Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

[Guitar Toad]

Have any of you guys taken an old speaker that you didn't really want and poked pencil/screwdriver holes in it to make a fuzz speaker? Word is that some classic 60's tunes with major fuzz were done that way...

What speakers are best for poking holes in for a fuzz effect? Jensens or Celestions? How BIG do the holes need to be? how many holes does it need? Is a 15" speaker better for this kind a project or will a 10" still give good fuzz? Do the holes need to be perfect circles or can they be asymmetrical? How 'bout star shaped holes or crescent moons shaped holes, or triangles. Is a variety of shapes better, ie. circles and squares? Then if you used your fuzz speaker with a fuzz pedal then you could really generate some awesome fuzz. Then used a clean chimy telecaster....that would be some great tone wouldn't it? Then is it better to use that fuzz speaker with a deluxe reverb, champ, princeton, bassman or mesa boogie?

Can anyone do this kinda project or should a this be left to your amp tech? Can I try this at home without prior experience?

 

[gripweed]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

I have never done this. I think I would be afraid to. With all of the cool lo fi effects -- fuzz etc.-- you can get that sound without doing that to a speaker. I can get some pretty nasty tones with an Ibanez fuzz and my Ibanez lo-fi pedal. Neither are great pedals, but they sure get that grungy lo-fi Hound Dog Taylor type tone if I want it.

Sorry I didn't help much. Consider this a bump if nothing else.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

I do it the other way - I buy Celestions off eBay that go cheap because they have holes in them, then repair the holes.

Actually, if you have a spare cab and speaker around, it's a simple project to add some lo-fi to your bag of studio tricks. I think rather than punching holes, slicing slits in it would work better. I'd start with a few short slits, then increase them in size and number until it sounds right.

Or am I taking this too seriously?

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

I do it the other way - I buy Celestions off eBay that go cheap because they have holes in them, then repair the holes.

Actually, if you have a spare cab and speaker around, it's a simple project to add some lo-fi to your bag of studio tricks. I think rather than punching holes, slicing slits in it would work better. I'd start with a few short slits, then increase them in size and number until it sounds right.

Or am I taking this too seriously?

Yes, please don't thank this too seriously, Rich. However, That's some really cool information. You actually buy celestion speakers with holes and repair the holes? That's cool. How do you repair the holes? Can you say or is that a proprietary trade secret? If you do a good repair job then you end up with some good sounding speakers for really cheap.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

You actually buy celestion speakers with holes and repair the holes? That's cool. How do you repair the holes? Can you say or is that a proprietary trade secret? If you do a good repair job then you end up with some good sounding speakers for really cheap.

Quite honestly - Elmer's glue and toilet paper. If you search Ted Weber's site long enough, you'll find a how-to-fix-holes thread. And since it comes from Ted da man himself, I don't feel silly that it's, well... Elmers glue and toilet paper.

P.S. - I wouldn't do it on big tears, but up to about an inch or so, it works fine.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

Quite honestly - Elmer's glue and toilet paper. If you search Ted Weber's site long enough, you'll find a how-to-fix-holes thread. And since it comes from Ted da man himself, I don't feel silly that it's, well... Elmers glue and toilet paper.

P.S. - I wouldn't do it on big tears, but up to about an inch or so, it works fine.

very cool Rich...I'll see if i can find Ted Webers repair instructions. I don't have any hole-y speakers to repair. But, I'd like to see his method.

Thanks.
Todd

ps: you've effectively changed the momentum of my thread. You've got me repairing holes instead of wanting to make holes. You're a sly dog.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

I have never done this. I think I would be afraid to. With all of the cool lo fi effects -- fuzz etc.-- you can get that sound without doing that to a speaker. I can get some pretty nasty tones with an Ibanez fuzz and my Ibanez lo-fi pedal. Neither are great pedals, but they sure get that grungy lo-fi Hound Dog Taylor type tone if I want it.

Sorry I didn't help much. Consider this a bump if nothing else.

I've really wanted to try that Ibanez Lo-Fi pedal. It just sounds like it's gotta be a fun.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Fuzz speaker...DIY project?

Quite honestly - Elmer's glue and toilet paper. If you search Ted Weber's site long enough, you'll find a how-to-fix-holes thread. And since it comes from Ted da man himself, I don't feel silly that it's, well... Elmers glue and toilet paper.

P.S. - I wouldn't do it on big tears, but up to about an inch or so, it works fine.

we used to repair car subwoofers with TP and nail polish. In that case, small movements of the speaker are not important, mostly movements of the speaker as a whole.
Wonder how much difference it makes in a guitar speaker....