J15 Build

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Clef's of Bass
Posts: 60
Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2020 4:21 pm

J15 Build

#1 Post by Clef's of Bass »

Hello all, I will start by saying that I'm a long time bass player and woodworker. I stopped playing bass and sold all of my equipment back in 2004. Last year I picked up the hobby again. Bought a used mid 90's Nashville Tobias, mixer board, and studio grade ear muffs to play along with spotify playlists. This setup has worked wonderfully, but now I have the itch to play with a band again. So I will need a cab and an amp.

I wanted to build a cabinet, thought it would be fun. Only problem was I don't have the time and resources to design my own (with trial and error), after learning about what goes into designing an adequate cab. After browsing the Talk Bass forums and came across several posts that said to check out BFM's and purchase a DIY plan. The J15 was very appealing after studying the SPL charts. I like the low end response sensitivity at low volumes and it's peak midranges at max volume. It makes for a very dynamic and efficient cab.

So enough words, on to the build.
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Seth
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Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Re: J15 Build

#2 Post by Seth »

Looking good sir. Thanks for sharing the build :thumbsup:
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
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Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: J15 Build

#3 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Looks good so far. It's a big cab, but sounds great.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Clef's of Bass
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Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2020 4:21 pm

Re: J15 Build

#4 Post by Clef's of Bass »

Thanks fellas, that means a lot coming from some BFM veterans!

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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#5 Post by Clef's of Bass »

Few more updates
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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#6 Post by Clef's of Bass »

:wall: I do not know why it rotated the pictures :wall:

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Tom Smit
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Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: J15 Build

#7 Post by Tom Smit »

Clef's of Bass wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:44 pm :wall: I do not know why it rotated the pictures :wall:
If I centre-click on the photo, on my laptop, they show up fine. I noticed that other posters have the same occurrence with their photos.


Nice work on the cab.
TomS

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: J15 Build

#8 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

For whatever reason photos are always shown in landscape mode.

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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#9 Post by Clef's of Bass »

More pics!
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himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: J15 Build

#10 Post by himhimself »

Wow, looking great. Can't wait to hear your review once you fire it up!
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#11 Post by Clef's of Bass »

himhimself wrote: Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:55 pm Wow, looking great. Can't wait to hear your review once you fire it up!
Thanks dude!

I'm really looking forward to it. Don't have an amp yet (its on order though).

I'm going to pair it with an Ampeg PF 50t. Can't wait :noob:

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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#12 Post by Clef's of Bass »

And finally its done :hyper:
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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#13 Post by Clef's of Bass »

I still need to build a little table/ stand for it to get it off of the floor. Since I didn't use a rigid grill the array will be vulnerable to inadvertent kicks.

I'm in the process of making the BFM logos. I'll post more pics when I get them made and installed on the cab.

I know a lot people have said that the 16 piezo tweeter array is way overboard for a bass cab. I did it for a couple of reasons. If I need more volume with a loud band I'll build another J15 without tweeters and use it as the floor cab and put this one on top. Plus, with the three way switch it will most likely be on the half setting most of the time. Lastly, it's a jack. I could use it as a loud stereo speaker for an outdoor party or something similar.

My amp has been ordered. I'll write a review once I get a chance to shake down the amp and the cabinet. Can't freakin wait :noob:

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Chris_Allen
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Location: Huddersfield, UK

Re: J15 Build

#14 Post by Chris_Allen »

I really like the detail of the extended diffuser in the middle of the piezos. The colour contrast is also excellent.
Built:
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10

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Clef's of Bass
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Re: J15 Build

#15 Post by Clef's of Bass »

Chris_Allen wrote: Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:01 pm I really like the detail of the extended diffuser in the middle of the piezos. The colour contrast is also excellent.
Thanks Chris. Couldn't find 5/8 pvc so I had to use a wooden dowel rod and couldn't glue it to the tweeters. I think the array is a little bit more rigid though as a result of building it like that. I hope it will sound as good as it looks.

Bought my wife a 'circut maker' for Christmas and we're going to make the BF logo with it.

Edit: the color if you're interested is called 'Vintage Amber'.

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