Scaling way back! Lots of questions

[J_Dunavin]

ok ok so i've been noodling on this pretty hard.
I've taken some more measurements and I'm pretty sure I could actually fit four T39 slim 3012lf loaded. Would probably stick to the minimum 16" width, but i actually think I could get away with 18" wide and still have room for two OT8's

[Seth]

Just a note: the plans I have state 15" as the minimum width with a 12 and says if you go wider than that, you must go at least 1½" wider than the minimum... making 16½" the next size up. That said, I chose 16" for my build and cut all the interior panels to width before I noticed that caveat in the plans. The only thing I noticed about that size was the plans have a little change in how the access panel flange is made and the two ways in the plans leave 16" width as a grey area between the two flange methods. If I recall correctly, it really wasn't a big problem to solve, it's just not covered in the plans as they're written.

I intended to use it for rehearsals and just built the one. But, used it for an outdoor show with the attitude that it would be better than not having it. It did quite well, although I was into the limiter pretty solidly by the end of the show (my fault, creeping volume... total amateur move). Four of them would cover some events, for sure. Here's the one in action, being run with a pair of QSC K12.2's (wear headphones/earbuds), I wasn't into the limiter at this point.

[netwerks]

Just a note: the plans I have state 15" as the minimum width with a 12 and says if you go wider than that, you must go at least 1½" wider than the minimum... making 16½" the next size up. That said, I chose 16" for my build and cut all the interior panels to width before I noticed that caveat in the plans. The only thing I noticed about that size was the plans have a little change in how the access panel flange is made and the two ways in the plans leave 16" width as a grey area between the two flange methods. If I recall correctly, it really wasn't a big problem to solve, it's just not covered in the plans as they're written.

I intended to use it for rehearsals and just built the one. But, used it for an outdoor show with the attitude that it would be better than not having it. It did quite well, although I was into the limiter pretty solidly by the end of the show (my fault, creeping volume... total amateur move). Four of them would cover some events, for sure. Here's the one in action, being run with a pair of QSC K12.2's (wear headphones/earbuds), I wasn't into the limiter at this point.

Yes I remember that to be correct and I do believe I built mine at 16 1/2" to avoid the different access panel it's been a few years but I have no problem recalling how great they were.

This was 2 16" and 2 20" T39 with 4 ot12 but I can assure you that 4 16" will be pretty much the same plenty loud in a brick walled gym full of people

[J_Dunavin]

Nice! Both videos sounded good
Good to get some real world feedback on the 39. I know it won’t be the same as my six T45s, but it looks like I can still get a pretty sweet sounding set up, that won’t take up a lot of Real estate.
Seth, Netwerks , what drivers are you guys using?

I have an older set of plans, so that’s a good heads up in the width, 15 for sure would work... I think I might be able to squeeze four 18” wide ones. It’s definitely time to cut up some cardboard.

[Seth]

3012LF in mine. 55v limit with a 24dB high-pass at 45Hz.

Building 4 more, but 30" wide this time, also 3012LF.

[Seth]

Food for thought...

Could you fit two 28-30" cabs instead of four slims? Half the number of drivers, half the load on the amplifier, half the number of cabs to wheel in and out of a gig... Essentially the same output potential.

Let the horn do the heavy lifting instead of amps and drivers...

Two 16" vs. One 30" T39

[J_Dunavin]

Possible yes.
Could also do two 18” wide T48s, but I thought based on previous posts that four of something would be the better option.
Either way 30” wide something does not sound like it would be fun to move up and down some stairs

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Very wide cabs give the most bang for the buck and are the way to go if their size doesn't present a problem transporting them. You can get equal or better results with narrow cabs, but you need more of them, which means more drivers to pay for.

[Seth]

Possible yes.
Could also do two 18” wide T48s, but I thought based on previous posts that four of something would be the better option.
Either way 30” wide something does not sound like it would be fun to move up and down some stairs

Stairs... nothing is fun to schlep up/down a flight of stairs. My point of view... yes, larger and heavier. But, it's only two crummy trips up/down instead of four. A 28" wide T39 is still waaaaaaay easier (like, actually possible) for one person to tote up a flight than most of the standard 2x 18" cabs that are pushing upwards of 200lbs. Likely an easier task than the T24's you had too, just due to the taller, less awkward profile.

Grant has some 28" T39's and 20" T39's. Perhaps he can share a little firsthand experience in ease of transport and navigating stairs with the two different size cabs. I'd be curious to hear his input in the matter.

In any case, I'm sure any choice you make will serve you well.

[Grant Bunter]

Grant has some 28" T39's and 20" T39's. Perhaps he can share a little firsthand experience in ease of transport and navigating stairs with the two different size cabs. I'd be curious to hear his input in the matter.

Where ever possible I will avoid stairs.
But guess what?
That's not because of the T39's. It's about nearly just about everything but them!

T39's, either width, with rear low wheels, pretty much just pull straight up the riser of each step to the next one.
Piece of cake. Even up 20 steps with 6 cabs, they're light enough (Radiata pine builds) to not be exhausted after that.
Heck, if I'm feeling good, I can deadlift them into my arms and walk up the steps. I'm 5'9" and say 200lbs.
Not the same can be said for amps, mixers etc though, steps make all of them a pain.

As far as "normal" use, I have a 10 foot ramp in my truck, pull it out, wheel the cabs down, easiest part of the load, in or out.
Or if the steps into a venue are the right height, ramp from back of truck to the steps keeping the ramp level, or one step up.
Takes away a lot of heartache.
But I do have a truck, and that makes life very different to trying to get stuff into a, say, SUV.

The catch for most people and a decision on build width is more often than not about doorways.
I haven't been at a gig ever where the doorway didn't allow for a 19 1/2 deep cab turned sideways, to slip through easy as...

[netwerks]

Netwerks , what drivers are you guys using?

3012lf and auracoply = lightweight

My cabs were @ 60lbs'ish each. Amp rack was the heaviest piece in the lot even with XTI amps. If I did it again I would go with crest pro-lites or peavey ipr.

[Seth]

Netwerks , what drivers are you guys using?

3012lf and auracoply = lightweight

My cabs were @ 60lbs'ish each. Amp rack was the heaviest piece in the lot even with XTI amps. If I did it again I would go with crest pro-lites or peavey ipr.

My 16" 3012LF T39 made with Douglas Fir weighed 60 pounds too.

[J_Dunavin]

Thanks for the feedback guys, very very helpful!
Ok I’ve been cutting up some cardboard. Here’s an OT8 and a 18” wide T48, brought to you buy Amazon and tattor tots
I wanted to see if I could fit just one in the back seat of our other car, but it looks like a no go. It of course still fits in the Enclave. Was thinking two 18” wide 3015 loaded 48s. I’m sure the 15” wide 3012 loaded would fit.
I’m going to run the cut sheet for a few of the options talked about and see what makes sense material wise as well.
Still very undecided in the sub area, though I’m sure any of the options talked about will work for the size gigs I’m used to.

[AntonZ]

I wanted to see if I could fit just one in the back seat of our other car, but it looks like a no go.

Very well illustrated, I can see the OT8 would not fit in the back seat of that smallish car indeed.
On the other hand it seems the car would just about fit inside the OT8 box. Not that this makes any sense, just saying.

[J_Dunavin]

Ha! I didn’t even think about moving the little guys car
And it sure could fit inside the T48