Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Other Stuff => Cabinets-Speakers => Topic started by: Toxophilite on March 29, 2015, 12:55:24 am
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Here's a couple of amps I made from the ground up
This post highlights the cabinets
The builds are 2 Ab763 deluxe lites built into Hammond A0-43 chassis. One has one channel and a 6G11 bias vary vibrato, the other has 2 channels
This configuration is designed for stereo echo operation with my Roland RE-150 tape echo and it sounds delicious!
The cabinets are 3/8 baltic birch with interior bracing
They were originally designed for a stereo organ amp I had but I didn't know enough to do a decent nice quiet conversion back then so the cabs have lain dormant and the amp was since sold
I had to do some slightly unsightly(haha) cutaways in the top panels to accommodate the controls but at least the cabs are being used
The original concept would've been that they lock together back to back and make one unit
They are 22" wide 18.5" high and 6.75" deep
They fit nicely together, however now each one has an individual amp in it they way about 30 lbs each and hanging a 13" deep 60 lbs box off one arm isn't as easy as carrying them both like suitcases
Still beats my 85lbs super reverb
The baffles are 1/2" baltic birch and covered in recycled vintage organ grill cloth, I neglected to paint these ones black(I did with the 1/4 fir baffles I had originally) , as one of the BB baffles was one from the previous incarnation and wasn't painted I made the second one like that too, I don't mind it. It'll make the soundman's job easier!
Amp 1 has a 12" Utah ceramic speaker almost identical to a Jensen C12N about 40-50 watts
Amp 2 has a JBL D123 12" speaker
They're finished with 8 coats of varathane diamond finish which I like because it doesn't stink, cleans up with water and can be recoated in 4-5 hours. I use it on my bows too.
I still have to put some finish on the oak tilt back arms (made from recycled organ bass pedals)
and install some metal corners, otherwise they're done
I probably have between $300- 400 into these amps including everything, so about #200 per amp
Time-wise...they're likely priceless!!
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a couple more views
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Those look really good. Nice and clean look. I've enjoyed following this project.
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Mighty handsome work! Maybe you could call them the Dioskouri (Castor and Pollux).
-Mad Max-
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THanks guys!
I quite like the Greek Mythology reference!
Maybe I'll call them that , and bedazzle people with my borrowed erudition! :icon_biggrin:
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Very nice!
Brad :bravo1:
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Great work. Love the tilt back arms too.
I was not familiar with the Varathane finish. I may have to check that out.
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those look awesome.
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Great work! Love your woodwork.
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:thumbsup:
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Thanks a lot
For repurposed cabs they turned out okay and I'm growing to like them
Best of all, they sound great
Tiltback arms are a must for me. I love them, such a great idea for an amp! Don't know who invented them, but bravo!
Also they give the amp a cool dramatic lean.
I really like that varathane diamond finish(If only I could get them to give me money to plug them!!)
short drying time, very little smell and water clean up make a huge difference if you've experienced working with traditional varnishes, like normal varathane or spar varnish(epithanes) . I live in an apartment/work space and not gassing the neighbours and myself counts! Also I've huffed my fair share of acetone from working at Larrivee etc.
The traditional stuff is great though, just smelly messy and more time consuming.
Thanks for the woodwork comment. On these mine is a little slapdash and non-fender traditional, No finger jointed cabinets here. mitered 45 degree corners with my chop saw and then glued in frames for extra strength. A bit of sanding and finishing knowledge goes a loooonnng way towards a pretty finished product if you'll excuse the pun.
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I should also say that without the help of forum members on the amp part of this build I wouldn't be using these funnny little cabinets.
Here's a question
I picked up some corners at Lee Valley(a local high quality woodworking etc etc store..check it out)
They were pricey but they seemed the best ones for my build
They defintely give it that finished look
I have a couple pictures
What do the forum members say corners or no corners??. they certainly are a practical addition
(I still have to cur off the little corner blocks on the back of Amp1 that fit into the back of amp to..otherwise I can't put the corners on)
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Well if you have already screwed them in I say they look out of this world :laugh: but for that wood and color etc.. I'm leaning towards no corners. However if you gig I'd put them on for sure.
I like corners and put them on my last amp but I was going for a look of dark walnut and black hardware and the corners worked. I sort of like the cabs you have as is for some reason without them. The corners don't look bad by no means but if I had to pick I guess I'd go without.
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Haha
Well I agree with your aesthetic opinion
I did however have them on that one cabinet and went ahead and installed them on the other
I figured if I planned to lug them around then the practical considerations trumped the aesthetic ones
The screws used are pretty small and the holes pre-drilled so if I did decide to get rid of them I could very likely plud and hide the holes pretty effectively. There's nothing perfect about these cabs anyway other than their small size and the nice sounding amps and speakers inside them!