Jack 15 TKOs Peavey

[Bruce Weldy]

Good looking job there! I have been toying with doing a similar project with my old Peavey TNT 130 Bass amp... Put the head in a dedicated box, then build 2 cabinets, one for Bass (that has better lows), and one for Steel Guitar that is lighter than my 3 Peavey Steel amps (aka Mississippi Marshalls!). I'm really enjoying this skillful build project of yours.

Yep, those old Peaveys are heavy. The Nashvilles, LTDs, and Session 400s were not nearly as heavy as the Peavey tube amps....unless they had an EV speaker in 'em. But then, the Black Widows are heavy as hell too. I like the term Mississippi Marshalls....never heard that one.

It was amazing just how light the amp section is on this TKO.....probably 5 pounds...maybe...

[Bruce Weldy]

This is my first Jack and the one issue I had early on from just looking at the plans was - how in the world do you get the top square to the bottom with no sides coming into play?

You can't just trust your layout lines on the top panel.....if anything is off by a 1/16" on the bottom, it will translate more than that to the top - then you are out of square.

So, here's the approach I took..... I wanted to use the sides to line every thing up, but the mouth panels are still protruding out the front at this point so you can't get the sides all the way to the front.

The solution is to draw a line perpendicular to the back of the side panel three inches back from the edge on both panels. With the bottom sitting flat, you line up the lines to the bottom panel on both sides. Then the top panel lines up with the lines on the top. Clamp it up and drill the pilot holes in the interior panels.

Take it apart, apply PL, then put it all back together and screw it down with all the lines in place.

This kept the box square and the sides will be a breeze to put on now.....and the whole thing won't wobble.....

You'll notice some blocks just inside the throat. These will be to hold the grill in place. Elected to put the grill way back both for aesthetics and I didn't have any grill material large enough to cover the entire opening.....

[Bruce Weldy]

As we return to our saga, Dudley Do-Right has saved Nell from Snidely Whiplash - so it's time to get back to cab building.

Didn't get much done with shows on Thursday and Friday night and running around picking up all the little things you need to finish a build.....still need to get some bondo as the tube I used on my last build is a bit dry.....funny, you'd think that stuff would last for a few years on the shelf...opened...well, maybe not.

Anyway, got the sides on yesterday, cut the back panel, cut all the strips for the back flange, and did some flush-trim routing on the spots where the sides were a litte proud. Much easier and cleaner than sanding. Then it was time for the round-over bit to do it's stuff on all the edges.....this thing is coming toward the finish line.

Also finished adding in all the retainer blocks for the grill...

Time to get back out in the Texas heat and do some more work on this thing....

[Bruce Weldy]

Flanges in and bondo applied like calamine lotion on poison ivy.

[Seth]

I'm enjoying the build Bruce. Thanks

[Bruce Weldy]

While stuff was drying, I cut down an old grill from some junk speakers I was given. If you ever have to cut grill material, here's what I do.

Sandwich the grill between two boards with your cut line dead on the edge of the boards. Then use a fine metal cutting blade in your jigsaw. Cut right down the edge of the boards. It makes a very nice smooth cut.

And it looks like this.....Once the speaker is in and the back is on - I don't think I'll need to use any foam behind the grill...

[Bruce Weldy]

I've got to apologize for the pics.....Using my iphone like always, but while they look great on my computer, they don't make the transition to the thread very well.....they look better if you click on 'em to make 'em bigger.

[Chris_Allen]

How think is that grill material? Do you think you will a problem of it flexing and making noise being further into the throat?

[Bruce Weldy]

How think is that grill material? Do you think you will a problem of it flexing and making noise being further into the throat?

It's pretty standard grill material, but it will float on the 10 screw points and I'm going to put either some small rubber feet or washers between the grill and the cab.

Hopefully it won't rattle. If it does, it will save the bass player from having to use a distortion pedal.....or we'll take it off.

Good point though.....

[Bruce Weldy]

There's always the little things you have to complete before paint begins......so the back was completed this morning.....had to drill and countersink the 32 screw holes.

One thing I'll mention.....

Over the years, I've tried different ways to countersink the hole on backs and covers. I've tried a cone-shaped burr that goes in a drill - that worked pretty good, nice and smooth. I've tried countersinks, but when you are close to the edge, they can make a lot of tear-out.

So, I tried something different today. Used a 3/8" brad point bit. The point makes it really easy to hit the mark and the side cutters make a perfectly round hole that a dry wall screw fits in perfectly. The brad point also creates a nice hole for your standard drill bit to punch through to complete the hole. I always use a bit large enough for the screw to slide in without creating threads in the wood of the cover.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I just use round head screws.

[Mike_Taylor]

Hello everyone. Bruce is building this for me. It looks fantastic and I cant wait to play though it!

[Grant Bunter]

Hello everyone. Bruce is building this for me. It looks fantastic and I cant wait to play though it!

G'day Mike,
Welcome to the forum

I'm sure you'll enjoy a few pounds shaved off the weight...

[Bruce Weldy]

I just use round head screws.

that would be too easy.....ya' slacker....

[Bruce Weldy]

Hello everyone. Bruce is building this for me. It looks fantastic and I cant wait to play though it!

G'day Mike,
Welcome to the forum

I'm sure you'll enjoy a few pounds shaved off the weight...

Mike doesn't worry about weight. He stacks the T39s and OT12s by himself when we bring out the whole system in the summer. He knows his stuff and mixes for a lot of bands around here. He's also a great drummer in The Homebodies with me and he plays bass in a Petty tribute band. All around good guy!