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JohnnyCrash · July 24th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Got my blank 20 x 6" x 2.5" aluminum chassis from Ken at Turretboards.com.

Here are step-by-step photos of me cutting/drilling the chassis and installing the hardware.

I used a step bit in my drill press to get the 12AX7/preamp tube socket holes. Also drilled for the die punch shank so I could punch out the power tube sockets:

Here is the Harbor Freight punch kit:

JohnnyCrash · July 24th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Next I tried to use the nibbler cutter to make the power transformer and AC plug square holes:

This chassis was a bit too thick for the nibbler so I had to use my scroll saw for the PT:

I used my Dremel tool for the AC receptacle:

JohnnyCrash · July 24th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Front panel: Input jack, Gain and Volume for channel 1, Gain and Volume for channel 2, Treble, Mid, Bass, lamp, and power switch.

The empty hole between channel volume/gains is for the front panel switch and I haven't drilled the holes for the channel LEDs yet (one green, the other red):

OEM style replacement transformers for a BF Fender Vibrolux/Tremolux, OT is a 35w to 4ohm, choke is Fender OEM style as well:

Bottom of the chassis has: a space-saving AC receptacle with built-in fuse holder, two octal sockets for 6L6 power tubes with bias points and pot between them, a speaker out jack, PI tube socket, channel footswitch jack, and the two preamp tube sockets:

JohnnyCrash · July 24th, 2009, 10:47 PM

As far as the build itself, it cost under $300 in raw parts (shipped with a pair of speakers).

I will be using 5 volt DPDT relays in the channel switching circuit. I am going to supply the relays by "borrowing" some of the 6.3v heater supply and running it through a bridge rectifier to convert it to DC.

The "channels" are actually just two sets of Gain and volume controls. The relays will simply select which Gain and Volume is inserted into the circuit (at the tonestack and at the PI).

The preamp itself will pretty much be the high gain JCM800 setup with a fatter preamp cathode. The PI, typical Fender/Marshall long tailed pair 12AX7. The power section will probably look very close to a BF dual 6L6 fixed bias Fender and will have a set/fixed negative feedback (no Presence control). Solid state rectified.

I'll be building a 2x10" combo cab and have a pair of 8 ohm Jensen MOD 10-35's to try first.

This is meant to be a cheap (but great quality), portable gig amp. My 50w dual channel "JCM800" build head into a 2x12" cab is my main gig amp, so this will be a perfect compact backup, or a grab-and-go.

jh45gun · July 25th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Nice Job I might have to order one of them and redo my Super build with the right power transformer for winter project. While my super amp head works it is not exactly right as the bias circuit has been rigged diffferent since the PT did not have a bias voltage lead. So I would have to make the parts on the bias circuit back to normal and then get a PT and start from scratch.

Quintin · July 25th, 2009, 07:05 AM

Nice work. Wow under $300. You appear to know the right folks

mgdesigns · July 25th, 2009, 09:37 AM

JohnnyCrash: How's this going to set in a cabinet? Knobs UP? I cannot picture it yet in my mind. Is this going to be a foot-switchable 2 channel amp? OOPS (I just re-looked at you last photo - corrected). $300? Wow.

JohnnyCrash · July 25th, 2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgdesigns

JohnnyCrash: How's this going to set in a cabinet? Knobs UP? I cannot picture it yet in my mind. Is this going to be a foot-switchable 2 channel amp? OOPS (I just re-looked at you last photo - corrected). $300? Wow.

Yeah, knobs up.

Yes, footswitchable. I can set one channmel clean and the other dirty, or one for dirty rhythm, the other for louder leads.

P-Zilla · July 25th, 2009, 01:23 PM

You got a name for this beast yet?

JohnnyCrash · July 25th, 2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashback

You got a name for this beast yet?

Not yet... its gotta be an evil name though, this thing will be high gain

July 24th, 2009, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 10,658 1 Photos	2 channel combo build Got my blank 20 x 6" x 2.5" aluminum chassis from Ken at Turretboards.com. Here are step-by-step photos of me cutting/drilling the chassis and installing the hardware. I used a step bit in my drill press to get the 12AX7/preamp tube socket holes. Also drilled for the die punch shank so I could punch out the power tube sockets: Here is the Harbor Freight punch kit: __________________ - 3 Gibsons, 5 Teles, assorted other guitars, about a dozen amps, about two dozen pedals, a Smith & Wesson SW40VE, & a .40 SIG Sauer P226R = too many toys, no money, carpal tunnel, and a serious hearing problem. Last edited by JohnnyCrash; July 24th, 2009 at 11:34 PM.

July 24th, 2009, 10:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 10,658 1 Photos	Next I tried to use the nibbler cutter to make the power transformer and AC plug square holes: This chassis was a bit too thick for the nibbler so I had to use my scroll saw for the PT: I used my Dremel tool for the AC receptacle: __________________ - 3 Gibsons, 5 Teles, assorted other guitars, about a dozen amps, about two dozen pedals, a Smith & Wesson SW40VE, & a .40 SIG Sauer P226R = too many toys, no money, carpal tunnel, and a serious hearing problem.

July 24th, 2009, 10:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 10,658 1 Photos	Front panel: Input jack, Gain and Volume for channel 1, Gain and Volume for channel 2, Treble, Mid, Bass, lamp, and power switch. The empty hole between channel volume/gains is for the front panel switch and I haven't drilled the holes for the channel LEDs yet (one green, the other red): OEM style replacement transformers for a BF Fender Vibrolux/Tremolux, OT is a 35w to 4ohm, choke is Fender OEM style as well: Bottom of the chassis has: a space-saving AC receptacle with built-in fuse holder, two octal sockets for 6L6 power tubes with bias points and pot between them, a speaker out jack, PI tube socket, channel footswitch jack, and the two preamp tube sockets: __________________ - 3 Gibsons, 5 Teles, assorted other guitars, about a dozen amps, about two dozen pedals, a Smith & Wesson SW40VE, & a .40 SIG Sauer P226R = too many toys, no money, carpal tunnel, and a serious hearing problem.

July 24th, 2009, 10:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 10,658 1 Photos	As far as the build itself, it cost under $300 in raw parts (shipped with a pair of speakers). I will be using 5 volt DPDT relays in the channel switching circuit. I am going to supply the relays by "borrowing" some of the 6.3v heater supply and running it through a bridge rectifier to convert it to DC. The "channels" are actually just two sets of Gain and volume controls. The relays will simply select which Gain and Volume is inserted into the circuit (at the tonestack and at the PI). The preamp itself will pretty much be the high gain JCM800 setup with a fatter preamp cathode. The PI, typical Fender/Marshall long tailed pair 12AX7. The power section will probably look very close to a BF dual 6L6 fixed bias Fender and will have a set/fixed negative feedback (no Presence control). Solid state rectified. I'll be building a 2x10" combo cab and have a pair of 8 ohm Jensen MOD 10-35's to try first. This is meant to be a cheap (but great quality), portable gig amp. My 50w dual channel "JCM800" build head into a 2x12" cab is my main gig amp, so this will be a perfect compact backup, or a grab-and-go. __________________ - 3 Gibsons, 5 Teles, assorted other guitars, about a dozen amps, about two dozen pedals, a Smith & Wesson SW40VE, & a .40 SIG Sauer P226R = too many toys, no money, carpal tunnel, and a serious hearing problem.

July 25th, 2009, 07:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Quintin Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgetown PEI (ex-Vancouver), Canada Age: 42 Posts: 406	Nice work. Wow under $300. You appear to know the right folks __________________ *Quintin's Custom Shop* well made · well played Georgetown, PEI, Canada quintinscustomshop.com

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July 25th, 2009, 04:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
jh45gun Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern WI Gods Country! Age: 61 Posts: 4,435	Nice Job I might have to order one of them and redo my Super build with the right power transformer for winter project. While my super amp head works it is not exactly right as the bias circuit has been rigged diffferent since the PT did not have a bias voltage lead. So I would have to make the parts on the bias circuit back to normal and then get a PT and start from scratch.

July 25th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
mgdesigns Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Franklin, TN Age: 60 Posts: 2,386 4 Photos	JohnnyCrash: How's this going to set in a cabinet? Knobs UP? I cannot picture it yet in my mind. Is this going to be a foot-switchable 2 channel amp? OOPS (I just re-looked at you last photo - corrected). $300? Wow.

July 25th, 2009, 01:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
P-Zilla Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North of The Wall Age: 24 Posts: 1,406	You got a name for this beast yet?

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