Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

[Fender_Punk]

I love my Traynor YCV40 but don't enjoy the stock speakers in it and thus always plug it into a 2x12 cab. I've thought about selling it and getting a head, but it really suits my guitars and I get the tones I want from it. I'd like to just get rid of the speakers and combo enclosure and just have a YCV40 head, as I love the sounds I get from it. Are there any companies that sell head enclosures meant for the controls to sit on top? (as pictured below)

Before suggesting I just replace the speakers, I'd much rather just have a head and 2x12 than a 2x10/2x12, tighter bass and less speakers allows me to set the Before suggesting I just replace the speakers, I'd much rather just have a head and 2x12 than a 2x10/2x12, tighter bass and less speakers allows me to set the volume higher.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

You know what's cheaper? Just using the amp as is, plugged into an extension cab... Which way do the tubes face? Are they hanging or parallel to the floor?

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

power tubes hanging down, the pre-amp tubes are in the chasis. I'm thinking of maybe building myself a wide box about 8-10 inches tall to put the amp and accutronics reverb tank in and sell the cabinet and celestion speakers. I'd really like a head but want to keep the amp.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

sounds like a whole big pile of work to accomplish basically nothing at all.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

I can see why you'd want to do that. You don't have to carry around speakers you're not using.

If I were you, I'd get some pine shelving and build my own head box. Might be a fun project.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

it fits two 10's now? is it impossible to squeeze a couple of 12's in there?

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

Why not just remove the internal speakers? That seems like a decent compromise. Lose the weight and not have to do any mods. Plus, you can always put it back to stock if you want to sell it.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

I can see why you'd want to do that. You don't have to carry around speakers you're not using.

If I were you, I'd get some pine shelving and build my own head box. Might be a fun project.

Why not just remove the internal speakers? That seems like a decent compromise. Lose the weight and not have to do any mods. Plus, you can always put it back to stock if you want to sell it.

Two sensible paths to your goal.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

Maybe take out the speakers and chop the box down and make a head that way...all you need is enough room to pull the power tubes.

 

[RW James]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

I've built a few heads this way and it is definitely worth it - for all the reasons you stated.

Don't cut down the current cabinet - build a new one. That way, if you change your mind or want to sell it, you can just put it back into the original cabinet.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

I've built a few heads this way and it is definitely worth it - for all the reasons you stated.

Don't cut down the current cabinet - build a new one. That way, if you change your mind or want to sell it, you can just put it back into the original cabinet.

Good to know its worth it! I definitely wasn't going to cut up the combo's enclosure as I could sell it as an open-back extension cab either with the speakers or sell those separately.

Why not just remove the internal speakers? That seems like a decent compromise. Lose the weight and not have to do any mods.

This is a pretty good idea but I'm not looking to reduce weight so much as space. A head and a 2x12 is much easier to load in/out and fit into cars than a 2x10 combo and 2x12.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

You might try posting over on the 18Watt.com and/or AX84 forums to find someone to build a cab for your amp. Makes sense to me.

Chip

 

[Lux84]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

I have exactly the same problem with my Blackstar HT-5 Combo. i just don't like the stock 10 speaker in and now i am buying some Orange 112 with V30 inside.

The problem is space if i get it somewhere to perform outside of the house...

I am thinking to get the stock speaker out, and the cut that 10 cm below...

But, i will for sure take Combo to local serviceman luthier if i will decide that way...

I wish i'd buy only head, but there were problems to get any cab at that time i was buying...

 

[gvis]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

It was worth it for me, for many reasons, but then I did the work myself. Could get pricey if you have to buy a housing or have one made.

But I did it because I already had the amps, I love the hellhound cleans(kind of fendery), and I had already dumped a sizable amount of mods into the deville. If I were starting from scratch, I'd still use the dual amp/weber switcher setup but probably get +/- 50 watt fender and marshall voiced heads.

For the deville I laid it on it's front so that what was top controls are now front controls. Couldn't find enough definitive research to show I'd have certain issues with the tubes laid horizontally, and so far no issues. We'll see.

If you're handy with cutting wood and working with Tolex (basically an arts and crafts project..lol), as well as understand what to do and not to do with an open amp chassis, it's not that hard to reuse most of the existing cab and tolex and add wood where needed. Just time consuming.

Results below.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=229620&highlight=hellhound

 

[gvis]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

You know, I kinda wish I'd done that with the hellhound. At the time I wasn't sure how capable I could be at making any of it work, and I was certain I'd keep the amp forever, and I probably will, but it's good advice in case he ever wants to sell it.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

Have you tried using the extension cab they designed for the amp?

It's a deeper sealed back 1x12 cab that adds a lot of the missing bass to the amp. Would also be pretty portable if that's a concern.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Convert a combo to a head: worth it?

Hmm, I wonder if he figured out an answer to his question three years ago...