PROJECT: The combo Fender never made.

[Moose]

This is looking great man! Good thinking on the screws/dowels part


Looking forward to seeing this finished

[Decibill]

Yeah nice build. I'm a big fan of using dowel joints. Also a biscuit joiner would of worked well too. Would of saved you some time as you could of glued, joined and clamped with no need to screw and then remove the screws and fill. Would of been hidden as well.

Yeah, most my other cab builds are half lap or finger joints. I wanted to mix it up on this one and do something different. Gotta keep it fresh...!!

[Decibill]

Got a big chunk o' work done on this project over the weekend. First, measure and cut the baffle to size. Again, you gotta leave around 1/8"-5/32" clearance around ALL sides to account for the tolex and grill cloth.




After that, find the center of the baffle, then use a compass and draw a 11.5" circle. If i were making more than one circular cut, i would have used a router and template. For this one, the jig saw works fine.





Once the circle is cut out, paint the baffle flat black, drop it in and enjoy how this baby is starting to look realz...!!





Next, I made the rear panels. The lower panel is just a plain rectangle, cut to size with the correct allowances for tolex. Mine will be a little taller to make the cab more closed back than most other 1x12 Fender combo's. The upper panel is based on the same size as the existing BM panel. Actually, the existing BM panel isn't made all that well. The cut outs are actually out of true from one another and the panel itself. Mine are the same dimensions as the BM, but properly aligned and symmetrical.

I started by laying out the panel on the wood and then cut the rounded ends with a hole saw.




Next, cut the angled cut in's.



Finally, make the horizontal cut across that connects the two angled cuts.

[PetZounds]

Man, this is fucking RAD.
I love seeing the work people put into things clearly outlined and documented.
Keep up the good work.

[Decibill]

Man, this is fucking RAD.
I love seeing the work people put into things clearly outlined and documented.
Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the kind words man...much appreciated.

[imJonWain]

Yeah this looks killer, I converted my laney cab into a head but ultimately wanna make it into a retro looking combo one day...

[Decibill]

Let's get some skin on this thing...!!

First up are the rear panels. First paint them flat black, then cover them with tolex. Gotta get dem nice tight corners.

[Decibill]

Time to cover the grill. The trick here, is not to pull too hard in any one direction when stapling. If you do you will end up with a wavy pattern. Start from the center of one side and alternate to the opposite side. Staple as you go. Watch the pattern of the cloth to see if you are pulling too hard or not enough.

[jrmy]

I've been keeping quiet on this thread for a bit to let Decibill's work speak for itself, but dudes, I can honestly say after playing music and working with him for fourteen effing years that he does not mess around. This thing rocks, for sure.

A few years back he built me a 2x10 bass cab based on Trace Elliot specs as a gift (he knew I had been looking at Traces), and let me tell you, that thing KILLS. It's still my primary cab.

[Decibill]

This beast is nearly done. Got some more skin on it now.

First lay the amp down on the tolex. Take some measurements. This one gets the classic two piece Fender covering.



After the main piece is cut (allowing extra for the wrap around the sides), I marked the center line on the bottom of the amp and tolex.




Get the contact cement out. I always recommend rolling the adhesive on rather than brushing.

[Decibill]

You will notice a new piece in this picture, though i bit hard to see. There is now a top cross brace for the baffle. Ofter doing a dry assembly and testing the amp out, I decided i wanted a bit tighter sound. The floating Fender baffle is great, but a little too open for what i want. Adding this top brace made just the right amount of difference for my needs.

[Decibill]

Now time for the corners. There is an art and technique to it, so practice it first and/or watch someone else do it.

Bottom rear corners.



Bottom front corners.



Now the all important top front corners.....



And now, the easiest part..the simple top piece. Be sure to roll contact cement onto the tolex over lap. It's easy to clean up and will ensure minimal lifting with time.

[KaosCill8r]

That is coming along nicely dude.

[spacelordmother]

Now time for the corners. There is an art and technique to it, so practice it first and/or watch someone else do it.

Bottom rear corners.

TIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.

[odontophobia]

your corners look so good!
I always fuck them up and have relegated myself to no longer fuck with tolex.