BillFitzmaurice.info

After a lot of thought, a lot of back and forth in my own head, and an extended period of not thinking about it at all, I've finally started a Jack15 build. I'm planning to build this one, try it out for a bit and decide if I need a second one for a 2x15 stack. I'm currently using a Mesa Boogie Diesel 2x15.

I went with a flat pack from Speaker Hardware for this one because my time is in short supply these days. If I build a second I'll do it all myself.

More pics:

Here's my first question: There's a decent gap all around the back, I'm assuming so there's room if someone wants to cover it with tolex or that carpet crap. I'm using Duratex. Should I center the back? Or should I have it so that it rests on the bottom panel which would lead to a larger gap at the top, but would make it a little easier to align?

Center it, so you're assured of a good seal all around.

Aaron315 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 3:54 pm Here's my first question: There's a decent gap all around the back, I'm assuming so there's room if someone wants to cover it with tolex or that carpet crap. I'm using Duratex. Should I center the back? Or should I have it so that it rests on the bottom panel which would lead to a larger gap at the top, but would make it a little easier to align?

With a deck of cards, take 8 bunches of, oh, say 5 cards. Put a bunch at each corner so that there are 3 bunches along each side of the back panel. If there is slop, add a card to each bunch. This will centre the back panel!

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:25 pm Center it, so you're assured of a good seal all around.

Aye aye, Captain! Thanks

Tom Smit wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:32 pm

Aaron315 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 3:54 pm Here's my first question: There's a decent gap all around the back, I'm assuming so there's room if someone wants to cover it with tolex or that carpet crap. I'm using Duratex. Should I center the back? Or should I have it so that it rests on the bottom panel which would lead to a larger gap at the top, but would make it a little easier to align?

With a deck of cards, take 8 bunches of, oh, say 5 cards. Put a bunch at each corner so that there are 3 bunches along each side of the back panel. If there is slop, add a card to each bunch. This will centre the back panel!

Good call on spacers/shims! Deck of cards will be perfect.

Nice looking build so far. Are you going with any tweeters, or woofer only? If woof only, I'd still recommend a LPF. Those delta lite neos sound so good in the jacks!

Also very interested to hear how your J15 performs up against your 2x15 when you get a chance to A/B test them.

Clef's of Bass wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 6:20 pm Nice looking build so far. Are you going with any tweeters, or woofer only? If woof only, I'd still recommend a LPF. Those delta lite neos sound so good in the jacks!

Also very interested to hear how your J15 performs up against your 2x15 when you get a chance to A/B test them.

Thanks! Your double Jack15 stack with the stained horn section is my inspiration for this one, I'm planning to do a stain/poly finish on the horn area and Duratex on the outside. I haven't decided yet if I want to do something wild for the stain or keep it a bit more natural, we'll see.

I'm going to do a straight flat piezo array on this one. If I build a second it'll be woofer only.

I'll definitely check back in with my thoughts on the a/b!

Got the screw holes drilled & countersunk for the back. Centered it with some spacers.

Also had my first experience with Bondo...man does that stuff stink! Even with the garage door open and the backdoor open for some airflow it was still brutal. But worth it, that stuff works great. I got it sanded down and routered the edges today. Still have a bit of Bondo work to do on the back panel. Hoping to tackle that as well as install foam inside tomorrow evening.

Nicely placed rear panel!

Work bench design by Ron Paulk?