Removing amp from a combo to create 'head' & 'cab'?

Cam777cam · #1 07-07-2010, 10:31 PM

Hi all,

I’ve got a SWR Basic Black combo (15” driver) – which I like – but would like to use it with a 2x10 extension cab.

The issue is that if I have the 15” on the bottom and the 2x10 on the top then I can’t get to the controls as they’re currently on top of the combo. I think the amp was originally designed to be paired with another 15” and hence could go under it…

So, my question…

Is there any reason that I couldn’t take the amp 'head' out of the combo and put it in a separate box to create a head and use the remainder of the combo simply as a cab? Would I need to think about ventilation or any other issues? The amp has a single tube in the preamp if that makes any difference…

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

StyleOverShow · #2 07-07-2010, 10:37 PM

Got to build a box to tote the Amp around, and probably it would be best to design it around a two-three high rack bag.

I use an SVT III Pro head pretty much all the time out of a bag that I bought at GC for less than $50. It has metal rack mounting slots on a sturdy pine frame.

Cab should work fine with or without the amp. You'll need to wire a jack but otherwise it's all good, IMO.

rbonner · #3 07-07-2010, 10:40 PM

Yes it can be done.

Back in about 1971-72 my buddy took a SAW and cut the head part off a MOSRITE BG-1000. That amp was the Venture's "Venture" that blew $250K of their hard earned cash. One of the largest combos ever built, new in 1969, pair of D130's or MISCO Redlines and a tweeter and at least 100W of screaming real solid state power.

I ended up owning the HEAD and the chrome rack; had it for years finally throwing it away. About 5 years ago I found out they only built 19 of them. I may have been able to restore the amp.... Priceless as probably NONE exist today.

I highly recommend taking a saw to all of your gear, don't stop with the amp... Make your corvette a convertable too, maybe the van...

BOB

SurferJoe46 · #4 07-08-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbonner

Yes it can be done.

Back in about 1971-72 my buddy took a SAW and cut the head part off a MOSRITE BG-1000. That amp was the Venture's "Venture" that blew $250K of their hard earned cash. One of the largest combos ever built, new in 1969, pair of D130's or MISCO Redlines and a tweeter and at least 100W of screaming real solid state power.

I ended up owning the HEAD and the chrome rack; had it for years finally throwing it away. About 5 years ago I found out they only built 19 of them. I may have been able to restore the amp.... Priceless as probably NONE exist today.

I highly recommend taking a saw to all of your gear, don't stop with the amp... Make your corvette a convertable too, maybe the van...

BOB

Perhaps I detect zee s l i g h t e s t amount ov angst in your post - so insignificant zat it's really hard to pinpoint.

Vy don't you lie down on zis sofa unt tell me all about your childhood.........

Chasarms · #5 07-08-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam777cam

Hi all,

I’ve got a SWR Basic Black combo (15” driver) – which I like – but would like to use it with a 2x10 extension cab.

The issue is that if I have the 15” on the bottom and the 2x10 on the top then I can’t get to the controls as they’re currently on top of the combo. I think the amp was originally designed to be paired with another 15” and hence could go under it…

So, my question…

Is there any reason that I couldn’t take the amp 'head' out of the combo and put it in a separate box to create a head and use the remainder of the combo simply as a cab? Would I need to think about ventilation or any other issues? The amp has a single tube in the preamp if that makes any difference…

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

The world as we currently know it is not going to come to an end if you place the 115 combo on top of the 210 cabinet. Why go to all of that trouble.

MarTONEbass · #6 07-08-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

The world as we currently know it is not going to come to an end if you place the 115 combo on top of the 210 cabinet. Why go to all of that trouble.

+100

BassmanPaul · #7 07-08-2010, 10:56 AM

At the moment you have a combo from SWR that you could sell and recoup money from your purchase.

After your cut job you have an amp and cab that no one would buy. Thus a total loss on your investment.

Please listen to the advice Charles and Bob (in his own inimitable way) gave you. Don't ruin a nice combo.

Paul

RickenBoogie · #8 07-08-2010, 05:20 PM

+ another million. Leave it alone, put the 210 under it, no biggie- it doesn't *have* to be on top. Or better yet, dump the 210 for a matching 15. That's where the good times are.

**251** · #9 07-09-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam777cam

Hi all,

I’ve got a SWR Basic Black combo (15” driver) – which I like – but would like to use it with a 2x10 extension cab.

The issue is that if I have the 15” on the bottom and the 2x10 on the top then I can’t get to the controls as they’re currently on top of the combo. I think the amp was originally designed to be paired with another 15” and hence could go under it…

So, my question…

Is there any reason that I couldn’t take the amp 'head' out of the combo and put it in a separate box to create a head and use the remainder of the combo simply as a cab? Would I need to think about ventilation or any other issues? The amp has a single tube in the preamp if that makes any difference…

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

I took the amp out of my Hartke KB15 & bent some aluminum perf metal I found at Home Depot to make a cover for the chassis & added some rubber feet from Radio Shack. There is no need for a rack which adds weight. The amp fits into a shoulder bag. The cabinet is 12 lbs lighter & mates well with a small 12" cab.

Go for it. You can always put it back. 8-)

Bmorefoozler · #10 07-09-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 251

I took the amp out of my Hartke KB15 & bent some aluminum perf metal I found at Home Depot to make a cover for the chassis & added some rubber feet from Radio Shack. There is no need for a rack which adds weight. The amp fits into a shoulder bag. The cabinet is 12 lbs lighter & mates well with a small 12" cab.

Go for it. You can always put it back. 8-)

As long as you don't destroy the combo cabinet in the process... Highly recommended to avoid that. If you can put the head back and make it good as new, at least you can sell it off...

SOB H.R.MC · #11 07-09-2010, 09:46 AM

the gutarist I'm working with took a Peavy VK212 amp and made a box for it, and for what it is it works fine.He uses it to power 2 separate 4-12 cabs

JMac4strngr · #12 07-09-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 251

I took the amp out of my Hartke KB15 & bent some aluminum perf metal I found at Home Depot to make a cover for the chassis & added some rubber feet from Radio Shack. There is no need for a rack which adds weight. The amp fits into a shoulder bag. The cabinet is 12 lbs lighter & mates well with a small 12" cab.

Go for it. You can always put it back. 8-)

If you do something like this that would be cool. You dont ever want to modify a peice of gear to the point that no one else would ever want to buy it. So as long as it is not an irreversible mod I think your cool. Otherwise if you butcher the thing up You'll end up with a high priced boat anchor that would be hard as heck to get rid of.

**251** · #13 07-09-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmorefoozler

As long as you don't destroy the combo cabinet in the process... Highly recommended to avoid that. If you can put the head back and make it good as new, at least you can sell it off...

The amp in the Hartke KB 15 is held by 4 screws. Easy-Peasy

**251** · #14 07-09-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

If you do something like this that would be cool. You dont ever want to modify a peice of gear to the point that no one else would ever want to buy it. So as long as it is not an irreversible mod I think your cool. Otherwise if you butcher the thing up You'll end up with a high priced boat anchor that would be hard as heck to get rid of.

Personal experience says boat anchors are easy to get rid of. Just don't tie off the bitter end of the line. 8-)

rbonner · #15 07-09-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Perhaps I detect zee s l i g h t e s t amount ov angst in your post - so insignificant zat it's really hard to pinpoint.

Vy don't you lie down on zis sofa unt tell me all about your childhood.........

Yeah Joe, really. The things you can't undo. You should have heard me when I saw my buddy's BG-1000 with the saw marks...

Geez man, so you didn't like the amp but liked the speakers... Sell the whole amp and get some money for it. No I just wanted to lug around the speaker part, here, you can have the amp for $15 bucks... OK can I pay you tuesday? Yeah sure. I also made a nice looking box for the amp head. Had the thing for a lot of years.

DON't take apart your amp. If you don't like it, sell it and buy something you do like. This stuff is all crap and worthless music junk, but really, just sell and buy what you need.

It might feel like you are accomplishing something while you are hacking the amp apart, but afterwards you will look in the mirror and shake your head.

BOB