Master woodworker Jeff Earl started J Design Speaker Enclosures back in 2004. One of his recent creations is The Old Dog 212 -- a detuned pored 2x12 cabinet made from top of the line, dovetail jointed soild poplar with a smooth lacquer finish.

"I've always loved the tone of Poplar cabinets, especially with lower powered amps. I have a few amps that range from five watts to 45 watts, and that is where these cabinets work best," says Earl. "The Rainbow Poplar that I use is #1 grade and hand selected by myself. I sometimes go through a whole unit of wood to find five or six pieces that I like. I think that this is the best wood for guitar cabinets because of the medium density and the fact that there are absolutely no knots -- all clear, beautiful tonewood."

To top off the fine wood, Earl finishes the cabinets with three coats of semi-gloss lacquer.

"Not too thin and not too thick -- enough to protect the wood for years without deadening or damping the sound," he says.

The large detuned port allows a wide range of frequencies giving the Old Dog a greater volume than other cabinets with the same footprint. The solid Poplar closed back reflects sound from inside that is nothing less than staggering. With its detachable panel semi-open back removed, it’s very open, airy and live.

The cabinet is available, standard, with a choice of any two of the following speakers; Celestion Vintage 30, Celestion G12M Greenback, Eminence Tonespotter, Eminence Wizard, or Eminence Private Jack. There are other options available for upgrade as well. The cabinet is 28 inches wide, 19 1/2 inches high and 11 inches deep. The cabinet weighs 32 pounds unloaded and 48 pounds loaded.

Loaded, the cost is $529 plus shipping or you can buy just the unloaded cabinet for $349 plus shipping.

When asked why THIS cabinet, Earl is philisophical.

"I get that question all the time. I always answer honestly: 'I don't think that there is any one cabinet that is best for everyone. There are way too many variables. It's about the player, the players style, the amp being used, the guitar, etc."

Earl prefers to have one-on-one contact with the player. Every player has different sonic needs and tastes.

"I like to discuss these things with the person so I can try to build the best cabinet for him or her. I take that hands-on approach with every custom cabinet that I build," he says. "There are a handful of great builders out there. As a businessman, I have to compete with the other great builders. As a musician, I just want my customers to have access to the best sounding, most versitile and nicest looking speaker cabinets. So, I just build each and every one like it will be my own."