The last amp build was so much fun I ordered a new one immediately. The last one (50W) had a little too much headroom for my 10’x10′ closet/darkroom/studio (what was I thinking?), so trying one of Ceriatone’s ‘lunchbox’ amp kits. This is a relatively simpler circuit without reverb, but with something like 3 or 4 gain stages.
The logical next step is to build an amplifier, it’s been on my bucket list for awhile. I didn’t really want to build a 5E3 Tweed or Bluesbreaker clone, luckily I ran across the Ceriatone website. After considerable hand-wringing (they offer a breathtaking array of wonderous and fabled circuits to choose from) I settled on a JM50, which is based on a Dumble Overdrive Special.
I’ve never been much of a collector, but do enjoy making guitars. I wanted to update the first body style I made, plus try to make the bridge and tremolo myself.
The only thing unusual about this wooden band saw is that there’s no video of it on YouTube.
If you’re thinking about making a curved guitar case, maybe I can help talk you out of it.
As fetish objects go, guitar pedals are relatively inexpensive. I tend to buy used gear. I thought that making my own pedals would lower costs even further but not really. Unless buying in bulk, high quality capacitors and resistors really add up, no to mention the labor to design the enclosure and assemble. Still, it’s great fun and not bank-breaking, which are reasonable measures of any hobby. And you can save a lot of money over buying rare effect units or those with a long waiting list, like the King of Tone from Analogman.
Since I already have all the parts and upgrades from my Squire, I decided to make a new Telecaster body and neck. I had a Gretsch semi-hollowbody for a while and miss it, so decided to make a chambered Thinline version.
The last guitar project was so much fun I made another. I really like the design by St Vincent (Annie Clark). It has a Jetsons vibe that’s both forward and backward. Can’t think of much I would change about it, except maybe the order of the control placement.
Haven’t been using the shop for much of anything lately, so starting a guitar project. I tend towards Fenders, but not interested in making a replica of anything. There are elements about the Jazzmaster, Telecaster, and Toronado that I like, so decided to bastardize all three.
I never liked working out of a backpack indoors, so made a caddy to hold gear on the stand.