Ordered a handbuilt 5E3 amp with NOS tubes, from a expert-builder of these things, but told him that I wouldn't have the tweed cab, he normally uses....I wanted to build my own "Granny's Cab". When he saw my Photoshop mock-ups, he wanted one too. He is a guitarist, and a nerd with sound. He found out, that the "tonewood" cabinet I made had the best sound, compared to other cabinets! He has a bunch of these small amps, all with different configurations and speakers, for "feinschmekers" to choose from.
He called me, and told me he had chosen to gig with my cab, as it was the best sounding....and....he needed 2 more!
BUT! recalling the pain I had with the finger-joints, as we can't make right angle inside corners, on the CNC, and have to cut/file all joint to fit..... and the fight to get all the clamps arranged, and retain the 90 degree in the cab, while the glue sets....I decided to do it different this time!
First routing some samples in plywood for test!
"The Tab Corrector"
Two drawer rollers with an angle board and guides screwed onto the router table. Router uses a flat bit with 2 ballbearings in same diameter. A bit of adjustment, and it works!
Cut up a lot of wood, glue and plane...
"The Gluing Rig"
two sides in a right angle, and two for pressing bars. The pressure-bars are positioned 1cm from the joints, so the tabs can pass each other, and glue will flow freely....and the the cabinet will not be glued to the rig. I have made a support cross to support the middle of the sections, to avoid bending when I add pressure.
The pressure bars are held in position by elastics straps, and two holes are drilled halfway into them, for the threaded rods.
Inlay routed for the front deco
I will make two Cabs in Black Walnut/ light curled Maple, and one in Khay Mahogany, with Ice Birch, and Mazur Birch for front:
Here's the Khaya Cab off the glue rig, and lightly sanded!
....more to follow...
