Over the last couple of months, my father-in-law and I have managed to turn an 8′x4′ sheet of 18mm ply (yes, I know I’m mixing metric and imperial – so sue me) into what is, in my opinion, a pretty darn good 60W 2×12″ cabinet to partner my Carlsboro 50 Top head.

I’ve yet to plug it in but I’m still chuffed to bits. Sure, I could’ve bought a Marshall equivalent and had a working cab months ago…

…but I would’ve missed out the learning curve and spent more money!

Pics to follow, at some point, on the Top Gear – Amps & FX page.

I cleared things with SWMBO, and placed my bid – and won! So what, you may ask. Well, this valve amp head dates from the late sixties/early seventies; when Marshall amps were all the rage. The 50 Top is a 50W, 2 x EL34 beast that uses virtually the same circuits as those hallowed Bletchley stage-hoggers; in fact the transformers (Drake, Partridge) are the same as used by the aforementioned Marshall, Hiwatt and others.

What next? Well, my previous amp, an Ashdown Peacemaker 40 combo, is on eBay and doing quite well (hey, I only need one amp, right?). My good friend Trev, of ukmg and Tipton Amps fame, has collected my purchase and is giving it a good Ridney-fication: extra preamp valve to introduce distortion earlier, master volume (already there from a previous mod) reconnected so I don’t blow the windows out, etc.

All being well, it will take pride of place at notWigan (@ the Lea Manor, Albrighton) this coming November as part of the backline.

Now – all I’ve got to do is built a nice 2 x 12″ speaker cab to go with it. Thanks must go to Stewart Ward of Award-Session for his informative website and drawings, and to Sir (well, should be) Jim Marshall for the inspiration.

I’ll keep tabs on the project and will post a diary/pics soon.