Acoustic 406 Restoration

[cd_david]

To the continual detriment of my back, wrists and wallet I have a passion for BIG cabs.
I've always wanted the acoustic 408 (4x15) but cant find one, this came up and it sees like a good project so i lept on it. Got it for a decent price on eBay and after a 200 mile round trip have it and tested it. Fully working but with mismatched drivers.
The plan is to replace the tolex, grill cloth and drivers. I'll also repainted the baffle boards and port.


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[rk7]

Cool project!

Subscribed

RK

[cd_david]

Started stripping the cab, drivers out, piping off grills off and hoovered 37 years of crap out the inside. Strangely It looks like some one has has takes the rear mid baffle out and placed it vertically against the back? Very strange. Next job is to strip the tolex, the replacement tolex and grills are just stock fender so easily sourced.

[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/A3F12768-067E-44A4-AF7F-BD5A329AF995_zpsskbak7bn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/A3F12768-067E-44A4-AF7F-BD5A329AF995_zpsskbak7bn.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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[cd_david]

Striped it today, bloody nightmare, took a hot iron and 3 hours! I'm knackered, still needs filling and sanding on a few corners and where the tolex ripped the ply away in a couple of places.
Gave it a quick sand just to tidy it up.

[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/44175CC8-130E-4C2D-B874-C69BBC3866D0_zpss1etksuz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/44175CC8-130E-4C2D-B874-C69BBC3866D0_zpss1etksuz.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Text on the bottom which says "#406 top"

[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/6214F3AB-B1D6-4EEE-8C17-321D0C946F80_zpsnwwsrgzt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/6214F3AB-B1D6-4EEE-8C17-321D0C946F80_zpsnwwsrgzt.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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Baffle was re installed as well.

Tolex and grill to order next.

Edited June 9, 2014 by cd_david

[sblueplanet]

Big fan of Acoustic gear. Previous owner of a 140 head and a 118 combo.

[3below]

Owned a 371 cab in the 1970s early 80s (the one with the 18" speaker). This bring back great memories - hope it works out well.

[Mr Bassman]

I had one for years, bought it new in '78 or '79

I replaced the drivers with EVM15Ls and used it with a 320 head

Sounded great with my '62 Precision

[paul_5]

Nice project. Subscribed!

[molan]

My old rehearsal space had one of these many years ago - I always tried to book the room with it in even though the other band members didn't like it much (the room shape not the cab).

Sounded great at volume - actually,thinking about it, maybe the volume was really what the other band members didn't like

[cd_david]

Filled with 2-pack today, will be the end of he month before I order the tolex so I'll let it harden today and sand it tomorrow


[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/2DE0706E-330A-49BE-9CAF-638B093BD227_zps0mpuiw9z.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/2DE0706E-330A-49BE-9CAF-638B093BD227_zps0mpuiw9z.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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This is the worst side and it is just the ply veneer that came off with the tolex. Obviously a very strong glue bond on this panel.

[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/5FA36442-1A5C-4774-9BF2-B5E71E41CAF3_zpshexblt2e.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/5FA36442-1A5C-4774-9BF2-B5E71E41CAF3_zpshexblt2e.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[mart3442]

I had a pair of the lower spec'ed 405's, best 2x15's I ever owned, the 406's must be amazing!

[Bassman Steve]

Love Acoustic gear and always wanted 301's to begin with and then 405's. Great project - I'm envious.

[rk7]

Any progress?

RK

[cd_david]

No unfortunately, I've sourced tolex and grill cloth but just need to summon the energy to start again lol

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='cd_david' timestamp='1414790787' post='2593445']
No unfortunately, I've sourced tolex and grill cloth but just need to summon the energy to start again lol
[/quote]

Well don't leave it too long! It's a mammoth project (from my perspective) so it's as well to keep momentum up if possible. Take it at your own pace of course. It'll be worth it for the result - a 406 cab in minty condition!

[cd_david]

Tolex and grill bought, today gave myself a kick up the back side and started sanding the filler and painted the baffles. Going to tolex it tomorrow or Monday.

[url="http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/464BD61F-205B-4E2F-8FA3-CF69A77171A9_zpsr5m4pqjb.jpg.html"][/url]

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Edited January 13, 2016 by cd_david

[cd_david]

Got the sides on quite easily but when I put the centre panel on the top puckered like crazy, I lifted it and rollered it but it was awful so it's had to come off :-(

[URL=http://s519.photobucket.com/user/cd_david/media/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/E2B2224B-22E6-49F4-B957-E2642B9A903A_zpseubtghwt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/cd_david/Bass%20Chat%20PA%20Stuff/E2B2224B-22E6-49F4-B957-E2642B9A903A_zpseubtghwt.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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[cd_david]

gone

Edited January 22, 2016 by cd_david

[wateroftyne]

It's a beautiful thing. Nice one!

[Norris]

Nice job

[HowieBass]

That's looking good

[bumnote]

That's a great job there
As an ex 406 user, it has always been one of my favourite cabs,
what are you going to drive it with

[paul_5]

[cd_david]

[quote name='bumnote' timestamp='1450729943' post='2935362']
That's a great job there
As an ex 406 user, it has always been one of my favourite cabs,
what are you going to drive it with
[/quote]

Thanks one and all for the comments, I'm not sure on drivers yet. I'd love a pair of EVs but I'll have to see what's available.

[gary mac]

Nice work, looks great