Guitarists are known for searching for many years to find the right conglomeration of ingredients to achieve their ultimate, individualistic, signature guitar tone. Of course, professional guitarists rely on a singing tone to separate themselves from the overwhelmingly majority of "hack" guitarists and cover band "wannabes". All guitarists know that their tone originates with the instrument in their hands, and that their amplifier plays an extremely important part in converting their kinetic energy into sounds, but how many guitarists ever think about the construction of their speaker cabinet? Since this is the last line in the chain of offense when it comes to tone production, as much time and effort should be afforded searching for the unique cabinet that suits your tone and playing style best.
A discussion of speakers, drivers, and speaker cones, will be left for another article, the purpose here, however, is simply to discuss the different aspects of speaker cabinet construction that give each individual cabinet an inherently different tone. The type of wood used is reflected directly by the tone produced. Some popular wood choices are particle-board, MDF, plywood, mahogany, maple, birch, and poplar. MDF (pressboard) and particle-board are chosen for three simple reasons: they are cheap, readily available, and relatively stable. Since these woods are not particularly special nor naturally occurring, they exhibit sounds that are flat, non-organic, and less responsive. A flat, non-organic sound can be described as lacking of vibrance or life. These woods are used in the cheapest cabinets, with more funds funneled towards (hopefully) better speakers for the sound. Higher end, more quality built cabinets rely on tried and true tonewoods with their own particular so und qualities. As with guitar bodies, maple, birch, and poplar exhibit warm and vibrantly bright tone. Mahogany's tone color can be described as slightly darker and warmer, and very pleasing.
Because most guitarists place their heavy amplifier head on top of their speaker cabinet (when not in a mutual combo assembly), stability and strength of construction is so important. Most manufacturers use glue to join their cabinet walls together, but higher priced, boutique speaker cabinet makers often go even further, many offering finely crafted dovetail joints for strength and long-lasting assembly. In addition to woods used and construction details, cabinets can be either open backed, closed backed, or ported. Open backed cabinets have the rear of the cabinet and speakers somewhat exposed, resulting in a sound that is more surrounding and enveloping, while exhibiting higher mids and trebles, with somewhat diminished bass. Closed back design promotes a high bottom end, with lows being dialed high and very responsive. Ported cabinets allow sound to be funneled toward the closed back and then projected through vents in the front or rear, allowing for punch and articula tion of lower frequencies.
Unique construction and woods along with speaker choices are instrumental in the tonal differences present in various manufacturers' speaker cabinets, and should be closely observed before purchasing. Knowledgeable salespeople at local guitar stores like Austin's Strait Music Company are able to answer questions, pointing musicians in the right directions, and allowing them ample time and opportunity to try all sorts of combinations in their quest to find the perfect tone.
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