new Express pics

[johnspeck]

Hi all,
Recently finished the new maple front panel and piping for my Express, Mapta (Ukranian for Marta, my gal). The covering is Vox levant and corner protectors. Originally, I had the faceplate covered as well. I decided after some thought, I'd like to honor the 'Wreck heritage with some maple highlights, but something a little more understated.

I scored a really nice piece of figured maple around the size I needed off Ebay for cheap. I didn't have any of the proper woodworking tools, and I didn't want to screw up the nice wood, so I took my time and slowly sized it to fit with a hand saw, square, and lots of sanding.

Once it fit, I went to work on the piping channels. I used some of the same piece, and cut small strips scoring the wood with an exacto knife, eyeballing the approximate size and depth. Then sanded the two pieces down to fit. Once I had things about right, I varnished everything with poly to bring out the figure. I still have to buff the front panel out, but here are some pics:

[IMG:568:426]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... 2d6131.jpg[/img]

[IMG:568:426]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... 38034b.jpg[/img]

[IMG:568:426]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... a04504.jpg[/img]

[IMG:568:426]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... cbcfff.jpg[/img]

[IMG:568:426]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... 914e49.jpg[/img]

[IMG:426:568]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/ ... 002575.jpg[/img]

I'm currently awaiting her sister, Diana, named after my Mom. She's going to be a Rocket, with the same levant and cab cosmetics, but a different piece of maple, a plum front panel and black chickenhead knobs ala Vox, and a red jewel light. I should see her in a month or so! I'll be running the two into my Marshall cab, but I'll have it wired for stereo, with Greenbacks for the Express, and alnico Blue Dogs for the Rocket.

[keithrick]

Very nice!!!

Got a Rocket coming huh! I had just convinced myself that I am building a Liverpool! now I am not quite so sure.....

[Normster]

Beautiful, John! I've always thought that tolex and hardwood looked elegant together. Wrong forum, but I'm going to build something similar for my Dumble ODS head.

[sliberty]

I know we are all here to talk about amps, but I can't help saying it -- NICE JUNIOR!

I love Juniors, they rule. I have a cherry 1960 Historic Reissue from the Custom Shop.

Really nice head-cab too

[philmanatee]

Nice cab! I really like the maple piping. Phil

[lastwinj]

very nice.

germ

[russoloco]

Is that a Paul Ruby amp?

[johnspeck]

Is that a Paul Ruby amp?

yes