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News        Tom Gruning         

As of May 2015 I'm accepting occasional outside projects (on a very limited basis). Call first as I'm planning on taking in only two or three projects per month.

Racking your modules:

I've been doing quite a bit of custom work lately. People send me modules and I cut and engrave a case, install the modules and test them as well. The starting price for one pair of modules is $650 plus shipping from area code 12122 (that's in Upstate New York). That price will vary depending upon the specific type of module, power requirements, and suchlike. The starting price for four-packs including external power supplies is $1200; eight packs $2400.  Base prices include case, internal frame on four and eight-packs, power supply with +48V phantom, necessary wiring, and Neutrik XLR I/O. Lines in, and assorted options like polarity or pad switches are extras at $25 per channel. DIs are $120 per channel and VU meters including stereo buffer amplifiers are $165 a pair. If your modules need work, I charge $60 an hour for bench time.

Please have a look at the past projects to get an idea of what sort of drawings I have in stock. If I have to make new drawings for your project it may add a day or two to the time frame for finishing.

I get a bunch of calls to put together Yamaha PM1000 projects.  send me your modules and I'll cut the frames, take out the superfluous switches, pots, and wiring, and rack them using one of my standard PM1000 designs for $600 plus shipping. I will re-cap (all the electrolytics) and modify the EQ for $75 per module with the standard rack job or $100 each without racking. Sorry about the escalating price, but these are quite a lot of work. I often have racked, recapped, and modified pairs for $724 plus shipping to the lower 48 US states.

Metal and wood  racks come standard with linear power supply, toroid transformer, +48V switches, power switches, fused IEC, and Neutrik XLR I/O for each channel. Recently (in the PM1000 boxes and various others that don't require a bipolar supply) I have been installing a very small SMPS which provides a +48V charge for a tiny two rail linear supply, thereby eliminating the need for a large power transformer. Its a no-hum zone these days: very, very quiet.

Custom Studio Cabinetry

The wood racks are all custom made to the customer's specifications. Generally, I buy a variety of wood and send you pictures so you can pick your lumber. I'll build the box using dovetail or mitered joinery and in the past, I would spray it with many, many coats of lacquer after which it was hand rubbed to a glass-like finish. Recently I've been experimenting with water-based finishes and am very happy with the results. The finish is as nice as lacquer without the adverse environmental impact. It looks like a win/win situation.

These pictures show my 500 Series compatible Picnic Baskets. I can build these for 6, 8, 10, 12, or more modules with your choice of wood. The six-packs come standard with internal power supply and Neutrik I/O. I also have hardwood blank panels available to match each 500 series compatible box. The standard six-pack starts at $799.

The prices on dovetailed angled-front cabinets like this one vary depending upon many factors: your modules or mine; type of modules/wiring/power requirements; internal or external power supply; type and grade of lumber; etc. For a finished cabinet, wired and powered, figure on an absolute minimum of about $1800 and plan on something closer to $2300 (that's using your modules). 

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