Carver "Silver Four" Monoblock project

I have started this thread to chronicle the build of my Carver "Silver Four" vacuum tube monoblock amps. Last week, I recieved the chassis from Bob for the "Cherry 180's" he builds for sale on Ebay, along with the schematics for them, and they will form the basis of this project. Bob has given his blessings for naming the amps and will be advising on the project.

Currently, the chassis are being fitted with 3/8 inch highly polished black granite decks and faceplates, along with polished aluminum bezels that will ring the tubes at their base. I will post pictures as I get them of every step of the build.

OHHHHHHH!!!!!

sweet and juicy like these nutz.!

Wow John!!! That sounds great! Building these amps yourself will be a great project, and when you are done give you a wonderful sense of satisfaction. I'll be very interested in your updates.

I will get the granite work back sometime next week. All I can say is that they look damn sexy without tubes. I can only imagine that they will get better with every step in the process. I can share a pic with you guys about my thought for the transformer cover. It is the upper portion of a Duesenberg radiator shell. I am having these made out of polished aluminum, though cut down and scaled to fit. Imagine them sitting behind those KT120's on platforms of mirror-black granite!

Pics?

Soon. I will post some nekid chassis pics and a few shots with the granite in place when I get them home. The shot of the Duesenberg should give you an idea about the expectations I have on this project.

when are you getting to Carverfest

I do not know yet... I may have to work on Saturday, and if that is the case it may not make sense to drive down.

Silver 4? Sooooo, how many tubes total will this have Sounds interesting, looking forward to watching your progress.

Silver 4? Sooooo, how many tubes total will this have Sounds interesting, looking forward to watching your progress.

They will use 6 KT120's instead of the usual KT88's. According to Bob, this will give the amps 450wpc at clipping. I decided to name the amps based on output rather than tube count. The Ebay amps are , according to Bob, the equivalent of a "Silver Three".

I am thrilled beyond words to be able to call these amps Carvers, and being able to use his name on this project has driven me to take every aspect of it to the next level. This is going to cost me an extra grand on the build just for "cosmetics", but the end result must live up to the name and be something that Bob would be proud of.

The decks and faceplates will be done by Wednesday. The faces will be etched with this

CARVER
Statement 400~1
Vacuum Tube Reference Monoblock


The wording will be filled in with silver dust in homage to the original Silver Seven. I am having second thoughts about attaching the "Silver" monaker to them as they deserve to remain in a class by themselves.


***EDIT***

I just spoke to a jeweller here in town. He is going to be able to melt sterling silver into the etched lettering, thus making them shiny and professional appearing logos!

Weren't the Silver 7s wired with silver wire, and soldered with silver solder?

I do not know yet... I may have to work on Saturday, and if that is the case it may not make sense to drive down.

It doesn't matter whether or not you have to work......you really, really need to get your ass down here. The systems are just outstanding this year. We have definitely raised the bar and it just doesn't get any better than this.....


In my best Fred Flintstone voice.....*YyyyyaaaaaaaabbbBBBBaaaaDdddddddaaaaaaaaBBBa-DOOOOoooooooooOOOO!!!!