Walnut and wicker combo cabinet supplies finishing touch for 10 year project

[vibrolax]

Almost 11 years ago I finished the chassis for my second scratch built guitar amp.  It was a 2W push pull triode output with a pentode preamp based on the old AX84 Moonlight design.  Five years ago, a co-worker and I made a box-jointed walnut combo cab for it.  Recently, I sold it to another co-worker, who supplied the motivation and some wood finishing skills to help me complete the project.

Here are a few pictures of the completed build (less the carrying handle, which he attached later).

There are a few more pictures and some cabinet build details at:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jff/moonlight_10th_anniversary/2W_Vacuum_Tube_Guitar_Amp_in_Walnut_Wicker_and_Copper.html

[sluckey]

Simply elegant. I like it.

[SILVERGUN]

Yeah, that is sharp!

Sounds like it's time to build #3

[vibrolax]

Yeah, that is sharp!

Sounds like it's time to build #3

Thanks.  A few flaws in the wood and some dovetail jig learning curve (it was only the second box my friend attempted) gave the box a couple character marks. But the end result was entirely satisfactory for its purpose.  It felt good to transform my occasional noodling amp into someone else's daily driver, including wife-approved aesthetics.

I've been finishing about a project a year since I started this one, with some gaps.  2015's first project is already under way (an itch I've wanted to scratch for a few years).  I'll report when I have something to show.

My woodworking friend has completed some very nice projects since we made this box "for fun".  When he saw how nice the finished product looked in spite of its glitches, he got all fired up about wanting to make some more.  I hope to take him up on it.  I like woodworking ok, but I don't have the time and patience to get my own work up to a level I'd be happy with.

Jon

[lego4040]

Classic piece of working Art

[Willabe]

Now that's classy! Beautiful!


                  Brad   

[mresistor]

Very nice indeed. :-)

[Greenmachine]

How much does that much walnut typically cost? It's sooo much prettier than the Home Depot pine I usually use.  And what kind of speaker is that?

[kagliostro]

 

I will never build a cabinet so

K

[vibrolax]

I bought the walnut about 5 years ago.  It was in the "bargain" stack at the local fine-woodworking boutique, because the pieces were less than 2 feet long.  The two boards and rails for the cleats cost about $25. 

[Greenmachine]

Sounds like a bargain indeed.  And the speaker brand/model?

[vibrolax]

The speaker is a weber signature 8 alnico, likely also bought on sale.  With triode outputs, the amp wanted a bright speaker.