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  • New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

    Just purchased a SBAcoustics Mandolin Kit after lots of research and comparing from the nice people in Michigan. After ordering I had called to check on the order and Mark told me it was shipping that day, it takes a few day for them to solder and put together the parts and cross over. I didn't realize the crossover was built by them and that kinda freaked me out as I have seen many cross overs built by others that I would of been ashamed of.:eek: Well the next morning, as I was walking out of the garage to see the brown dude Drop the package on the ground and kinda kicks it up to the door , ring the bell and then trots back to his wagon and peels out to next DROP. My wife opens the door and snags the box before I could get to it, another near miss.. I finally get the box in my hands and cruz back to my hide out and look the box over and notice that the box is all beat up and I was a little worried about my new toys. I used my pocket knife to slit the well thought out tape job and started unpacking the box. To my suprize the first thing was two Styrofoam pieces and lots off nice packing, everything was still in perfect condition, a testament to someone who cared about his job and me! There was even a hand full of mints!? NICE. Enclosed is a nice letter letting me know that if anything happens or I have any questions or problems to call them and the"ll be happy to help. I get the driver out and and dig another white box out and open it up to find the cross overs, ports,wires, screws, binding posts, and blue prints for the cabinet all nice and neatly packed. So far so good now to inspect the cross over that worried me so. They were shrink wrapped, all fore have there own board the way I would have done, the lay out is well thought out a simple, soldering is nice too. Both woofer and tweeter boards are marked very clearly with NO room for wondering what goes where, and I was looking forward to building them by my self. To say the least I was very pleased with everything about this kit so far! Heck, I even got a refund on the shipping as the true cost was a little less than quoted.Click image for larger version

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    ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

  • #2
    Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

    The post are "Big Post", Gold, 5-way post/pr, 1-1/16" very nice and solid, the screws are even good. Wires are long and tinned on one end and push on crimp connecters on the other. All solder joints look to be silver solder but not sure as there a little dull looking not shinny like lead, but look flowed very good and no cold joints at all. The only thing I could see on the CO is maybe the hot glue on the resistors, I know I getting A little picky but I couldn't really find anything else yet to whine about. i ordered there standard kit with no upgrades, I could of ordered any cap, inductor, resistor compo that I wanted, a nice option.Stock Caps are PulseX, Polypropylene, 250V, 3%,but came with Bennic's Inductors are 18ga. A.C.& 20ga. A.C. & 18ga Steel Laminate Resistors are Lynk 10 W metal film resistors, ALL wire is Stinger 16 ga and ends are nicely done. All and all not to bad for the stock parts package. The ports are 2" Flared Port on one end with 8" a Cardboard Tube, I have never used a card board before and not sure I will use this one, it doesn't look or feel flaky but is still cardboard, If I do use it I will probable coat it with epoxy mix with acetone or alcohol so it soaks in to the center better then coat the outside not diluted.
    I was in the process of making another set of cabinets for another build when this kit arrived and the volume is the same and dimensions are all most identical accept for the baffle on the mandolins call for a 1" and mine is gunna be two 3/4" pieces laminated, one 3/4Oak ply outer and other 3/4MDF. Drivers in my current build is Dayton RS180 Papers with Tang Band 28-847SD tweeters. There in my test cabinets now and I think I finely have cross over satisfactory so nice cabinets it is. That's for another thread though....

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    Last edited by bret191; 01-23-2015, 07:19 AM.
    ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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    • #3
      Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

      Nice stuff. I used a pair of Pioneer old school cabs to make some Econowaves. The 40 year old cardboard port tubes were in fine condition when I gutted the cabs.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

        Originally posted by bret191 View Post
        Stock Caps are PulseX, Polypropylene, 250V, 3%,
        Those in your kit are actually Bennic caps.

        Later,
        Wolf
        "Wolf, you shall now be known as "King of the Zip ties." -Pete00t
        "Wolf and speakers equivalent to Picasso and 'Blue'" -dantheman
        "He is a true ambassador for this forum and speaker DIY in general." -Ed Froste
        "We're all in this together, so keep your stick on the ice!" - Red Green aka Steve Smith

        *InDIYana event website*

        Photobucket pages:
        https://app.photobucket.com/u/wolf_teeth_speaker

        My blog/writeups/thoughts here at PE:
        http://techtalk.parts-express.com/blog.php?u=4102

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        • #5
          Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

          Originally posted by djg View Post
          Nice stuff. I used a pair of Pioneer old school cabs to make some Econowaves. The 40 year old cardboard port tubes were in fine condition when I gutted the cabs.
          I figured they would be OK but I live in a very humid place in the summer hence the coating. They do fit perfect in the bells and feel strong.
          ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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          • #6
            Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

            Hope you can bring these to a diy i would like to hear them.
            My Build Thread's
            Carrera's / Finalist TL's / Speedster TMM's / Speedster MTM Center / Overnight Sensation Surrounds

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            • #7
              Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

              Yes , I would like to do that. I have never attended a event yet, my job and living in AZ. and Cal. all these last years kinda cept me from doing much but now that I live in Indiana and retired I sure I can fine the time.
              I only got to do a little work today, did some cut on the back and started the braces for the box's.Click image for larger version

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              ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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              • #8
                Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                Originally posted by Wolf View Post
                Those in your kit are actually Bennic caps.

                Later,
                Wolf
                Yup.
                ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                  Well got some work done today. Finished the baffles, cut the braces and holes for ports. Glued the baffles and one brace.

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                  I use a 2X8 to test my depth and radius for the router, its sure saves a lot of scrap wood and bad cuts.Click image for larger version

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                  ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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                  • #10
                    Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build


                    I am going to bolt the rear panel on instead of gluing it as it's dado'd already and fits perfect. That will give more room to work and install the crossovers.
                    ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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                    • #11
                      Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                      Got everything mockup and drivers installed and got to listen to some music this morning.Click image for larger version

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                      ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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                      • #12
                        Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                        cool, I am anxious to see how you like these. I have some Mandolins as well and I am contemplating how to finish them. What are your finish plans?
                        -Dan
                        Mandolin Curved Cabinet Floorstanding; Dayton Reference 18" sealed Subwoofer; Sealed 12" Dayton Reference Subwoofer ; Overnight Sensation builds

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                        • #13
                          Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                          Originally posted by djkest View Post
                          cool, I am anxious to see how you like these. I have some Mandolins as well and I am contemplating how to finish them. What are your finish plans?
                          Well, I actuality built two set's of cabinets, one all 3/4 MDF and one MDF but Oak baffle. The all MDF is going to get A black finish (automotive paint) with a Dip Your Car type finish for the top coat.So it will be kind of a mid dull black. I have used it before to coat some rifle stocks and turned out fantastic looking and will match my center that is finished the same... And it isn't hard to keep clean looking. When I pull them apart to finish the interior well get the rubberized coating also. I have already today rearranged the Dacron inside as I had a slight boxxy sound when first fired them up. NICE sounding but I rushed the last part installing the Dacron and didn't get it just perfect so took the drivers out and spent some time positioning it. BIG difference! I have been letting them run all day while I work around the garage and house (TOO COLD) so I came in a while ago and the sound all ready Is much better down low! Break in? Right out of the gait the highs of the SB29RDC blew me away for the price they charge. I have never owned a set or really listened to a set. I think I found a new mid priced tweet, my old fav was Morels, not to say there aren't other tweeters as good but these do sound nice to my ear's, I sill haven't had time to really compare and I am really looking forward to playing some good music. I have no complaints and was kinda wowed by how far they go down, I have been blending my sub with them and you can get by with out a sub very easy with these!
                          Anyway I still need to start my stands for these also that will be Oak (wife loves it)! So I am kinda betting that the Oak cabinets will end up with these in the living room all thought see loves the sound of the Yamaha's so who knows, maybe they'll end up in my office,;)
                          ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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                          • #14
                            Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                            Well, Finally finish the Mandolin SB acoustics build. In the middle of a Snow storm. Paint was a little sketchyClick image for larger version

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ID:	1163895 being so cold out, so I cranked the heater in the garage and went for it.

                            All in all it took me a week and a half to finish. Was very easy except for the dust from saw.LOL. AND they sound great for such a reasonable price! Right at $400 bucks! Now to finish the RS180P/SB26STCN build!
                            ‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’

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                            • #15
                              Re: New SB Acoustics/ Mandolin build

                              Funny how so many DIY projects are marked SO much BETTER than commercial offerings.
                              Last edited by Chris Roemer; 02-01-2015, 04:32 PM.

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