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Author
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Topic: Rack unit in a speaker cab?
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Dan Beller-McKenna
Member From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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posted 30 July 2006 07:20 PM
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I recently removed the chasis (and reverb tank) from my red-knob Fender Twin and put it in a Dual Showman head cabinet, achieving the desired effect of having two heavy items to lug around instead of one immovable obect. Now, of course, there is an empty space in my twin cabinet where the chasis used to be. Would there be any reason not to mount a rack-mounted effects unit in there? I realize that I would have to do some carpentry to mount it, but is there anything to recommend against having a rack unit working with a twin amp, or any reason not to have an effects unit mounted in a speaker cab? Thanks in advance for advice. Dan ------------------
Dan Beller-McKenna
Big Red
Durham, NH |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 30 July 2006 08:58 PM
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Should be no problem. It's very common in bass rigs. I had an SWR rack-mount bass head, Korg rack tuner, and power strip/light unit in a custom-made 1x15 cabinet with the rack section on top.As long as the rack portion can be ventilated if needed (don't use a tube system without ventilation!) it will work fine. |
Dan Beller-McKenna
Member From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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posted 31 July 2006 02:54 AM
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Thanks Jim.I am thinking along the lines of a Lexicon effects processor, so ventilation should be no problem. Dan |
David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 31 July 2006 07:48 AM
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Another use of that chassis space is to turn it into a reflex port for a closed back speaker cabinet. Before you close the back up, take a piece of 1x8 and make it into a shelf that closes off the bottom of the chassis slot. Leave about a 1" slot between the back of the shelf and the closed back. The closed back protects the speakers, and the reflex port kicks all the sound out the front and improves the efficiency, especially at the bottom end. It is not precisely tuned, like a bass cabinet would be, but that only affects frequencies below anything played on steel or guitar. Basically it is like a closed-back, ported half-stack.You could also put an effects rack in the slot, and still make it a closed-back speaker cab. You could cut round ports in the front baffle, and you can get plastic tubes from speaker parts suppliers that make the ports work better. I would worry about vibrations if there were tubes in the effects unit. But solid state would probably be fine. The strongest vibrations come from the low notes, and with steel and guitar this is not as much a problem as with bass. ------------------
Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards |
Dan Beller-McKenna
Member From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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posted 31 July 2006 09:14 AM
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David,I like the closed back idea alot. Best part is I can try it pretty easily and decide whether I like it, whether I also want the effects unit, etc. Any recommendations on the wood for the back? Certain thickness or type of plywood? Dan |
David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 31 July 2006 09:38 AM
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One-half inch plywood works good for the back. 5/8" or 3/4" would be more solid, and would match the thickness of the sides and baffle, but would add a lot of weight. It will cut down on the "boxy" sound if you put some old carpet on one of each pair of opposing sides. Some people also put insulation on the back, but I think that cuts down on the mids and highs that get reflexed out the front and add to the efficiency of the design.How does a red-knob Twin sound? I never tried one. |
Dan Beller-McKenna
Member From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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posted 31 July 2006 09:59 AM
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David,I am fairly pleased with the Red Knob, although the highs could be a lot sweeter. I play through a 65 Twin RI at rehearsals with one band, and the sound is quite comparable. Just palyed an outdoor gig witht eh red knob Saturday and it was quite nice. When I feel I have really explored the sound of it, I will probably have some mods done to improve the highs. Of course,the stock speakers are nothing special, so I might also try a different cab with my (now) seaparate head. Perhaps the closed back trial will be enough of an improvement to staisfy me. Dan | |
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