Latest 18w CAB build PHOTOS

[JohnnyCrash]

This is my Marshall 18watt build modded for 6V6's and built into a BF/SF Champ chassis (thanks again GomezAmps.com) - finally finished the head cab.

Solid 3/4" pine. Red tolex, Marshall Bluesbreaker grill cloth. I do not have a mock up of the faceplate yet, but when I get it finished, I will be taking it in to Kinkos so they can print it to aluminum sheet.

As you can see, I got a little sloppy on the tolex in the back AND its still a little dirty from the spray adhesive. In about a week after the adhesive is fully dried I will clean the tolex.

[JohnnyCrash]

And the finished product:










And... TA DAH!

[JohnnyCrash]

Oh, just needs a backplate... I'll deal with that next week :)

[Steve G]

Inspirational as always Johnny, love that red with the green jewel light.

[Easydog]

Im still wrapping my head around the fact that you guys actually BUILD these amps & guits from freakin' scratch. So impressive...... my dear lord, impressive. I learn so much every day from y'all. Thanks. Easy.

[Flashback]

The Red Tolex TOTALLY adds tone man...

[markothefish]

I love it ... You have a great sense of style . I'd love to hear some of those amps Johnny . We need a photo of the whole collection .

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by Easydog

Im still wrapping my head around the fact that you guys actually BUILD these amps & guits from F#c*ing scratch. So impressive...... my dear lord, impressive. I learn so much every day from y'all. Thanks. Easy.

2 or 3 years ago, I would have said the EXACT same thing.

Its amazing how small steps over time build up to - "what the heck?! I built that?!"

I got a D- in woodshop class. I never went through "normal kid" math classes. I will always say it, because it is more true than people realize, if I can do it - anyone can.

Things seem harder and scarier than they really are... once you start doing it though, it becomes very clear how easy things are that you used to think were impossible or too "pro" for someone to do in their garage/backyard.

Now I'm 6 or 9 amps in... even the 1st amp was a surprise. Partscasters are a bit of a challenge for me though. I love my last two, but they're not as playable as a really well made guitar would be - I'm still learnin' that stuff :)

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by markothefish

I love it ... You have a great sense of style . I'd love to hear some of those amps Johnny . We need a photo of the whole collection .

This should be my last amp for a little while (although I have two last ones in mind - including an AC-15 perhaps)... so, clips should be coming soon. I will be recording clips of every amp I own shortly.

I'll dump em all in a pile in a room and take a photo soon too.

[Steve G]

That red tolex/green jewel thing has really got me.
Something retro cool about that colour combo.
Makes me think of the original 'War of the Worlds' movie, but in a totally good way. I dont know why!




Im a big fan of the original 'War of the Worlds'

[1293]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

Things seem harder and scarier than they really are... once you start doing it though, it becomes very clear how easy things are that you used to think were impossible or too "pro" for someone to do in their garage/backyard.

A big +1 to that. All you gotta do is try.



Red's cool.

[dibber124]

Real nice job as always. Like that green jewel lamp, great with red covering.

[Easydog]

Things seem harder and scarier than they really are... once you start doing it though, it becomes very clear how easy things are that you used to think were impossible or too "pro" for someone to do in their garage/backyard.
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Good point. My concern has always been that without a manual or some sort of resource that production STOPS & comes to a standstill when you hit a wall. Thats why I am so impressed with the level of knowlege & experience between all of us here @ the tdpri. I can just ASK any & all of you, when previously there was no one to ask. Isee it every day, GOOD SUPPORT HERE! Even with the most basic of questions. I almost feel that with the tdpri as a resource when one gets stuck, you all act as a VERY reliable resource and in turn make things possible that were not possible before. Maybe someday an amp build, or a partscaster. But for now Ill just stick to minor mods/soldering etc. Baby steps.
thx johnny, thx for the hope & inspiration
-Easydog

[WisconsinStrings]

Very cool. How difficult was the tolex to work with? I'd like to try and build one sometime. I'm not worried about the woodworking part, but the tolex and grill seem like they'd be really fussy.

[sandman72202]

Nice job Johnny.....if i wasn't so inept with power tools....i'd give it a try.

[JOHNNY FOWLER]

very nice mr. crash. 1 question , does kinko {sp} supply the alum. and all you need to give them is a mock-up of the face plate you design ? if so i got to find one down here where i live . again good job

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by WisconsinStrings

Very cool. How difficult was the tolex to work with? I'd like to try and build one sometime. I'm not worried about the woodworking part, but the tolex and grill seem like they'd be really fussy.

The tolex is a kitten - its that damn 3M Super 77 spray adhesive that's oppressive... impossible to get off of your hands and sticks in a giant way!

There's a bit of seamstress skills involved (HAHA) - cut it to rough shape, spray glue it down a bit and trim to straight lines... at least that's how I roll :)

I've been playing a lot through that and my 6L6 BF Princeton Reverb builds... I dig the 18w, but it takes a bit of getting used to for a JCM800 junkie. The BFPR sounds killer.

[Marky D.]

Cool, Johnny ... how did you do the dovetail joints? I'm thinking of a 5E3 cab build but had planned to use dowels because of the complexity of dovetailing.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by Marky D.

Cool, Johnny ... how did you do the dovetail joints? I'm thinking of a 5E3 cab build but had planned to use dowels because of the complexity of dovetailing.

I used a cheap Sears Craftsman router dovetail jig. I actually used the fingerjoining jig, not the dovetail one... a router and a cheap fingerjoining jig will mean years of cabs/combo boxes :)

The jig offsets the pine boards so you cut both boards with one pass of the router, then when you pull them out of the clamps they will line up and lock together. All you have to do is glue the joints and then slide the boards together and clamp the box up till its dry.

Dowels will not hold up as toughly as finger or dovetail joints. Although, I did use dowels for the front baffle frame.

[vic108]

Great work there JC!

Another amp birth! Very cool!

[tdowns]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

I used a cheap Sears Craftsman router dovetail jig. ....

You are a better man than me. I've never been able to make good dovetail joints that fit correctly. I hear that most craftsmen use a dedicated router for that. Once you get the bit depth correct, you never want to do that again.

Nice work. I love the red.

You gonna post a schematic?

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by tdowns

You are a better man than me. I've never been able to make good dovetail joints that fit correctly. I hear that most craftsmen use a dedicated router for that. Once you get the bit depth correct, you never want to do that again.

Nice work. I love the red.

You gonna post a schematic?

Schematic?

Its pretty much a Tremolo-less TMB version as found on 18watt.com, except I used SS/diode rectification and I changed the cathode resistor to 250 ohms, the PI tail to 27k, and the screens to 500 ohms (seperate resistors)... and of course the EL84's to octal sockets with EH 6V6's :)

I may open the hood again... sometimes the amp sounds a bit too fat and "whooly" unless I roll back the Bass, so it makes me feel like I have some room to tweak the tonestack - although all of that fat low-midrange comes in handy with some guitars/pickups and some speakers... especially with single coil pickups - like in some of my Telecasters :)