Finished Amp. Pics and Thanks

[Duck Dodgers]

Wanted to post some pics of my finished amp and thank the forum for all the debugging help. Tubeswell, bnwitt, martin manning and loudthud; thanks guys!

Basically built everything myself. Turret board (modified Hoffman AB763), chassis, cab and tolex covering. Front and back panels lasered by Prodigy to my layout. 15" Weber Classic speaker.

[Mandopicker]

Great Job!

Can you tell me more about the faceplate? I would like to know more about the source for future projects. Prodigy...?

Thanks in advance and have a great time playing your new amp!

[Duck Dodgers]

Prodigy Engineering - Services: Laser Engraving

Sent them blank black anodized panels and a dxf file from SolidWorks for the artwork.

I think there are some programs available on-line that could do the artwork too.

Chae, the owner is quite helpful. The cost was $50 per panel plus the anodized blanks. Not cheap but a nice looking result.

[loudthud]

Allways nice to see the finished project. Great job !!!

[martin manning]

Looks fantastic! How does it sound, just as good?

Re faceplates, people speak highly of BNP Lasers. Pricing is comparable, material included, for anodized aluminum. (No business relationship, just sharing a source)

MPM

[Duck Dodgers]

Thanks Guys......

martin, we think it sounds fantastic. (Built it for my Son's 20th B'day.)

Great mellow tone at low to medium volume. Doesn't get too crunchy at higher volume. I think the 15" speaker is the way to go here. Tons of reverb (has a big tank and a dwell control) and tremolo (bias on the power tubes).

Great for jazz, blues, surf (Dick Dale would love the reverb) and there's always pedals for shoe gaze.

Took about 9 months.....I have to rest up before I start another...

BTW, let my thank everybody again for all the help in the de-bugging forum. Couldn't have done it without you.

[mbratch]

Very nice. And I like the additional, convenient side handles.

$50+blank isn't bad for a custom plate. Off the shelf repro Fender faceplates go for about that amount of coin.

[JoeM]

Congrats! Nice looking amp.

[RedHouse]

What's the thing that looks like a relay over by the PT?

[Duck Dodgers]

RedHouse, Good call..it is in fact a dpdt relay.

The Standby switch (left one of the two on the front panel) controls the relay. It is switching both legs of the transformer high voltage to the rectifier tube. The relay coil is 120vac.

This was done to have matching switches on the front panel - amber lighted Eaton rockers. Involved, I know but what the heck, it looks nice.

If you check the pic of the bottom of the chassis you can pretty much see how I did it.

mbrach, handles are a BIG help. Amp is no lighweight and my Son lives in an upstairs apartment. Had to do some back routing of the panels but no big deal. Got samples of the P1-30-107-11. See attachment.

[TheTinMan]

Really nice looking build!

I've got a Super Reverb derivative ready for testing this weekend and am getting the pre-plug in jitters

Cheers,

Chip

[you_never_know]

Sent them blank black anodized panels and a dxf file from SolidWorks for the artwork.

I think there are some programs available on-line that could do the artwork too.

Chae, the owner is quite helpful. The cost was $50 per panel plus the anodized blanks. Not cheap but a nice looking result.

Where did you get the blank anodized panels?

[Duck Dodgers]

you_never_know,
I twisted a friends arm who's Dad owns a sheet metal shop. He sheared the panels from .030 stock, grained them and sent them out with a big lot of anodizing. Charged me $20. Pretty good deal. Usually the minimum charge for anodizing alone is $40.

They also bent up the chassis for me but I did the assembly of the ends and all the socket and transformer holes. Made me two; a 22"x7.5"x2" (this one) and a 24"x8"x2" for later. $50 plus lunch. Also pretty good.

Check around locally. You may be able to find a cooperative local shop. Cash always helps. Be sure to look for a "precision" sheet metal shop, not a HVAC shop as in air conditioning duct work.

I think I remember someone (on this forum?) having a source for blank panels on the internet.

Good Luck

[you_never_know]

Yeah, I was afraid you got them as a personal favor. I'd even buy this thing in large sheets and cut them down if necessary. But, I haven't found anyone who just sells anodized sheet.

The cut 6061 sheet is cheap enough. However, I'd prefer not to get into the business of surface-preparation and anodization if I can help it. On the other hand, there's got to be a few bucks in that, given the demand.

[Duck Dodgers]

Home anodizing is VERY easy. A little sulfuric (battery) acid and a power supply (regular car battery charger) couple of plastic buckets and off you go.

Do a web search. The custom car and motorcycle guys as well as the paint ball gun guys have articles all over the place.

Also look at casewellplating.com for kits.

Pre anodized is available but usually only in mill quantities, as in 1000's of lbs.

As far as alloy, 5052 (H32/34) is the norm for precision sheet metal. Available from McMaster-Carr in small quantities. A mill finish 12 x 24 x .032 sheet is ~$8, a satin grained sheet is ~$15.