Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey all,

A while back I picked up this HT style 2x12 cab built by a reputable builder and have always felt something seemed slightly “off” with the visual aesthetics compared to authentic Hard Truckers cabs. Does anybody have an opinion? The dimensions are exactly what they should be. The speakers almost look too close together, as if there’s too much space above the top speaker and below the bottom speaker. I’ve given my cab and a blurry photo I took of Jeff Mattson’s cabs while at the Dark Star Jubilee.

I know it’s dumb to fret over such small details, especially when it doesn’t affect how it sounds…and it sounds great, I’ll add!

Think it looks great! Handmade stuff like that is always going to have some natural subtle variation…each one is unique in that regard.

Glad it sounds nice!

It's a good thing most people don't judge me by my "visual aesthetics" as one might deem me as "slightly off" too.

To quote from my own song, Desiderata*,

"I wish I could take back all the hours I worried
About the small stuff that counts for nothing in the end.
Now I’m older, and a little bit wiser,
And I can be a hypocrite but it doesn’t make me wrong."

Enjoy your fine cab!

* https://youtu.be/mBuyL4T-V3g?si=wuQ5DbdtOAlxCMAj

Looks great to me!

Two things immediately jump out at me:
1) your speaker grills are definitely messing with the look of it. That's more of a 90s Trey thing than a Jerry thing.
2) Mattson's cabs appear to made of thinner plywood. Yours is likely 3/4"...I wouldn't be surprised if his is 5/8" or even 1/2" thick.

Both of these differences contribute to making your cab look a bit visually heavier or crowded.

I live with two cats - I get the speaker grills.

Jon S. wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 7:18 am I live with two cats - I get the speaker grills.

Yeah…I much prefer the look without the grill, but it just isn’t possible with cats. I have two as well. I have a hard enough time keeping them from crawling in the back of my amp head. Currently have another piece of plywood loosely taped to the back of my cab so they can’t crawl in there.

Yet more proof……

Dogs >>>>>

Tacosauce wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:26 am
Yet more proof……

Dogs >>>>>

Dogs Under the Stars ... no, I don't think so.

There's definitely a difference in construction methods and a good and best way that COULD make a difference. The slight difference in speaker spacing is unlikely to make much difference however from what I can see (unless the photo is deceiving) the baffle on yours does not seem to be dadoed in. That means it is likely dependent on some type of cleat and fasteners that can fail or loosen. That could create unwanted vibrations etc. It's also less durable. Same goes for the butt joints for the sides and top/bottom. THAT SAID, if everything is tight it should sound fine! I have a series of videos showing start to finish cabinet construction up on my Coscia Guitars Facebook and IG pages if you're interested.