T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Looks nice! Kind of taking on an MCI feel to it with those nice thick panels on it! 
Keep going!
Cheers!
Keep going!
Cheers!
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Thanks, Jeff! Yeah I was thinking that too. Not TRYING to go for that, but I DO still maintain that that's kind of what Teac was targeting conceptually with the M-__, and that has only increased since I came into ownership of an MCI desk myself. Granted, its a 400-series desk, but I like to study and research related products when I can and so I've studies the 600 series desks and that's what was contemporary to the development of the M-__. So its interesting that when i am fabbing these panels according too what was on the board when i got it, and what just sort of naturally seems appropriate, that it has that look.
P
pianodano
Guest
Looks very good and your joinery looks first class.
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Thanks, Danny!
So, I've made some progress...Though I ran into a minor snag.
The original panels attached to the frame with screws from the outside, just like the M-500 and M-300 mixers and others as well. I'm attaching the panels from the inside so that the screw heads are hidden. This is fine for the side panels and the meter bridge top panel, but there is a clearance issue for the meter bridge end caps. See here:
There is only about 0.05" in between the steel at the end of the meter bridge chassis and that black rectangular tubing upright. I couldn't find any screws with heads that were thin enough, so I ground some down...modded screw on the left, unmodded on the right:
I also put some spacer washers in between the frame and the upright and enlarged the four screw holes that attach the upright bracket to the tubing that goes across the back. In this way I was able to move the uprights slightly inboard, and that coupled with the modded screws gave me the clearance I need.
So here is the final mock-up, and I think this is what I'm sticking with, although I'm trying to decide on one last point which I cover at the bottom of this post. Anyway, here's the final draft:
So the only think I'm still trying to decide is whether or not to do a slight round-over at the front end of the side panels to tie in to the rounded edge of the wrist-rest, and also to address the safety aspect.
Here is the panel as it is now, sharp edges and all:
Here is a chunk to which I rounded the top and bottom corners:
So here are the questions:
1. Round those corners, or leave them straight-cut?
2. Is there anywhere else on any of the panels to which you would apply the round-over?
So, I've made some progress...Though I ran into a minor snag.
The original panels attached to the frame with screws from the outside, just like the M-500 and M-300 mixers and others as well. I'm attaching the panels from the inside so that the screw heads are hidden. This is fine for the side panels and the meter bridge top panel, but there is a clearance issue for the meter bridge end caps. See here:
There is only about 0.05" in between the steel at the end of the meter bridge chassis and that black rectangular tubing upright. I couldn't find any screws with heads that were thin enough, so I ground some down...modded screw on the left, unmodded on the right:
I also put some spacer washers in between the frame and the upright and enlarged the four screw holes that attach the upright bracket to the tubing that goes across the back. In this way I was able to move the uprights slightly inboard, and that coupled with the modded screws gave me the clearance I need.
So here is the final mock-up, and I think this is what I'm sticking with, although I'm trying to decide on one last point which I cover at the bottom of this post. Anyway, here's the final draft:
So the only think I'm still trying to decide is whether or not to do a slight round-over at the front end of the side panels to tie in to the rounded edge of the wrist-rest, and also to address the safety aspect.
Here is the panel as it is now, sharp edges and all:
Here is a chunk to which I rounded the top and bottom corners:
So here are the questions:
1. Round those corners, or leave them straight-cut?
2. Is there anywhere else on any of the panels to which you would apply the round-over?
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
The rounded corners look nice and will serve a practical purpose.
The rest, I'd not bother with as there's not much of a hand gouging issue elsewhere.
Overall though, it looks great! Can't wait to see it with all the guts put back inside so that I can do a proper wallpaper shot or two of it!
Are you going to apply some kind of teak oil to the wood to bring out more of the grain?
Cheers!
The rest, I'd not bother with as there's not much of a hand gouging issue elsewhere.
Overall though, it looks great! Can't wait to see it with all the guts put back inside so that I can do a proper wallpaper shot or two of it!
Are you going to apply some kind of teak oil to the wood to bring out more of the grain?
Cheers!
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Anybody else wanna weigh in? Or is Ghost the only one watching the M-__ channel? 
Thanks, Jeff. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Like I said before, the M-__ has a pretty chiseled look and if I start rounding stuff its gonna look strange I think. I think the sharp corners look good with the sharp features of the mixer.
And, yes, you bet I'm planning on getting my wife's D-SLR, the tripod, and setting it to aperture priority and getting some shots for the wallpaper thread...long time coming.
And yes, I'm sanding all the trim pieces with 400 grit, then 600, then I'm applying a satin wipe-on polyurethane finish, then hitting it with 1200 grit and one more coat and then fine steel wool.
Thanks, Jeff. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Like I said before, the M-__ has a pretty chiseled look and if I start rounding stuff its gonna look strange I think. I think the sharp corners look good with the sharp features of the mixer.
And, yes, you bet I'm planning on getting my wife's D-SLR, the tripod, and setting it to aperture priority and getting some shots for the wallpaper thread...long time coming.
And yes, I'm sanding all the trim pieces with 400 grit, then 600, then I'm applying a satin wipe-on polyurethane finish, then hitting it with 1200 grit and one more coat and then fine steel wool.
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
This thread has over 44 thousand views!
I doubt I'm the only one who looks at it!
Cheers!
I doubt I'm the only one who looks at it!
Cheers!
P
pianodano
Guest
Cory, Yes ease those edges on the front. Or at least I would.
As an aside, since you are putting all this work into it anyhow, why not integrate a producers desk and patch bay? I am sure that you have your reasons, but it sure would turn it into a fabulous console.
As an aside, since you are putting all this work into it anyhow, why not integrate a producers desk and patch bay? I am sure that you have your reasons, but it sure would turn it into a fabulous console.
T
tape4reel
New member
I like the picture where you rounded the top and bottom corners...it's a similar look to the 388. On the 388 they rounded just the top edge of the end panels and the top edge by the meter bridge.
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
@ Jeff: oh my...that's funny...its like I figure while i'm away nobody else is looking either...people ARE looking! 
@ Danny: thanks for the input, which is valuable since you are a woodworking craftsman! Producer's desk and patchbay...yeah that would be cool, but it'd take me a lot of time...trim panels i can do, but whole furniture seems a bit overwhelming, and i'm still not certain that the M-__ will be "permanent" in the studio. I'm just keeping my mind open. I still have the MCI JH-416A 24 x 16 desk project. I really have an affinity for that mixer, but all my thoughts and feelings are so subjective. I betcha once the M-__ is "done" and everything is finally cross-connected in the studio and i can actually get back to making music, i will likely be pretty disinterested for quite some time in tinkering again. The M-__ will be limiting if i want to finish converting my Ampex tape deck to 2" 16-track, but honestly that even feels like a major low priority. The kids want to be able to into the studio, hit "POWER" and be able to put cans on, grab a mic and practice their music with wet mixes in their headphones. I want to be able to easily hit "RECORD" and capture and mix. Can't do ANY of that right now and haven't been able to for a long time. As i draw close to having the M-__ at a finished state I remember how it felt in the beginning when I got it, so i'm pretty excited to get it setup.
@tape4reel: thanks for the input! Yeah I actually thought about the 388 panels...i definitely don't want to round the top front corners of the meter bridge end panels because it wouldn't look right with the sharp edge of the top panel, unless I rounded THAt, and pretty soon all the rounded edges wouldn't look right with the chiseled look of the mixer itself. Just hoping the front edges of the side panels are far enough away from the meter bridge that the rounded edges don't look strange with all the sharp edges up at the meter bridge; that they don't look contradictory you know?
@ Danny: thanks for the input, which is valuable since you are a woodworking craftsman! Producer's desk and patchbay...yeah that would be cool, but it'd take me a lot of time...trim panels i can do, but whole furniture seems a bit overwhelming, and i'm still not certain that the M-__ will be "permanent" in the studio. I'm just keeping my mind open. I still have the MCI JH-416A 24 x 16 desk project. I really have an affinity for that mixer, but all my thoughts and feelings are so subjective. I betcha once the M-__ is "done" and everything is finally cross-connected in the studio and i can actually get back to making music, i will likely be pretty disinterested for quite some time in tinkering again. The M-__ will be limiting if i want to finish converting my Ampex tape deck to 2" 16-track, but honestly that even feels like a major low priority. The kids want to be able to into the studio, hit "POWER" and be able to put cans on, grab a mic and practice their music with wet mixes in their headphones. I want to be able to easily hit "RECORD" and capture and mix. Can't do ANY of that right now and haven't been able to for a long time. As i draw close to having the M-__ at a finished state I remember how it felt in the beginning when I got it, so i'm pretty excited to get it setup.
@tape4reel: thanks for the input! Yeah I actually thought about the 388 panels...i definitely don't want to round the top front corners of the meter bridge end panels because it wouldn't look right with the sharp edge of the top panel, unless I rounded THAt, and pretty soon all the rounded edges wouldn't look right with the chiseled look of the mixer itself. Just hoping the front edges of the side panels are far enough away from the meter bridge that the rounded edges don't look strange with all the sharp edges up at the meter bridge; that they don't look contradictory you know?
S
sr71rules
Member
The slight rounding of the wood looks miles better, much more professional. It may not be a good fit in all places but in places where the metal housing is also bent around the 90 degree angle, I think it makes sense. The hard 90 in the wood in some places looks, to me, amateurish. It looks like something I would do instead of the way a professional would do it. In other places, like around the meter bridge, the hard 90 angle in the wood looks best. I think it's a case of matching the metal work and being mindful of where a wrist is likely to be..
In any case, it looks great and it's great to see you posting again Cory!
Robert
In any case, it looks great and it's great to see you posting again Cory!
Robert
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Awesome. Thanks, Robert!
Coat #2 of the poly applied after sanding for the 2nd time with 600-grit and then 1200-grit.
Here's a shot of the 5 trim pieces just after applying the 2nd coat:
Into the studio (which is in a COMPLETELY disheveled state) to cure before sanding again with 1200-grit and then a final with 2000-grit:
A little background on this walnut...this was covered earlier in the thread but there's a cool detail hidden under the meter bridge top panel. This walnut is from a tree that we had to cut down years ago on our property. It was dying/dead. Sources say it was over 100 years old. Hybrid black and english walnut. Anyway, we had to take it down. I had sections of it milled and dried, and that brings us to the wood pictured above. We bought our home and property from an elderly couple who built the house with their own hands. There is a lot of history here. They raised their four boys here. Now we've been here for about 8 years and are raising our 4 kids here. They were a virtuous pair, the folks we bought the place from. Neat, neat people. The dad had built a treehouse in the walnut tree. I had to remove spikes grown into the trunk before sending it to the mill. The meter bridge top panel just happens to have part of one of the spike holes in it. I don't know if anybody else thinks that's cool, but I just like history like that; memories that can be wrapped up in little imperfections:
So soon it'll be together.
Coat #2 of the poly applied after sanding for the 2nd time with 600-grit and then 1200-grit.
Here's a shot of the 5 trim pieces just after applying the 2nd coat:
Into the studio (which is in a COMPLETELY disheveled state) to cure before sanding again with 1200-grit and then a final with 2000-grit:
A little background on this walnut...this was covered earlier in the thread but there's a cool detail hidden under the meter bridge top panel. This walnut is from a tree that we had to cut down years ago on our property. It was dying/dead. Sources say it was over 100 years old. Hybrid black and english walnut. Anyway, we had to take it down. I had sections of it milled and dried, and that brings us to the wood pictured above. We bought our home and property from an elderly couple who built the house with their own hands. There is a lot of history here. They raised their four boys here. Now we've been here for about 8 years and are raising our 4 kids here. They were a virtuous pair, the folks we bought the place from. Neat, neat people. The dad had built a treehouse in the walnut tree. I had to remove spikes grown into the trunk before sending it to the mill. The meter bridge top panel just happens to have part of one of the spike holes in it. I don't know if anybody else thinks that's cool, but I just like history like that; memories that can be wrapped up in little imperfections:
So soon it'll be together.
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Looks like things are progressing nicely!
Also very cool to learn about the history behind the wood! That really adds an extra special personal touch to this restoration project!
Cheers!
Also very cool to learn about the history behind the wood! That really adds an extra special personal touch to this restoration project!
Cheers!
C
chronicle
New member
Beautiful. Nice story too. So, how much walnut did you get milled? Got any other projects that you are using it for..like furniture for instance?
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Call me crazy, but I sense Sweetbeats is about to unleash his completed M___ project to the world in very short order!
And it's going to look amazing!
Cheers!
And it's going to look amazing!
Cheers!
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
"Ghost of FM...Seer of the M-__ Unleashing"!! MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!
He's right though...I'm proud to say Jeff trolls my http picture library.
Did the final sanding and rub-down on the walnut panels yesterday; 1200-grit, rub down with cotton cloth, then 2000-grit and a final vigorous rub-down on each piece. I'm really pleased. Can't believe I've finally gotten to this point.
Here is the first shot of the panels on the frame:
Then in go the meters:
Because I had the meter bridge support structure apart to create clearance for the meter bridge end panel screws I had to do some adjustments which is why there's a gap at the bottom of the end cap and the side panel in that last shot.
I don't know what you guys think but I'm really pleased with how more substantial and "heavy" the mixer looks with the panels on...just takes on a more imposing stature, and I didn't really have forethought to that...didn't even consider it would look so...finished.
In go the modules!!! This is the first time I have had all the modules installed and actually screwed down. Crazy. That was satisfying!
As a refresher, here are some of the BEFORE pics!
This might seem odd but I'm especially pleased with how it looks from the back...the panels just balance out the proportions of the backplane.
I did some rough preliminary checks on some of the main bussing using the talkback mic and the oscillator and things still seem to be working. I took some shots with a D-SLR camera last night and uploaded the results for Ghost...hoping they came out okay, because I waited to start hooking things up until I took the shots but I can't wait anymore and I've started hooking it up.
It'll take a little time to figure out just how I want to interface the M-__ with the rest of my studio, and it is an extra challenge right now because I've changed pretty much everything about where stuff is located and some of what I am and am not using, and space is limited so everything is just so tight.
My biggest problem right now is figuring out where to put the computer monitor...I used to have it mounted to the wall in between the speakers, but now I've put that 12U open frame rack smack in the center. I did that because its got all my outboard I/O, mastering processors and effects processors and it used to be on the floor to my left...TOTALLY inconvenient. Now it is so easy to see and reach everything. Probably will get an articulating mount for the computer monitor.
Anyway, stay tuned!
He's right though...I'm proud to say Jeff trolls my http picture library.
Did the final sanding and rub-down on the walnut panels yesterday; 1200-grit, rub down with cotton cloth, then 2000-grit and a final vigorous rub-down on each piece. I'm really pleased. Can't believe I've finally gotten to this point.
Here is the first shot of the panels on the frame:
Then in go the meters:
Because I had the meter bridge support structure apart to create clearance for the meter bridge end panel screws I had to do some adjustments which is why there's a gap at the bottom of the end cap and the side panel in that last shot.
I don't know what you guys think but I'm really pleased with how more substantial and "heavy" the mixer looks with the panels on...just takes on a more imposing stature, and I didn't really have forethought to that...didn't even consider it would look so...finished.
In go the modules!!! This is the first time I have had all the modules installed and actually screwed down. Crazy. That was satisfying!
As a refresher, here are some of the BEFORE pics!
This might seem odd but I'm especially pleased with how it looks from the back...the panels just balance out the proportions of the backplane.
I did some rough preliminary checks on some of the main bussing using the talkback mic and the oscillator and things still seem to be working. I took some shots with a D-SLR camera last night and uploaded the results for Ghost...hoping they came out okay, because I waited to start hooking things up until I took the shots but I can't wait anymore and I've started hooking it up.
It'll take a little time to figure out just how I want to interface the M-__ with the rest of my studio, and it is an extra challenge right now because I've changed pretty much everything about where stuff is located and some of what I am and am not using, and space is limited so everything is just so tight.
My biggest problem right now is figuring out where to put the computer monitor...I used to have it mounted to the wall in between the speakers, but now I've put that 12U open frame rack smack in the center. I did that because its got all my outboard I/O, mastering processors and effects processors and it used to be on the floor to my left...TOTALLY inconvenient. Now it is so easy to see and reach everything. Probably will get an articulating mount for the computer monitor.
Anyway, stay tuned!
S
sr71rules
Member
Wow! The board looks great. Really nice work. It's got a very classic look now. I'd be proud to have it in my studio and I'm sure it will make a nice stop gap as you keep plugging along on the MCI. I just need to figure out a way to get you to move to the east coast so you can make my gear look, function and sound as awesome as yours.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
Seriously...
Great!
Great!
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Yes, I cheated and looked early...guilty as charged!
Anyway, I was speaking privately with Sweetbeats about putting a name plate on the M___ and he expressed a desire to put an M-30 style badge on it with the model number left blank. So, I went to the web once again to snag a picture of one and to use as a template to digitally manufacture a clean one in Photoshop that could be viewed at different angles and still look natural.
Anyway, here's a relatively quick few renditions for Cory to ponder over...
All of the images are actually wallpaper sized, so just save them to your computer to see the full resolution images.
And here's the plate in isolation;
And again, congrats to Sweetbeats on doing an excellent job on not only refurbishing this mixer but in also skillfully documenting the entire process for us here. He is one very special and valued member here!
Cheers!
Anyway, I was speaking privately with Sweetbeats about putting a name plate on the M___ and he expressed a desire to put an M-30 style badge on it with the model number left blank. So, I went to the web once again to snag a picture of one and to use as a template to digitally manufacture a clean one in Photoshop that could be viewed at different angles and still look natural.
Anyway, here's a relatively quick few renditions for Cory to ponder over...
All of the images are actually wallpaper sized, so just save them to your computer to see the full resolution images.
And here's the plate in isolation;
And again, congrats to Sweetbeats on doing an excellent job on not only refurbishing this mixer but in also skillfully documenting the entire process for us here. He is one very special and valued member here!
Cheers!
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Hey thanks guys!
Its been a real trip I tell ya!
Jeff, I think I like the badge placement over on the far left. There is that blank spot there amidst the meters by the solo lamp and when I first saw that I thought "oh! I didn't think of that! That looks good!" and I was thinking of the logic of it with the space there, but then I saw the one with it over to the left and that clinched it. That's where I think Teac would have put it...consistent with every mixer from that era I can think of. Thanks so much for doing that. Looks incredible. You are indeed very talented. Its not just WHAt you can do, but you do it so fast!
I NEED ONE Of THOSE BADGES. DOES ANYBODY HAVE A GUTTED TEAC/TASCAM MIXER OR TAPE MACHINE WITH THAT STYLE BADGE ON IT???
Its been a real trip I tell ya!
Jeff, I think I like the badge placement over on the far left. There is that blank spot there amidst the meters by the solo lamp and when I first saw that I thought "oh! I didn't think of that! That looks good!" and I was thinking of the logic of it with the space there, but then I saw the one with it over to the left and that clinched it. That's where I think Teac would have put it...consistent with every mixer from that era I can think of. Thanks so much for doing that. Looks incredible. You are indeed very talented. Its not just WHAt you can do, but you do it so fast!
I NEED ONE Of THOSE BADGES. DOES ANYBODY HAVE A GUTTED TEAC/TASCAM MIXER OR TAPE MACHINE WITH THAT STYLE BADGE ON IT???