Head Cab - No Front Panel?

[BIG Dave]

Call me crazy, however I really love the look of tubes and transformers. Therefore, I'm looking into getting a head cab made for my upcoming Express build, but without the front valance. Just a top, bottom, and two sides. I'm aware there's an increased risk of damage to the tubes if I gig with this amp. Ironically, the first quote i received was actually more for leaving out the front valance. The builder told me that leaving off the front valance constituted a "custom" build and therefore an upcharge is required. Anyone else use a "four-sided cab" as opposed to the conventional five-sided cab?

[mark enger]

Big Dave why not go with a plexiglass cab? Then everything that we love will be in the seen. or a convertable type like a sewing machine, set on the cab and take the top off "BAM" there it is

[BIG Dave]

But I also love the look of wood! I thought a beautiful cherry cab without the front valance would be an ideal compromise.

[mark enger]

Rock on brother, nothing like that blue glow, it's a drug

[LeftyStrat]

A nice compromise is a wood valance with vertical slots backed with screen. Get to see the pretty wood and the glow.

Or something like the VVT Rick Derringer Hyperdrive:

http://www.vvtamps.com/portfolio/rick-d ... hyperdrive

I too love the glow of tubes. Slots are good to show some sexy glow, protect the tubes, and provide better ventilation.

[Reeltarded]

Hard to make a solid durable 4 sided box. At least screen it with something. Mini-Boogie riot screen.

[LeftyStrat]

Hard to make a solid durable 4 sided box. At least screen it with something. Mini-Boogie riot screen.

Very good point. You need something to keep it from being a foldable head cab. Tubes probably wont glow after that.

[M Fowler]

Order a drawer kit from Woodcraft, it's 5/8's cherry.

9-3/4H x 8-7/8W x 18-3/8D drawer equals 9.75Hx 8.875W x 18.375D

This puts the dovetails on top so I change it so the dovetails are on the side when I order.

Mark

[rdjones]

Hard to make a solid durable 4 sided box. At least screen it with something. Mini-Boogie riot screen.

Very good point. You need something to keep it from being a foldable head cab. Tubes probably wont glow after that.

I think I'd like a screen across the front, black 1/4" hardware cloth.
The back could have a panel, possibly removable, for rigidity.

By this point it gets far enough away from TW style as to become it's own thing.

rd

[M Fowler]

This is an unfinished Woodcraft drawer cab for my Tweed OD Special.

[LeftyStrat]

I always wanted to use laminated strips to make a rounded top, like some old radios. Might discourage players from sitting a beer on top. Or worse, one of those old clear/acrylic basses that might shatter if they vibrate off...

[Chad]

Order a drawer kit from Woodcraft, it's 5/8's cherry.

9-3/4H x 8-7/8W x 18-3/8D drawer equals 9.75Hx 8.875W x 18.375D

This puts the dovetails on top so I change it so the dovetails are on the side when I order.

Mark

+1 Those are great and pretty affordable for the quality. Chad

[Chad]

Order a drawer kit from Woodcraft, it's 5/8's cherry.

9-3/4H x 8-7/8W x 18-3/8D drawer equals 9.75Hx 8.875W x 18.375D

This puts the dovetails on top so I change it so the dovetails are on the side when I order.

Mark

+1 Those are great and pretty affordable for the quality. Chad

BTW nice job on that cab Mark. Chad

[passfan]

I've used expanded metal with good results

[katopan]

I also like the metal grill front. Provides protection but you can see all the bits inside. Same pattern and shape as Marshall vent grill, available at the hardware store as gutter guard.

https://sites.google.com/site/chosenaud ... sunleashed
https://sites.google.com/site/chosenaud ... otscreamer