DIY copy of a Genz-Benz Shuttle 8T

[terlewine]

(The title of this thread had the question "What speaker?" but agedhorse has helped locate an original replacement. I'll leave the thread going to report on my progress building a Shuttle 8T clone.)

I like my tiny G-B Shuttle cab with its 8" speaker. And I'm in a DIY mood so I'm making a clone of it to have a mini-stack. The Eminence speaker that's in the original cab evidently was made for G-B, and isn't available. There don't seem to be a lot of 8" drivers for bass cabs.

I'm looking for advice on a good 8" speaker, 8-ohms, to handle 200 watts. Any recommendations?

I'm about to order tolex, corners, feet and such -- this is fun.

Thanks!

 

[BassmanPaul]

Remember it’s the wood that contacts the saw blade and nothing that turns red when you cut it!

Good luck with the project.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If you contact Mr Agedhorse and ask really nicely he might be able to find a NOS one for you. Failing that he might nod at one of the current stock Eminence ones that should be close enough. The trouble is copying a cab requires the identical driver as well.

 

[terlewine]

Looks like it's agedhorse to the rescue! He's contacted me to say he's got an original replacement speaker available.

Ain't talkbass great?

 

[basscooker]

There's also the crossover and tweeter to consider, but as you go through the process with Mr. Horse, you might ask his suggestions there as well. The one in the 8t might keep up with both woofers just fine.

 

[terlewine]

Thanks. Lookin' into it.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Keep us informed about progress please.

 

[terlewine]

Will do. Waiting for a roundover router bit so I can radius the edges, then comes tolex... Such a tiny box is a lot easier than wrasslin' with a big cabinet.

 

[terlewine]

It seems the Shuttle 8T cab has a 1/4" radius on the edges (the plywood's only 1/2" thick). Most corner hardware I'm finding is intended for a 1/2" or 3/4" radius. If anybody knows a source for similar matching corner hardware, I haven't had much luck Googling so far.

 

[Joebone]

Good luck with this project - that little 8" GB cabinet is the mighty-mite of all time.

 

[terlewine]

Thanks. It really is a pretty amazing little cab.

 

[Jaygetsreal]

Like your minimalist & modular thinking!
Depends on your playing situation, but 8" drivers don't move much air so I'd be looking at the sensitivity/efficiency spec of a speaker when choosing. For example I tried the Visaton dual coil 8" driver (with its two 4ohm coils in series) which is 88dB @1watt@1m, in a practice amp. Robustly made but just not much volume for the input.
Soundlabs Group GF 200 - 2 x 4 Ohm

 

[terlewine]

Thanks for that input. It's very puzzling for someone who knows as little as I do about speakers to shop for them.

I've lucked out: agedhorse found a NOS Genz-Benz original replacement on hand. That's what I'm going to go with.

 

[agedhorse]

It seems the Shuttle 8T cab has a 1/4" radius on the edges (the plywood's only 1/2" thick). Most corner hardware I'm finding is intended for a 1/2" or 3/4" radius. If anybody knows a source for similar matching corner hardware, I haven't had much luck Googling so far.

Wait until you have your corners in hand, that way you can match the roundover to your corners. Don't forget to factor in the vinyl you choose.

 

[terlewine]

Good point, thanks. Going to go cancel that roundover bit at Amazon right now...

 

[agedhorse]

Off the top of my head, I think 3/8" radius works better. Especially with the vinyl.

 

[BadExample]

Got Menards there in Ohio? They always seem to have whatever router bit I need.

Any chance you could measure the inside dimensions and port sizes?

 

[agedhorse]

If he copies his existing cabinet exactly, the driver is guaranteed to work properly.

 

[terlewine]

Since I've got the actual Shuttle 8T combo cab, I'm simply copying its dimensions.

 

[terlewine]

badexample: I didn't mean to ignore your question. Did you want those dimensions, or were you just helping me make sure I'm not creating something that won't work?

Here's my highly scientific plan drawing (I can send you clean specs if you need 'em):