Particle board cab???

[madgrinder]

I played on a 4 x 12 last night (popped both Medusa's in mine) that was particle board. It had no name plates or markings. I think someone built it. I borrowed it to finish the set.

 

This one had 4 Vintage 30's and it had MUCH more botton end than my cab.

 

I have 2 vintage 30's and 2 Medusas in mine, which I built out of 9/16 ply and covered in green-wrinkle tolex.

 

Question: What is the lifespan for abused particle board?

 

I can't help but think that the wood had all to do with the tone.

[BillWelcome Home Studios]

Particle board has a lower resonant frequency than a similar thickness of plywood.

 

Particle board makes an okay contruction material, but if I were building a cabinet with it, I would use a stick lumber framework, for better/more solid/more roadworthy joints.

 

Particle board will last as long as anything else if properly ptotected. (Painted, varnished, covered with plastic or laminate.) Just as a reference, your kitchen counter tops are likely made from particle board, and they are exposed to moisture all of the time.

 

But if raw particle board gets wet, it becomes the consistancy of half-cooked oatmeal.

 

Bill

[DC]

I built a cabinet for a friend out of particle board once. I tried and tried to talk him into birch plywood but he wanted to save some cash.

 

Well, I saw the thing over a period of time. First hardware started falling off cause screws strip really easily with that fragile crap. Then he set it down on a corner once and it caved in.

 

If you want the sonic effects of particle board I would suggest you build a plywood box larger than you need and line it with particle board.

 

Most hi-fi speakers are made out of this stuff or MDF board, because it has a uniform density compared to wood, but they have veneer on the outside and they don't get moved all the time like live gig cabs.