Interesting idea Chris. My problem is 'where to put that pot' - out of space on the front panel. Might be ok somewhere on the back, though less convenient.
I did some more listening and I now like Swamp Thang more than the Man O War...
Ideally, I'd like to get several to try but fiscal constraints rule that out.
I did some more listening and I now like Swamp Thang more than the Man O War...
Ideally, I'd like to get several to try but fiscal constraints rule that out.
Hmmm...
There's some stockists that allow the return of guitar speakers, provided they're still in mint condition. Might be an idea to order a few different ones, then send back those you don't want and get a refund. Sure, it's extra cost and time etc, but you'd get something you've chosen in your amp.
Apart from that, I'm pretty sure all the recordings are made on-axis. It'd be much better to have them in a cabinet to try.
Maybe you know someone else that has a few different Eminence drivers you could try?
Chris
There's some stockists that allow the return of guitar speakers, provided they're still in mint condition. Might be an idea to order a few different ones, then send back those you don't want and get a refund. Sure, it's extra cost and time etc, but you'd get something you've chosen in your amp.
Apart from that, I'm pretty sure all the recordings are made on-axis. It'd be much better to have them in a cabinet to try.
Maybe you know someone else that has a few different Eminence drivers you could try?
Chris
What I like about these two particular speakers (based on the samples) is that they compliment each other, or at least I think they do. One has a better bottom end (Swamp Thang) while the other has a very strong mid to high end (Red, White & Blues). Given the quality of the tone control on this amp, I think they can be fine tuned to the sound I want.
When I order the speakers, I'll order an L-pad to do your control idea. They have an 8 ohm, 100 watt unit for $15. I'll use this and 2 switches to bypass it for each speaker. Should make things interesting...🙂
When I order the speakers, I'll order an L-pad to do your control idea. They have an 8 ohm, 100 watt unit for $15. I'll use this and 2 switches to bypass it for each speaker. Should make things interesting...🙂
I have ordered my speakers 🙂
Should have them as early as tomorrow.
Just in case you all have lost track, I'm getting the Red, White & Blues and the Swamp Thang. I have decided against the pot (for now) but will install switches to control which is on or both.
Exciting...🙂
Should have them as early as tomorrow.
Just in case you all have lost track, I'm getting the Red, White & Blues and the Swamp Thang. I have decided against the pot (for now) but will install switches to control which is on or both.
Exciting...🙂
They`re here!
Got them in but not wired up yet.
Needed to take a food break
Then back in the saddle. 😉
Got them in but not wired up yet.
Needed to take a food break
Then back in the saddle. 😉
I have the speaker in - a worry I had was that the tee nuts I installed would be in the wrong locations. I did layout the bolt pattern from the Eminence spec sheet but I've been known to make a mistake or two. All fears for nothing, as the bolts lines up perfectly. With that said, I couldn't get them all in - transformers and preamp tray was in the way. I did get enough in for testing and casual use.
I've tried it out (such as I could) and it sounds splendid! Switching between the Swamp Thang and R,W&B shows a remarkable difference in tone. The Swamp Thang has some real presence in the bottom end, while the R,W&B has a crisper top end. Overall, if I had to choose between the 2, I'd pick the Swamp Thang - it just seems to be a more all around speaker.
Playing both together is where it's at though and there is TONS of volume. Standing 6 feet away, with the volume at 5 and gain maxed on the distorted channel, I could feel the low e in my chest.
Here's a view:
The back:
Switches that select the speakers are hanging right now. I need to make another metal back plate for the other side of the centre divider to mount them.
I still have a lot to do. I need to better shield the input jacks and change the connection wires to shielded. There is a slight hum, mostly on the B channel with the gain at max, that I hope this will cure.
I will start building the grill tomorrow. I changed my mind on the grill cloth and didn't get any. Instead, I'll make the grill from wooden bars, 3/8" thick, 1/2" apart running horizontal. This will be painted black and also serves to hold the stainless steel front panel in place.
I've tried it out (such as I could) and it sounds splendid! Switching between the Swamp Thang and R,W&B shows a remarkable difference in tone. The Swamp Thang has some real presence in the bottom end, while the R,W&B has a crisper top end. Overall, if I had to choose between the 2, I'd pick the Swamp Thang - it just seems to be a more all around speaker.
Playing both together is where it's at though and there is TONS of volume. Standing 6 feet away, with the volume at 5 and gain maxed on the distorted channel, I could feel the low e in my chest.
Here's a view:
The back:
Switches that select the speakers are hanging right now. I need to make another metal back plate for the other side of the centre divider to mount them.
I still have a lot to do. I need to better shield the input jacks and change the connection wires to shielded. There is a slight hum, mostly on the B channel with the gain at max, that I hope this will cure.
I will start building the grill tomorrow. I changed my mind on the grill cloth and didn't get any. Instead, I'll make the grill from wooden bars, 3/8" thick, 1/2" apart running horizontal. This will be painted black and also serves to hold the stainless steel front panel in place.
Hmm.. interesting, but sonically not such a good idea. What I've learned so far about speakers and cabinets is telling me that it will most likely cause diffractions and relections that will not improve the sound. Rather they will deteriorate the sound. But, I very well could be putting my foot in my mouth. I've never tried this but I know what there is a reason why grill material is how it is.
anyway, try it, if it's OK, then all the better. So you actually played guitar through this amp? Cool!
Looks awesome.
How about finding some appropriate speaker grilles (I'm thinking the finer mesh ones), and leave the front baffle for all to see - it looks fantastic and there's a lot of work there...
For the grilles, if you could get them to slide into the driver cutout just right, so there's no fixings or anything, that could look really good. Sorta like here http://reviews.cnet.com/sc/31516456-2-440-overview-1.gif - it's just a circular grille that pushes into place.
Any luck with those power chords?
How about finding some appropriate speaker grilles (I'm thinking the finer mesh ones), and leave the front baffle for all to see - it looks fantastic and there's a lot of work there...
For the grilles, if you could get them to slide into the driver cutout just right, so there's no fixings or anything, that could look really good. Sorta like here http://reviews.cnet.com/sc/31516456-2-440-overview-1.gif - it's just a circular grille that pushes into place.
Any luck with those power chords?
Played? You give me too much credit 😀 I did play a few notes through it and eventually I'll get to the point where I can do something that sounds good, but that will take some time.
You raise a good point. I'm not sure how much of an effect it would have on the sound, if any. It may actually make it sound 'better'. I say 'better' like that because, as far as guitar amps go, I have to throw out all of the established speaker and amp building knowledge that I've acquired that applies to hifi. In a guitar amp, it seems to be about getting a 'sound', regardless of the method. I was rather shocked to see the amount of distortion on the 'clean' channel of the Ampeg VH140 preamp - more than 30% with the tones at max and never less than nearly 5%! Forget about the distorted channel, it's off the chart...
One thing I'm relatively good at is visualizing something before I build it. I think this grill is what I'm after, aesthetically. I will make it and try it out, if it totally ruins the sound, I'll ditch it and go with grill cloth.
Thanks Chris,
I have been doing these 'drills' to limber up my fingers to get used to the action of pressing the strings. Seems worthwhile because my hand hurts and I can actually form a few chords now. Stringing these together into a recognizable sound is another thing...🙂
The front baffle may look good in the pictures but it has some problems up close. It was never my intention to leave it exposed, therefore it never did get a good paint job, really just overspray from painting the rest of the cab.
I like your idea but I would do it a bit differently: I'd make a full overlay of the baffle with the circular grills let in. This would clean up the appearance nicely.
Alas, I have my heart set on the bars grill and will move forward with that. As stated above, if it doesn't work out (either sonically or visually) I ditch it and try something else.
Playing this through is good practice for power chords...
YouTube - The Undertones - Teenage Kicks
There's 6 chords, all the same shape.
In some kind of order (these are all where to put your index finger, then form the chord shape)...
For verses - 5th fret then 4th then 2nd on 2nd string, then back up again using the same notes.
For the chorus - 5th then 3rd then 4th, 5th. on the 1st string (from I wanna hold...).
The solo will come later, but beng able to play that track right through will give plenty of practice on moving the chords, strumming patterns etc.
Anyway, so far your creativity has gone far. Interested to see how it carries on.
Chris
YouTube - The Undertones - Teenage Kicks
There's 6 chords, all the same shape.
In some kind of order (these are all where to put your index finger, then form the chord shape)...
For verses - 5th fret then 4th then 2nd on 2nd string, then back up again using the same notes.
For the chorus - 5th then 3rd then 4th, 5th. on the 1st string (from I wanna hold...).
The solo will come later, but beng able to play that track right through will give plenty of practice on moving the chords, strumming patterns etc.
Anyway, so far your creativity has gone far. Interested to see how it carries on.
Chris
Well, that's true also. It could very well make it sound "better", which is a subjective statement itself.
anyhow, like you said, it won't be much lost if it does make it sound bad. Actually now that I think about it, it might contribute to resonances, if there's just the slightest amount of loose in those bars. whatever.
You know, it will look mean. Like a Mack truck radiator grill! (except horizontal)
I think this is the best thread in the musical instruments section I've seen in my 5 years on diyaudio...
Cheers!
Oh by the way, if your hand is hurting, try applying less pressure when making power chords, just put enough pressure so that the strings (all three that make up root;fifth;octave) don't buzz.
Thanks for the playing tips and the compliment. It's slow going for me with the playing until I get the amp complete. It spent all of yesterday dismantled while I rewired the preamp boards. Good news, as it is now dead silent nearly to max volume and gain with the guitar plugged in and the volume on the guitar turned down.
Thanks! I like following threads that have lots of actual building and pictures showing the progress, so I try to do the same.
The problem I'm finding with pressing the strings is that I'm catching more than one. My fingers are not overly large or stubby either. It takes some practice to get the finger work up I guess and I'll just keep plugging away.
The grill won't rattle - you can be sure of that. It's nearly done - all of the bars need to be glued in 2 at a time to get them clamped properly. I'll put it on and try it before I paint to see if it does make a difference (my guess is 'no').
I think it will look smart 🙂
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I'm not a guitarist, so I know what you mean 😀
But with practice your fingers will toughen up and stop hurting - but you need to keep practicing to keep them like that.
My bass playing daughter had finger tips like steel rods - then she did a gig one night when she hadn't played for a few months - I had to go and scrounge a glass full of ice off the bar man to cool hurt stinging fingers
As for 'large and stubby', one of the most respected guitarists Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath has fingers missing off his left hand, and plays with artificial extensions on the missing fingers. It's supposed to be one of the reasons for his particular 'sound'. Makes you (or at least me) feel really inadequate for not been able to play.
I've heard that witchazel can help with toughening up fingers...
Told by the same guy that persuaded me to get an amp similar to his. I've not looked back since I got that amp...
Told by the same guy that persuaded me to get an amp similar to his. I've not looked back since I got that amp...
Interesting factoid about Iommi, I didn't know he was missing fingers (one of my own worst fears: losing a finger 😱).
My fingertips didn't hurt so much as my hand felt like I'd been squeezing a tennis ball for an hour - awkward position for it I guess. The skin on my hands is pretty thick from lots of physical work.
An interesting method used by acrobats and pro athletes (baseball players especially) is to use urine (yes, pee! 😀) to toughen skin. I'm pretty open minded but I don't think I'm ready to soak my fingers in a half inch of pi*s 🙂
Perhaps the guitar isn't at the best angle for you.
Some people prefer the neck to be at more of an angle, as it means you don't need to bend your hand around it as much as if it was horizontal.
It's easy to try different positions if you're stood up and playing, much more difficult if you're sat down.
Some people prefer the neck to be at more of an angle, as it means you don't need to bend your hand around it as much as if it was horizontal.
It's easy to try different positions if you're stood up and playing, much more difficult if you're sat down.
Use a full inch instead then 😀
Wasn't urine used in the tanning of leather?, and also in the production of explosives - it's a VERY useful waste product.
Can't beat a kids site:
Leather - History for Kids!
The Flamenco style grip doesn't look as cool for electric guitar...I'm limbering up my hand to bring the angle down.
Nice, leaving jars of pee to ferment...I can imagine the stench. 😱
Also purported to be effective in killing athletes foot fungus. 😎
Grill is made and I've tried it with and without it on. I don't hear a difference so I'll carry on and permanently install it.
Some pics coming but not yet - I had a computer meltdown and been tied up fixing that. Too much fun.
Here 'tis:
I need to get it in better light for the 'glamour' photos but this gives the idea. The paint job is a bit too glossy and I need to cut that back to more of a satin sheen using extra fine steel wool and a wiped on coat of tung oil.
Still much to do but I'm going to take a break from it for a while. It is working and (nearly) completely assembled so I'll just kick back and enjoy it for a bit.
I need to get it in better light for the 'glamour' photos but this gives the idea. The paint job is a bit too glossy and I need to cut that back to more of a satin sheen using extra fine steel wool and a wiped on coat of tung oil.
Still much to do but I'm going to take a break from it for a while. It is working and (nearly) completely assembled so I'll just kick back and enjoy it for a bit.
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