Custom built cabs. What to look for?

[Diego]

I'm toying with the idea of having a custom cabinet built for me.
Probably a 2x12, probably with Eminence Wizards, probably convertible and if not, closed back definitely.

The thing is, what are the considerations I should have when asking for something from the ground up?
I really don't know much about cabinets and I really should have the basics explained to me before making an expensive, custom-built mistake.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

sure you need a 2x12?
makes the lug for gigs a drag.
Plus the sound engineer only ever mics one speaker, and then tells you to turn down anyway.
..my 2c

in defence of a 2x12, i have had great success in the recording studio running two differently voiced speakers and using two different mics to get two tracks and then pan them left and right in the mix.

re: woods. Pine is sweeter and looser. Ply is more rigid and direct. Both are good.
You could look at it like pine for fender tones and ply for marshall, but either can sound great for either.

re: speakers. Wizards are loud as hell. Great speakers, but they are purpose built. You need to consider how loud your drummer is and how to get the best tones from your amp at the right volume. Sometimes you need a strident, cutting, efficient speaker like the wizard (think of it like a g12h on steroids with a bit of v30 thrown in). Sometimes you need something that is less in your face and less efficient so that you can push the tubes a little harder.

What amp are you going to use?

ps my last thing...tilt back legs (or amp stands) are awesome. The sound takes some getting used to because the speaker is facing your head you get a warts and all true representation of your sound, but once you adjust it becomes a godsend at gigs. You can always hear yourself clear as a bell, but not upset the rest of the band, the sound engineer and the audience who are standing in front of you. The other advantage is that you end up eqing your amp differently, and that translates to a much fatter warmer tone in the FOH.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

I wouldn't part with my custom 2x12.
I'd suggest going with a diagonal pattern. Looks more like a small 4x12, sounds really good, higher relative to your ears too. Go with thick plywood birch and add side handles (as you'd find on a 4x12). The builder found it weird on a 2x12 but it's a decision I congratulate myself for everytime I lug it around. 2x12 are heavy enough and cumbersome enough to warrant those instead of a single leather/rubber top handle.

Other than that, just make sure of the dimensions you want. Either go following a maker's established dimensions or go with your own if you know what you want enough.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

First some questions:
1) what is it going to be used for? (live...small or large group/band, recording, home use only)
2) amp
3) music genre

 

[dystrust]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

I have a custom ordered Earcandy Buzzbomb 2x12 cab and I love it. Like the OP mine is loaded with Eminence Wizards, and it sounds just like my '78 Marshall 4x12 with blackback G12H30s. Gibson175 has a lot of things right; I use mine on a stand and recommend the setup to anyone with a horizontal 2x12. It took a few minutes to get used to the cab pointing at my head instead of my knees, but he's right that you end up with a better tone and more manageable volume. The setup isn't perfect for everywhere as the cab weighs right around 55-60lbs; it's lighter than a 4x12 but not what I'd call light. It can also be pretty loud for smaller rooms, so I have an Egnater Rebel 112X loaded with the same speaker for those situations.

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Thanks guys! I'll try and help you troubleshoot a bit:

Genre of music: Hard rock, heavy sounds mostly. I won't be droptuning to minus Zb, use 9 strings or need absolute tightness in terms of tone. I'm not looking for an Animals as Leaders/Strapping Young Lad sort of thing.
My tonal preferences are more modern Marshall than say the 5150/6505/Triple Rec setup.
More Mastodon/Down/80s Metallica/90s Megadeth than Dream Theater. I like mids.
I think I'd prefer a 2x12 over a 1x12 just because, man. More is more and I want more. But not too much. Tiny apartment with no storage unit which is why a 4x12 is out of the question.

Current setup: My trusty Egnater Tweaker 15, which for home usage and ocassional jamming/gigging is OK.
When I upgrade, I'll keep it around the 20-50W range which is why I dig efficient speakers (more on that later on)
Guitar wise, high output passive pickups into something Gibson/PRS-esque usually does it for me.

Usage: Mostly at home, but I will start gigging out which is why I like the Emi Wizards; they're so easy to dial in a band and it's crazy efficient so 15 watts have been enough more than once.
Also I've used my Wizard for so long that I'm just at home with them, they're crazy flexible with good EQ and can easily do 70s classic rock sound one minute and death metal the next.
Recording is not a big priority.

Regarding home usage, I'll keep my open back 1x12 cab and will probably load it with the most unefficient speaker I can find that sounds good, to keep things quiet and tasty at the same time.

Your suggestions have been terrific and I'm keeping note of all of them. Thanks a lot guys!

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

I don't think Avatar does custom dimensions and they probably wont do anything fully custom in terms of covering. But do check them out anyway to see if they have something that interests you. Handles are standard on 2X12's and a convertible cabinet is an inexpensive option. Tolex and piping colors are options as well. Not fancy but good, solid cabs at reasonable prices.

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

I'm checking a well-reputed local builder here in Chile. Way cheaper than anything that a ship would have to bring me.
But thanks for the recomendation, sir.

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Also, the builder mentioned that he could also do an oversized 1x12 rather than a 2x12 if I felt like it.

Here's some pics of a huge 1x12 he did for another customer:



He says it's almost as big as his common 2x12 builds.
Looks great to me but I wonder if it would really sound better for my applications.
Of course it would weigh less and he could make it a convertible/side handles and everything you guys have suggested.

So many options, man! Confused as hell here.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

just keep track of how much this cab (and eventual amp upgrade that you plan) will cost you long term versus the cost of flipping your tweaker and upgrading to a rebel 30 or even a renegade. All that extra headroom will suit the styles you like and you can still put the wizard into one of them.
The other thing to throw into the mix to consider is one of these:
http://www.egnateramps.com/EgnaterProducts/Rebel/Rebel112x/Rebel112x.html
if you really want the 2x12 sound, you can use the extension speaker jack and impedance selector on the the rebel and use a second 1x12 for greater spread.

I'm a big fan of custom gear. I've got two custom built amps in combos and also a 2x12 spare cab, so im not against the idea of custom gear at all. It is great. It is just worth thinking about getting the best bang for your buck, more rewarding tone and still having resale value down the track. Also for pretty much every gig i do (4 this week and 4 next week is not unusual), a 1x12 combo is the most useful in terms of loading in and out and still has more than enough grunt to get big sounds in any venue. The bigger the venue, the bigger the PA and they will always mic you up. The bigger, heavier, bulkier gear just ends up getting left at home and used every now and again in a recording studio.

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Oh well, I really have no plans of ever flipping the Tweaker man. It's such a good little amp that I might buy something bigger, but I intend to keep it as a sidegun until it can't be kept going anymore, if ever.
The cleans on it are freakin' invincible in the price range and it's my first tube amp. And it does heavy sounds nicely at reasonable volumes.
Mine has EHX 6CA7 power tubes so it holds up at high volumes way better than it did with 6V6 power tubes.

It's safe to say I stick with my guns long-term. I've had my Cube for 10 years, my Ibanez for 7-8 years, and the list goes on.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

I'm checking a well-reputed local builder here in Chile. Way cheaper than anything that a ship would have to bring me.
But thanks for the recomendation, sir.

Sorry. My fault for not checking your location. Duh.

 

[MakerDP]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Look at how TRM makes his cabs. I think the 12" depth is one of the keys to a good sounding cabinet. The Avatar Vintage 2x12 is also a great design. Make it convertible between closed and 1/3 open.

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Aaaand I've just been offered a used closed back, custom built 2x12 loaded with a V30 and a K100, plus a Kelly gigbag (I need one so bad) for my Cube 60.

I guess that settles it?

 

[dave74]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

Aaaand I've just been offered a used closed back, custom built 2x12 loaded with a V30 and a K100, plus a Kelly gigbag (I need one so bad) for my Cube 60.

I guess that settles it?

That's a great find indeed.
I've become so used to that speaker combo that either model on it's own now sounds like there's something missing. lol

 

[Diego]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

How would you describe it? I'm very curious about it and seems very focused on aggressive sounds overall.
I've never owned anything with a V30 on it.

 

[dave74]

Re: Custom built cabs. What to look for?

V30 is all about the thick midrange snarl,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, k100 has a wider, tighter, more precise sound with bigger lows and clearer presence.