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Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.
http://rivercityamps.com/electraforum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=7157
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Author:  ultra sonic [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Anyone who attended ElectraFest 2010 might recall my love of Leslie rotating speakers used with guitar. I had my custom adapted Leslie 110 cabinet set up in the small studio available for people to play through, and I did a couple demos on the rig.

Using that as a jumping off point I have long thought that it would be cool to have a Leslie speaker built in to a piece of furniture, making it ideal for your home music room or a project studio. Something like an end table would be about the right size. It could sit there at the end of your sofa, quietly holding up a lamp and bowl of guitar picks, until you need to invoke that swirly goodness on a guitar tone. Then, just plug in your favorite amp and get dizzy with it.

So I decided to build one. Here's what I came up with...

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Author:  RCSBlues [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Sweet! Good job.

Author:  yyzrondo [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

What kind of foot switching is available? Anything more than just a high/low speed choice?

Author:  mortarman120gang11c [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Very clean and nice look. Bet it sounds great as well. :up:

Author:  ultra sonic [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

yyzrondo wrote:
What kind of foot switching is available? Anything more than just a high/low speed choice?


Traditionally there are only high and low speeds, plus stopped. Working within those limits, plus using the speed ramping effect when changing between high/low/off are characteristics of the Leslie. Skilled guitarists and organ players have achieved an incredible amount of expression with the Leslie over the decades. I wanted this to work in the traditional manner.

I made a two button foot switch, one button toggles between high and low speeds, the other toggles the motor on and off. There are LEDs to indicate the status. I also built a three position lever switch (fast - off - slow) that is similar to the hand operated switch that is found on Hammond organs. Finally, there is a toggle switch on the control panel itself, at the top right, with yellow (slow) and green (fast) indicator lights.

Author:  Jead [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

That's the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! Most excellent!

Author:  proendorser [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

I love the glass top! (does it rattle?) I'm with Jead, one of the best looking cabinet I've seen in a long time. Congrats, Mike.

Author:  ultra sonic [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

proendorser wrote:
I love the glass top! (does it rattle?) I'm with Jead, one of the best looking cabinet I've seen in a long time. Congrats, Mike.


No, the glass doesn't rattle. It's a vintage Jensen 8" speaker under the rotating scoop so it's not moving a lot of energy in the low register. It really delivers the "animated" Leslie tone. Sounds cool at living room volume by itself, or combined with a non-moving speaker.

Author:  ultra sonic [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Switches...

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Author:  yyzrondo [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Is there a volume foot pedal?

Favorite Leslie speaker sound is on Traffic's "Empty Pages" from the John Barleycorn Must Die album.

Author:  ultra sonic [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

yyzrondo wrote:
Is there a volume foot pedal?

Favorite Leslie speaker sound is on Traffic's "Empty Pages" from the John Barleycorn Must Die album.


No volume pedal, that would have to go between the guitar and amp. I'm not familiar w/ that Traffic song. I'm sure there's B3 through a Leslie, is there also guitar through a Leslie on that one?

Author:  yyzrondo [ Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Just the Hammond on that song.

Author:  corsair [ Tue Jun 04, 2013 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

Outrageous! Love that, I'd have that in my lounge in a heartbeat! You want the address?! :D

Author:  METESKY [ Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

That is inspired... one of the all time coolest revamps I've seen. Kind of reminds me of the old auto "sleepers" or "pocket rockets"... you know, like putting a 440cid wedge in a two door dart.;-)

Author:  slmguy [ Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Custom Leslie Speaker for guitar.

That is really cool. Good job man.

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