Looking for a cheap small combo with good thick chassis.

[Alan0354]

Hi

I am looking for a used cheap 1X12 combo with very strong chassis. It does not have to be even all tube amp, I am planning to rip everything out and build my own amp completely. I would want the chassis to be a 5 sided chassis so it's stronger.

I used a KMD combo to build my first amp, I am building another into a Marshall JCM900 Dual reverb. The Marshall has a very strong chassis, but it's very expensive ( about $500) to buy and just rip everything out.

How about Randall, Lanley or even total SS amp?

Or is it cheaper to buy Chassis and cabinet kit?

Thanks

[Phil_S]

Look on eBay for a broken solid state fixer-uper. $40 with shipping is more than you should spend. You might get a cheesy chassis or you might not. At that price point, you don't need to be too picky. Look at the pictures, dive in.

[Alan0354]

But I do want amp with strong chassis, that's the reason I posted if someone know a cheap amp with strong chassis.

[lord preset]

I'd look for an old 70's or 80's era Peavey. I did a KMD conversion too, and the Peavey chassis are not quite as stout as the KMDs but are very sturdy steel and the cabinets from that era are good plywood. I don't know if the solid state Peaveys had good chassis too but there are lots of tube models around and they have decent iron. I'm converting a '76 50w Classic right now.

[Alan0354]

How about the cheap Marshall MG series? How's their chassis?

[DonMoose]

I'd say look at the transformer(s) to get an idea of how strong the chassis has to he to hold them.

I'd also second Lord Preset's suggestion - the VTX series tend to go for short money, and (at least the one I'm playing in) the iron mounts flat to the outside - no giant well for the PT - so you have the entire interior to work in.

Hope this helps!

[Alan0354]

Thanks, I'll look into the VTX series. I look at some pictures, it looks pretty good. Do you have any idea whether the chassis is at least 16 gauge thick?

['64DlxRvb]

The Peavey "Bandits" are good and sturdy.

[Alan0354]

The Peavey "Bandits" are good and sturdy.

Thanks. is it a 5 sided chassis?

[DonMoose]

Thanks, I'll look into the VTX series. I look at some pictures, it looks pretty good. Do you have any idea whether the chassis is at least 16 gauge thick?

Comparing with a handy circuit board, I'd call it 0.062" or so and that's 16 Gauge. It's strong enough that 100W iron is screwed into threaded holes in it with no backing nuts or straps.

[Alan0354]

Thanks, I'll look into the VTX series. I look at some pictures, it looks pretty good. Do you have any idea whether the chassis is at least 16 gauge thick?

Comparing with a handy circuit board, I'd call it 0.062" or so and that's 16 Gauge. It's strong enough that 100W iron is screwed into threaded holes in it with no backing nuts or straps.

Thanks. I looked at a lot of the pictures, this might be the ticket for my next build. I do like the vertical mount transformers that don't leave big holes on the chassis. That has the advantage of not having to drill the holes for the big power tubes. Drilling holes for small tubes is no problem.

0.062 is very thick, that's music to my ears.

I have to slowly check on the Craig's List to see there's any available locally to save shipping.

[M Fowler]

Drilling out large holes for the tube sockets is a pain even with step bit.

Try see if you can borrow a hole punch set rather then drill out the holes.
Buying them isn't an option for many people.

[DonMoose]

I have to slowly check on the Craig's List to see there's any available locally to save shipping.

Pawn Shops. I live in Indianapolis and was in Terre Haute for something. Dropped in to a pawn shop near the place we had dinner, and there - for $99 - was a VTX head.

You do have to kind of haunt them and watch for good stuff to come out.

['64DlxRvb]

The Peavey "Bandits" are good and sturdy.

Thanks. is it a 5 sided chassis?

While some here would chastise you for not looking on google, I'll just answer your question. Yes. Yes it is.

[Structo]

http://www.turretboards.com/guitar_ampl ... _blank.htm