The Electra Forums

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...

Sweet! Good job.

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RCSBlues

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

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

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

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

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.

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

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.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

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.

Switches...

Is there a volume foot pedal?

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

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

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?

Just the Hammond on that song.

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

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

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

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.

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"... can't seem to hit that Bb right."

That is really cool. Good job man.

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SlmGuy