So I am giving serious consideration to getting a new amp head and also to making my own cabinet.
The wood working piece is easy, but the speaker selection is where I'm unsure.
 
I do think I would go with the Celestion V30, but 10" or 12"...?
 
I am thinking maybe make 2 cabinets, one of them open back and one of them closed back.
Lots of flexibility in tone there.
Also thinking maybe a mix of 10" and 12" speakers.
One cab gets the 12" and the other gets the 10", or maybe (2) 10".
so many options. heck maybe even 2 different speakers. nothing wrong with a greenback
and a V30!
 
As for the amp head, right now the for-runner is the Mesa TA-15.
I like the flexibility it offers and do not want a crazy loud amp.
My style of music runs from classic 80's type rock to more modern metal sounds.
Also lots of nice clean rhythm guitar when called for.
I like the sound to have punch and body without a LOT of bass.
This is kind of why the possible combinations of 10/12" speakers in either one of closed or open back
seems like a decent idea.
 
So any input on this whole thing?
thx
Dave
 
 
 

15 WATTS IS SCREAMING LOUD!!!!!
 
 
that said, the ta-15 is a great choice, and has a great master volume setup, you'll be able to get any tone you want at any volume.
 
the ta-15 does not have fx loop...
the ta-30 does, but twice as expensive.
 
12" is the norm.
having one open back, and one closed back, covers a lot of good sonic territory
 
if you have different guitarists coming in, each will have a preference.
i like closed back.
 
 
 
for the cost of the materials, i think you could buy a cab as cheap as you could make it nice.
 
AVATAR comes to mind
 

http://www.avatarspeakers.com/
 
 
 
 

batsbrew
15 WATTS IS SCREAMING LOUD!!!!!
 
that said, the ta-15 is a great choice, and has a great master volume setup, you'll be able to get any tone you want at any volume.
 
the ta-15 does not have fx loop...
the ta-30 does, but twice as expensive.
 
12" is the norm.
having one open back, and one closed back, covers a lot of good sonic territory
 
if you have different guitarists coming in, each will have a preference.
i like closed back.
 
 
for the cost of the materials, i think you could buy a cab as cheap as you could make it nice.
 
 

yeah the 'No fx-loop' is the only thing I can see that I do not like.
probably not a deal buster tho.
 
Price-wise building vs buying one, I have been comparing to the mesa cabinets.
The mini-rec cab to be exact.
$450 at sweetwater. I know I can make a cab for $250-$300.
The 5 year warranty is nice but do I really need that?? prb not.
 
Honestly I do not ever remember hearing a 10" speaker, that I know of, but it just seemed like an interesting option sonically.
 
Glad to hear you think the TA-15 is a good choice Bat.
I'm pretty impressed with its flexibility. Nice clean sounds vs the mini rec that is just,
well, a mini rectifier..
 
 
 
 
 

avatar:
 
Complete but SpeakerlessSlip Covers Now Available $29
Celestion  Vintage 30, G12H30, G12T75,  Greenback, Classic Lead 80, Hellatone 30, Hellatone 60, G12K100 
Eminence Governors, Wizards, Private Jacks, Swamp Thangs
Celestion Heritage G12M, G12H, G12-65
 
i have a heritage g12-55 in mine...
 
 
but for 279 with a greenback, that's hard to beat
 
 
i know my own time is worth a LOT more than 279
 
 
my rig:

I second the Avatar speaker cab. I used to make all the cabs for my amp heads but eventually I realized that it was better to buy these cabs if I wanted to make money.
 
I can't build the cab, cover it, add hardware and a speaker for the price they sell a finished cab with speaker. If you use a small amp and like to wind it up, I'd suggest a single or dual 12" speaker with a 50oz ceramic magnet. Little amps benefit form the strong magnet because they seem to keep the sound from getting mushy and out of control. Celestion and warehouse guitar make speakers that fit the bill. I'm a big fan of the warehouse guitar speakers. I have about a dozen of them on hand to use in projects.
 
If you decide to go with 10's then you will want a 2x10 cab. The best value in a 10' driver is the Eminence Legend 1028 alnico. They run about $80 and anything that compares is at least double that. Second choice would be the warehouse guitar 10" ceramic. They sound great and are super affordable. There are people buying these drivers and selling them for 3 times the street value. All they do is change the label.

well gentlemen this is excellent info.
Bat that is a nice looking rig you have there, indeed!
 
Ampfixer, really appreciate the detailed info.
 
Guess I really had it stuck in my head this would be a fun project to make the cab.
I love working with wood and making stuff.
I built all the work surfaces in my studio, speaker stands, etc.
So just fun, you know.
However.... one must not overlook the obvious when presented.
 
Are those avatar cabs closed or open back?
I really could not tell by the website. Must dig deeper..
 
 

LopoLine is another of a number of companies that makes pretty nice cabs:
 
http://www.lopoline.com/
 
And LopoLine and Avatar also have discounted items on ebay occasionally:
 
http://stores.ebay.com/Lopo-Line?_rdc=1
 
http://www.ebay.com/sch/daveavatarspeakers/m.html
 
You can also of course find bargains on ebay proper. A few months ago I picked up what turned out to be a new unloaded LopoLine 1x12 closed back cabinet for around $50 shipped. I'm guessing it was because of the snakeskin tolex, as the seller was selling a few other more pedestrian covered cabs at the same time that went for quite a bit more. Of course it goes without saying that you have to be patient to be able to luck into in auction where you end up being the high bidder at an unusually low price.

on the avatars: just do some research, you can get them open, closed, semi open, or a cool alternative is one that has a removable panel in the back, so you can do it either way...
 
my avatar is closed back, but i can turn both of my trusty old roland cabs into open back by removing the panels on back.
 
the demeter, is shown open in the pic, but it is a isolation cabinet in practice.
 
building cabs that are worth having is a bit of an art..
 
the design of the soundboard is key,
along with the interior dimensions, type of wood used, the way it is jointed, you dont just build a piece of furniture, it has to be tuned.
 
 
 

the lopolines area nice,
but more expensive
 

batsbrew
on the avatars: just do some research, you can get them open, closed, semi open, or a cool alternative is one that has a removable panel in the back, so you can do it either way...
 
my avatar is closed back, but i can turn both of my trusty old roland cabs into open back by removing the panels on back.
 
the demeter, is shown open in the pic, but it is a isolation cabinet in practice.
 
building cabs that are worth having is a bit of an art..
 
the design of the soundboard is key,
along with the interior dimensions, type of wood used, the way it is jointed, you dont just build a piece of furniture, it has to be tuned.
 
 
 

I like the removable panel idea. In fact I was considering doing that if I built just one.
off to do some research.