Turning a bass cab into a guitar cab

[AILDVOLTA]

Hey everyone, new to the forum. Was just looking for some info on whether a project idea I had in my head was possible.

I've got a 70's Kustom tuck and roll bass cabinet. I do not play bass, but I picked the thing up for very cheap and in good exterior condition (i love the retro look of these things).

Is it possible to convert this bass cabinet into a guitar cabinet? As in throwing guitar speakers in it, etc. I'm pretty new to tinkering around with amps and cabs so I'm hoping someone can shed some light, and if it's even worth trying. Thanks!

[Holy-diver]

Welcome to GAB
Which bass cab is it?

[itchyfingers]

Welcome to GAB, Aildvolta! Those cabs are sick! Shouldn't be too tough to do, as long as you find replacement guitar speakers that match the ohm out on your amp.

What size speakers are currently in the Kustom?
What is the ohm out level on your guitar amp?

[BroSlinger]

Yes. you can turn a bass cab into a guitar cab.

Plug a guitar amp into it.

If it's bright, there may be a tweeter or a horn. Disconnect it.

If half of the frequency is showing up, there may be a crossover. Disconnect it.

If the speakers just sound like shit, put new speakers in.

[AILDVOLTA]

The cab is the 2x15 tuck and roll (black).

I'm currently running 8ohms through my amp.

It doesn't sound horrible with a guitar through it, just muddy when I turn up the volume. But my amp head sounds great through my orange cab/other guitar cabs I've hooked it up to.

Appreciate the interest guys!

[itchyfingers]

I'm pretty sure that GABbro AjaxLepinski rocks a 2x15 custom cab, maybe he can chime in...

[AILDVOLTA]

I guess the main thing now is just finding a pair of good sounding 15" speakers that are pretty versatile for playing more modern rock!

[Tortuga]

TurboPablo is running one of those cabs (I think it's the same or at least very similar). I know he loves it - if I'm not mistaken, he's got 2 Creamback speakers loaded into it.

There are 15" guitar speakers out there, but if you're handy with tools / woodworking, you could build up a couple adapters pretty easily to change speaker diameter to 12". That'll open a lot of speaker possibilities.

[EugeneTheJeep]

I have a marshall bass cab that sounds great with guitar.

Basically just use it and replace the speakers if necessary.

[AILDVOLTA]

Yeah when I originally thought of converting it, I considered switching to 12" speakers, because then I could slap some in there that I already know I enjoy the sound of. This will be my first time really looking into 15's. Which, in a way I think would be pretty cool to keep the original size.

[Tortuga]

The problem is that the 15" size really limits your options. Ajax (lepenski) has an EV SRO 15" that he likes, but those are probably hellaciously expensive.

However, tuck & roll Kustoms are dam cool.

[AILDVOLTA]

Haha most definitely. I'm a sucker for the retro look for sure.

[BroSlinger]

I'm running my Carmen Ghia into a Kustom bass cab. It's a carpeted 1x15 from a "KBX300"? combo amp. Took out the amp, swapped the speaker for an EV SRO15. It rocks.

[GuitarBilly]

check these speakers out, they sound great:

https://wgs4.com/g15c

and let's not forget the Celestion Fullbacks:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... oC69vw_wcB

[video]https://youtu.be/vMrDirbePZ4?t=2m21s[/video]

[Riffraff]

TurboPablo is running one of those cabs (I think it's the same or at least very similar). I know he loves it - if I'm not mistaken, he's got 2 Creamback speakers loaded into it.

There are 15" guitar speakers out there, but if you're handy with tools / woodworking, you could build up a couple adapters pretty easily to change speaker diameter to 12". That'll open a lot of speaker possibilities.

^ This all day. There's not much to it. You use some of the existing mounting holes to mount a new baffle cut to fit a 12" over the 15" hole. That will open up endless speaker options at reasonable prices.



If you don't have the skills or tools to make them you can buy them on-line. Just Google 15" to 12" speaker adapter and you will get a bunch of hits.

On a side note, I picked up 12" CTS alnico's for $25 each on CL that were taken out of a Tuck & Roll cab and they're awesome.

[Tortuga]

You get no man points if you don't cut 'em yourself

[2tallmusic]

I guess the main thing now is just finding a pair of good sounding 15" speakers that are pretty versatile for playing more modern rock!

For modern rock I'd say the EVM 15L is hard to beat (kind of the successor of the S.R.O with ceramic magnets). Works perfekt with e.g. Mesas and all the other amps you usually want to play with EVM Thiele cabs.

[Tortuga]

One thing about those old tuck & roll cabs - pretty sure my buddy's was made of old chipboard, and basically fell apart when we tried opening it up to change speakers out. Might want to check that before loading heavy (expensive) 15" speakers if you're going to stay with those.

[AILDVOLTA]

I opened it up the other day before I went camping and everything seems pretty solid in there. Hopefully I don't run into any real problems with that, but I guess if I do there's always a way around it hah.

Like the idea of the 15" to 12" adapter brackets. Was heavily considering making some over the weekend but I want to be 100% on the speakers I want before wasting the time.

[GuitarBilly]

my experience is that adapter brackets have a negative impact in a cabs tone, as it adds mass to the baffle and deadens it. I'd cut a whole new baffle if you want to change to 12'"s or just stick with a good sounding set of 15"s

[Tortuga]

That's a really good idea, too

[RIFF]

Yeah, Id just get some nice 15 guitar spkrs. A bass cab might already be sporting a lot of internal volume that could throw 12's off.

[AILDVOLTA]

Ahh! Well I already ordered a set of 12"s, just to see how it sounds. Worst case scenario, if it still sounds bad with the celestion's I bought, I can put the OG jensens back in there and throw the celestion's into something else!

Also, the interior of the cab is insulated. Is that pretty normal of the older cabs? I haven't cracked open too many as I'm pretty new to messing with them, but I figure that's gotta effect the sound to an extent yeah?

[RIFF]

A bass cab would more likely be insulated. Guitar cabs with insulation can sound very flat & dead...

[AILDVOLTA]

I figured it would probably deaden the sound. Will most likely just tear it out if it messes with the sound too much. There isn't too much in there anyhow.