FX 410 wide cab build

[Dan56]

I have been building the FX 410. I decided to make it a bit wider than the plans so that my Ampeg V4 would not look to big sitting on it. I debated with my self as to running the baffles to the full width or following Grant's suggestion of using a filler strip. I crunched the numbers and even did the lay up for the full width baffle, but then went with the fill strip. The reason for the final choice was to keep the speakers set within the cab per the design. If I went with the full width baffle, then the speakers would have been set a bit deeper in the box.

The first picture is my sliding table. I followed the suggestion of ripping some strips from the 3/4 ply for the runners and they ended up too narrow. Unfortunately, I had attached them before I checked. So, I'm showing my solution. I used some 8 - 32 brass machine screws as a gibb like system on one side. When I had that adjusted well, I laminated some sticks to the other runner and then sanded them until I was satisfied with the fit.

1 Sliding Table.jpg (136.52 KiB) Viewed 2868 times

A couple other decisions. I went with the square box front instead of the angled and it's a closed back. It's what I like. I've never had a desire to have an open back cab.

I rabbeted the joints. Here is the trial fit.

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Here is the box glued up. Front and Back.

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Fitting the handles.

5 Fitting handle.jpg (140.95 KiB) Viewed 2868 times

More in the next posting.

[Dan56]

Continuing the build.

In order to cut the long side angle of the baffles, I used my taper jig to cut a wedge to the correct angle. It was a bit longer than the baffle. I put a stop at each end. This allowed me to set the tilt on the table saw and leave it. The wedge went between the panel to be cut and the fence. Using the wedge made it simple to cut all 4 sides as I simply flipped the wedge end to end as needed for the side being cut. Though I will confess. After I was done, I had a moment of panic as I went to check the fit and thought I had cut both panels the same.

Here is the fitting of the baffles.

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Fitting the fill strips.

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It took a bit of sanding, trimming on the saw and even my small block plane to get the fit. I think some of it was do to not squaring the initial sheet of plywood before I started. Though marking one side to always measure from would have worked too. Oh well, next time.

Fitting complete looking at the bottom.

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Fitting complete looking at the top.

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All stuffed.

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One more picture in the next post.

[Dan56]

Last picture for now. The parts are ready to be assembled. I plan on doing that tomorrow along with adding the tabs for the grill and building the grill. Then it's off to my bass players shop for him to router the corners (I don't own one) and spray the duratex.

11 Parts complete ready to assemble.jpg (142.07 KiB) Viewed 2866 times

What looks like tabs on the baffles are just that. Because I'm using fill strips, I decided to add these pieces so that the fill strip has something to rest on besides the two end while assembling it. The tabs are angle cut and then were test fit with a small piece to make sure the fill strip and baffle edge is flush. The fit I have is tight, so this might not be needed, but...

I'm using 4 Eminence Copperheads that I have in my current cab. It's a style that is tipped back at the top. If I can, I hope to get a bit of video for this cab straight on and then off to the side. I will then repeat the sound test with the new cab and get the whole thing up on youtube.

[Grant Bunter]

Looking good!

[LelandCrooks]

Nice. Don't see many of these

[Dan56]

I finished the assembly today. Here are a few pictures. A couple are a look through the handle opening. Something different?

I was hoping to have a picture of the grill frame sitting in place on the cab but...OOP's. Have you ever had the numbers on your tape or ruler be on the wrong side of the pencil mark? Yup, I cut it too long. So, it's salvageable. In the meantime, it's off to the other shop for the cab for laying on the finish.

[Dan56]

Well, this cab is finally done. Yup, just like with the T39's, I had to wait for my band member to get to doing the finish work. I got to put in the speakers today. Plugged it in to the Princeton just to make sure it worked. Yes, it does.

I got some video of the original cab so that I can put up a comparison for people to hear what these designs do. I may be a couple weeks before I get to record this cab. I'll post a link here when it's up.

The camera had a hard time with the front view do to the angle of the interior. Kind of makes it look a little warped.

[Tom Smit]

Yee-haw! I bet that was a long wait for you. Looking forward to your review.

[Dan56]

I have put up a video of my cabinet comparing it to the original cab. You can view it here: http://youtu.be/7xcCaacIxdk

I explain the setup in the beginning. I use a simple 3 chord pattern consistently. I will post this under the youtube video also, I figure to post it here just to be complete with the build.

You will hear initially each cab, both mics, off axis then on axis. Next I spliced the video so each cab/mic setting is heard back to back. Last I add some distortion.

I have to say, the differences heard via the mic's for the XF cab is not quite what is heard "live". I walking around the room, the sound from the cab sound much more similar than the mic's suggest. The only really difference live is a bit of a volume change. This cab has a much more balanced tone to it where as the original cab is rather midrangey (if that's a word). I would have never realized it without having the XF to compare too.

If I have misstated anything in the video intro, please let me know and I will correct it via a speak bubble.

[Radian]

Nice build. Sharp looking cab.

[Tom Smit]

I didn't catch it but were the same model of drivers used in both cabs?

One can definitely hear the difference off-axis between the two cabs. Also, it seems to be that the XF410 has more lowmid definition.....and more over-all clarity.

[Dan56]

I didn't catch it but were the same model of drivers used in both cabs?

One can definitely hear the difference off-axis between the two cabs. Also, it seems to be that the XF410 has more lowmid definition.....and more over-all clarity.

Yes, the drivers were swapped from the standard cab to the XF. So the only difference in this sound comparison is the cab. They are Eminence Patriot Copperheads.

Yes, more lower end, but it seems balanced, not over powering. I found it more pleasing to listen to with a clean tone.

The standard cab seemed out of balance compared to the XF from the mid lows to the lows being weaker. There is a harshness to the standard cab that I would not have know if not for now hearing the XF. I'm not saying I did not like the sound I got with the standard cab, it's just that I now know it's deficiencies. If you youtube Black Plain Rd, Autumnfest you can hear this cab in action with the band. Eventually, I'll have video up of the XF cab with the band. Now that will make for an interesting comparison as the videos are always live not off the board.