Does anybody have dimensions or plans for a 5e3 HEAD cabinet?

[theprofessor]

Hi all -

I've been looking around a bit for plans for a 5e3 head that I would build myself from stuff I have laying around. There are some threads on TDPRI that address the topic, but never specifically with dimensions (as far as I can tell). Does anyone have some to share? Thanks!

 

[Bill Moore]

I suppose you could just shorten these plans.
http://thebluesalligators.narod.ru/olderfiles/1/5E3_DELUXE_STYLE_CABINET_3.pdf

 

[Stratandtele]

http://www.mojotone.com/Cabinets_x/...ed-Deluxe-Style-Guitar-Amplifier-Head-Cabinet
Mojotone's tweed deluxe head cabinet is Dimensions: (H) 11'' x (W) 20'' x (D) 8'', Chassis Cut-Out 12-1/2

 

[theprofessor]

I suppose you could just shorten these plans.
http://thebluesalligators.narod.ru/olderfiles/1/5E3_DELUXE_STYLE_CABINET_3.pdf

http://www.mojotone.com/Cabinets_x/...ed-Deluxe-Style-Guitar-Amplifier-Head-Cabinet
Mojotone's tweed deluxe head cabinet is Dimensions: (H) 11'' x (W) 20'' x (D) 8'', Chassis Cut-Out 12-1/2

Thank you! Yes, @Bill Moore , that would be easy to do. I suppose I was curious as to how high to make it. And thank you, @Stratandtele , for sending me the specs from Mojotone. I don't know why I didn't think to look there! Doh! The 20" width is normal, the 8" depth is .5" shallower than the combo cabinet at the top. I'm surprised at how tall it is: 11". But that's what i wanted to know! Thanks again!

 

[Bill Moore]

This guy modified the chassis, interesting take!
http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php?topic=32768.0

 

[keithb7]

See here: (link removed)

Then shorten-up the plan measurements as needed?

 

[theprofessor]

This guy modified the chassis, interesting take!
http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php?topic=32768.0

That is interesting for sure! Thanks for linking that.

See here: (link removed)

Then shorten-up the plan measurements as needed?

Yeah, I think that's the way to go. The issue is the height. Mojotone's is 11" high. That leaves some nice room for the power cable and even the possibility of running big bottle 6L6's if one has bigger transformers.

 

[RichardM]

I use the one size head-shell for all my builds and just change the cut-out in the front.

Top to bottom:

5C8 Twin

5E3 Deluxe

1987 50 Watt Plexi.

All 640mm wide, 250mm high and 240mm deep.
Made from 240mm x 19mm pine.

 

[RichardM]

This guy modified the chassis, interesting take!
http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php?topic=32768.0

Hey, that's me!

I'm famous.

 

[theprofessor]

I use the one size head-shell for all my builds and just change the cut-out in the front.

Top to bottom:

5C8 Twin

5E3 Deluxe

1987 50 Watt Plexi.

All 640mm wide, 250mm high and 240mm deep.
Made from 240mm x 19mm pine.

Excellent. Thank you!

 

[theprofessor]

I ended up following Mojotone's dimensions as a guideline, and I got my 5e3 head cab built (out of poplar). Interestingly enough, the cutout fits both Mojotone's 5e3 chassis and their 6G15 chassis, so one could use the same head for both (the 6G15 cab would be a bit bigger than it normally is, though).

Anyway, I've got to figure out what color to stain it now--hopefully something that will half-way match the tweed Hot Rod Deluxe 1x12 cab I just got. I'm open to suggestions!

 

[FenderLover]

You could have it sprayed with bed liner material. When I had my truck done at Line-X, they said they could match colors. Blonde Bed liner would stand up to a lot and look pretty cool!

 

[theprofessor]

You could have it sprayed with bed liner material. When I had my truck done at Line-X, they said they could match colors. Blonde Bed liner would stand up to a lot and look pretty cool!

Interesting! Well I never would have thought of that! If I knew how to tolex, I'd make it blonde tolex. If I knew how to apply tweed, I'd tweed it.

 

[FenderLover]

Well, you didn't know how to build an amp either... You're obviously a good study, so I see your next challenge!

 

[theprofessor]

Well, you didn't know how to build an amp either... You're obviously a good study, so I see your next challenge!

Ha! Thanks, FenderLover!

 

[Outlaws]

You consider putting in dowels for the ear supports? Not sure how important they are.

 

[D'tar]

Well, you didn't know how to build an amp either... You're obviously a good study, so I see your next challenge!

Agreed! Go Tweed!!!

 

[sds1]

You could have it sprayed with bed liner material. When I had my truck done at Line-X, they said they could match colors. Blonde Bed liner would stand up to a lot and look pretty cool!

Here's how that can look:

 

[theprofessor]

You consider putting in dowels for the ear supports? Not sure how important they are.

I did, but at the moment I'm still thinking on preserving the natural look rather than covering it up. And I didn't want anything on the top--dowel ends or finger joints or anything else--that was darker than the rest. I think the rabbet joints will be just fine. The differences between, say, a finger joint and a rabbet or butt joint are basically (but not completely) about glueable surface area. But just in case, I'm going to put some cleats in the inside along the corners.

Here's how that can look:

That looks really, really cool!

 

[Stratandtele]

That's a nice looking piece of wood. If you decide to stain it, minwax makes a good variety of colors to match your other cab. Honey pine might be a good choice. I would also suggest several coats of clear coat to protect the wood. If you go with a tolex/tweed covering, it's not difficult and there's a bunch of YouTube videos detailing the covering process. Uncle Doug on YouTube has a good instructional cab covering video. Have you considered rounding the edges with a router? It gives it a nice finished look. A 3/8" round over bit in a router is good for 3/4" inch lumber. Great job, your cabinet looks great.