rubis

What a stonking performance by all

Wow

Thank you for the interest, encouragement and help, without it this would have taken me far longer and not been half the fun. Here is a family photo with the Ampeg PF20t and the '64 style P bass I made this cab to partner up with, I think they're made for eachother.

Thank you kindly

Thank you very much Jus Lukin

I forgot to ask, one last question! I used these roundheaded cabinet nails to fix the corner pieces, I got them from Modulus, but they didn't have enough and their Email is crap, I can't find them anywhere else, anyone know where I can get these things? https://modulusamplification.com/Stud-Nail-Silver-Colour-for-metal-corners-Single-part-P1989503.aspx

Stevie I have a bit left over from this, it's about 150x140cm, you're welcome to it if you want it? PM me your address and I will post it to you.

Finally finished! There were just a few finishing off jobs to do, but for some reason it took a while to get them done. I took a bit of trouble to try to make it as airtight as possible, I've not made a cab, or even looked inside one, but from what I've read about this design, ownership is as much about chasing squeaks and rattles, as about enjoying the sound it makes! So, I got some adhesive spray, some sheets of black felt and foam, both about 1mm thick, and pinched a load of tricks from others, that will hopefully each make a little bit of difference. I glued rubber patches on the inside where the bolts for the handles come through. Then made one with a smaller diameter hole than the speaker socket, so that it stretched over and made an airtight seal. I glued a bit onto the spacer blocks on the back of the grille panel, as I have read these are a source of rattles. Then I followed the advice of Mark at Vintage Blue in the USA, I covered the other side with the black felt, it seems back in the day, they were covered with some sort of foam or similar, which was there to stop the grille cloth from rattling against the outer baffle. These would disintegrate over time and the cloth would flap against the front of the cab. Then I glued the wool felt to the inside of the cab, oh what sticky hairy fun that was! Then once again, following Mark's example, stapled on the grille cloth and heated it up in the oven to tighten it up onto the baffle, and bugger me it worked! This was quite satisfying! On went the back panel, and that was it!

That is fabulous

Both consummate professionals, fantastic to watch both clips

I've been having a bit of fun with a logo for the front of this cab, but first let me explain how the name Rubis came about. When I began my first guitar build a few years ago now, our two kids (now teenagers) were just toddlers really, and while they were 'helping' one day I said that we'd have to think of a name for our guitar company, and without hesitation the reply was Rubis…….their names are Ruby and Lewis, and so it seemed a perfectly sensible choice. So I was looking at the Ampeg script on the front of the B15 cabs and thought I could play around with it. I got one of these on Ebay, they're made of plastic and perfect for messing with I then began chopping and filing to try to make it say Rubis. The only problem I had was making a convincing letter 's'. I tried cutting a little sliver of the chrome effect finish to fill in a gap that shouldn't be there, but it didn't look right. So in the end, we decided to leave the repair out, it looks neater without it, not perfect, but better.

The best live video I've seen

Thank you kindly folks, I got some of the wool felt underlay stuff on the way home from work today. It looks just like the stuff Christine recommended above (thanks again) I think I will fart (probably the wrong word) about with it, holding it in place with double sided tape, until it sounds right, as per the advice above, and then use up the spray glue I have left from telexing for a more permanent job.

If you do decide to go for chambering, here is an idea of how Warmoth do it, with a kind of honeycombe-looking thing which you may be able to do with a forstner bit in a pin drill, and avoid nasty routers! Given the larger scratchplate on a 51(ish) p bass, it might work well. I've done chambering before, and it is effective, but I have only done it where a top has been glued over the chambers. I did it on an Ash and Wenge 'Blingray' build a while ago, it did cut the weight down quite a bit, but all the photos have gone from the thread, so not much help there, sorry! https://www.warmoth.com/ordering/chamberedbody30dayguarantee.aspx

Very good points

Here is a link to a 51 p bass build on the TDPRI site, they mention a bloke called Preeb, who has done some extraordinary builds, both basses and guitars, he is fastidious to say the least with his research. I think you would find all the information you need on there. There is also a link on that thread to a PDF named "P bass comparison" which is an accurate outline plan for the body shape, if you don't already have one. There are lots of other plans for things like headstocks and pickguards if you need them, not sure how much you plan to do yourself. Great project though, keep us all posted with it please, and best of luck https://www.tdpri.com/threads/51-p-bass-build-looking-for-info.187396/

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the body is around 42mm thick Having said that, I just looked at the ones on the Warmoth website, and they are 1 3/4" which is about 44mm or 45mm. Anything in that area would be fine, I don't suppose anyone is going to take a set of calipers to it! More important, is that it balances well and doesn't feel like a millstone around your neck

Thank you very kindly Christine, I will look for some of this stuff tomorrow

I am in the process of making as sure as I can that there will be no leaks or rattles on this cab, an I have another advice question for you all please. What would you recommend to use for lining the inside of the cabinet? I have four squares of egg-box style foam lying around that I was going to use on a guitar cab, so I tried that in there, but I think it's a bit too thick. It will lie very close to the slotted holes on the front baffle, and I worry that they would not be able to function as they are intended to. I then thought I could cut up to completely cover the back panel, and use something thinner an less obtrusive on the sides? Is there any kind of best practice involved with lining cabs? What's the best stuff to use?

Yes, I quite agree, his attitude reminded me of Wilco Johnson when faced with similar prognosis, and I greatly respect his mettle. I really hope he shares some of Wilco's luck, and has a new lease of life. I notice, whenever his name, or that of Budgie, crops up in these pages, he commands a lot of respect

Very sad to read this. I was never what you might call a fan of Budgie, but was aware of them, and they still crop up on those late night compilation programmes. He seems a very decent and philosophical bloke, I hope things improve for him. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/singer-of-70s-rock-legends-budgie-says-hes-suffering-from-a-life-threatening-condition/ar-BBZOjhn?ocid=spartandhp

Thank you very kindly Beer of the Bass

I have now got the speaker wired up, thanks to those who offered advice on how to do that, it's not one of my confident areas, much appreciated. I thought I would do it while I was waiting for the grille cloth which I had ordered, to arrive from USA, however while I was out watching the man cub playing football, this morning, this arrived, left in the porch. Very pleased with this, looks great and no import duty to pay! Best get on with it!

I like this thread I saw U2 supporting the Police at Gateshead Stadium in the early 80's, I think it was near the end of the Police and Sting's singing was flat as a witches tit. I had heard of U2, but never heard any songs, but they were far better. Gone right off them now, ironically! Sophie Ellis Bextor supporting George Michael at Home Park in Plymouth, yes, George was THAT bad! Bonnie Raitt supporting Clapton and Elton John at Wembley, they were all excellent, but Bonnie Raitt was stellar. Robert Cray supporting BB King at the Hammersmith Odeon (I think?)…..Robert Cray was fantastic, but BB King made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, with the first note, just like Peter Green did.