Cab Rattle?

[horseblanket]

Howdy Howdy,

Just got an old combo back from a friend (after about 5 years of hard playing), and he mentioned there were issues. So, I turned it on and it sounded like the speaker was blown so I put it into another cab - it was fine.
So, I put it back in the old old combo and noticed all of the screws turned forever when putting the baffle back on. So, I filled the holes with toothpicks and wood glue, then reinstalled. The rattle was mostly eliminated but there is still a good amount when I crank it. Any idea about what else I could look for? I am not really handy so this is a little our of my element.

[Jero]

Make sure it's still sealed in all the corners/along the frame, and maybe add some weather strip where the speaker contacts the baffle. I've had an issue before with front loaded speakers where the metal rested on the wood and air would push between. If they are rear loaded and have the damping ring then this can be skipped, I'd think.

[coldbrightsunlight]

sounds like you've identified the right culprit: sounds like loose screws/loose speaker.

Does it have handles? Corner protector things?

If you're having trouble with the screw holes stripping just try putting some fresh screws in somewhere else to get a good joint.

[horseblanket]

Thanks for the help!

It has a handle but no corner protectors. I tightened the handle as a just in case.
I am going to replace all of the hardware and add a little of that weather stripping between the speaker and the baffle.
Hope that fixes it. The amp is cool as hell.

[Jero]

Yeah go over it and make sure all screws are tight, even on things like handles and corners. Like coldbright said, you could use larger screws or new holes as well, for the speaker mount, if needed. If you're still having issues, then maybe some insulation/spray foam. I've seen people do this with old cabs...looking at you fender.

[crochambeau]

It's a combo amp, don't overlook stuff being loose in the circuit. That sort of thing does not usually bark too loudly, but it can cause parasitics that are then amplified.

Grill cloth frame flapping in the breeze is another one, I've seen a few added screws simply drilled in through the front by people who didn't give a fuck about aesthetics or preservation (in case you want a really easy fix).

I don't know about the vintage of your amp, but some of the lower end combos from the 50s & 60s (and let's be fair, on into present day in some drafty spider infested corner of the world I am sure) had low quality baffle boards that would loosen in the "frame" of the cabinetry, and that flapping can sound pretty unmusical too.