Custom top plate

[sbelyo]

I'm planning on ordering a S.E.X. kit in a few months (need to finish two other projects) and I'd like to know if I can get a custom top plate.  I remember this was something that was done for the crack so I was hoping i could get one for the S.E.X.  I seem to remember PB was the person to contact after you purchased a kit.  Am I correct?

Thanks

[Paul Birkeland]

You'll have to be a little more specific on what you're looking for.

Generally, you can take the stock plate and measure all the holes on it, then lay them out for machining. If you're doing this yourself, you can set the stock plate over your material and use a sharpie to trace the holes.

-PB

[sbelyo]

I'm really only looking to change two things.  I'd like to change the volume pot hole to one that is keyed for a goldpoint volume control and I want to change the headphone jack hole to fit a 4 pin neutrik xlr.

I could probably just modify the stock plate, but it's always nicer to have a machined hole

[Paul Birkeland]

Yeah, you can file the notch for the Goldpoint with a file, or just file the nub off the Goldpoint itself (doing that is much quicker/easier).

Machining out the hole for a D series jack requires one of those honky stepped drill bits, and likely a drill press. 

[sbelyo]

Yeah, the D series holes are the reason why I would like to just have a new one made.  I'm just leary that I won't be able to line up all the holes to the right spot in FPE.  That's my least favorite part

[Paul Birkeland]

(I forgot - the stock plate will take the Goldpoint switch)

Yeah, there's always some risk when you go off the paved road so to speak.  The burdens of risk fall under the "Y" of DIY in situations like this. 

Do bear in mind that this is all a moot point for me, as I would just make a banana plug to 4 pin XLR female adapter and not bother with the 4 pin XLR jack on the SEX amp in the first place.  This would maintain the resale value of the kit, its ability to drive speakers and headphones, and it would add the balanced headphone out (provided of course that you buy the switch kit).

[mcandmar]

Or you could add both TRS and XLR like me

Depending on the sockets used (Neutrik in my case) you dont need super accurate round holes as they get covered up.   I did mine the hard way with a 14mm drill bit, then worked them out to size with a half moon file.  Not the easiest, or quickest way but it worked.  You can download the drawing of the socket from Neutriks website so you can mark out exactly the size of hole you need.