Jack 110 build from a first-timer

[ian]

Phones are for calling people? Whoa. If the phone company finds out about that they'll start charging for it.

No updates in a while, since I've been playing the cab and putting off making the grille. Last week I discovered KwikWood and spent some time patching up my sloppy woodwork. I have a grille frame glues up but still waiting for some time to finish it up.

More notes on the playing. This cab just sounds fantastic. The GK MB200 is a great little amp and the house vibrates just fine. Life has indicated that I won't be playing this out for a while but if I get a chance I'll hand it off to a buddy to road-test.

[ian]

Finally built the grille. This actually caused me more trouble than anything else. My first grille frame material was half-round from the Depot, but sadly every time I tried to miter it, it split. So instead I cut 1/2" strips of my leftover ply. I picked up a handy frame clamp from Rockler ($20 on sale), and glued it up with wood glue, and then secured it with the smallest wood screws that Leland sent.

The grille material is pet screen, which can be found in lengthy rolls from the Depot and other big-box stores.

I still haven't decided if I like it better with or without the grille. It's only secured to the cab by virtue of the plastic corners, so it's easy to change on and off. Happy to hear opinions on it.




And with that, my first build is done.

[jswingchun]

I vote for without the grill. I like the red array and the grill looks wavy, like it isn't stretched very tightly.

[spongebob1981]

I'm this close to pull the trigger on that gk mb200, please post a little review!
I LOVE how small it is over a quite small cab as the J10
I can't stop thinking how easy will be to get to jams with just a bass and a J10 (and the head hidden in the backpack)

[ian]

Yes, the grille cloth isn't stretched quite right. Haven't gone in to reattach it yet.

The MB200 is an absolutely terrific amp. I think that this amp and a stack of 2 Jack10s would be plenty for moderately-sized gigs even with a loud drummer, but I have not tried this. The MB500 in the same combo would kill.

The amp itself gives a very clean sound to my ears. I'm playing a passive Jazz bass with a maple neck and steels into this, so it tends towards being a bit bright and grindy with flat eq. I vary that mostly with my fingers rather than with EQ. I like the way it sounds flat but the EQ gives a lot of range. I like the idea that for travel, I can take my headless Hohner, the MB200, and a nice pair of headphones in a single tiny gigbag. I got it used from someone on TalkBass for $200, and that is the final word.

[_Wes]

Very nice - great build!!