building a head cab

[dwagar]

since I have my JCM800 combo at home this week, I was toying with the idea of popping together a head cabinet (I use 2-2x12 cabs when we play).

question - since this is a combo, the amp is upside down (hangs from the top). Is there any reason to keep it this way? It makes more sense to me that the components would be happier with gravity on their side, and heat dispersing up. I've seen some replacement front plates on Ebay once in awhile, I think I could just switch the plate (or in fact put it over top of the real plate).

or, should I just build the head cab the same as the top of the combo, and hang the amp?

[bcmatt]

I think you could do either. Whichever you prefer. I think the faceplate might be the only reason to keep it the same, and if you are used to the knob configuration from left to right. Also, there is the option of building a cool headcab like the old Traynors where all you have to do to open up your chassis is remove the top cover. (Therefore the cabinet still holds the chassis by the sides and supports it while you open up and tweak inside). Thats just a convenient perk for techs.

Having the chassis on the bottom of the cab does have the other perks you mentioned such as easier heat dissipation as well as Marshall head cab tradition.