Custom chassis fabricator suggestions?

[leonc]

Can anyone recommend a US-based metal fabricator who has experience building custom chassis? I've got two designs that I need built and can provide STEP files, autocad, flat-layout blue prints, etc. Would prefer sheet metal construction with welded edges but can work with aluminum if necessary. (And if this isn't the right forum...please clue me in.)

[bmccowan]

I have had good experience with these two. Both have modified std models and/or fabricated chassis for me.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/zachmdhunter
https://reverb.com/shop/synapticamps

[leonc]

Thanks, I'll contact them.

[daveyajd]

I have had my last 2 made by Juicy Amplification. Super happy and quick turn around.


Aaron

[leonc]

Great! Thank you.

[bmccowan]

Leon,
I followed your "my stuff" link and encourage others to do so. Great playing and nice sounding amps!
I am also a Gibson and Valco amp fan and have repaired and built quite a few. Like your Smoothie Junior I built a 5879 - 6973 amp into a Hammond A0-39 chassis and wired the power tube sockets to also accept 6CM6s for the option of getting closer to the GA-40 sound. I'm intrigued by the big Dobbs Smoothie, as early GA-20s/25s/30s with 6SJ7s are a favorite; 6V6s but I imagine the preamp is pretty similar.
I was going to ask where you got your amp covering material for Smoothie until I reached the part about bitch and a half. I've had some success with book covering materials from Hollanders.

[leonc]

Thanks! Yeah, I love those old amps...so many cool circuits and sometime, some interesting tubes.


Yah that fabric was really tough to work with...can't really recommend it though it does look cool.


I've built lots of one-offs and clone-ish (and sometimes, clown-ish!) amps modeled after old Valco and Gibson designs. Love 'em!

[bmccowan]

You mentioned the tone stack boosting the gain of the appropriate freq range. I built a mashup of a GA-40 with the tone stack from the Z-28 which does that when the knobs go past 12 o'clock - is that similar to the effect you see?
And does Terry give up the "secret sauce" of the PI? Probably not or it would not be secret, eh?

[leonc]

Correct...the secret sauce must stay secret for the time being ;) There's no magic involved...just a lot of listening, analyzing and experimentation. But we're both really happy with how it came out.

[luthierwnc]

Hi Leonc,
I get mine made at Brisco, conveniently three miles from my house.  http://www.briscoinc.com/  I send them a DXF file and they laser-cut it to 1/100" and, if asked, weld the corners.  Don Stikeleather is my contact.  Singles are more expensive than if you order multiples but that will never happen from me.  Oh, I'm using 1/8" aluminum plate.  I'm sure they can do steel too.  Cheers, sh

[leonc]

Fantastic! Thank you.

[echuta13]

I've used Hamilton MetalCraft and they've been great to deal with.  I had a run of 30 chassis done through them and they turned out great! https://hmetal.com/

[leonc]

Excellent,  thanks very much!