Headcab Construction

Express, Liverpool, Rocket, Dirty Little Monster, etc.

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benoit
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Headcab Construction

Post by benoit »

Did the real TWs vary quite a bit in construction? I found pictures here: https://www.bluebookinc.com/download/Ca ... AMP&id=207 that are different from other pictures I've seen in that they use rabbets instead of 45 degree miter joints, etcept for a mitered 45 degree face-frame that's maybe 1 inch thick. Is that the standard Wreck cab construction?
doctord02
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by doctord02 »

I think there is some slight variation in cab construction - the amp that was reverse engineered had a completely different cabinet if I remember correctly... Look around the files section for the pictures of trainwrecks from the old wreck website.

Thats specific wreck in your link looks like the boards were glued up from narrower boards than usual... Might be a one off.
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geetarpicker
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by geetarpicker »

The pics in your link look just like the cabinet on my original '89 Express. There were definately more than one builder of Ken's cabs which he didn't build himself as he specifically made the chassis. I think Ken also found yet someone else that was artsy enought to do the wood burned front panels.
lrgrbt
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Good Point

Post by lrgrbt »

When I was asked to build the KW Memorial headbox, I began researching and found the very thing you did. I saw legitimate examples of both designs. I built the KF Memorial cabinet using the 45 degree butt joint simply because it has a cleaner, more elegant look. However, as I dug in and researched more I found more examples using the butt joint design.

I cannot say for sure but I expect this design was the one used the most because it is quite a bit easier to build this design than deal with the 45 degree full length miters. I am currently building 4 head boxes (ceriatione chassis) for various individuals and in these cases, all decided they wanted the butt joint design. I would imagine either way is fine but I think there were probably more built using the butt joint design as attested to by Geetarpicker Glen.

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RJ Guitars
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by RJ Guitars »

benoit wrote:Did the real TWs vary quite a bit in construction? I found pictures here: https://www.bluebookinc.com/download/Ca ... AMP&id=207 that are different from other pictures I've seen in that they use rabbets instead of 45 degree miter joints, except for a mitered 45 degree face-frame that's maybe 1 inch thick. Is that the standard Wreck cab construction?
Please forgive a small digression from the cabinet discussion, but this is sorta relevant. I followed this link and enjoyed the read, but something is puzzling to me. They mention Ken's interest in the Vox AC 30 and how it influenced his design... but which is more like the AC30, the LIVERPOOL or the ROCKET? I keep hearing it both ways...

Then the question more relevant to the original topic, what kinda wood did he use in those cabinets?

thanks for any help...

RJ
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Allynmey
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by Allynmey »

The Rocket is a slightly Modified AC30 clone (single channel) :wink:
lrgrbt
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by lrgrbt »

Then the question more relevant to the original topic, what kinda wood did he use in those cabinets?

thanks for any help...

RJ[/quote]

Most of the examples I have seen were hardwoods of some sort. It is hard to say exactly because most were made of glue ups of two boards to get the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet. But, I think a large portion were made of cherry because of the grain pattern and common irregularities in the wood. I know many of the face plates were cherry as was the front panels so I would venture a guess that many were of cherry with stain and a clear coat over the top.

Bob
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Allynmey
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by Allynmey »

Bob, they are cherry. I'm told it was from upstate NY. How's the hand? Hope all is well.
lrgrbt
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by lrgrbt »

Allynmey wrote:Bob, they are cherry. I'm told it was from upstate NY. How's the hand? Hope all is well.
Hey Brother,

Sorry I did not see your post earlier. I had looked closely at some good photos I had of the real deal and I thought it was cherry. That is what I built these out of. However, the cherry lumber I had is very old and has seasoned to a deep red hue. Just a touch of stain to even them out and they look great.

Thank goodness the fingers are healed up nicely and at this point in time I am back to playing guitar probably 95% of my original capacity. I have had to go to a little lighter string gauge but all in all I am doing better than I expected. Especially when I looked down and saw the tips of those two fingers in pieces and hanging by a thread...

One word to all my friends here..... Be careful with those power tools. I have been doing woodworking for 30 years and naary a cut.. In one moment of lax attention I nearly lost 2 finger tips so be careful and always keep those fingers clear of blades and such..

I May be contacting you early next year to see if you might consider building me one of your masterpiece too.... I have really been itching to try one of these rigs you guys are building. The clips I have been hearing are outstanding. I wanted to come to the Tampa Tonefest but i was not able to make it this year. Maybe next year ...

Bob
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drew
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by drew »

lrgrbt wrote:
One word to all my friends here..... Be careful with those power tools. I have been doing woodworking for 30 years and naary a cut.. In one moment of lax attention I nearly lost 2 finger tips so be careful and always keep those fingers clear of blades and such..
Maybe you should look into one of these things . . . make sure to play the "hot dog demo" video.
lrgrbt
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by lrgrbt »

drew wrote:
lrgrbt wrote:
One word to all my friends here..... Be careful with those power tools. I have been doing woodworking for 30 years and naary a cut.. In one moment of lax attention I nearly lost 2 finger tips so be careful and always keep those fingers clear of blades and such..
Maybe you should look into one of these things . . . make sure to play the "hot dog demo" video.
I had about 20 people send me this info after I had my accident. It is a great tool for sure. I hope to own one someday, when I have $4,000.00 of expendable cash. In the mean time, I am being very careful and keeping fingers far away from blades. No more reaching for a falling piece...

Thanks for the link though...

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Chad
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Re: Headcab Construction

Post by Chad »

lrgrbt wrote:
drew wrote:
lrgrbt wrote:
One word to all my friends here..... Be careful with those power tools. I have been doing woodworking for 30 years and naary a cut.. In one moment of lax attention I nearly lost 2 finger tips so be careful and always keep those fingers clear of blades and such..
Maybe you should look into one of these things . . . make sure to play the "hot dog demo" video.
I had about 20 people send me this info after I had my accident. It is a great tool for sure. I hope to own one someday, when I have $4,000.00 of expendable cash. In the mean time, I am being very careful and keeping fingers far away from blades. No more reaching for a falling piece...

Thanks for the link though...

BB
I seen a live demonstration of a sawstop at a woodcraft store last year and was impressed! BTW they used a hotdog like you can find in the sawstop video.Like I said before I was impressed but you have to spend quite abit to get the saw in working order again,but I would deff. think the cost is nothing compared to losing a finger or two :shock: :shock: Chad Hope you've recoverd ok lrgrbt
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