Help me design my Dunwich amplifier

[AngryGoldfish]

So I have a solid visual image of what I want my Dunwich 1x12 combo to look like. I'm basically going for the Carr look:

I also dig these styles:

The chassis will be mounted on the back like a vintage Tweed or a Swart. I don't like this but Nick says that it's just not possible to have a top-mounted faceplate. I could have the chassis panel on the front like a Fender, but I'd have to increase the width of the amp, and thus add weight, in order for it to retain that rectangular look that I'm going for. And seeing as this amp is aimed at being portable, lightweight and versatile I feel like adding extra width just to achieve the look I'm going for might come across as a little pointless. Any advice on this? Should I consider a front panel design and extend the width to compensate that square look that I don't like?

The colour of the faceplate will either be black with dark gold (more of a tan colour) text and lettering, or maybe silver. I could also ask Nick if a bare aluminium faceplate would be possible. That would mean I could match the knobs I'm going for to the chassis. I'm also tempted by a more simple approach: White background with black text, just like a Carr and a dozen other amps. The knobs are these (the same as a smallsound/bigsound Mini roughly):



As far tolex goes, I've been trying to find the same stuff that Carr use, but I can't seem to match it perfectly. The Hiwatt tolex is very similar and I dig that. I'll probably just go with that. Grill cloth is also a bit tricky. I've found that vintage Ampeg grill cloth that you see in the Jet above, but I can't find the exact Carr grill cloth I've seen. It's kind of a tanned brown colour that sets off the black perfectly. If I went with a black faceplate and gold lettering it would be sweet, I think. White with black text, like a Carr, would obviously work as well. I'll probably end up going with the Ampeg grill cloth and Hiwatt tolex, just so I'm not directly copying Carr. What do you think?

The front baffle will actually be contoured and shaped to my personal design that I came up with in Paint. It's pretty simple; nothing fancy. Just something pretty that sets the amp apart from other shit out there. I'm not sure whether I should put any piping on it or not. Thoughts? White or black faceplate? Front or back facing?

[Greenfuz]

go for the circle one with a wizard face painted on the grill cloth

[AngryGoldfish]

I don't want to copy Carr TOOO much, ya know? Just a little.

This is the design I came up with. I'll have to see if it's possible. I'm talking with Nick now about it.

[Iommic Pope]

Green tolex. No other options.
Circle face, but a septagram in stead of a circle.
Nicks art neuvau DA tongue pretty cool also.
Black grillcloth and piping.

[Mudfuzz]

Needs more Lovecraftyness!

[rfurtkamp]

Yea, I'm just not feeling it here.

You want a Carr that isn't a Carr.

The design you have is one where I'd cut out the logo on the front, it just looks stuck on.

[AxAxSxS]

I kinda agree, this is a Dunwich here. boundarys need to be pushed and new standards of awesome reached. I'm a little confused about the combo in the first place. How will this be 200 watts!!! jk
How about an etched faceplate with some gorgeous wood combining an Art Nouveau aesthetic with some lovecraftian etched artwork. Go nuts man.

[psychedelicrelic]

Use something like this for a speaker grill.

[D.o.S.]

[Boxbie]

How about a square 2x10 combo? With the speakers diagonal.
You know it could be rad.

[goroth]

How about a square 2x10 combo? With the speakers diagonal.
You know it could be rad.

This. Or a rectangle following the golden ratio.

[Iommic Pope]

I kinda agree, this is a Dunwich here. boundarys need to be pushed and new standards of awesome reached. I'm a little confused about the combo in the first place. How will this be 200 watts!!! jk
How about an etched faceplate with some gorgeous wood combining an Art Nouveau aesthetic with some lovecraftian etched artwork. Go nuts man.

I probably sounded like a dick when I posted before, but I think this is what I was getting at.
Thanks for saying what I think better than I can, Ax!


I still think green tolex though, if you have to to go tolex.
There are some great stains getting around now, too.
I'd like to see an amp covered in something like that art deco metal press ceiling stuff, that'd be cool.
I love deco.

[AngryGoldfish]

For clarity, this is going to be around 15 watts. It's aimed at being a light and portable performing and home amp. It is NOT a Doom amp for a stage or full band. I don't JUST play Doom. It's based on Marshall topology with elements of Matamp. The gain range will be a little more than a JCM800 or a Sunn Model T. Also, that mock-up I posted isn't a proper representation. There isn't actually going to be a circle. That's just the outline of the speaker behind the grill cloth. The black shaded section will be a front panel that secures the grill cloth. It's a basic wave contour.

I actually already have an etched faceplate on my Fryette Memphis. It's subtle but very cool. Any ideas on designs?

As regards green tolex, I was really tempted by red. Green only works on big amps, IMO. Red is sweet on little fuckers like this is going to be.

An Art Deco design aesthetic would work because the font I'm using is The Batman Animated Series font - Andes or Plaza.



I'm not going 2x10. That will increase the size and weight too much. The concept of this amp is: In one hand the amp, in the other a small pedalboard. And on my back the guitar. It needs to portable to get in and out of small cars, buses, trains, etc. easily. It needs to be quiet enough for pub shows and house parties. I don't want a single 10" either because of the loss of low-end and thump. I'm considering using a Neodymium speaker with a Pine cabinet, both to help keep the weight down.

I know this is a Dunwich, but it's my Dunwich. I've waited a hella long time for this opportunity. It's going to be everything I want it to be. I don't want to break boundaries for the sake of it or to blow someone else's trumpet. Nick builds functional machines of awesomeness first and foremost. This is going to be a dream amp for me so I'm not going to throw stupid shit on it. Sorry to be blunt but I dig the way Carr amps look. It's what I had in mind for this amp before I even knew about Carr. That sounds really obnoxious but I think you know what I mean.

[D.o.S.]

I actually already have an etched faceplate on my Fryette Memphis. It's subtle but very cool. Any ideas on designs?

[AngryGoldfish]

Seriously, I'm terrible at telling whether someone is being serious or not...

Weed has no relation to this amp whatsoever. It is about travelling and performing. I don't even smoke.