Bottlehead Forum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share you ideas and experiences.

Return to Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Forum

Finally, I did it - S.E.X. Amp ala Wardsweb

66.69.62.133

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Thread: Display Email Next ] [ Bottlehead Forum ]

Wardsweb

(A)

As many of you already know, I can't do anything halfway or just out of the box. So now if you would allow me, I believe this is the best Bottlehead kit I've ever done. While wired stock, I spend a ludicrous amount of time on the "look". Yes, I will have the entire process documented on my website as usual. Just give me a little time. I was so proud of this, I had to show it off before building the construction site.

Follow Ups:

Re: Finally, I did it - S.E.X. Amp ala Wardsweb - Skip_Scratch 17:10:57 08/22/05 (1)
That is the best sex I've seen on the internet. where did you get that knob and how long did you polish it? I'm sorry. also, did you not polish the edges of the plexi on purpose? where you going for a frosted look as opposed to a clear look?
- well if inquiring minds want to know... - Wardsweb 05:34:25 08/23/05 (0)
  I bought 10 of those billet knobs on Ebay, under the Business & Industrial section. Great place for misc wire, knobs, raw billet aluminum pieces. I polished it with a 6" cotton wheel on my bench grinder and some white compound. I finished with some hand polishing using SimiChrome metal polish. As for the plexiglass edges, I may yet polish out the edges. I originally had intended to do it, but the raw edge kind of grew on me. I'm getting a feel for it, as it, and will see what I think over time. It's not hard, just a little fine sandpaper and finish with some SimiChrome polish. You can heat the edges but run the risk of distorting the face.
Re: Finally, I did it - S.E.X. Amp ala Wardsweb - PeterP 20:44:58 08/21/05 (0)
That is one drop-dead gorgeous amp! Fantastic look!
ML CLS IIs - Bob W 13:29:26 08/21/05 (1)
I noticed the CLS's on your site; I lived with a pair for 13 years untill ML discontinued them and the diaphragms began to deteriorate. Still the best speakers I've ever had but power hungry. The only amp I ever had that drove them without trouble was a Krell KSA 50. I don't care much for the hybrids they're making now and Soundlabs are just too big, etc.
- Yes, the CLS's are fantastic speakers - Wardsweb 16:40:47 08/21/05 (0)
  They are one of my all time favorite speakers and like you said, difficult to drive. At the moment, they are hooked to a Carver A760x that is good to 1 ohm. I really like them hooked to my Shanling tubes amps but just moved the speakers back into home theater duty. I'm in the middle of a home remodel and will have new pics up in about a month.
  My Altec A7 Voice of the Theatre speakers really give the CLS's a good fight for 1st. I love the big horn sound and being about 104dB efficient makes them the perfect Bottlehead driven speaker.
That blonde has some nice legs..... - GLF 13:19:09 08/21/05 (0)
That is an awesome looking amp. I can't wait to see more pics.
Any plans to do the iron upgrade? I have about 8 hours on the upgrade and it certainly takes the sound to another level through my Senn 650s.
Andrew
Re: Finally, I did it - S.E.X. Amp ala Wardsweb - Bob W 08:14:49 08/21/05 (3)
WOW!!! I thought I had gone overboard with the quilted mahogany veneer and candy apple red plate but this otta site!! Gives me some ideas for the upcoming Paramount project.
Hmmmmmm?? Maybe Ebony stringers in the base, etc.
- Here's an thought - an "idea" thread - Wardsweb 10:39:47 08/21/05 (2)
  What do you think about a thread with ideas for cosmetics. It could be open to anything from hand tools to table saw and router. So things like inlayed ebony or plexiglass are shared among the other members. Polished tops to chrome or anodizing. The treatments could be endless.
  - GREAT IDEA - Bob W 13:11:14 08/21/05 (0)
    Looking at some of the super expensive tube gear out there.... much of the cost must be in the external packaging. The circuits are certainly not unique and we all know what the parts cost. Who knows where this might lead...????? Here is a pic of my SEX amp and unadorned FPIII:
  - Re: Another idea - Matts_ 11:49:50 08/21/05 (0)
    There's an architectual salvage shop nearby- all very high-end stuff, and they have lots of wood molding- much of it walnut or oak, some of it 6" or 8" crown moldings- that would make wonderful bases for equipment.
    Wardsweb, great work, as usual- I especially like the plexiglass- gives it a better look than all the $10K-$15K amps you see in S-phile, etc. with the little plexi gadgets around the tubes.
Great looks!..... A blonde SEX goddess! - Nutube 23:35:22 08/20/05 (0)
WOW Luther you continue to create beauty.....
Here's some of the scoop - Wardsweb 19:25:28 08/20/05 (0)
Until I get the construction site up, here is a little inside scoop. The base is stock with 1/8" grooves for the plexi cut on my router table and then painted a satin pastel yellow. The "outriggers" were CNC machined from sheets of 1/8" plexiglass. The aluminum spacers for the plexi were cut from 2024 T351 billet bar stock (it's great to have a couple of friends with machine shops).The spikes are nickle plated brass I picked up at, of all places, "studsandspikes.com" The chassis top is chrome plated, as is the transformer end bell. The extra thumb screws you see are the hold downs for the chassis. Well that's it for now.
Re: Finally, I did it - S.E.X. Amp ala Wardsweb - AudioDave 18:53:51 08/20/05 (0)
WOW!! Beautiful job. And here all along I thought I was thinking outside the box. You have lost sight of the box!! Great job and an inspiration to all of us newbies.
Dave
yup - Doc B. 18:52:34 08/20/05 (1)
I'd say you outdid yourself on this one. Beautimous!
- Thank You Doc - Wardsweb 10:52:23 08/21/05 (0)
  One of my favorite things about Bottlehead gear is it's great right out of the box, but it is only limited by your imagination. The version are endless and always prompt me to venture deeper into the unexplored. I'm always looking for things I can use. It doesn't matter if I'm walking around Wal-Mart (found the arrow head points for feet), Home Depot (found the hardware for furniture I used for stacking my foreplay on the seduction) or just surfing the web, I'm always looking for Bottlehead inpirations.
Dude, You are the man!...John (nt) - 2wo 18:48:36 08/20/05 (0)
BOO!!
Another Concurrence - Hackensack 18:27:46 08/20/05 (0)
Always inspiring. Your Paramour construction site is what really convinced me I should try the kit--and here I am 4 kits and 1 scratch-built amp later, with another one about to get underway. Thanks!!
Yawn. - Jim Carlon 17:53:33 08/20/05 (2)
Just another stunner from wardsweb :> )!
That is seriuosly nice, man! I can't wait 'til you get the site up!
- Ho hum - Steve Culton 18:17:20 08/20/05 (1)
  C'mon Luther...show a little effort in your work.
  Hopefully you appreciate mine and Jim's warped senses of humor. You are an absolutely terrific craftsman. What a beautiful job!
  - hey... I'm with the ho-hums.... - MQracing 20:49:15 08/21/05 (0)
    anything that gorgeous...
    jeez... does it come naturally to some folks?
    Wardsworth... my hat, shirt, socks, britches... all's off to you.
    great job.
    msl

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion

You can not post to an archived thread.