PA Monitor Cabinets with Bass Speakers?

[Chicago Slim]

As a guitarist, singer, bass player and PA guy, I'm running out of room. I also have back trouble, so I'm attempting to keep all of my equipment light and small, so that I can transport it without wearing myself out, before the gig.

I have installed an Eminence Basslite neodymium 12" speaker, in a 12" ply-wood PA monitor. I disconnected the horn for fear of blowing it. The end result, is a 25 lbs speaker cabinet, with a total investment of about $160.00. I've was surprised just how good, it sounds. I've owned 15" bass cabinets in the past, but they are just to big and heavy for me now. The cabinet, with the 12" Eminence speakers, handles my 5 string bass pretty well, and sounds a lot like my old 15" bass cabinet, with a little more punch.

Has anyone else tried doing something like this?

I'm thinking of replacing the speakers in more of my PA monitors, and getting a more powerful bass amp. The Eminence Basslite speakers still sound good as vocal monitors, so they are getting double duty.

Can anybody see any pit falls, to what I'm attempting?

Thanks
Tim

[walterw]

pa monitor cabinets will typically not be tuned the same way as bass cabs, and thus will usually not "load" the speaker the right way at low frequencies. this means the speaker can move too far in and out on low notes and can more easily get blown.

it's a good idea to switch out the horns as you've done. just be careful to not go for as much low end as you would on a real bass cab and you might be ok at moderate volume.