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Best wood?


Zephyr

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Sort of a continuation of the open closed back debate, but taking it a step further.

 

What would be the best type of wood to close up an open back?

 

And is readily available at your local hardware store?

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

 

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Medium Density Fiberboard - MDF. That's what they make the cabs out of, so for continuity's sake, you'll want to stick with it.

 

Most guitar cabs are actually made out of plywood. MDF is sonically superior but it weighs too much. MDF also requires a special saw blade to cut because it is extremely hard as a result of the adhesives used to bind the particles together.

 

MDF is the primary material used for hifi loudspeaker construction. As a rule you don't move these around very often, so weight is not that big of an issue.

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OK, now I'm confused.

 

Now for specifics. I'm looking for lightweight wood, which is made out of the same stuff that is backing for cabs, not just the whole cab.

 

So with that straightened, which is it?

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=810593

 

http://www.myspace.com/dandelavega

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OK, now I'm confused.

Now for specifics. I'm looking for lightweight wood, which is made out of the same stuff that is backing for cabs, not just the whole cab.

So with that straightened, which is it?

 

Plywood is lighter & stronger. MDF is denser, heavier & more sonically neutral. For a cabinet back the sonic character isn't a big deal, so I'd go with ply. And it needs to be void-free. Regular construction quality plywood has holes from knots in the middle layers & is generally pine or fir. Get some Baltic birch ply intended for use on boats. Birch is stronger & the marine quality ply has more thin layers than standard construction level ply.

 

Scott Fraser

Scott Fraser
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Hey Zeph...

 

What cab are you planning on putting a back on? Different manufacturers use different materials. You might contact the company that made your cab, and see exactly what they used, then try to match it.

 

Why do you want to close it?

Don

 

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Hey Zeph...

 

What cab are you planning on putting a back on? Different manufacturers use different materials. You might contact the company that made your cab, and see exactly what they used, then try to match it.

 

Why do you want to close it?

 

Well, it's not a cab per se, as it is an open back combo.

But I'm just undertaking this project for pure experimentation.

 

Say, Doc, where'd you get that gorgeous Marshall from, or is that just a pic off the net?

 

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=810593

 

http://www.myspace.com/dandelavega

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