Custom Chassis and Faceplates

[JMPGuitars]

I got in a shipment of my updated chassis design. 2mm thick aluminum. These are set with the PCB mounting holes predrilled. I ordered test faceplates from another company today, and if those work out, I should be able to finally put a (likely partial) kit together for anybody interested.

Here's some photos of the chassis:

_JMP2707.jpg

_JMP2708.jpg

_JMP2710.jpg

_JMP2712.jpg

_JMP2714.jpg

One of those was the roughest looking one of the bunch, so the rest look even better.

Side note: I designed the chassis for an extra fuse holder, and two pilot light options.

Thanks,
Josh

[geoff 1965]

Keep us updated on the PCB boards you have made Josh,will you be doing any superlite el34’s?

[JMPGuitars]

Keep us updated on the PCB boards you have made Josh,will you be doing any superlite el34’s?

Yes, eventually. I'd like to sell a few more of the boards I have before I invest in more circuits. The initial orders are not an insignificant investment.

The Superlite TMB boards will support EL34 or EL84 with only a few component changes. Same as the TremTMB boards.

Thanks,
Josh

[TriodeLuvr]

THAT would save some time!!

Jack

[Bieworm]

Keep us updated on the PCB boards you have made Josh,will you be doing any superlite el34’s?

Yes, eventually. I'd like to sell a few more of the boards I have before I invest in more circuits. The initial orders are not an insignificant investment.

The Superlite TMB boards will support EL34 or EL84 with only a few component changes. Same as the TremTMB boards.

Thanks,
Josh

I could have used some,but the shipping and customs fees are exhuberant... otherwise I'd buy some. I have that dual 12AU7 output stage and maybe a 6V6 version in mind. When the VoCom G2 controller turns out nicely I'm doing the 6V6 right away in my recently acquired Vox shell.

[JMPGuitars]

Transformers mounted:

transformers-mounted-1.jpg

transformers-mounted-2.jpg

[lavrgs]

Great looking chassis!

[JMPGuitars]

Great looking chassis!

Glad you like it! I'll have your other stuff out this morning. I can't wait to see/hear your new amp!

Thanks,
Josh

[Bieworm]

Transformers mounted:

transformers-mounted-1.jpg

transformers-mounted-2.jpg

Another 18W Tremolo TMB Reverb? Adding an EZ81 this time?

[JMPGuitars]

Another 18W Tremolo TMB Reverb? Adding an EZ81 this time?

Yes / wasn't planning to. I designed the chassis to be universal for all of my designs.

lavrgs is also building a Tremolo TMB Reverb PCB build.

[Bieworm]

Another 18W Tremolo TMB Reverb? Adding an EZ81 this time?

Yes / wasn't planning to. I designed the chassis to be universal for all of my designs.

lavrgs is also building a Tremolo TMB Reverb PCB build.

That's good news! He'll be very happy, just like all of us who have one (or 3)

[lavrgs]

I'm planning on building the TMB Reverb in a head cab...now I'm thinking I haven't placed the tank in my design. What is the best place to put it - now there is only space above...I will go model the tank, perhaps I'll make the head taller and put it inside on the front.

[Daviedawg]

Some time ago I built a stand alone reverb based on the 1963 Fender VTR63. I use it pretty much constantly. The only issue in the build was where to place the tank. I made the mistake of buying a lay flat bottom mount one before planning the cab layout. If I did it again I would plan the cab to have the amp on the bottom and the tank vertical on the back or on the underside of the top. You need some physical separation to minimise heat affecting the tank chassis and causing noises. It helps with reducing noise transfer as well. So probably I would opt for vertical on the backboard which makes access easier and reduces cab height.

Dd

[JMPGuitars]

This is how I mount reverb tanks in my heads:

_JMP9088.jpg

The most important part regarding noise is to keep the Out jack on the tank as far as you can from the OT.

My tank is recessed behind the tubes, so there's no direct heat source under it.

I also generally use 1 foot cables (3 foot pictured because I ran out). The amp pictured is my personal amp, which is significantly higher gain than the TremTMB, and there's no issues.

Thanks,
Josh

[TriodeLuvr]

Some time ago I built a stand alone reverb based on the 1963 Fender VTR63. I use it pretty much constantly. The only issue in the build was where to place the tank.

This is probably one of the few areas where I would be tempted to make an exception to my standing rule of not mixing semiconductors into tube audio circuits. A plus/minus power supply and the right opamps or MOSFETS could produce a unit with enough headroom to never overload and to be very transparent. If it's done right, the character of the amp should pass right through.

Jack

[lavrgs]

This is how I mount reverb tanks in my heads:
_JMP9088.jpg

My tank is recessed behind the tubes, so there's no direct heat source under it.


Thanks,
Josh

Is this one of your recommended tanks mounted upside down? >>8AB2A1B
About to put in an order for all the parts I forgot on the first two orders...

[JMPGuitars]

Is this one of your recommended tanks mounted upside down? >>8AB2A1B
About to put in an order for all the parts I forgot on the first two orders...

lol, yup, that's the one I use on heads (I like the MOD branded ones). I wouldn't put anything bigger unless it were a big cabinet.

Make sure you have grommets and all the little stuff too.

BTW- I should have the test faceplates Monday. I'll let you know how they look.

Thanks,
Josh

[JMPGuitars]

The faceplates came in today, and they look great. They're 3M tape backed, and really easy to apply to the chassis. There's some mild masking tape residue that might need to be cleaned off from shipping. They look great though, check it out:

20210911_164712.jpg

20210911_164704.jpg

20210911_164651.jpg

Here's my commercial version, in the same chassis, and from the same batch of faceplates:

20210911_170047.jpg

20210911_170129.jpg

EDIT: The last two photos show the color a little better. They're all gold. Gooooooooooollld.

Thanks,
Josh

PS. I wish I remembered when I placed the order that I also needed a combo faceplate.

[TriodeLuvr]

That's really nice work on those faceplates Josh! Is it affordable for one-offs, or you have to buy from the shop in quantity to be worthwhile?

Jack

[JMPGuitars]

That's really nice work on those faceplates Josh! Is it affordable for one-offs, or you have to buy from the shop in quantity to be worthwhile?

Jack

Yes.

It's not cheap for one-offs, but still better than a lot of places I've checked out. And the quality is obviously really good. I bought multiples, so I can sell the panel sets for about $70. I've been quoted $70 to $100+ per panel from other sources, so that's pretty awesome.

Thanks,
Josh