Fancy Faceplates

[Blackburn]

I was hoping you guys could give me an idea as to where I could get some metal silkscreened or powder coated or whatever. I shot an email to Joe at Amplates.com and I'm hoping I get one back soon. What I want is pretty simple, but I would like to shop around and see who can do it well and isn't too expensive. Any leads?

David

[Cantplay]

Www.frontpanelexpress.com

John

[martin manning]

...or BNP Lasers. http://www.bnplasers.com/AMPBUILDERS.HTM

[bluesky636]

The brass nameplates came from http://www.plaquemaker.com/.

[img:800:430]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8560/8894 ... 6a0f_c.jpg[/img]

[img:800:532]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8663 ... 7474_c.jpg[/img]

The faceplate came from Amplates.

[img:800:174]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/8894 ... d0c5_c.jpg[/img]

[Ken Moon]

BNP prints the faceplates for Joe at Amplates.

What Joe specializes in is the design of the plates, and will work with you until you get exactly what you want.

They can do several types of metal plates.

Joe designed this plate, including the Moon logo:

[img761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... 006_03.jpg[/img]

[bluesky636]

What Joe specializes in is the design of the plates, and will work with you until you get exactly what you want.

That is true. I sent him the font used for the "BLUESKY AMPS" logo to try and match. It took about three tries till he came up with a font that was acceptable for the "Wrecking Ball" logo. Why he couldn't match the font I sent him, I don't know, but the one I settled on is close and looks great.

[Kregg]

Joe at Amplates is great to work with. He's done a few faceplates for me.

You could always etch your own the way that one would etch PCB's, or stomp boxes.

[Blackburn]

Thanks for all the responses. You guys are awesome! Joe got back to me a little while ago and let me know that he doesn't have what I need in stock. He said it may need to be a special order. We'll see what he can come up with. I also checked out FrontPanelExpress and BNP Lasers. I'll be looking into Plaque Maker next. Keep em comin!

Thanks again, guys.

[Meat&Beer]

David,

My approach was quite off the beaten path, as I couldn't seem to find a faceplate-smith that could facilitate my exact font. My girlfriend worked at a signage shop at the time, so I designed the layout in a program they use called Flexi. (Really neat design program!)

I had them print me out decals, I stuck them on my chassy which I already had wet-sanded. Then off to a body shop to have them hit it with automotive clear. As for the longevity/durability, not sure yet.

Don't know if I even recommend it... I did the same thing with a guitar a couple years prior to this, but used acrylic laquer clear, and over much bigger decals. It's chipping a little on the larger areas where the clear didn't have anything to 'bite' into.

It's been about two years on this chassis, still holding strong! And it's still not done, and being flipped around on the jig, bumped into stuff, etc...

Ken Moon; that is gorgeous!!!!

Also, M Fowler's plate in the "What Would You Do" thread is very sharp as well.

I just thought I'd throw out another suggestion that hasn't been yet. I'd feel much more confident the smaller the lettering is with this method, but I think this example will last pretty well. Not saying it'll be perfect forever, but I certainly like it.

YMMV

[wyatt]

There are been three popular players in this game for a long time...

BNP and Amplates are already mentioned, the other is Sandy at....

http://www.precisiondesignin.com/

I've never heard a bad word about any of the companies, they are all well regarded.

[M Fowler]

Meat&Beer
'
I love your amp that is one sharp looking faceplate for a decal and clear method, I've done the same thing using a local sign company.

Your amp deserves it's own post so we can see more and hear about it.

Mark

[Blackburn]

Meat&Beer
'
I love your amp that is one sharp looking faceplate for a decal and clear method, I've done the same thing using a local sign company.

Your amp deserves it's own post so we can see more and hear about it.

Mark

I agree! That's quite an extensive front. Looks to me like you did a great job!

[Meat&Beer]

Thank you kind gentlemen!

I'm working with a friend I met while living in RI, since moved back home to northerneasternmost NY. We're still working through some kinks, it's very close I think. I'm still learning, bigtime. Got some of the big boy tube amp books on my xmas list!

It's hard now, being so far apart from each other so progress is slow. He has a dying mother and best friend, which makes things even more difficult. It also doesn't help that he's the secretive type (about schematic sharing etc.) So, like I said, slow going. But I will post the amp up with all of its specs, a video, and all of that fun stuff when it's where it needs to be.

I, am not the secretive type. I do have to keep my word on this particular project pertaining to juicy parts of the schem unfortunately. But I'll tell ya's anything you want to know otherwise! Words aren't a schemo, right?

I don't want to hijack, faceplates!

[dorrisant]

The acid etched stuff is a pain in the ass sometimes but yeilds awesome results... We use Corel and can import any font you can find, plus customer graphics too.

Tony

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Wow, Meat&Beer, that is impressive! And I thought 11 knobs on our distortion pedal was a lot!