"flipper" <flipper@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:9f4l24l91n9vgmermua6l931pus71bu56f@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 09:19:20 +0300, "Iain Churches"
> <IainNG@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>>In the past most of my projects although performing well,
>>having been pretty "agricultural" in appearance.
>
> Well, I don't know. By "agricultural" do you mean what we call
> "utilitarian?" I.E. Little or no concern for other than function and
> construction.
Well, I would not put it that strongly. But if you have ever
seen a 1950's British Ferguson tractor, (usually painted grey)
you would know exactly what I mean:-)
>>I now share a workshop with some pretty skilled guys,
>>one of whom hand crafts the most beautiful acoustic guitars,
>>and custom made tube amps. Another is very good as machining,
>>CNC etc, and PCB design and so I am on a steep learning curve
>>(once again)
>
> Man, I could sure use the CNC stuff. I mean, without having to pay for
> it ;)
As they say in York****re, "You get owt for nowt" but being able to
pop in during the evenings or on Sunday morning suddenly becomes
an attractive proposition. CNC is a pretty process to set up, so
one-offs amy not be a sensible proposition (expecially if you have
to pay for them. Many CNC shops want to make >1000 pcs)
But once the wheels are turning you can cut, mill, ream, drill and
tap with incredible precision.
Being able to fabricate something of decent quality means that you
are not restricted to using a Hammond chassis or Eddystone diecast
boxes - excellent though these can be.
>
>
>>Putting a tube amp in a posh case does nothing to improve
>>its actual performance, but takes it out of the "home-made"
>>into the "hand-made" category, and greatly increases
>>what high-end salesmen call PQ (perceived quality:-)
>
> You bet. Unfortunately, some times that's all there is, "perceived
> quality."
Agreed. One needs to put the priorities in order. Get the audio
engineering right first, with a good schematic, and a tidy interior
layout that works. You can then think about the box.
> People are funny, though. In 1960 a car had to have tons of chrome to
> be half way decent but 50 years later it's garish crap.
That's fa****on! Remember those flared jeans and platform
shoes that we used to wear in the 70's? Maybe you weren't
around then!
>>It is interesting to talk with people about amplifier
>>cosmetic design - what they think the amplifier of their
>>choice should look like. Few, when confronted with
>>a blank sheet of paper, can come up with anything
>>at all:-)
>>
>>Once you have made something, and demonstrate it to
>>them however, they invariable say: "Why have you done
>>it like this? If I had build it, I would have..........."
>
> Hehe. Of course. What else is new? hehe
>
> As the saying goes "everyone's a critic." But speaking of your pic,
> what I would have done....
For many, the prospect of acquiring a tube amp is an exciting
one because they can have a say in its cosmetic design: pick
the chassis colour (did you see Raymond's red chassis? Brilliant!)
and the wood used for the end panels. Transformer pots
black or chromed? Balanced-line inputs? Lamp or LED
indicators? Would you like anything special engraved on
the escutcheon, Sir.
It's just like buying a hand-made suit from a
bespoke tailors in Saville Row, London.
Besides having an amplifier they find more more musically
pleasing that a stock SS amp, most people are pleased to
own something that was built especially for them.
regards
Iain
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