Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

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Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#1 Post by Bruce Weldy »

A guy I've been playing with some lately has a Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 head just like mine. He said he wished it was a combo (Mesa doesn't make that amp in a combo). The more I thought about it - it sounded like a good idea, especially since I haven't made any sawdust in a while.

So, here is the build on it....

The amp head is only 14 inches wide, so I spent a lot of time measuring and planning how I was going to get it all to fit and add the depth of the speaker baffle, speaker and allow for a grill cloth and frame.

So, a lot of drawing went on...after taking a lot of measurements and headscratching...

All the panels got cut to final size.
IMG_2288.JPG
Baffles were done with a router and a circle jig.
IMG_2289.JPG
Next up was positioning the driver in the baffle for T-nuts. A little tip here - you want to protect your drivers while marking holes and installing them? Use the cutout from the baffle and put it on top of the cone. It's the perfect size and you won't be sticking a drill or screwdriver through the cone.
IMG_2290.JPG
IMG_2291.JPG
After doing the T-nuts in one of the baffles - I decided to do the other with screws and added blocks in the back. The T-nuts were hard to keep aligned because the allen head screws were exactly the size of the holes in the speaker....just not much leeway and a PITA to get the driver in. I don't mind T-nuts but should have gotten a smaller diameter screw to get a little wiggle room.
IMG_2292.JPG
Last edited by Bruce Weldy on Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#2 Post by Bruce Weldy »

The plan was to position and drill all of the mounting holes before assembly.
This is the tops with the T-nuts installed for the handle.
IMG_2293.JPG
And the bottom panels with the holes drilled for the reverb tank.
IMG_2294.JPG
Time for assembly......PL and brads..
IMG_2295.JPG
Added some cleats in the back for the lower panel.
IMG_2296.JPG
Both cabs after assembly...
IMG_2297.JPG

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#3 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Next up was cutting the angle that matches the amp on the top.
After getting the cab sanded smooth on all joints, I just ran it back through the table saw at the correct angle.
IMG_2298.JPG
Now for all the little stuff you have to do in projects like this....building new cables to reach the reverb tank since it's now a bit further away than before...
IMG_2307.JPG
Building the grill cloth frames...
IMG_2308.JPG
I was able to get some grill cloth that matches Mesas jute cloth look.

Of course there is always flat black first before duratex...
IMG_2310.JPG
I guess you need the before picture.....this is what they looked like....
mark_five_25_front.jpg

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#4 Post by Bruce Weldy »

And here's the finished product.....
IMG_2311.JPG
My buddy brought his amp over today for me to swap out the pieces. He was pretty happy with the whole thing.

I put neo speakers in 'em. The whole package is pretty light. And they sound good.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Tom Smit
Posts: 7457
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#5 Post by Tom Smit »

Hey, wha....? They are not XF212 cabs! LOL

Good job on the cabs, though, Bruce.
TomS

Grant Bunter
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Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#6 Post by Grant Bunter »

Very nice indeed...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Turning a guitar amp head into a combo

#7 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Tom Smit wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:49 pm Hey, wha....? They are not XF212 cabs! LOL

Good job on the cabs, though, Bruce.
I built an XF210 a couple of years ago. The whole idea here was to cut down on the number of handles I need to grab to get in the door.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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