cabinet insulation

[feel the sunn]

what type of insulation should be used in a 4x12?

[Isaac]

From what I've read, fiberglass is the best, but some people think it has health hazards associated with it. Next best is either acoustastuff or hollofil, but they're more expensive.

[JoeArthur]

There is no "should" because there is no rule that says you have to use any insulation in any MI cabinet.

I have an old 2x12 that only has a stuffed burlap thing stapled on the back panel. Don't know what it's stuffed with but it's only about 3/8" thick. Nothing on the other panels. It's a pretty good sounding cab.

The Acoustic 261 cabs - 2x15 and horn didn't have any insulation.

On the other hand, some of the early 60s Fender cabs were completely stuffed with fiberglass batts and were pretty good sounding.

[made by hand]

ON THE OLD SUNN 200S AND 2000S CABS SUNN ONLY COVERED JUST 2 SIDES WITH INSULATION...IN THAT CAB YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE 2 PARELLEL SURFACES FACING EACH OTHER...THAT'S WHY YOU SELDOM IF ANY SEE A CAB WITH ALL FOUR SIDES COVERED...BUT YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO...YOUR CALL...I'VE DONE SOME 200S CABS OVER / RETOLEXED THEM WITH GRILL CLOTH SO THEY LOOK NEW...AND I'VE COVERED ALL FOUR SIDES INSIDE AND THE CAB SOUNDS GREAT...IN MY YOUNGER DAYS WHEN I HAD NO MONEY AT ALL..I USED HALF INCH OR THICKER...CARPET PADDING AND THE CAB SOUNDING GREAT ALSO...IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO SEE THE INSIDE OF A HARTKE BASS CAB..THEIR INSULATION LOOKS ALOT LIKE CARPET PADDING ALSO...SO..IT'S YOUR CALL...THE EGG CRATE LOOKING INSULATION WORKS GREAT BUT YOU PAY FOR IT..BUT...HEY...YOUR EARS WILL SMILE....Bob