Is this a record?

[ToolGuyFred]

Here we have an original Foreplay. My paperwork tells me it was purchased in May 2000. I drilled out the top plate for extra phono sockets and a switch for a tape loop, built the base and painted it with undercoat, got the top plate anodised then... Had to work away from home for a while so I stashed the lot in my attic and forgot about it. When my son had need of a preamp last November it jogged my memory and we dug it out. Everything was there except the build instructions. My grateful thanks to Queen Eileen and Grainger for helping me out there.

Completion began in January 2011. I am so pleased with it, I'm keeping it (trying to pursuade my son to build his own Quickie). Just fitted the sweet whispers stepped attenuators yesterday and forgot to take a snap with them in the amp but include pics of them on the counter-top. The base has a removable bottom cover and the top plate is held in place with screws for easier upgrade work (learned that one from fixing the parasex top plates with epoxy resin...)

So - has anyone taken longer to complete a kit than this?

 

[Wardsweb]

Better late than never, but still that is a long time. It turned out great and even better that you really like it. Congratulations on your "new" Bottlehead pre.

 

[Grainger49]

I have to believe that is the longest build for a Bottlehead kit I know of.  Of course I didn't join Bottlehead till 2000 or 2001.

 

[howardnair]

i like the black and gold-extra rca's and tape switch-nice look altogether--i also find the original sweet whispers interesting- as mine are or were plastic- not having  seen the original foreplay before-i find it all very interesting--it has become a different critter

 

[elcraigo]

I still have a Foreplay I (the $99 one) in the box, bought just before the price went up. I have used the power transformer for a temporary project, and put it back in the box after I was done with it.
Not that I'm going for the record.
I think because you actually completed yours - the record is yours.
Very nice build!

 

[ssssly]

Got me hands down on kits, but I do the same with speakers. Just finished a pair of subs this weekend, the receipt in the box for the speakers was May 01. Have a closet full of speakers that I don't know the model or specs for anymore. Although that is a good excuse to buy a speaker tester I suppose.

 

[HF9]

Very nice color scheme and build. Do you remember where you procured the little gold screw covers in the corners?

 

[ToolGuyFred]

Very nice color scheme and build. Do you remember where you procured the little gold screw covers in the corners?

The corner screws are from my local B&Q DIY depot, come complete with the covers and are intended for fastening a mirror to a wall. I'm in the UK but I'm sure you could find something similar where you are.