Help - I can't get the back panel off my Recto 2x12!

[Stormin]

I know this is stupid, and I know it's probably just really snug, but I wanna open my Recto 2x12 to do a speaker swap. I cant get the back panel off (yes all the screws are out). I took off the jack plate and tried to pull the back panel out, but it wouldn';t budge - couldn't get much leverage...

Can anybody offer up any mechanical tricks or suggestions?

Stormin!

 

[SatelliteAmps]

Sometimes cabinets need a little prying to get the back off. Be careful, and try not to scuff the tolex. Try a medium sized flathead screwdriver and lightly wedge it in between the edge of the cabinet and the rear baffle board. It is easy to screw up a cabinet this way, so take your time and be careful.

 

[Stormin]

Sometimes cabinets need a little prying to get the back off. Be careful, and try not to scuff the tolex. Try a medium sized flathead screwdriver...

That's a good idea, but I don't think there's actually enough room in the gaps to do that.

 

[aidan7737]

I had an old recto 4x12 and remember the first time I tried to pull the back off I almost dislocated my shoulder!!! Those puppies are TIGHT, must be a near-perfect seal.

I'd take the speaker input jack out (if they're still using those metal "ash tray" type things). Carefully slide it into the cab diagonally so it will fit and let it drop. Then you at least have a sturdy hand hold to really grip and pull (and believe me, you'll need to!).

 

[John Phillips]

Some Mesa cabs have a strip of sealing tape around the join, if I remember... the back panels on their combos certainly do. Don't try to pry it out with a screwdriver, you'll almost certainly rip the vinyl before you even come close to getting it loose.

Does the cab have recessed side handles or surface-mounted ones? If they're recessed you can take one out and if necessary get a car jack in between the back of one of the speaker magnets and the back panel. No I'm not joking, I had to do that once - not with a Mesa cab, I can't remember what it was... some sort of PA bass bin I think.

If not, you'll just have to try what Aidan said.

 

[Stormin]

Unfortunately it's a top mounted strap handle on the 2x12 (the horizontal one). Right now I'm trying to see if I can locate a thin spreading bar or jack to drop in the jack plate hole and press it from the inside out. If I can't, I may just have to muscle it like Aidan suggested.

Stormin!

 

[John Phillips]

I've heard of people putting a lifting bag or a large inner tube in through the hole and then inflating it, as well. The risk there is that you might break the terminal tabs off the speakers or puncture the tube if you can't tell where it's pressing.

 

[ScottR]

can you fit your arm and a rubber mallet into the Handle hole?

 

[Stormin]

can you fit your arm and a rubber mallet into the Handle hole?

That's a great idea. I may be able to pull that one off.

 

[bosstone]

Try a toilet plunger. If it won't seal moisten the area with water. It won't hurt the tolex. I don't know about the Recto cab but many Boogie cabs have speakers that are front mounted, which for this reason and quick speaker replacement, I prefer front loaded cabs. Of course, there is no agreement on which mounting method sounds best. I might start mounting both front and rear, in an "X" pattern. LOL.

 

[mcgriff420]

The recto cab I had had sealant around the edges.

I wonder if a hair dryer might soften it up?

 

[Stormin]

can you fit your arm and a rubber mallet into the Handle hole?

We have a winner! My rubber mallet was too big to fit in, but I was able to loosen two corners with a smaller plastic mallet and then pull the back off.

Thanks again for all your suggestions guys!

Stormin!

 

[Fxrs]

What are you swapping with?

 

[Heartbreaker]

The easiest way so I have found out is to remove the screws that fasten your speaker hookup plate. Remove the screws from the plate then while holding the plate at an angle, let it slide through to the inside of the cabinet and gently lay it down inside. Then with one hand, once you have removed all of the back panel screws, reach inside with your hand where the speaker plate came off and pull like a motherscratcher. The back panel has rubber-ized tape all around it, but it will give way and allow the panel to pull free. You may have to re-position this tape slightly around the edges to put the panel back on. Easily done. I have done mine many times.

 

[John Phillips]

We have a winner! My rubber mallet was too big to fit in, but I was able to loosen two corners with a smaller plastic mallet and then pull the back off.

Thanks again for all your suggestions guys!

Stormin!

I bet after you get done with swapping speakers, you find you liked the stock ones best in it after all .










... but sometimes you just have to try it, even though you probably knew that all along .

 

[Stormin]

I bet after you get done with swapping speakers, you find you liked the stock ones best in it after all

... but sometimes you just have to try it, even though you probably knew that all along .

C'mon John, that's just mean!!! Actually I swapped for our favorite C90/EVM12L combo. I have these in an X in my 4x12 and love 'em to death. So far in the Recto, it has less bottom, but a whole lot more definition in the mids. I'm running my Mark I reissue thru it with some pedals.

Stormin!

 

[John Phillips]

C'mon John, that's just mean!!! Actually I swapped for our favorite C90/EVM12L combo.

Ha, I've been tempted to try that in my Trem-o-verb - but the additional weight keeps putting me off the idea . It sounds great with the V30s anyway...

 

[macmax77]

maybe u need to pull hard, my old Tverb combo was a pain when i tried to pull the panel the first time

 

[bosstone]

Remove the jack plate, insert a 3" bolt with rope tied tightly around the middle, maneuver the bolt crosswise, pull rope and remove baffle. It that fails, insert lit M80, duck behind sofa, recone speakers, and paint room.