rk7

Just bought and fitted a wiring kit from John. Fantastic service, extremely well packaged, and very prompt delivery. Oh and fitting was a breeze. Highly recommended. thanks John, RK

Any progress? RK

Anywhere near yet? RK

Hey Simon, I've had the 212MNT cabinet for nearly a year now. It is by far the best cab I've played through. Whether practicing at home, rehearsing with the band, or going flat out at a gig, it takes each in its stride. It retains clarity in each situation, especially when gigging. It is good, very good. When I took it from its shipping box I thought, blimey that's big, it must be heavy, but it isn't. The Aurora has been in design for a long time. A very long time. But having waited for 18 months for its release (and having many opportunities in that time to buy something else), I am soooo glad I waited for it. Marc Vanderkley is a gifted engineer with a rather useful passion for bass (and a good guy too!). I put a review in the thread started by Bass Tractor in the Amps and Cabs section, describing all the features and the sound, as best I can (I'm no techie, ha ha). In summary, I am delighted with my rig. If you wish, you can visit Cumbria and try out the rig, no problem. I don't know if there are stockists near you. And thanks for the kind comments! RK

[quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1414572883' post='2590718'] Absolutely fantastic build, The sleeve looks perfect, and definitely looks like it was made in Holland. They should get you on the payroll and make it a factory option!!! Really great job, well done that man. [/quote] Thank you allighat0r! I'm over the moon with the end result. Marc V has seen it, and is impressed, and Bassdirect added a photo of it on their FB page. I'm trying to balance the joys of (very) early retirement, and the need to keep head and hands busy. If anyone wanted something similar built I would look into it more from a 'helping out fellow Basschatters' standpoint rather than as an income generator. I really do appreciate your (and other) compliments about the build. RK

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1414527058' post='2590330'] Great build etc etc. However, the main event for me is this picture. Your basses look lush and that case is a superb addition to the amp. Obv your rack is very cool as well, I just wish all amps came with a functional hard case. Very classy indeed! [/quote] Thank you Owen. The case is imo typical of Marc Vanderkleys approach to the whole Aurora project. (Even the colours of the case tie in). There has clearly been a LOT of thought expended during the design and spec stage, not just in the area of the bass performance of the amp, but in the functionality and useability of it too. I'm well impressed with it. I know it is a costly item, but for me it is worth every penny/pound/euro. Marc did describe the design philosophy to me in a recent conversation, and he has tried within his Aurora project to dial out all the shortfalls from all the other amps he has played over the years. I think he has achieved this. And yes, the basses are lush, thanks. (there is a link to the build of the one on the right, in my sig). thanks again RK

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1414441757' post='2589371'] Absolutely stunning job there, superbly finished. Very impressed. [/quote] Thanks!

[quote name='Mr Anthony' timestamp='1414440666' post='2589353'] Very, very smart indeed. Good job sir! [/quote] Thanks Mr Anthony! Like most of my projects, it was a bit of a leap of faith as I have no woodworking or upholstery training, but I have to say I'm very happy with it. All the design brief requirements were met, and it looks 'proper'. I'm very happy with it, and even more happy with the Aurora that lives in it. However, I do need another project now, ha ha. RK

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1414439231' post='2589324'] Outstanding amp housing build, the end-result looks great. Very nice design and top-notch fabricating skills. [/quote] Thank you sir! RK

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1414431520' post='2589213'] That's a quality bit of kit, custom build of the highest order, looks great! Job well done Cheerz, John [/quote] Thanks John!

[quote name='martin lee' timestamp='1414413747' post='2589000'] Looking good Robin... nice work sir. [/quote] Thank you Martin! That's praise indeed from a man of your skill. Nice one. RK

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1414409107' post='2588930'] Lovely work as always mate! [/quote] Thanks Ewan, it keeps me out of mischief, ha ha Robin

Thanks Roland! The recess behind the handle originated from my wish to keep the match to the cabinet, I didn't want a handle sticking out. I also wanted to brush up on my jig-making skills, so I knocked out the jig and made the recess with my dads hand-held router. Most of my stuff is made on my router table, much safer! The fasteners are aluminium countersunk allen bolts, with red anodised countersunk washers, supplied by Pro Bolt, http://www.pro-bolt.com/ . I used a lot of their stuff on my Trials Bike, but in very expensive Titanium. 'kin good kit! Its all in the details.

I'm now thinking how cool this rig would look with a 210 cab on top of the sleeve, and the 212 below. GAS is incurable! Must resist! RK

Finished! Hopefully it looks kinda like it was made in Holland. [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/1zx5aqc.jpg[/IMG] The Jack plug arrived and is now wired through the rack ear to a socket on the back panel. No wires on the floor in front of the cab! I've enjoyed this build. Hope you like it readers! RK

Carpet time! [IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/a088xv.jpg[/IMG] Corner time! [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/2zgi2ki.jpg[/IMG] First try-out on top of the 212MNT. It fits great, thanks to Marcs dimensions early in the build, the corner protectors interlock perfectly. [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/5b3436.jpg[/IMG] I'm still waiting for delivery of the right-angle Jack plug and lead at this point, so this arrangement has the normal instrument lead in the amp. RK

A picture of the rear of the sleeve with the amp in place. This will explain why I felt the lid was necessary. Imagine trying to fit all the cables in a dark gig situation without having this lid. The lid when removed also gives easy access to the Power switch. Also, in this picture you will be able to make out the small neo magnets recessed into the side mounting surfaces for the lid. These have worked out really well, and fairly grab the lid and hold it in place. [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/vh9pxv.jpg[/IMG] In fact, now that everything is carpeted, the magnets are out of sight, and it feels like witchcraft is going on when the lid snaps into place. Very entertaining! Ho Ho. RK p.s. The amp is serial number #1402, the second Aurora ever made, and the first in the UK, and signed by the man himself. Oh yes, I am a lucky person!

Now that the amp has arrived, I can get on and modify the supplied 19" rack ears to allow it to fit into my 18" sleeve. [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/35aqjxx.jpg[/IMG] It fits! Phew! [IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/dxztdl.jpg[/IMG] Marc Vanderkley was really helpful at the outset of this build, supplying me with the wood dimensions (pre-carpet) of the 212MNT cabinet and the height of the Aurora, to allow me to do this much woodwork before the amp arrived. This is especially laudable, given that he was working flat out putting the Aurora into production. An all-round good guy. Thank you Marc. RK

This was the day that the Aurora arrived, so here are some gratuitous pics of the beast. [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/2dlkyde.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2bd5oi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/5o6yja.jpg[/IMG] All the other pics from that day were, unfortunately, covered in drool and therefore unusable. RK

Corners rounded over, Lid (Ver 1) made, and corner protectors loosely fitted. This thing is taking shape! [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/2l8f5tt.jpg[/IMG] Better get it glued up then? I didn't take any pictures of the glue-up, because I was fairly well stuck to the bench by the end of it. If I had 8 arms it would have gone swimmingly I'm sure, and I'd have had a hand free to use Angies camera without getting glue all over it. Dowelling the Lap Joints on the main sleeve body. Dowels were drilled, glued and rounded over to match the sleeve body. A blind man on a galloping horse would never know they are there, but I'll be happy that the sleeve joints are strong, and my beloved Aurora won't fall on the floor as the sleeve falls to bits. [IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/2j4plc9.jpg[/IMG] This joinery is hard work for a man of my years. RK

Hardwood (because it is hard) pieces to take the rack ear mounting bolts. One each side, at the front. [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2wovhx0.jpg[/IMG] Fitted. These are glued into rebates in the main body of the sleeve. (Note to self - Should have taken a pic) [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/33at11u.jpg[/IMG] Rear panels (back to plywood again. Hardwood is so much nicer to work with) [IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/eufuw4.jpg[/IMG] Fitted. This one will take the Jack socket for the Instrument Out cable from the sleeve. (No cabling on the front - remember?) [IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/72rpuh.jpg[/IMG] RK

[quote name='Britsie' timestamp='1414399641' post='2588814'] As I have two left hands myself, I always enjoy watching other people make beautiful things. [/quote] Thank you Britsie!

This is what it should look like. (imagine black carpet covered, matching corner protectors, amplifier inside, etc) [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/3142rma.jpg[/IMG] RK

First, make a basic box out of 18mm ply, with lap joints on the corners. [IMG]http://i59.tinypic.com/2dgkt2d.jpg[/IMG] Can you see what it is yet? Rebate for the handle [IMG]http://i59.tinypic.com/e16wyx.jpg[/IMG] Handle fitted (this is all going rather well) [IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/358qahf.jpg[/IMG] Side ventilation grille (rebated so it is flush with the carpet when fitted) [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/288xjmh.jpg[/IMG] Base ventilation grille [IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/1zlcbv7.jpg[/IMG] Cutout for the removable lid bit, on the rear of the top of the sleeve [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/117v1pe.jpg[/IMG] Lots of woodwork, as it turns out. This is mainly due to me being picky about how the finished sleeve will look. It was all worth it though I think. RK