18 watt build

[M29]

I got started on my GDS 18 watt single channel amph. I recently had a chance to hear fellow Fret.Netter guitardan777's 18 watt single channel and I knew I had to get one. I had built an 18 watt GDS tremolo head a couple years ago and ended up selling it. I have missed it ever since, here are some pics.

 

[333maxwell]

Looks like a heck of a project..

Any time lines in mind?

Ever do one like it?

 

[tunghaichuan]

Very cool. Graydon makes good stuff. In fact he was one of the first to rediscover the 18W amps and was offering kits back before they became common place.

 

[M29]

333max,
I have a good start I will probably back off a little now and pick at it. I am in no hurry and I want to get more done on my Tele project. If I get too much going I start loosing time to play and that is priority.
I have built many amphs over the years, mostly audio stuff but this is my second 18 watt and both were GDS, I especially like their transformers.

tung,
Yeah Graydon sure knows the 18 watt. I am fortunate to have met him, he only lives about 40 miles from here. If you have any questions about the build he is more than happy to help.

 

[Bloozcat]

Graydon has always been more than gracious about sharing his knowledge as well in the true guild craftsman tradition.

 

[F4DPhantomII]

2400 posts wow!:applause

 

[M29]

How time flies F4DPhantomII :dude


Well I finished her up today and got a chance to play it a little. I am very pleased. It is fat, defined, goes into a sweet feedback with ease and is very touch sensitive. I like the simple, to the point design and it is very quiet. Everything is right at your fingertips.

 

[guitardan777]

Looks great Barry :applause
And I understand it sounds fantastic too.....
Just volume and tone, but bad to the bone : )

M29 and I were putting mine through the paces out at Graydon's one afternoon, trying out different speakers, cabs, pedals, and guitars....
I recall that Screaming Yellow Voodoo pedal that was just pushing that little monster over the top.......fun stuff....:dude

 

[M29]

You got it Danny, bad to the bone! :dude Haven't got a chance to introduce the ZYS on mine yet but I have a feeling it will be happenin soon. :socool

 

[M29]

Well...I had a good size of Marshall dark green style tolex setting around here that I forgot about. I decided to use it on the cab of this amph. I have the basic birch plywood panels cut with dimensions graciously provided by guitardan777. Thanks Danny!

Not sure what I am going to use for front and back panels. I would like to do something different. Also I am trying to decide if I want to go without cab corners or go with chrome or black. Decisions decisions decisions. I just want to get it done at this point. I have too many projects going right now and a daughter that will be having a graduation open house this spring. No money left for a pre-built cab on this one.

 

[Tig]

Not sure what I am going to use for front and back panels. I would like to do something different.

Inspiration by Hughes and Kettner...
Show off those internals!

 

[M29]

Tig, Yeah that is something like I was thinking. I thought about milling some thin gauge aluminum with cooling slots or some sort of pattern. Then I thought about incorporating some sort of small automotive grill-work pieces. Your mind can go wild with stuff to try. I am going to save the front grill for last and then have some fun with it.

They have some great looking nontraditional amphs now, like the Hughes and Kettner you mentioned, the new Vox Night Train. I like the looks of the new Mesa Transatlantic too.
All this stuff is good for cooling too.

Cool stuff Tig!

 

[duhvoodooman]

Whoa!! Where the heck have I been looking that I missed this thread, M29?!? Between pedal builds and bangin' on that new Agile LP of mine, I obviously haven't been keeping up!

Looking great so far, M. :AOK :dude Can hardly wait to see it in the green tolex cab. And don't embarass me by asking how my own 18W project is coming...

GuitarDan777: I can scratch that Zonkin' Yellow Screamer itch for ya, when you're ready to forget the rest and get the best! oke

 

[M29]

Thanks Vood!! Hey how is that 18 watt project coming......oke :happy :happy :dude :socool

 

[duhvoodooman]

Thanks Vood!! Hey how is that 18 watt project coming....

:mad unch: :saw: :reallymad:

 

[M29]

:bootyshake :socool

 

[marnold]

Huh. I thought I heard that DVM had an 18 watt project going. Guess I was mistaken.

 

[M29]

It is great to jam on your new amph but it is also great fun building it. Just knowing it is (In-House) and ready to start is a good feeling.
Time will free up Vood and it will be great fun stripin wire, solderin and boltin parts on.

oke :rockon

 

[Tig]

I'd have a difficult time not calling a home assembled 18 watt amp,
the "Barely Legal" model! :mybad

 

[M29]

I ended up using a pattern that is at the top of this pic. I have the aluminum panel in the mill and got started on the cutouts. The round holes in the center are starter holes to get the end-mill into so I can cut the shapes in the picture.

I haven't decided on what type of screen to put behind the cutouts but what ever it is it will be gold in color to go with the gold plexi panel on the amph.

 

[guitardan777]

GuitarDan777: I can scratch that Zonkin' Yellow Screamer itch for ya, when you're ready to forget the rest and get the best! oke

That's a great pedal, definatly on my GAS list.....

Lookin' good M29.....ya gonna have her ready for the amph show?
I'm gonna bring mine so peeps can try a GDS S/C rig.

 

[M29]

Hello guitardan777. Thanks! Yeah I thought I would bring it down to show ya's. Gotta check out that Strat of yours too.
I have some serious time to put into it yet though. Once it is milled there will be lots of filing and sanding and polishing. I have since mounted the feet and the rear panel is finished. I have the cab corners mounted. Oh, I still need to get a handle too. I am thinking of maybe a brown leather handle.

Thanks my friend.

 

[M29]

The rear is finally finished.

 

[Katastrophe]

Man, that amph looks great, M!

 

[M29]

Thanks Kat!

 

[M29]

Been looking at some fabrics I had laying around the house to put behind the cutouts. I wanted to put the same screen as the backside but it looks way too bright on the front. I might try some other type screen.

 

[M29]

She's done. I need to find three appropriate front panel screws and thats pretty much it. I need to do something with the logo. It is just a stick on right now but I need a break from this for a while.

 

[guitardan777]

That's ultra sweet my friend.....
Nice work !!

 

[M29]

Thank you friend.

 

[mrmudcat]

wowza !!!!

What color are ya going on the panel screws black?????