TW Chassis + Combo Cab

[james21789]

Hey y'all,

I'm looking into building a TW rocket for a friend. I wanted to know what size chassis would be best to fit it all in. I'm not concerned with matching the original specs by any means. We are trying to save a buck wherever we can, so the cheaper the better. We're planning on dropping it into a 1x12 combo, so if you have any suggestions there, it would be greatly appreciated as well!

Thanks,

James

[selloutrr]

you could easily take the head cabinet file in the trainwreck files and extend it 14" down.
One 12" speaker with a 1" buffer top and bottom.
The width is 17" to the outside of the chassis, so the width is covered. 10" depth is the standard head cab. 12" would be perfect to support the weight on the front and make for a nice box volume if you choice to do a sealed enclosure.

the total dimensions would be ~23" Tall x 18 5/8" wide x 10" or 12" deep

you could shave some height is you did a tubes down layout (upsidedown mount).

[selloutrr]

like this?

[selloutrr]

a few more thoughts

[M Fowler]

Very good

Now can you give me a PDF faceplates for each so I can get them to BNP Lazers, thanks in advance.

[selloutrr]

sure any special pic? need a logo while i'm at it?

I started to think about putting the amp into a combo and it just kept turning into something else.. to many variables and styles to just give one answer.

[M Fowler]

I can't get used to the looks of a combination of headamp/speaker cabinet. Matchless has amps that way now too.

[james21789]

Great, thanks so much Selloutrr. I think we will probably hang the tubes underneath for size and economy, unless I should be concerned about microphonics or anything like that. I've seen some pics of TW combos so it must be doable.

You're in SoCal? I'm in la myself.

[selloutrr]

sounds good. The things you have to be aware of with any combo is vibration and some degree magnetic fields. vibration can cause microphonics in weak tubes, I would def use tube socket covers and power tube retainers to keep the tubes seated snug. You may also need to measure and make sure the transformers don't hit anything and have room to move air. I recommend the cork sheet on the bottom of the chassis and possibly explore other means of shock mounting. It's possible it's not needed but plan ahead in case it is so you don't end up with something you can't use. Due to the internal tuning of the circuit the low end rumble is greatly reduced which is to your favor.

[selloutrr]

If you want a sealed cabinet I would build the second amp design, giving the amp air and box volume for the speaker. You could put the speaker jack on the top of the box and keep all the connections inside the total dimensions so you don't have to plug in the speaker every time. if you want an open speaker design I would build the third, but only if I was building from stratch so I could move the transformers to fit the speaker and knew nothing would hit.

[james21789]

I recommend the cork sheet on the bottom of the chassis and possibly explore other means of shock mounting.

I've never heard of this before...Does it go in between the chassis and the boards?

[selloutrr]

personally i've never used it but i've never built a wreck into a combo. It was mentioned in the Express Build guide. located in the trainwreck files. just a suggestion.

[M Fowler]

Cork drawer liner comes with peel off sticky back. Located at Lowes kitchen center isle.

Mark

[UR12]

It really isn't that hard to do. I have a blank chassis made for mine at a local sheetmetal shop to fit the 2x 12 or 1x 12 Marshall style combo cabinets. I have built a 15 watt Liverpool (2 El84s) and a 22 watt Express (2 6v6) in both of these chassis/ cab combos. The chassis starts out as a blank and you have to drill all of the holes but it may save you some money in the long run. You might also consider building the Rocket amp with a couple of 6V6s instead of the EL84s. You can do a search here for combos and get a lot of good info.

The chassis I use is 20"x6"x2.5"

Here is a few pics of some builds to show you how it all fits together

[M Fowler]

And right after Dana showed this amp I ordered a chassis from him and built my Express combo 212 into a Line6 cabinet.

Mark