit is much higher than the configuration of a single or twin driver with an optional small tweeter favoured by Barefaced and many others. Although it's fairly obvious that the drive units in a 3-way system cost more, many people don't appreciate that the crossover in a system like some of the early Barefaced models and the current Fearful range is a very high-cost item - not to mention quite difficult to design properly.

Why don't you stay and actually contribute something useful?

"A typically helpful response." Perhaps I should have said sarcastic rather than tetchy. If you would like me to expand on my comment, feel free to ask. But there's nothing wrong with a single-word post if it actually says something.

It's not me posting the tetchy comment.

I didn't claim to be helping anyone. Just taking part in the discussion. Do you have a problem with that?

You can if you build your own.

Cost.

I've had all three on the same bass and ended up with the Schaller 3D. The Badass was a bit of a lump - and cutting your own slots is a bit primitive.. The Gotoh was nice and simple, and I'd happily use it again, but the Schaller was the most sophisticated from an engineering point of view. I currently have an Ibanez with a cast Ibanez bridge and don't feel the need to upgrade it.

Agreed - really good job. But I would have plugged it in way before this.

Do we have someone who can set up the shootout?

When I made my last cab, the grille was the most awkward item to procure. A custom-made metal grille was going to cost me nearly £30. I ended up buying a wrecked Ashdown cab just for the grille. Where did that one come from? It looks good. Do you really need the edge strips? I can't help thinking it might make the cab look a bit amateur, whereas now it looks like a real pro job. Just a thought.

There will be some self-build cabs with tweeters - no problem.

This promises to be really interesting.

You're a very fast worker, fleabag.

Makes sense. There's no reason for the curve to fall off so soon. You do occasionally get a driver with that kind of sloping response, but they're usually bass drivers with heavy cones.

Yes, I would. Because the ports are in the corners, you should leave those areas clear.

Yes, well that takes care of the theory but doesn't really explain what to do. The principle is to add as much damping material as you can to reduce standing waves and flutter echoes without reducing the output from the ports (too much). It's a bit of a balancing act, but with the right measuring equipment you can see exactly what effect the damping is having on the system and choose the optimum amount of internal damping. That's how I arrived at the damping layout for the Basschat 12 cab. If you over-damp, you'll reduce port output; if you under-damp, you'll have a lot of ringing going on inside the box. As a rule of thumb, you should line all the walls but keep the area around the ports clear.

What's the wadding in cabs thread? There is a logical method for doing this but you need measuring gear to do it properly. I'd definitely put some wadding in the centre of each wall. It could sound a bit boxy without.

Great job so far. The cab would probably benefit from more wadding.

It will be all right when we do a trade deal with the USA. Don't worry.

You got off lightly. You should have been charged import duty as well.

I put two coats on with the fine roller and finished with one coat with the sponge roller. I was pleased with the way it turned out, although it took a while because I hadn't used it before. I prefer the slightly rougher finish.

I used 1/2 kg of Tuff Cab on the Basschat 12 cab, which is obviously a lot smaller than this. Unfortunately, you can only get the 1kg size in black. So what colour did you choose?

Nice to see a few more folks taking the DIY route. It really isn't that difficult, and the results can be spectacular. Well done E.