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Heritage Owners Club

5E3 amp build project


H

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Posted

You could be right - it sounds a little boxy too....

I'd also recommend pulling off that clear packing tape and replace it with duct tape... I'm sure that will help tremendously.

 

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Posted

Nice design H. I think you've got the family heirloom on your hands.

 

I'm with KBP810 in the jewel; make it purple - the creative colo(u)r. Red lights seldom go past ten.

Posted

A bit more woodwork today. I made the speaker baffle from Baltic birch ply: lots of manual sawing and then power-sanding to tidy up. I drew the hole, drilled inside the line at intervals then cut it out with a jig saw. Nice and easy :)

 

Some pics:

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Posted

Cut out the rear baffle panels, screwed in the rear battens and glued her up!

 

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I'll sand it down on the glued edges tomorrow.

 

The speaker baffle is about 4mm too tall with the grill cloth taken into account so I'll sand that back to size. Then it's just four holes and I can bolt the speaker in! I'll secure the speaker baffle to the carcass with L-shaped clips and screws on the inside for a neat finish.

 

A few more holes to drill for the chassis mounting points and the handle and I can give it a few coats of Osmo Oil.

 

After that, the electronics...

Posted

H - you did a real fine job with the contour sawing. That speaker diameter is better than any I ever jigged; that's why I switched to a router thanks to KBP810. Are the back panels MDF? You did an awesome job there! :icon_thumright: Almost home...

Posted

H - you did a real fine job with the contour sawing. That speaker diameter is better than any I ever jigged; that's why I switched to a router thanks to KBP810. Are the back panels MDF? You did an awesome job there! :icon_thumright: Almost home...

Coo, I'm blushing ;)

 

The back panels are Baltic birch ply, same as the speaker baffle. I have an unusual plan for the rear panels - I'll let you know if it comes off!

Posted

I really enjoy the "diamond in the rough" glued cab. The delight hits when you sand the excess and out pops a stunning cab.

 

I hope your plan works for the back panels. If not, you've already got Plan B covered.

 

Thanks for the porn. A little vicarious amp building is good for my senses - cheers!

Posted

Some more work today: sanded the excess glue from the joints and they're looking good now.

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Sanded the speaker baffle down to size, drilled the speaker mounting points, fitted the speaker and tacked on the grill cloth. VERY pleased with how that looks!

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Then I popped it all into the front of the cab to see how it's going to look. I'm going to finish the cab completely before I post up a pic but I have to tell you that the fit is great and the look is stunning! I'm so pleased I took my time doing this.

 

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Posted

Another pic of the finished finger joints and a sneaky bit of grill cloth ;)

 

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Posted

It looks classic. There's not much else as exciting as an amp coming together. I'm convinced that an uncovered cab allows for better detail at the high-end. I'm also convinced that an oak cab is dense enough to give that really solid, uncolored support to your tone. I'm hoping the speaker baffle is fairly thick.

Posted

Howard, That amp is coming along beautifully. Nice of you to share step by step.

 

Don't forget to add the circuitry.happy3.gif

Posted

It looks classic. There's not much else as exciting as an amp coming together. I'm convinced that an uncovered cab allows for better detail at the high-end. I'm also convinced that an oak cab is dense enough to give that really solid, uncolored support to your tone. I'm hoping the speaker baffle is fairly thick.

Thanks :)

 

I'm so close to finishing the cab now that I have to restrain myself from going too fast. The speaker and rear baffles are made from 9mm Baltic birch ply, the speaker part having additional braces at the edges.

Posted

Howard, That amp is coming along beautifully. Nice of you to share step by step.

 

Don't forget to add the circuitry. happy3.gif

Thanks Pete, I'm enjoying putting the thing together and it's really nice to see it taking shape. I've shared the whole buying and building experience with the forum as I think there are other members (yes, especially you Don!) who'd like to have a go at this but think it's too difficult. It's not - but it does take time.

 

I'm hoping to start taking a look at the electrical side of the amp next weekend. Practising working with one hand behind my back ;)

Posted

Your cabinet building is superb Howard, That is going to be a looker. Now on to the electronics - another adventure awaits!!

Posted

MORE stuff done today! Drilled the chassis and handle mounting points. Fitted tee-nuts for the handle screws.

 

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Sanded the cab down with 100 grit paper, cleaned it off and then applied the first coat of Osmo Oil. There'll be another coat after this one has dried and it's been sanded back again.

 

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This is it in the English sunshine with its first full coat. The Osmo Oil really brings out the grain and the medullary ray.

 

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Time to sit back with a beer or two and let it dry :)

Posted

Beautiful porn H! Fine woodworking takes time and a lot of forethought. You have done a beautiful job! :icon_thumright:

Posted

Wow H! Love the way that wavy grain is showing through, looking really good

 

For your first finger joints, I'd say you did a mighty fine job!

Posted

It weighs 29.5lbs (less the chassis), so it's still very luggable. I know that the weight of inch-thick oak concerned some of you at the start of the build.

 

Now I need to get a decent amp cover made to stop the cats sharpening their claws on it! :)

 

On to the electrics...

Posted

Sweet :icon_thumright:

 

If I had tour patience, I'd be a doctor...

 

Truly a piece to be proud of.

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