Head cabinet for 36w

[RogerN]

Thanks to everyone who participates in this forum. I have learned an incredible amount here. It has really helped.

I will be ordering the 36w EF86 TMB from Nik at Ceriatone tomorrow. While I am waiting the 4 weeks for delivery, I am going to attempt to build a cabinet for it. I have been a woodworker most of my life and I am going to build the cabinet out of solid hardwood - with no tolex covering.

I have downloaded the plans for the 18/36w head cabinet provided by 'Bulatovic' (many thanks by the way), and I have converted the metric measurements to inches, but I have a question.

I really want to keep the width of this cabinet under 24". Nik says the width of the 18/36w chassis is 20" (21.5" including flanges), and there appears to be about 25" of interior width in the cabinet.

My question is, is it possible to decrease the interior width of the cabinet to about 22" (leaving 1/2" clearance for the chassis), and then leave a gap between the bottom of the front and rear panel attachment cleats and the interior bottom of the cabinet so that the flanges can slide in under the cleats?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

[martinw]

No reason why what you're saying wouldn't work. I've built cabinets at non-standard sizes.
Beware though of things like the trannies. You need accurate measurements if you're going to prebuild the cabinet.

Personally, I would rather have the amp in front of me!

[sub]

Thanks to everyone who participates in this forum. I have learned an incredible amount here. It has really helped.

I will be ordering the 36w EF86 TMB from Nik at Ceriatone tomorrow. While I am waiting the 4 weeks for delivery, I am going to attempt to build a cabinet for it. I have been a woodworker most of my life and I am going to build the cabinet out of solid hardwood - with no tolex covering.

I have downloaded the plans for the 18/36w head cabinet provided by 'Bulatovic' (many thanks by the way), and I have converted the metric measurements to inches, but I have a question.

I really want to keep the width of this cabinet under 24". Nik says the width of the 18/36w chassis is 20" (21.5" including flanges), and there appears to be about 25" of interior width in the cabinet.

My question is, is it possible to decrease the interior width of the cabinet to about 22" (leaving 1/2" clearance for the chassis), and then leave a gap between the bottom of the front and rear panel attachment cleats and the interior bottom of the cabinet so that the flanges can slide in under the cleats?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Are you sure the chassis width is 20"
My 18w trem chassis is 430mm (~17") and my 1987x chassis is similar size.........
Why Nik's chassis such a "big"?

[user669]

Hey RodgerN

How thick is the wood your using? If you get your wood down to 1/2" you can get close.

21.5" + 1" (wood thickness at 1/2") =22.5" but you will want to add another 1/4" to that becasue your going to have problems sliding the chassis in so you would be safe at 22.75"

You will want to make your cleats at about 5/8" if the flanges are 3/4"

These mesuments are cutting it real close and you might end up shaving anouther 1/16" off the first 2.5" of the side of the cleat to fit the chassis.

I have one of Nik's 36 watt chassis here and It is long!

[jaysg]

Remember that there never was an 18W head, so do what you want. I find the aspect ratio a bit off for what has become the standard head size. I'd go wider, but that's just me. I would wait until I had the chassis in hand before cutting any wood.

[BBQLS1]

Are you sure the chassis width is 20"
My 18w trem chassis is 430mm (~17") and my 1987x chassis is similar size.........
Why Nik's chassis such a "big"?

I have a blank 17" and I'm about to build a 36W, it's not enough room!

4 EL84s + 3 12AX7s + 1 cap can + 2 transformers + 1 rectifier tube AND if you are building the EF86 + 1 EF86.

I was going to get real creative on it, but decided that I'd just order the chassis from Nik for mine. I'll save the 17 incher for something smaller like a 50W plexi!

[Deadwood]

.[/quote]
Are you sure the chassis width is 20"
My 18w trem chassis is 430mm (~17") and my 1987x chassis is similar size.........
Why Nik's chassis such a "big"?[/quote]

I have Nik's 36er, 20'' exactly.

[Plexi]

Those chassis will fit a small box plexi head.. I've used the ones from mojo,and they fit fine.. It might be nice to have the cab a 1/2 deeper.
And also a grill on top over the tubes.. they can put off some heat.
or just make a grill for the whole back.

[sub]

Are you sure the chassis width is 20"
My 18w trem chassis is 430mm (~17") and my 1987x chassis is similar size.........
Why Nik's chassis such a "big"?

I have a blank 17" and I'm about to build a 36W, it's not enough room!

4 EL84s + 3 12AX7s + 1 cap can + 2 transformers + 1 rectifier tube AND if you are building the EF86 + 1 EF86.

I was going to get real creative on it, but decided that I'd just order the chassis from Nik for mine. I'll save the 17 incher for something smaller like a 50W plexi!

Ah... now i see! Thank you very much!
Good info. I will build a 36 watt (lil' bit later)

[sub]

Sorry RogerN! -> because i hijacked (a little) your thread.
...and thanks guys -> good info as usual.

[andyo64]

I'm also getting started with my 1st 18watt - where do I find the plans to build the head like the one your talking about? Is there a link?

[RogerN]

I think you should be able to just do a search for 'Bulatovic' and find the plans. If all else fails, post again with your email address and I'll email them to you. (I tried to attach them but it won't allow a bitmap to be attached).

By the way, does anyone know where I can get a grill (preferably in gold) to put on the top of my cabinet? I'm going to put the regular grill in the back panel, but I figure the more air the better.

And, do I need to pkace the handle in any particular location in order to make the amp balanced when it is being carried?

[briane]

grills are available at mojo and antique.

[JohnnyCrash]

I also used a Mojo cab with my 36w - which is a Ceriatone chassis+faceplate. Mojo cabs are very good work - especially for the price.

I have all kinds of other amps, and I build my own cabs for them all - unlike you, I am NOT a woodworker (I got a D in woodshop and I currently have limited tools/saws).

From experience (I've built about 8 or 9 cabs thusfar) as long as you have enough space to get your hands in there to mount the flange nuts, you're fine. The front panel is where care is needed (and the rear is rarely seen).

[tarzanalog]

I got a nice deal on a cab from Anthony at Reason it's 24" wide on the outside. My Ceriatone 36W TMB EF86 chassis fits perfectly and looks killer.

[7enderman]

hi,
standard marshall small head style cabs will fit perfectly.
And once more: 36er has 20"

MIKE

[rickdog]

I have built 20" 22" 24" even 27" chassis for higher wattage amps. 20" works great for 36W. I put 8 sockets along the back, 3 pre, 4 pwr, and 1 for an octal rectifier. The 20" has room for a cap board so you don't need to use a cap can if you don't want to. You can bend the mount tabs inward to keep the width down, otherwise figure another 1" to 1.5" length for the mount tabs outward (easier to install and work with).