VM2266C Head Shell Mods

[fitz]

Got started on my re-sizing of an old Sourmash head shell for my Vintage Modern combo chassis.
Here's a pic of how it started.

Stripped the hardware and tolex.

Down to the wood stretcher...

And cut in half...

Found a scrap of the right thickness ply and roughed in the splice pieces.

 

[fitz]

Laid out the pin locations and cut some 1/4" x 2" dowels.

Drill jig makes the process fairly accurate.

24 dowels, so 48 holes to drill...

1st splice going together.

Clamped up.

 

[fitz]

Added another scrap to fill in the face frame.

Plugged the old handle holes and chassis bolt holes.

Just a rear view.

Left the splice pieces proud to sand down later.

After some sanding to blend in the splices and smooth the plugs.

 

[fitz]

But wait, there's more...
Now to prove I'm truly insane, I cut it in half again the other way...

I've sized the outside dimensions to match the 1922 cabs at 26" wide.
But the chassis is 25" wide, and the plywood shell is about 5/8" thick...

So I ran the chopped off top half throough the saw to thin the sides where the chassis will slide in.

Test fit.

Aaaand, glued it back together, again.
Had to cut some more little scraps to fix the face frame again.


I'm done for today...

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

 

[fitz]

Ok, I lied...
Made a chassis bolt template and drilled the holes.

Some more rough sanding and a test fit.

Back view.

On the cabs.

Full frontal.


Tolex and piping order from T&M showed up today, but that's going to be a next weekend at the soonest project.

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Ok, I lied...
Made a chassis bolt template and drilled the holes.
View attachment 106572
Some more rough sanding and a test fit.
View attachment 106573
Back view.
View attachment 106574
On the cabs.
View attachment 106575
Full frontal.
View attachment 106576

Tolex and piping order from T&M showed up today, but that's going to be a next weekend at the soonest project.

You should put some sheet metal inside the cabinet to shield the open end of the chassis.
The noise can be lowered by shielding...

 

[fitz]

You should put some sheet metal inside the cabinet to shield the open end of the chassis.
The noise can be lowered by shielding...

Thanks, I usually do copper shielding after the tolex is on, but I've also been contemplating something a little more rigid because of the splice down the middle.

 

[DirtySteve]

Well, that didn't take long. So I take it this means it's a keeper?

 

[JohnnyGoo]

You do nice work fitz.

 

[fitz]

Well, that didn't take long. So I take it this means it's a keeper?

It's a very versatile amp.
Much better stereo partner for the Ceriatone JTM45 than the Origin50H.

 

[DirtySteve]

It's a very versatile amp.
Much better stereo partner for the Ceriatone JTM45 than the Origin50H.

I wish they'd made a 20 watt version. Hey that's an idea Marshall, a Studio VM!

 

[fitz]

I wish they'd made a 20 watt version. Hey that's an idea Marshall, a Studio VM!

Well, they are actually not 50w - closer to 30-35w.
Which also makes for a good match for the JTM45.
But a small Studio sized KT66 head with the VM features would probably sell.

 

[DirtySteve]

Well, they are actually not 50w - closer to 30-35w.
Which also makes for a good match for the JTM45.
But a small Studio sized KT66 head with the VM features would probably sell.

For me it's all about the size and weight, not the watts.

 

[fitz]

Some more shenanigans...

Rattle can coat of cheap black to seal the wood.



Laid out and ready to start wrapping.
I set a 3" back edge line and locate the head top for where to drop it on the contact cement.



Wrapped and corners cut in.



Corners riveted on.



Logo panel with tolex & piping.

 

[fitz]

Chassis mounted.


Full pic with the 1922's.



Pedals and a test run.



Doing the 4210 next, but not getting into wrapping that one today.
Found some pinstripe scraps and did a splice of 2 pieces for the logo panel.



Full pic on the AVT 112 cabs.

 

[fitz]

Still gotta pull the G12C's from the combo & get them into one of the 1922 cabs.
Might try some different pedals and such - I'm wondering how my Boss pedals will work with the VM.

 

[DirtySteve]

Nice! You do great work, man.

 

[syscokid]

That was entertaining! Very nice and professional work.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Great work.looks great.