Cab Back DIY Conversion

jaymenon

I had a RedPlate combo that I absolutely feel in love with - but I have always had a preference for the head and cab format.

And so I bought a head shell and also a cab with a ported back (Dumble style). Looked absolutely beautiful. but it sounded a little boomy / resonant on certain low notes (perhaps it’s my speaker, perhaps it’s my room).

<a href="https://imgur.com/kB46AHR"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/kB46AHR.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Anyway, I picked up from my local B&Q a cut piece of 12mm (1/2 inch plywood), cut in such a manner as to render the back of the cabinet half open. I took them the measurements - they even cut it for me. And it cost a grand total of £7.18.

Drilled holes in the appropriate places - and fitted it...

<a href="https://imgur.com/NuAgsKp"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/NuAgsKp.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Now it sounds absolutely killer - there is something so beautifully three-dimensional about how an open back cab sounds.

Except that now I need to figure out to cover it with tolex :-((

It’s fun being a Guitar Geek...!

Sassafras

I much prefer the sound of open back cabs. I've carried out a few conversions of my own when I've owned closed back ones.

jaymenon

I think I agree.  After playing closed back cabinets for so long, the sound of a nice open back cabinet was an absolute revelation ...

Now desperately trying to figure out what’s the best glue for sticking tolex (preferably something  cheap and effective that I can buy at Wilkinson or my local B&Q).

clarkefan

Very nice Though for some reason I was expecting to see 2 pieces, one top, one bottom, with the open area in the middle, I've never seen it done like yours before

hywelg

PVA will work fine on tolex. You will need a hot air gun to speed the drying where you lap the edges over. You just dry the glue until it behaves like contact adhesive working a small area at time, adding more if it's too dry. 

You can use heat to move the tolex around and stretch it as well. Once you've got it to where you want cool it down with a damp sponge which you'll also use to clean off the excess glue. 

jaymenon

Thanks Hywel - now I tolexed the back and its been a very satisfying experience...!

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/j26FUz3.jpg)

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/CKSmB48.jpg)

Wazmeister

Jay,

Thats a cracking job, and very timely for me as I look for an extension cab for my new Redplate CDS2.

Well done mate