Finally completed everything and it's now in the head cab. You can look at the attached pictures. I made the head cab out of red oak and just clear-coated it. I think it turned out pretty well. We did some of dogears' mods, but not all. I want to let the amp burn in a bit and see how it sounds before making any other changes. I have not yet installed the relay board for the footswitch or hooked up the effects loop. That will come next. I have ordered a lopo large 12 open-back cab that will arrive on Wed. I have also ordered an Eminence Legend 1218 after listening to most of the clips on their website. The 1218 seemed to have the most complex yet smooth tone of all the speakers. I have tried to score a Celestion G12-65 on ebay numerous times, but have been unsuccessful in getting the winning bid - the prices are probably too high anyway.
I'll try to post some sound clips after the cab and speaker come. Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions when I had problems.
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Looking good Pastor Bob. And I think the right way to do things too. Hook up the basics first then on to the fiddley bits.
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
DR, It look's mighty sweet to me, enjoyed seeing the Smile on your face in the last clip you posted, will be lookin forward to the clip with the new mod's,
Johnhenry
I am using Winged-C 6L6s and EH 12AX7s for now. I also have sets of mullard, tung-sol and JJ 12AX7s to try. In regards to the chicken head knobs, they all clear. I think we got lucky with the chassis layout. I think I also got lucky with the head cab since I am by no means a master carpenter.
Anybody have any comments about my choice of speaker (Eminence Legend 1218)?
No experience with the 1218, I'll be interested in your opinion of it.
I've heard guys raving about the G1265 and although speakers are a greater part of the equation I have always had trouble parting with $300-400 just to see if I like a pair, since I use a 2 x12.
Beautiful Cabinet. Great Job, Wish I could do woodwork.
Antique sells handles like that and as to the Chicken head comment, try DEKA WARE or DEKA WARE clones, they are shorter (they used to be the standard). Most of the ones you see now are longer - the tip off is they are flat on top while the DEKA WARE ones have a top ridge.
I don't want you guys going crazy and depleting all the stock, but McMaster-Carr carries genuine Dakaware chicken heads and they're only $1.17 ea if you buy 10 or more. Part Number 6094K54. They don't list them as "Dakaware" and the picture looks funky, but they're the real deal. If your control spacing is 1 1/4", they'll clear by 1/32". (The knobs are 1 7/32")
Once you get to the tweaking stage, I'd suggest that you take the leads to V2, cathodes and plates, and run them parallel (yes, it's against all lead dress rules). Somehow this tightens up the amp generally. Also push all the leads off the tube side of the board down to the chassis, tends to run quieter when you use the chassis as ground plane.
You can look at the attached pictures. I made the head cab out of red oak and just clear-coated it. I think it turned out pretty well. 
We did some of dogears' mods, but not all. I want to let the amp burn in a bit and see how it sounds before making any other changes. I have not yet installed the relay board for the footswitch or hooked up the effects loop. That will come next. I have ordered a lopo large 12 open-back cab that will arrive on Wed. I have also ordered an Eminence Legend 1218 after listening to most of the clips on their website. The 1218 seemed to have the most complex yet smooth tone of all the speakers. I have tried to score a Celestion G12-65 on ebay numerous times, but have been unsuccessful in getting the winning bid - the prices are probably too high anyway.
