My Gibtone '59 Junior DC guitar build-

[lowatter]

Hello...this is my first-ever post here and I thot that I'd share a few projects that I completed over the last few years. I'm now in the process of building a 18W Stout without the gain switch and a VVR attenuator switch built into a 18W-ish cabinet ala Ramiro Silva's design. I'm trying a built-it beam blocker on the baffle to see if I like it. I can always remove it later if there is issues with it.
I just finished scratch-building my rendition of a 1959 G****n LP Junior double cut guitar. There's a few other projects on my flickr pic site as well including a condensed electronic drum pad kit I built for a Alesis DM5 or other module.
I like to keep busy in my shop building "stuff" and after I finish my 18W I promised my wonderful wife that my music project building days are over. I need to focus on remodeling the house and other honey-do endevours. I also intend on constructing a 10" telescope for gazing here in the not-too distant future.
I also picked up a Tesoro Compadre metal detector and try to get out and explore with it when I can. Best wishes from SC-Dan

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/

[Justa]

Wow, nice pics and workmanship Dan!  You must have an awfully nice set of tools at your shop.  I can almost smell the wood chips.

[G._Hoffman]

If you are still looking for an appropriate pickguard, Axiom probably has the right material.



Gabriel

[lowatter]

Thanks Justa, I appreciate that. I have quite a few tools in my shop but not near as many as I would like. I have to improvise alot and build tools/jigs as needed.
Thanks, also Gabriel for the link. I'm just going to stick with my epoxy tort pickguard however as it's kinda grown on me. I wasn't thrilled about working with cellulose either.
BTW...I have watched your guitar building over the last few years and your work is second to none. I especially like your logo inlay work. It's very classic and stylish. You have a great eye for design.
I got my tolex today and I'll be covering my 18W cabinet this weekend. I'm getting closer.

[EL34]

Cool looking stuff

[Dynaflow]

 Wow you do nice work. (As does Gab, I've checked his stuff out lots, amazing patience you BOTH have) How's that Junior sound? Just looking at it makes me want to pound out Mississippi Queen... :D

Regards,

Dyna

[billcreller]

Very nice work :)

[G._Hoffman]

Thanks, also Gabriel for the link. I'm just going to stick with my epoxy tort pickguard however as it's kinda grown on me. I wasn't thrilled about working with cellulose either.

Celluloid is easy to work with - just don't let it get too hot.  Honestly, it almost never spontaneously combusts!  Actually, the only time I've seen it on fire was a little scrap we brought out back of the shop just to see how fast it would actually go up.  Pretty fast, as it turns out.


Gabriel 

[lowatter]

Thanks Bill, Dyna and Doug. I really appreciate it. The Junior plays and sounds great. I have a GFS P-90 and medium jumbo frets and it does feel a little different from a real Paul. Not bad, just different. It feels great to me and I play it every day. I also have a Melody Maker that's collecting too much dust these days. After I get my amp finished, I'll submit some clips with both for comparison.

I'm shifting gears now and going with a 18W tremolo ala Richie's improvements. I just can't help thinking that I would regret it if I don't. I'm hoping I can get some help from you guys for some questions I have. I can switch to a different topic section, but my questions are:

FIRST AND FOREMOST: should I even mess with the original circuit and just build and appreciate it for what it is? I mean, is this a great amp as is without any tweaking? Is the gain enough to get some nice saturation?

2) is it possible to have just 1 input with a footswitchable tremolo? Sort of a Lite with tremolo(2-12AX7s)
3) is there a layout out there with a master volume AND/OR a VVR encorporated?
4) how essential is it to use a choke?
5) I have the parts for a UF SS rectifier with a sag resistor as well as a octal rectifier. Is there a huge difference that warrents the effort of a tube?
6) could cascading the first 12AX7 achieve more crunch and how is it done?

Sorry for the nubescent inquiries. Any help on any of these would help.

[TubeGeek]

Welcome to the forum Dan!

Dan is a great guy and a great cabinet builder too.  He built me a very very very very nice red stained 5E3 cabinet that to this day I will not sell, I have had offers too.  His work is on the home page of my website.

Good to see you here.

[lowatter]

Hey TubeGeek...I was wondering when I would bump into you. Thanks for the compliments and all your help. I haven't recieved your Celestion care package yet(antsy). I'm making good progress on the 18W cabinet and I started covering it. I ordered the grill cloth, piping and handle from ***** on the 27th and it's been 2 weeks now. I'll call about it tomorrow. I'm getting closer though. I hope that by the end of the month that I'll be experiencing that 18W "thang".
I'm lost on a few aspects of my build(as usual) and I'm starting a new thread here to see if you or anyone else has the time to answer some of the questions. Your expertise always a blessing, James. Your talent and attitude is amazing. I'll post a link to the thread when I can get it posted.
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6099.0

[jjasilli]

Fabulous work!

[2twang2]

Wonderful work! Thanks for documenting it and sharing.

[lowatter]

Thank you guys VERY MUCH. The musically oriented projects I take on in my little workshop garage have been a great joy in my life the last 3 years but after I finish building my 18W "Blues Bandit", I'm going to hang up my soldering iron as promised to my wife who is the real love of my life. It's too easy to be engulfed in guitar and amp projects. I can't seem to moderate my time and desires. Awesome forums like this are addicting and it's great to feel welcomed into a circle of people from all walks of life and abilities. I really feel honored and blessed by all the kudos I recieve.
After my amp is done I'm going to switch gears and focus on the family. I have ENDLESS projects to tackle around our house. Remodeling, cabinetry, landscaping and furniture building to name a few.
I vowed to myself that I would be satisfied with my Junior DC and my Blues Bandit. A bad case of GAS is something I just have to put the kabosh to(except for another '51 maybe. :)). I hope to focus (musically) on just playing and recording my original music when given the inspiration and free time.
Thanks again guys and many blessings-Dan