Improving a CRATE BX-15 Practice Amp

[Edward Lopez]

Improving a CRATE BX-15 Practice Amp from my "review" at Harmony Central.

Here is the reason why I'm reviewing this amp. The speaker is a dinky one. The cabinet is devoid of absorvent material. There is a vent hole in the front panel but no vent tube attached. This is a poor design that the amplifier does not deserve, even a 15+- watt one.

So the first thing I did was use the white stuffing that was used to line a sofabed. Safer than fiberglass and just as good at attenuating the internal wave from the speaker. Then I tried to find a hard cardboard tube wide enough to insert into the hole which could stay without glue but I would use glue anyway for stability. I didn't find one so I got a slightly wider one and cut its length to an inch short of touching the back. I glued it in place and to make sure it didn't sag while drying I put a support under it to keep the round edge against the wood.

Finally, and the best part, I wanted to replace the speaker with a better quality speaker with possibly a rubber surround and heavy magnet. I preferred a magnetically-shielded speaker so I kept my eye out in the local thrifts for cheap audio speakers. I didn't find any but I did find a SONY subwoofer model SS-S300 that I thought might do the trick. It did it perfectly! The thrift price sticker said $8 but the cashier rang it up and told me $6.50. What a deal!

The speaker has rubber surround, large double-magnet and the best part is that the speaker fit into the cabinet's opening and this was going to be the biggest factor and yet I was lucky to do it right the first time.

Then I tested it and the sound is awesome! You could say it's the PERFECT practice amp if you don't want room-rattling volume. The bass is totally impressive and even a professional bassist would be impressed with this little jewel that now reallyshines.

[Veenture]

I'm still looking for a suitable bass amp, not too expensive -just for home use and small gigs but find it difficult to choose between two Ampeg bass combo's.
I prefer the shape and cosmetics of the BA-115 to that of the B-100R Rocket but the excellent ratings in reviews of the Rocket makes the latter so very desirable too …and it is also more expensive I've put things on the back burner for now.

Good job Bob, I like success stories like yours

[KRamone27]

I've heard that using dynamat works great for bass guitar cabinets as it dampens the cabinet vibrations. And it's a peel and stick material.

[Edward Lopez]

I've heard that using dynamat works great for bass guitar cabinets as it dampens the cabinet vibrations. And it's a peel and stick material.

Dynamat definitely fills the bill for certain acoustical needs. Fortunately, what I used was just as effective for the little cabinet since it's probably theoretical that the stuff I used would make an audible difference between its inclusion and an empty cabinet since the cabinet's construction is pretty "solid", more than really needed and even at full volume I doubt that you would hear it rattle. Creak, maybe!

Also, improving on their ridiculous venting makes it easier for the sound to emerge reducing any chance of the cabinet being actuated.