Building a 'modular' stereo combo amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter petejt
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petejt

petejt

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After wondering for a fair while about selling speakers or making fancy guitar speaker cabs, I'm thinking of building a basic 2x12 combo amp with a pair of WGS ET-65 8ohm speakers I have leftover from a 4x12 cab that got busted up while moving interstate (sadly the insurance stuffed me around). The speakers are still in mint condition, but I don't have the heart to sell them.

I say "modular" because I want to make this combo amp like a big 'Rockman" amp in a way, with all of the modules fitted inside the cab (I'll make ventilation holes).

In addition to the ET-65s, I have on hand:

  • Mesa/Boogie 50:50 stereo poweramp rack unit
  • SR&D Rockman Stereo Chorus/Delay half-rack unit
  • 5-band parametric equaliser rack unit

The idea is that it will either accept a line-out/slave out signal from an amp head or attenuator, or I will add a preamp module or maybe even build a preamp for it. The options are many.
I still have some Leslie rotating speaker horns too, so I might even re-start my Leslie speaker project. We'll see.


I've always loved that raunchy Rockman sound, particularly the way Giorgio Moroder used it in Scarface. It's so boxy and squawky and processed and damn as '80s as thick blue eye shadow, but, it's my guilty pleasure.


Is it worth me salvaging the 4x12 cab to house all of the equipment? The board that holds the speakers is still intact. But I do wonder if it'd be too bulky.

Or is it better to build or get an empty 2x12 cab, and fit a rack housing to the top if it to hold the modules?
 
Oddly enough I was discussing a similar project with a friend except I was thinking about cutting the baffle in half Above the two bottom speakers in one of my old engl 4x12's, and building a shelf for my evh50 to sit in like a road case. It would have enough room left in the top corner for a couple cables and my tuner and delay. My entire live rig would be in that one cab!
Now if I can do it and not be ghetto as fuck....?...
Seems you could do the same with rack rails instead in your case.
 
I had planned out a vertical 212 cab with a rack on top in the past, but never built it. One piece sides the same width all the way up, route a channel in the sides for the cabinet top to lock into. I was even going to do the speaker jacks on the cabinet top so that you don’t have to disconnect the power amp when moving the cab, and the cab is sealed back so should sound pretty good.

I moved away from rack gear before I had a chance to build it.
 
I think from reading the op,that you want it all in one box...like a 2x12 combo using various componets. I wouldn't wanna have something that heavy to move around. I would have the electronics in a separate box,and my 2x12 on wheels. That also makes it easier to pack in a car vrs having to use a truck or van.

Also remember that speaker boxes take more hits/damage during normal use. I wouldn't want my electronics taking the blunt force trauma my cabs have taken.
 
Cool thanks for the responses guys! Sorry for my ramble, I had pretty bad insomnia last night.


It seems like my best case is to put the power amp & effects in a rack case. Then just put those two speakers in a 2x12 cab and wire it for stereo, or do the Leslie thing etc. whatever.
I have a Marshall cab backplate salvaged from the 4x12 cab.

I'll try to get some photos up so you can see what I'm on about.
 
I've been sketching all sorts of crazy ideas for a rotating speaker cab. But I am hesitant to go through with such a project.

I think I might be better off buying a 2ndhand empty 2x12 cab and loading the WTGS ET-65 speakers and the stereo jackplate into it.
 
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