Table Tuba 18 inch starts

[andrewtilsley]

Started glue up tonight.

I haven't added baffle panel...so I'm completing it out of strict order.

It is very important that you test fit the driver into the baffle opening with all the screws to check for clearance and rubbing and make clearance adjustments if needed. Don't install so many panels that you cannot still do this.

Yes, I'll absolutely be doing that...

[andrewtilsley]

A few hours on the tools today...and most of the internal finished except for the baffle (waiting for driver from Parts Express).
Heaps of poly glue used.

Some braces off by a few mm, but not seen. As I pre cut them first, if I did it again, I'd build them as I went, as the upright panels vary by a few mm when glued in place.

Also knocked up a small ply box for a new BASH 300-watt plate amp.

An enjoyable build.

[andrewtilsley]

Access panel jigsawed out, and inner battens added. Getting close...just need that pesky driver to arrive.

This side of the unit will not be seen...as it will either be facing the floor or wall.

[andrewtilsley]

Driver finally arrived from PE. The Tang Band looks very well made...heavy. I used heavy gauge wood screws as the euro ply allowed great bite.

I added it to the baffle and ran some low freq test tones...all good there.

Added foam tape to seal chamber.

Terminals added.

Poly glue added and side nailed and weighed down....tomorrow I'll listen...then sand/paint.

Happy.

[Grant Bunter]

Nice looking build and build thread....

[Tom Smit]

Did you do the leak test with the hose?

[andrewtilsley]

Did you do the leak test with the hose?

I'm doing leak tests now....I spotted a very fine leak at the chamber panel. I've added a thin beading of clear silicone around the panel edges....easy to slice through with a razer when opening the panel.

Just ran up the unit tonight....very very impressed.

Test signal CD showed very flat down to 28Hz...then virtually nothing at 21Hz. No rattles at all in the cab...great sturdy design...love it.

Music test track Dark Side of the Moon, track 1 with the heart built.....massive increasing bass thump...had the whole house buzzing...amazing.

I like the detail of the bass.....eg bass guitar very defined.

Have some EQ added via MiniDSP...but will play around with gain etc in the next few days.

In the pic, the cab is firing to a 60cm deep 'nib' wall.

[DJPhatman]

Now, what to do with the mid bass range of 80-600Hz....?!

If those horns in your pic don't play well down to 80-100Hz, sell them and replace them with TLAH or SLA. Once you source acceptable drivers, they are a much easier build compared to the Tuba. Either are more than enough to keep up with T18!

[andrewtilsley]

Now, what to do with the mid bass range of 80-600Hz....?!

If those horns in your pic don't play well down to 80-100Hz, sell them and replace them with TLAH or SLA. Once you source acceptable drivers, they are a much easier build compared to the Tuba. Either are more than enough to keep up with T18!

Hidden in the cabinet below the whit horns (340Hz Azura), are 12-inch Eminence Kappalite's in heavily braced Birch ply boxes. These are good to 70Hz.

So, xover is:

25-70/80, subs
70/80 to 500 mid bass
500-4,000 mid horn (using 2 inch Faital Pro compression driver)
4,000+ tweeter (using 1 inch Faital Pro CD and matching FP alloy horn)

Down the track, I may build another mid bass horn...so I have full 4 way horn rig.

[Tom Smit]

Better hurry up and coat that sub, or you won't get around to it because of the beautiful sound, haha!

[andrewtilsley]

Better hurry up and coat that sub, or you won't get around to it because of the beautiful sound, haha!

Yes, funny indeed. You see the room is fairly nicely laid out...so I don't want Mrs to be too upset. Bad enough I have huge bass output AND an ugly box...!!