5E3 Cab progress update (pics)

zeeman · May 23rd, 2008, 12:33 AM

Well it took a while but I finally finished the cabs for my ceriatone 5E3. Started the build in February, see here and basically ran out of funds to get the tweed, handles, feet, etc... so I've been playing it unfinished. Thanks to the recent tax stimulus I was stimulated to get everything to finish up. Since I couldn't decide between a head or a combo I made both and I like both but the tweed covering really made a difference in the sound of the combo in such a good way this 5E3 is destined to stay in the tweed.

I may try to actually build the electronics for another amp to put in the head cabinet. I was thinking maybe an 18 watt. Anyone have any suggestions for something that would fit. The inside width is 17.5 inches.

I have a paper nameplate taped on just to see what it would look like. I sort of like it. Any ideas on where I could send a picture and get an actual nameplate made?

I used some brown braided leather for piping on the head and I used some big rubber feet on both so they can clear the handles when set on top of my speaker cabs. Thanks for all the great advice and inspiration the people on this forum provide.

zeeman · May 23rd, 2008, 12:34 AM

ugle · May 23rd, 2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeman

I have a paper nameplate taped on just to see what it would look like. I sort of like it. Any ideas on where I could send a picture and get an actual nameplate made?

Wow, great job on those cabs!

amplates.com can make (plastic) nameplates for you.
Here's a faceplate they made for me:

Bad picture, but you get the idea.

giogolf · May 23rd, 2008, 09:44 AM

Great job, I am building my cab now and will post picks soon. Where did you buy the hardware? Also, is there a good tutorial on how to install the tweed? The only upholstery I have done have been stools and chair seats. Thanks

zeeman · May 23rd, 2008, 03:56 PM

Here is a pretty decent tutorial (Tweed 101). I didn't do it all at once though, I did it a side at a time with water based contact cement from walmart.

I got the rest of the supplies from Mojo. They were a little higher on the tweed and grill cloth than some other places but a little lower on handles plus they had everything and have a good reputation. By the time you count in shipping and being able to get it all from one place it was cheaper just to get everything from them. The copper baffle screws where a little hard to find and Mojo was about the only place I saw that had them.

I got a whole role of the blond tolex off of ebay a long time ago for next to nothing. I've done a couple of speaker cabs and the head with it and still have enough to do quite a few more. One yard of the tweed is barley enough to finish a 5E3 combo if you plan on keeping the tweed running in the correct direction. I had to cut a half inch off of both of my back pieces to be able to finish it with a single yard of tweed.

giogolf · May 23rd, 2008, 04:06 PM

thanks for the link. you did a great job, very classy work.

zeeman · May 24th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Thanks giogolf.

The main advice I would give on doing the tweed is to take your time on the corners. Don't get in a rush worrying about the glue setting up. Just put a little more on as you go and sneak up on getting the corners to fit tight. You can always cut a little more off but it's darn near impossible to put some back. If you make a lot of these I'm sure one would get good at it and could do it quickly. In my case this is the first and possibly last so the only practice is the main show. My corners came out really good but I went verrrrry slow.

By the way, any opinions on lacquering. I'm considering it. I'm really happy with the look as is but am concerned about long term durability.

JohnnyCrash · May 24th, 2008, 09:56 PM

Both cabs are great!

DrewB · May 25th, 2008, 07:55 AM

Great job on those cabs! If you're considering using shellac at all, get at least one coat of lacquer on it first. The end "grain" of the tweed will wick up the shellac if you don't, making it difficult to get a uniform color. If it comes out glossy and you want to dull it some, use steel wool.

Ando tele dude · June 27th, 2008, 09:29 PM

Great cabs, what speaker do you have in the combo? I have just ordered a 5E3. Can't wait.

teleamp · June 27th, 2008, 10:27 PM

Great work!

sjhusting · June 28th, 2008, 01:38 PM

Put a Hoffman Stout in the other cab. It would be a perfect match for the 5e3.

Both cabs look nice. I hate tolexing - I just don't do it well

steven

JohnnyCrash · June 28th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjhusting

Put a Hoffman Stout in the other cab. It would be a perfect match for the 5e3.

Both cabs look nice. I hate tolexing - I just don't do it well

steven

I built a Hoffman Stout. I have a cascade switch on mine. Fantastic amp!

I hate tolexing too... I'm looking for some cool Leopard fabric to cover my 5E3 cab build in though :)

zeeman · June 28th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ando tele dude

Great cabs, what speaker do you have in the combo? I have just ordered a 5E3. Can't wait.

Thanks, I've got a Celestion AlNiCo Blue in the combo.

Ricky D. · June 28th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeman

... By the way, any opinions on lacquering. I'm considering it. I'm really happy with the look as is but am concerned about long term durability.

Old thread, sorry I missed it first time around. Those cabinets are absolutely first class! Nice work.

Zeeman, I would strongly recommend a finish on that tweed. I used Minwax honey pine polyurethane on mine, I think three coats. Otherwise you will pick up dirt and stains eventually. The honey pine has just a very slight tint.

chabby · June 28th, 2008, 08:06 PM

Nice work!!

Here's my 5E3 amp-cab progress, two beautiful pices of African Mahogany.

JohnnyCrash · June 28th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chabby

Nice work!!

Here's my 5E3 amp-cab progress, two beautiful pices of African Mahogany.

*drool*

Are you finger joining, dovetail joining, half blind dovetail, or what?

I have the feeling you're staining that and not covering it in any cloth? hehe

chabby · June 28th, 2008, 10:40 PM

On the fence between Half-blinds and through dovetails. Half blinds are a bit easier fopr me for some reason. Yeah - it would be a sin to cover wood like this. I bought it explicitly to leave exposed. I'm all set up now to do the work as I bought router/router table etc because I want to start doing this as a business. I have a dealer friend who's going to help me out.

I will post some pix when finished. Going to make strictly 5E3's and 18 watt Marshalls and maybe Princetons too since they are suddenly so popular. I Incorporated and all that stuff too, so I'm going to do that and some other things too. I have actually started the business about 2 months ago and I'm just starting to see some fairly good coin.

Need to get a website going real soon too. I'm going to attempt to make a killer product with emphasis on the cab for a real good value. Also doing some amp repairs and stuff too. I turned one of the rooms in my house into a pretty well equiped shop. I don't want to get rich at all just do what I love.

JohnnyCrash · June 29th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Half blinds make for a smoother rounded corner. They're easy to sand, easy to glue in even, and are just as sturdy/durable as a fingerjoint (actually stronger).

Be careful with the business side - it's not what you think it is. Hope things turn out well.

I can't wait to see your cab. How many have you built so far?

zeeman · June 29th, 2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky D.

Old thread, sorry I missed it first time around. Those cabinets are absolutely first class! Nice work.

Zeeman, I would strongly recommend a finish on that tweed. I used Minwax honey pine polyurethane on mine, I think three coats. Otherwise you will pick up dirt and stains eventually. The honey pine has just a very slight tint.

That's what I ended up doing. Ended up a little glossy for my taste so I took some 0000 steel wool to the final coat. Very pleased with the results.

Minwax honey pine satin poly

Tube Chart

chabby · June 29th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Johnny - I haven't built any, but I'm in progress as we speak. I have built boxes and other projects awhile back, but that's it. I have cheated up until now on cabs. On the business side, I'm not relying on any one thing, but several and have some good business models to follow.

I don't want to be a huge concern and have my feet on the ground and a real good sense of marketing. And even more important, friends in the right places. I can't wait to post pix and will ASAP.

May 23rd, 2008, 12:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
zeeman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 314 5 Photos	5E3 Cab progress update (pics) Well it took a while but I finally finished the cabs for my ceriatone 5E3. Started the build in February, see here and basically ran out of funds to get the tweed, handles, feet, etc... so I've been playing it unfinished. Thanks to the recent tax stimulus I was stimulated to get everything to finish up. Since I couldn't decide between a head or a combo I made both and I like both but the tweed covering really made a difference in the sound of the combo in such a good way this 5E3 is destined to stay in the tweed. I may try to actually build the electronics for another amp to put in the head cabinet. I was thinking maybe an 18 watt. Anyone have any suggestions for something that would fit. The inside width is 17.5 inches. I have a paper nameplate taped on just to see what it would look like. I sort of like it. Any ideas on where I could send a picture and get an actual nameplate made? I used some brown braided leather for piping on the head and I used some big rubber feet on both so they can clear the handles when set on top of my speaker cabs. Thanks for all the great advice and inspiration the people on this forum provide.

May 23rd, 2008, 12:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
zeeman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 314 5 Photos	cont...

May 25th, 2008, 07:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
DrewB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 1,022	Great job on those cabs! If you're considering using shellac at all, get at least one coat of lacquer on it first. The end "grain" of the tweed will wick up the shellac if you don't, making it difficult to get a uniform color. If it comes out glossy and you want to dull it some, use steel wool. __________________ There is no substitute for Sound Pressure Level

June 28th, 2008, 01:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
sjhusting Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 576 11 Photos	Put a Hoffman Stout in the other cab. It would be a perfect match for the 5e3. Both cabs look nice. I hate tolexing - I just don't do it well steven __________________ Go octal

May 23rd, 2008, 09:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
giogolf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 196	Great job, I am building my cab now and will post picks soon. Where did you buy the hardware? Also, is there a good tutorial on how to install the tweed? The only upholstery I have done have been stools and chair seats. Thanks

May 23rd, 2008, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
zeeman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 314 5 Photos	Here is a pretty decent tutorial (Tweed 101). I didn't do it all at once though, I did it a side at a time with water based contact cement from walmart. I got the rest of the supplies from Mojo. They were a little higher on the tweed and grill cloth than some other places but a little lower on handles plus they had everything and have a good reputation. By the time you count in shipping and being able to get it all from one place it was cheaper just to get everything from them. The copper baffle screws where a little hard to find and Mojo was about the only place I saw that had them. I got a whole role of the blond tolex off of ebay a long time ago for next to nothing. I've done a couple of speaker cabs and the head with it and still have enough to do quite a few more. One yard of the tweed is barley enough to finish a 5E3 combo if you plan on keeping the tweed running in the correct direction. I had to cut a half inch off of both of my back pieces to be able to finish it with a single yard of tweed.

May 23rd, 2008, 04:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
giogolf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 196	thanks for the link. you did a great job, very classy work.

May 24th, 2008, 09:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
zeeman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 314 5 Photos	Thanks giogolf. The main advice I would give on doing the tweed is to take your time on the corners. Don't get in a rush worrying about the glue setting up. Just put a little more on as you go and sneak up on getting the corners to fit tight. You can always cut a little more off but it's darn near impossible to put some back. If you make a lot of these I'm sure one would get good at it and could do it quickly. In my case this is the first and possibly last so the only practice is the main show. My corners came out really good but I went verrrrry slow. By the way, any opinions on lacquering. I'm considering it. I'm really happy with the look as is but am concerned about long term durability.

May 24th, 2008, 09:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	Both cabs are great!

June 27th, 2008, 09:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ando tele dude NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Shepparton Victoria Australia Posts: 1	Great cabs, what speaker do you have in the combo? I have just ordered a 5E3. Can't wait.

June 27th, 2008, 10:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
teleamp Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central TX Age: 49 Posts: 558	Great work!

June 28th, 2008, 08:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,258	Nice work!! Here's my 5E3 amp-cab progress, two beautiful pices of African Mahogany.

June 28th, 2008, 10:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,258	On the fence between Half-blinds and through dovetails. Half blinds are a bit easier fopr me for some reason. Yeah - it would be a sin to cover wood like this. I bought it explicitly to leave exposed. I'm all set up now to do the work as I bought router/router table etc because I want to start doing this as a business. I have a dealer friend who's going to help me out. I will post some pix when finished. Going to make strictly 5E3's and 18 watt Marshalls and maybe Princetons too since they are suddenly so popular. I Incorporated and all that stuff too, so I'm going to do that and some other things too. I have actually started the business about 2 months ago and I'm just starting to see some fairly good coin. Need to get a website going real soon too. I'm going to attempt to make a killer product with emphasis on the cab for a real good value. Also doing some amp repairs and stuff too. I turned one of the rooms in my house into a pretty well equiped shop. I don't want to get rich at all just do what I love.

June 29th, 2008, 12:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	Half blinds make for a smoother rounded corner. They're easy to sand, easy to glue in even, and are just as sturdy/durable as a fingerjoint (actually stronger). Be careful with the business side - it's not what you think it is. Hope things turn out well. I can't wait to see your cab. How many have you built so far?

June 29th, 2008, 03:21 PM	#21 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,258	Johnny - I haven't built any, but I'm in progress as we speak. I have built boxes and other projects awhile back, but that's it. I have cheated up until now on cabs. On the business side, I'm not relying on any one thing, but several and have some good business models to follow. I don't want to be a huge concern and have my feet on the ground and a real good sense of marketing. And even more important, friends in the right places. I can't wait to post pix and will ASAP.