New Amp Solution

sei046

I decided i would post this in a new thread as it is a new idea.

I wanted the sound of tube, with the flexibility to change sounds and effects and be all midi compatable with a direct out but also have a nice sound on stage. This seemed like the vetta II.

I then looked at a few other amps like the Randall MTS and some boogies. Really what i wanted was a completely hassle free rig where i could just plug in and play but still have the great sound.

SO!

Heres what I am going to do.
I am going to make it!

The amp will be in a 2x12 format, all solid wood with a varnish (think boogie wood and wicker). I will build in a nice power amp. In the place of the control knobs will be a six u (3 a side) rack space over the 2x12. this will either be done is vox format(looking up) or standard(looking out).

In this space will be my JMP1, intellifex, art Mfx, tuner, wireless etc.
It will be done in such a way that when you push against the rack it unhatches and slides out so you can do any wiring or change preamps/effects.

It then just slides back in. On the back all the main connections will be ran to a panel.
It will have a power lead in socket, midi in, XLR out and Extension Cab out.

It will be slighty bigger than your average 2x12 amp (i might do it in a 4 u format). Will be on wheels with 2 V30s.

Wood and wicker finish and will get a nice cover cloth made for it.

feylya

Definately an interesting project. Looking forward to the build log

sei046

Cheers. It will prob be a heavy mothe but if it works well, I will make a 1x12 version with a 2 u space on top and a 50w poweramp built in. Think atomic amps with rack spaces instead!

Voodu Child

Sounds like a mad contraption :pac: Best of luck

Here's an artists impression of Sei playing his homemade rig:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a170/vairish/contraption.jpg

:pac::pac::pac:

sei046

lol how long have you been hanging on to that pic for the right time to use it!

Doctor J

Sounds like a plan :pac:

One thing though, might it be worth it just to build the speakers and power amp section as one part and keep the rack section separate? In terms of weight you'll save yourself a hernia, plus you can change your rack cab at will and not be tied to a 6U space.

sei046

I know what your saying Doc but its just I really want everything in 1. It would of course be much much easier your way though. Will have a think about it. I cant believe this has not been done before. They have one for pods and not one for racks!??!

Doctor J

Perhaps some way of clipping or attaching a rack to the cab but still have them as seperate entities when they need to be?

Voodu Child

sei046 wrote: »

lol how long have you been hanging on to that pic for the right time to use it!

'Contraption' came to mind and that was the first google pic that suited

But on a serious note, that thing is going to weigh a serious tonne. Doubly so if you build it from hardwood as you say. I mean, I don't even like carrying my 2x12 cab far...build in a poweramp (tube?) and add on the weight of your rack and it's going to be one heavy mofo. A heavy cab is so unweildy that its easy to knock off walls and corners etc - no problem, because it's just a cab, but if you build all your effects and preamp in there, you're going to have to be very careful, which is always difficult with something so heavy.

It's going to be big too. A Vox (or similar) can a knobs up layout because the chassis isn't that big, and they're happy to let the transformers and valves intrude into the speaker volume. A 6u rack isn't going to squeeze in so well.

I dunno, its an interesting project for sure, but I don't see what you gain over putting the poweramp in your rack and sitting it on top of a 2x12.

sei046

You see I want a combo! I know what your saying. My first thought was how back breaking it will be alright. I will do some logistics.

sei046

lads what about one of them crate powerblocks? How good would that be. Would it sound ok? Just that built into the cab

Voodu Child

sei046 wrote: »

lads what about one of them crate powerblocks? How good would that be. Would it sound ok? Just that built into the cab

I'd be inclined to think that running the JMP-1 into a SS amp wouldn't sound half as good. If you were going to go down that route, you may as well just stick with the modelling ideas you were thinking of before (Vetta etc).

You have a PodXT already no? Maybe a powered cab like the Tech21? Plug the Pod into the tech21 and away you go. That's what you wanted isn't it, light and simple? Looks a bit pricey, but get one 2nd hand and it could be decent enough.

sei046

I read a bit into them. Apparently they dont have the most power in the world. The more i think about it though what i would really end up with is a rack that looks nice! It would be the same as any guitar rack except all the connections i would need get ran to a panel at the back and everything else is hidden (i hate having to use my phone to plug in the direct out of the jmp and find the midi slot and blah blah whilst looking in the back of the rack).

The 2x12 would just be an active monitor with 2x12. I still have some thinking to do. What I do like about it is i can switch in and out different pres but after a few mins initial wiring a have a new amp!

Eoin Madsen

I like your initial plan, I had the same idea to put rack spaces into a combo. You should definitely try it. (I also had an idea to put a 1x12 or a 2x8 into a rack. :pac: But despite the coolness of the concept, it made very little sense to do it so I haven't yet, + my wood working skills are fail.)

sei046

Yup. Will see what happens. I Actually have something else coming tomorrow so depending on how that works i will see. What i might actually do is a 1x12 combo, build in Poweramp with 2 rack spaces. (pre and effects). Light enough and versatile