Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

[constant mesh]

What's the best way to cut down in those cutting high frequency you hear when your right in the "cone zone"? For example my amp is on the floor and I usually play sitting down, around 4-6 ft away from the amp, it depends from day to day. So this is the zone when I'm directly hearing the cone of the speaker and it cuts through my ears really ugly. EQ doesn't help me here.

I have seen Vai having two thick acrylic screens in front of his cabs. What could be the easiest, homebrew method, and how to approach this? I cannot put anything in from my amp as Steve does because I'm completely crowded (my workshop is actually my practice room too ). I was thinking more like layering some masking tape over the centers, or having something analogous to a microphone screen but made of more dense mesh or even some type of polymer.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Tilt the cab back. If it's a combo, get a tilting 'studio stand' for it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Put some 2" wide tape in an X right in the middle of the speaker on the grill cloth. Or tape a piece of cardboard over the speaker right in the center of the speaker. Experiment. Cover up the very center of the speaker tho.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Just attach two blank CD's to the grill cloth in front of the speakers. Use double sided tape. This will basically act like a homemade Weber Beamblocker.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Lew is correct, use duct tape, put it on the backside of the grill cloth facing the speaker. Most likely will not even be visual, or very visual. If your cab has rear mounted speakers and a non-removeable grill you'll have to take each speaker out to do it.

A little goes a long way too, I wouldn't get all crazy taping stuff on.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

I'll reiterate the tape idea, but I use gaffers tape for it.

 

[Animal]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

If possible, point the amp on a angle away from your listening position. I've found room reflections more pleasing than laser beam like upper frequencies straight into my ears. High powered guitar speakers generally don't sound good at close distance in small rooms. Kind of similar to taking a photograph with the lens pointing directly at the sun.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Don't sit in front of the amp

 

[crguti]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Don't sit in front of the amp

+1. isn't the easiest way?

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

What have you tried so far.?
When you say "play sitting down", what does that mean exactly.?
If YOU are the concern, i would do as others have already suggested.....
do not sit in front of the amp, or just turn it a bit.
Why do I feel like there is more to this story.....?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

what speakers are they?

 

[constant mesh]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Guys I am terribly sorry for posting so late. I like the tape and CD ideas very much. I'll go and try some of it right away.

With sitting down I meant sitting on an office chair or bar stool, of course, not on the ground. I can shift my position a bit but since this room is only 3 metre wide and has desks at one side and a workbench on the other side I can't get the best angle so the spikes are always present.

The speakers are Celestions Seventy-80's 75W each. It's 2x12 combo

 

[AlexR]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

How about turning the amp 180deg

 

[aleclee]

Re: Cheapest way to dampen the speakers

Dunno if it's the cheapest but it's not spendy. Sometimes TGP can actually be a source of info about cost-effective ways to improve you rig. :14:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=470956