Crack w speedball finished

[tdubl07]

Hey guys, just got her finished up today. Think it turned out real nice looking. I powder coated the top plate and bell last night before assembly.

 

[JamieMcC]

Nice job I like the painted/dyed sanded back distressed look of the case. Have you thought about giving the case a rub over with a little brushing/rubbing wax.? I think it would go well and make for a neat aged look to the case.

 

[tdubl07]

Thanks for the kind word. No I hadn't but that sounds cool. I actually was going to stain it ebony and poly over the top, and I started, but poly was being a pain, so I sanded it off. And got this look. Actually like it, might give the wax a go. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Grainger49]

That is nice neat work. 

Do I understand you did the powder coat?  It looks great!  I think a matte finish will last longer than the piano black finishes I have seen on others. 

Did you have to sand the plate first? 

IMHO, the stock instructions should include laying the output caps sideways allowing for an easier Speedball installation.  ...  Or has that been updated?

 

[tdubl07]

Thanks Grainger. Yeah I powdercoated it myself, that's why it's not perfect. I'm still learning. I bought the cheapo harbor freight gun and then some nice powder online from prismatic. The biggest toaster over/convection oven I could find at walmart for $100 and walla, at home powder coating. Really is perfect for amp stuff without taking up the entire garage with a full size oven. I love the convenience of just taking it out, shooting it letting it cool and it's ready to go. I just gave a quick once over with acetone beforehand. No the instructions haven't been updated but I knew to plan ahead. Got the base crack done friday night, made sure it worked, then added the speedball yesterday. Had a very loud 12au7 with the kit, it was giving me fits, so swapped it to another I had laying around and now it's good to go. I get the loud hum at zero volume like a few others lately with the alpha pot, but that's not a big deal. I'll throw in an alps when I get a chance.  Also found out last night to not turn the amp off and swap in another 12au7 that's cold then turn it back on or the 6080 decides to put on a light show by arcing like crazy.  One more pic for fun

 

[Grainger49]

I was serious when I said I liked the matte finish.  Really shiny surfaces scratch too easily.  I'm thinking of my car's finish now. 

But there have been pictures of Bottlehead products with gloss finishes that are already scratched.  That would drive me crazy.  My Eros is copper hammertite.  Perfect for me.

 

[Doc B]

I get the loud hum at zero volume like everyone else with the cheap pot, but that's not a big deal.

There are thousands of these kits in the field and to my knowledge we have only heard of this recently from a couple of customers. So that may be a bit of an exaggeration.

 

[tdubl07]

Oh, that was not intended with what I meant, sorry. I meant I must have gotten one of the bad ones like others lately.  Edited my previous response for ya doc.