For my son's 16th birthday he wanted to learn electric guitar. He's played piano for about 10 years and enjoys it but started to enjoy alternative music and wants to play along (piano doesn't quite work for what he listens to). Mom has played piano. I've played French Horn, trumpet, baritone, sax (barely) and penny whistle.
Not having ever tried any guitar and not having family or friends that do he was reasonable and went with a budget friendly setup. We got him a Squire Affinity Strat and Fender Mustang LT40. He's been having fun and has no aspirations to play in a band or public at this time.
What does this have to do with building a Jack 10? The Fender Mustang sounds quite nice in his bedroom where he plays.
Bear with me, I'll get there.
After spending a little more than usual for birthday presents and getting it more than a month early (his "reasoning" was having time in the summer to learn) he had one more request. Really, already needing a better amp and speaker already? No, worse. Something I couldn't say no to. "Dad, could you learn bass so we could play together sometime?" Seriously, a 16 year old asking if his dad will do something with him. He knew I couldn't say no. But I've never played bass and have no clue. I tried violin when young but couldn't hear pitch well enough to know if I had the right notes.
I'm getting there, I promise.
So, I started looking for deals. Something used. Where I live there weren't any options in that category. How about new? FORGEEEET IT. Way too expensive. OK then, with my internet ninja skills I found and incredible deal on a Sterling Stingray 34 that only had a few mars. Being way less than 1/2 the price of new I was expecting photo shop editing and I'd get something in the mail that looked like it was used by a bassist that smashed their stuff on stage.
SCORE! I may not know bass very well (though I can listen to all the youtube 'experts') but this thing sounds great. Great on my son's Mustang LT40 that is.
I bet you see where I'm going now. Did you notice the local find in the back ground?
Getting an amp in town is even worse. I found what I fondly call "Cat Piss Peavey". The price was right but once I got it home and all the animals thought I brought home the best smelling thing on the planet. Was that the smell of every cat in the neighborhood peeing on it for a marker? OK, the price was right, I mean almost free. I can deal with it. After hearing all the pops, scratches, drop outs and having that smell I tore it down to sanitize and clean the electrical contacts and pots. The cab had been repaired multiple times and my cat tried to sleep in it while it was drying and it was still gutted.
Back together and the smell is gone and no more electrical issues.
Almost there.....
But it still didn't sound nearly as good as my son's guitar amp. Those little 4" speakers sounded much more full than the Peavey 10". Hmmm, not much else I could do. I know, I'll build one!
And that landed me here. Wow, someone that really knows what they are talking about in speaker design. Well, at least it sounds like it. How should I know, I'm have no clue. But I can say one thing. I couldn't find anything negative to read about these BFM designs. I mean nothing. That's unheard of when more people are willing to post complaints than compliments.
Decided on a Jack 10 or 12. Since I doubt I'll ever play outside of my house and I wanted to take up as little room as possible in my bedroom/practice room I decide on a Jack 10. I got plans for both 10 and 12 and both regular and Lites. I love to learn new things and push myself so decided the Lites will challenge my carpentry skills a little more plus I'm more of an ultralight guy in all my activities (my family 6 man tent with a wood stove is less than 7 lbs total).
I got some birch ply (ouch $$) from the only source withing 350 miles. It seems much better than regular 'premium' plywood.
Used the CutList Optimizer and ripped all my long cuts. I don't have pick of that.
The next day I made a couple of table saw sleds. Why have I never made these before!!? And now I start my journey. I"ll try to post my daily progress. This will probably be photo intensive from here out with not as much diarrhea of the keyboard.
Here's getting started.
All the straight cuts done. Enough for 2 cabs. One to start with and learn what works, what doesn't, and what I need to improve on.
That 1/8' ply is stiff. I can't see bending it easily. I read another person pre-bending so I'll give that a try.
I grew up going to auctions so couldn't turn down going to a recent one. This little deal worked out great. Yeah, I know, there is no way to sand that curve on a flat disc. I was just trying it out and finished on the curve of the belt.
