Socketboards

[crgfrench]

Here is an idea: suppose you have an 18 Watter in a normal 18W chassis. You want to modify it into a 36 watter by adding 2 extra output tubes and upgrading the trannies. BUT you don't want to drill 2 more holes in your 18W chassis. How about a pair of socketboards? Each one would have one set of noval male pins on the bottom to plug into the existing EL84 sockets, while on top, each board would have 2 noval sockets, appropriately connected by traces. And also a grid stopper for the extra tube. These would basically be an adapter between the existing socket and tube, with provision for the matching tube. Here is my design concept layout and a photo of a little prototype I made on a gift card. The real thing would be 63 mil FR4 board with 2oz copper pour and 50 mil traces. To get the extra tube's grid stopper inside the chassis and connected to the coupling cap, I'm using the empty pin 1 of the existing socket (i.e., pin 2 of the new extra tube connects into the circuit via Rx, the grid stopper, and on up through pin 1 of the original socket. Then add a hookup wire from pin 1 to the cap junction.) With a pair of socketboards you could run 4 EL84s. The socketboard is outside the chassis. Could make them for other output tubes as well (octals ...EL34, 6V6, etc). Is this ridiculous?

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SocketboardProto.jpg

[Bieworm]

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My 2 cts... good thinking Crg

I would buy a blank combo chassis. There's room enough for the extra tubes. I have one in my TMB tremolo als it's very spacious... In your design it would take some serious thinking about how to suspend the socketboards to make the amp roadworthy and reliable. The wiring would be finicky too.. maybe use a blank pedal housing which you can bolt onto the chassis? Just thinking...

If I were to build a 5E3 I would use that large a chassis too...I don't understand why people struggle with that mini chassis of the 5E3 standard

[JMPGuitars]

Why not just have a custom chassis made? It's not that big a deal. [REMOVED] does a great job, and generally charges less for the custom stuff than most retailers charge for the standard run of the mill stuff. If you can't design the chassis layout, you can probably ask him to make a standard 18watt chassis, with two extra holes for the extra EL84s. He makes faceplates too.

[crgfrench]

Carey actually just gave me a very reasonable quote. Also Terry at Seaside in Canada gave me a good quote. As it turns out I'm getting the Ceriatone 36 Watt chassis. But along the way I just had this concept.

[JMPGuitars]

Carey actually just gave me a very reasonable quote. Also Terry at Seaside in Canada gave me a good quote. As it turns out I'm getting the Ceriatone 36 Watt chassis. But along the way I just had this concept.

I didn't know Ceriatone sold chassis separately. How much did they charge for it? I'm guessing you didn't want to wait for Carey to finish setting up his new shop?

I've never heard of Terry. Do you have a link?

[Bieworm]

I order my chassis in Germany. They are 16$ for blanks and 32$ for predrilled

[crgfrench]

The Chassis is $75 at Ceriatone. Look under kits and then add-on/parts. Seaside and Juicy both quoted $70. Seaside is https://seasidechassisdesign.com/ .

[Bieworm]

The Chassis is $75 at Ceriatone. Look under kits and then add-on/parts. Seaside and Juicy both quoted $70. Seaside is https://seasidechassisdesign.com/ .

Wow that's expensive!! I'm way better off

[JMPGuitars]

The Chassis is $75 at Ceriatone. Look under kits and then add-on/parts. Seaside and Juicy both quoted $70. Seaside is https://seasidechassisdesign.com/ .

Interesting. Seaside's photos look like the edges are rough/hand cut.

Ceriatone and Juicy are both using machines giving smooth edges. Though Juicy's chassis is thickest (15% thicker than Ceriatone), and he welds the corners. Not that the difference between 2mm or 2.3mm is that crazy.

I'm curious about shipping costs from the other two sources.

[Bieworm]

Just sayin'

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5000$ and you have 500 pc chassis and faceplates.