Playing around with some bass cabinet stuff this weekend. I've got a pair of Mesa Diesel cabinets based on the TL606 design. They sound nice and are very pretty.
I noticed the EV builder plans for the cabinets (and the spec sheet for the EVM 15L) both reference covering the center port to create a "step-down" mode, which drops the lowest frequency to 45hz.
More bass with my bass? Sounds good on paper. But it means messing around with the cabinets, which - and I don't know if I told you this - both look very sharp.
Has anyone done this? Worth it? I like the Goat/Shellac bass sound as much as anyone and the current setup gives me that for days. But if I can get a little more low-end by slapping a piece of plywood in front of a hole ... I mean - that could be cool.
= Justin
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
2The TL606 cabs I have had for years were home brews from someone on local CL but very well-built. They were coated in bedliner and had the port already covered and coated. They sounded great like this so I have never taken the cover out.Justin Foley wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:26 am Playing around with some bass cabinet stuff this weekend. I've got a pair of Mesa Diesel cabinets based on the TL606 design. They sound nice and are very pretty.
I noticed the EV builder plans for the cabinets (and the spec sheet for the EVM 15L) both reference covering the center port to create a "step-down" mode, which drops the lowest frequency to 45hz.
More bass with my bass? Sounds good on paper. But it means messing around with the cabinets, which - and I don't know if I told you this - both look very sharp.
Has anyone done this? Worth it? I like the Goat/Shellac bass sound as much as anyone and the current setup gives me that for days. But if I can get a little more low-end by slapping a piece of plywood in front of a hole ... I mean - that could be cool.
= Justin
I'm not sure I'm savvy enough to notice a huge difference.
You could saw a piece of plywood to fit & then pick up a pair of inexpensive bar clamps from Harbor Freight if you want to test this in a non-destructive way. You'd just need an extra chonk of wood or two or so as a spacer and would have to have them side (or long-ways) oriented. MAYBE weather stripping on the test piece too if you want to be super-tight on the seal...
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
3I have the center port covered on my homebuilt TL606 cab. It's loaded with an Eminence Gamma 15A, not the EVM15B/L that's in the Diesels.
Honestly, I've never A/B'ed it, but I think you could accomplish the same thing with a bit of EQ on the amp. Depends on the amp though.
There's a note in the drawing: "Note that some 2 to 3 dB of maximum output in the 60 to 90 Hz range is sacrificed when the step-down mode is used."
So, you'll get more low-end extension, but it won't be as loud.
Honestly, I've never A/B'ed it, but I think you could accomplish the same thing with a bit of EQ on the amp. Depends on the amp though.
There's a note in the drawing: "Note that some 2 to 3 dB of maximum output in the 60 to 90 Hz range is sacrificed when the step-down mode is used."
So, you'll get more low-end extension, but it won't be as loud.
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
4I also have a pair of cabs - I tried the port cover, playing a P-bass into a GK400rb - I didn't notice such a significant difference to warrant them looking not as nice. That said, it's pretty easy to try as mentioned and trying is fun. But less nice looking = me playing even worse than I already am. I have a bias because I pinned the side panels with brass and liked the look so much I added it to the dividers on the ports.
You could also do the port on one, and not the other. I have an EV15B and an EB15L in them, and it would help me keep them straight from the front..
You could also do the port on one, and not the other. I have an EV15B and an EB15L in them, and it would help me keep them straight from the front..
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
6Curious, where would you put the stepdown on one of the Diesel/Road Ready 2x15s?
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Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
7oops got me, didn't realize they only had 2 channels. A SLIGHT but important difference from the original TL606, especially in this case.tallchris wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 5:06 pm Curious, where would you put the stepdown on one of the Diesel/Road Ready 2x15s?
Could cover one of the two & see if it sounds good? Although you'd probably have to also insert a small brace to the side.
Project just got more involved than a quick stitch-up & test.
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
8It was fun but go with Kappalites and you’ll feel great every time you move them
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
9Yeah I have some EVs sitting here but i think i'd rather sell em and buy kappalites. I also kinda wanna modify the dimensions a bit to make em 21" on the long side so that my head will fit appropriately.TylerDeadPine wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:10 pmIt was fun but go with Kappalites and you’ll feel great every time you move them
Re: TL606 - Stepdown?
10yeah I wish I did that. Bass head fits perfect with them on the sides but guitar head would've been also great at that dimension. Nothing worse than head hangDr Tony Balls wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:32 amYeah I have some EVs sitting here but i think i'd rather sell em and buy kappalites. I also kinda wanna modify the dimensions a bit to make em 21" on the long side so that my head will fit appropriately.TylerDeadPine wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:10 pmIt was fun but go with Kappalites and you’ll feel great every time you move them