After a few months of getting sick of having so much bass in the trunk fighting to get into the cab, I decided to do a rear deck sound port, by cutting out a small area in the trunk, and also utilizing the stock 6x8 holes. Then we went crazy and had to add some visual sweetness to it!
Some spiffy build pix!
Removed sound isullation between seats and trunk
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor014.jpg
Traced out JBL logo on rear deck
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor012.jpg
Closer shot of same
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor013.jpg
sound vent cut
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor015.jpg
Rear deck after cutouts
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor016.jpg
One oval hole finished, M4 assualt rifle for the hell of it!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor017.jpg
After everything was finished
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor018.jpg
With the work lamp in the trunk where the subs go, it turned the grillecloth translucent, and casted a lit up JBL logo on to the back window like a batsignal or something. It can be seen very faintly in the picture, but soon I will have 2 neons and a mirror to make that shine nicely!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor020.jpg
After full reassembly
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor021.jpg
The best parts, ghetto car bling factor, and not spending a cent on the whole project!!
Replies (20)
SQLThump on 06/8/2008 09:33:57
No love?!?!
swez on 06/8/2008 10:04:17
It's not a no love factor bro... it's more like many are pre-occupied with other things right now and this happens every year in the summer months.
Can only speak for myself, but am wrapping up a work project that has kept me focused and little time/energy for CK/other stuff right now. We are in the final push for this season and it will come to an end in a matter of days. It will feel so good to get off this treadmill and then move on to something new and hopefully better in the future. I am so done with this gig and hope to find something better soon. But for now, the goal is to finish strong and move on to better things.
As for your work on the GHB, like the JBL Logo, but what are the assult rifles all about? LOL That's a bit over the top, but kinda cool anyway!
In the mean time, keep chugging along until you find the right mix. Most Bass-Heads outgrow this expensive phase and then re-define their goals toward SQ or SQL type systems. It seems like you are straddling the fence right now. That's all good and look how much was learned in the process?
Swez
PS Doing things like this on a tight budget, make the end result all the sweeter. When all is said and done, you'll probably scale things down to the basics and still have solid bass. However, it will be balanced and when you want to show off a tad, you can. SMILE
SQLThump on 06/8/2008 12:18:14
Right on....I guess I am the only person with too much time on their hands.......I get to go back to work soon though!!
The assualt rifles are a bit over the top, but all the boys round the neioghborhood still call me Shootuh, so I had to throw it down McBustaCap style to make it my own and nobody elses'.
The project kind of started simple and ended up going crazy before very long at all. It was just going to be cutting the wood and metal, while retaining all the carpet. Then we cut out the insulation between the seats, then we were going to bust out the grillecloth, then the JBL logo, and after that, the ovals were going do be lonely, so it was M4 carbines after that.
It was a pretty fun build, and the price was right. A lot more air is moving where it should be going, and the air pressure in the truink has been reduced greatly, relieving much of my rattling trunk issues.
As for finding the right blend, you have me pegged on straddling the fence. The sub control on my H/u helps me out greatly with this. Usually halfway down, all the way down for sessions where I'm loving the upper end, and striaght up for increasingly rarer "showoff basshead" mode.
I have learned a lot, and really have scaled back quite a bit. Plans for now are a dedicated sub amp, using my four channel for my front comps, and a pair of dedicated midbass to occupy the rear channels. I may sell the current JBL GT5 subs if the new GTO series subs coming out perform better and come at my usually wholesale cost. I can probably turn a profit getting some new subs,, so I an not too likely to turn that down if the new GTO's kick it harder than the GT5's already do.
I am going to redo the interior carpet, and possibly make some new seat covers soon, if this happens, all the logo and rifles will be redone to match, which is fine, because some detials of the rear deck look a bit ghetto as of yet. Lights are going to be added as soon as another check comes in.
swez on 06/9/2008 13:53:31
Hey SQL,
Just wanted to pass a little "fatherly advice" your way when you return to work. (How's the mending process coming along?)
Have just completed a 10 month stint on a job that pushed this old man to the limit and then some. When you return to work at the restaurant, give things time to gel with your hot-tempered chef. He's got a lot on his plate and he may feel the weight of many pressures you are yet unaware of at the moment. (You may get some of that displaced frustration, but don't let it thwart your efforts)
If you want to make a lasting impression, look past the emotional outbursts and learn to be his right-hand man. This will take time and persistance, but it will pay off in the future. Learn to anticipate the needs on the "line" and flex with the demands as best you can. In time, he'll ease up, give you more leeway and consider you as a very much valued right hand man.
This may be a "tough row to plow right now" in the near-term, but once he sees your level of comittment, things will change for the better for all. I say this from experience. The goal is to learn as much as possible about the "back of the house" demands and how to anticipate them before they get out of hand. Once you have a solid grip on his priorities and carry them out to his level of expectation, these lessons will make you a valuable player he can rely on, when in "deep weeds".
Why am I telling you this? Because I desire to see you succeed and prosper along the way. When the pressure is on, you'll be the go-to guy in times when it is needed most.
Finally, even when he's an A-hole under pressure, he can count on you to come through in the clinches. Once that is established, you'll be viewed a valuable team player they don't want to lose. The perks come later, but they will come.
Best regards,
Swez
newB on 06/9/2008 23:17:05
<3<3<3<3
^
my "love"
looks good bro!!! GRIN
much better than i could have done
dont listen to old man audio and be as loud as you can! ^_^
-Drew
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 07:27:07
Thanks for the love bro.....It turned out better than I was expecting too.....though a little ghetto still.....
I Can't go as crazy as I would like lately, I gotta nuther infection in my right ear, so I'm gonna roll with Swez's advice for a while on that one.
Swez, as always, your good advice is always heeded and appreciated. My absence had made the whole kitchen realize what happens when I'n not going crazy cooking it up! I went in today to train somebody for my position, but the guy didn't even show. Chef was impressed that I showed up anyway, and did so without even talikng directly to him.
The healing is doing well, all the docs are impressed with how quick of a recovery I am making. Of course, I take my meds, and for the most part abstain form the list of stuff I cant do. Not too difficult really.
My position as the goto guy was pretty well nailed before, as long as my hand is ready when I go back, I am ready to act a'fool! Plus, Chefesuarus rex has chilled out quite a bit in the last 2 months, and our sous chef just quit, which was more a relief than anything as dude was a total hackjob.
Stoked to go back to work, thats for sure. I may be cleared as soon as tommorrow, two more weeks tops. If there is undue stress or pressure, I am already well trained to deal with it. Just ready to go back in and show some stripes already.
Thaks again Swez
SQLThump
swez on 06/10/2008 08:54:44
Great news and I hope you'll get the green light soon and return to work and ready to up the kitchen a few notches in a week or two after returning.
The reason I said those things is from my recent experience as a 1099 subcontractor with a very small group in a larger corporate franchise. We started out last fall with 3 guys on the road, one wharehouse manager and one Customer Service Rep/roadie and the owner.
There were 2 newbies on the team this season and I was one of them. The others have been together for 8 years now. They know the ropes and I benefitted greatly from my partner's years on the road. Yes, he was one tough nut to crack, but now I know why... He wanted to make star player shine in the field so that he could do what he does best. (Customer Service and logistics)
Well, it was tough in the beginning and as winter approached, things got even harder. But I did not yield, give up or take undue shortcuts. I went the extra mile even if it meant extra hours w/o additional pay.
That strategy paid off in April when the lean times hit. Sales were way down, fuel costs were huge and the owner had to make an executive decision and cut one driver loose. He had a few more weeks on the job, but took too many shortcuts, rushed to get home early and did not fill late coming orders. That was his demise. (Every dollar of income was needed to meet payroll, keeping 3 vans on the road and fresh inventory coming in every 4-5 weeks and more)
Anyway, I took the opposite approach and stayed in the field until the job was done to the best possible outcome. I was the lowest paid guy on the team, had most of the longest routes and was building a new territory to boot. It was grueling, but I just knew that would change in time. Sure enough, when the other guy got the axe, the remaining work load jumped about 30% and so did the income.
Dang... the big push was on and we had 10 weeks to finish up biz for this season. But we prevailed as a team and I can honestly walk away now, knowing that quality work in quantity, will stretch anyone to their limits and then some. That's exactly what I needed to prove to myself. (How far are we willing to push ourselves to learn something of lasting value?)
Finally, I credit the oversight of my manager to a large degree. He pushed hard and demanded a lot. He was also there in the clinches to support a worn out team mate when needed. (He's not a compassion man by nature and rarely offered obvious props) But his no-nonsense/no excuses approach served us well and I commended him for the tough talks when they came due. To his credit, when I saw a better way to manage things in the field, he listened, took appropriate action and we pounded out several new strategies in the process. Yes, I had to play a little hard ball with him at times, but he knew I was right and walking the walk and adjusted accordingly. (That was just short of a amazing... he listened, took stock in my arguments and conceded to changes as needed)
Swez
PS I don't want any to think I'm blowing my own horn here. The real intent is to share what success looks like when the chips are down. It all boils down to attitude, a tough mental determination and pushing ourselves past the walls we often create in our own minds. Yes, there were "many days" when I just felt like giving in and giving up. Am glad I resisted that notion too. It feels so good to finish well and move on to bigger and better things now.
PSS I give a even more credit to the "Man Upstairs" here too. HE brought me to this challenge and saw me through it as well. I thank HIM daily for the opportunity and the energy to carry out each assignment with skill, endurance and quality workmanship. HE blessed me and now, am hoping to bless you with what has been learned. We have no idea what the power of prayer can do until we pursue it with passion and diligence. Think that one over a while. Wow, if you read my daily journaling notes, it would be clear that He is in control and knows just when to intervene on our behalf. Just when I thought one more step was too much, HE stepped in and made up the difference. I cannot wait to see what the next steps will be in the future. No, am not a perfect man by any means, but I am glad to be growing and moving forward again. Am not the man I wish to become, but looking back at the man I was before, there is a lot of good progress to be thankful for.
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 09:19:22
I see a lot of similaraties in our two stories. Although my season is never over, and I am on a little "sabbitical," I have definitely benifited from the high intensity of my chef. As another no-nonsense no-BS kind of employer, it took a lot to learn to deal with keeping cool with his attitude. But now that I look at it, the pushing was a great thing, as there are very few people who can put my attitude in check.
Athough it was much like a pair of alpha male wolves fighting for dominance, we managed to find a way so neither ever had to submit. He pushed me to work harder than ever before, and I amazed him with my ability to comply with whatever was asked quickly and effectively, with military level of dicipline.
All of this paid off as well, when one of the cooks left, I was asked to fill the position than somebody older, more expeirenced, and with more seniority over me. I say I fared pretty damn well for starting off as a dishwasher.........
I see it with a view of this: he was like a tough seargent taking a decently skilled man and turning him into another tough seargent. There are very few familar faces in the itchen since I left, and I have a lot to take care of upon my return. My Gestapo style of orginazition in my walk-ins, freezer and dry storage have gone to hell with me not there, and Chef is running out of steam when enforcing lately due to high turnover of rookie employees, and due to being at retirement age.
The candidate for the sous chef position and I are pretty close knit, and agree that Chef is looking for a close knit "unit" that can rock his kitchen so he can do what most resturant owners do; come in for a few hours, drink with and charm customers, look over the books, do a little enforcement if neccassary, and then leave.
Everybody can see how the many years of running top notch kitchens has taken a toll on him, and you can see his tiredness in his eyes as he works. Funny thing is, nobody in the whole place has the slightest idea of how old he really is besides maybe his wife.
I am definitely ready to go back now, but have enjoyed the last months time to work on personal BS, my car (well, more like getting others to do it), go on a mackin' mission, and more than all, chill and improve my health.
I feel you on the desire to give in though. I couldn't lie and say that there wasn't more than a few times I wanted to just pop him one in the lip and just leave, but now here is kind of a bond, one I can tell is there every time I have been in the kitchen since my injury.
swez on 06/10/2008 11:27:03
With that attitude, you'll make it into the inner circle when the time is right. (I just know it, but don't ask me how)
When dealing with the power structure above us, there's always room for teachability, an open mind and lots of repsect for them. We may not like how they handle certain things at times, but like the Army, Marines and other such things, one earns the rank they aspire to. We all have to know the pecking order and only push back when the timing is right and we are in a rational state of mind. (Hopefully, our opponent is too tired or just plain receptive to fight back, able to listen and sees value in the opportunity to hear you out)
Hehe, expect some chaos when you get back to biz. They probably have been short-handed a lot, standards have slipped and you'll know what to do about them in short order.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in work and life in general, take a proactive approach and ownership in the tasks we are given. Ask for help as needed, but treat each task as it is uniquely ours to resolve or carry out. After a few solid victories under the ol belt, respect and advancement will follow. Just try not to over-step unseen boundaries in the process.
Like your analogy of two Alpha Wolves in a confined space. That's common when older and more experienced hands feel out-gunned or in competition with a younger buck. Here, the younger buck needs to bide time, build rapport and take orders from HQ as given. Body language will tell when the time is right to approach the primary Alpha and seek his wisdom. If he's not receptive, hold off until the time is right.
Go get em,
Dave
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 12:37:51
We are definitely seeing eye to eye on this one. For better or worse though, most of the "inner circle" has left or has only a few shifts before leaving. It's shows on Chef's face how "in like Flynn" i really am, and how anxious the guy is to get me back.
A week or two at most, everyhting will be business as usuall. I to take the same feeling of ownership you speak about, maybe not some much that, but putting the 4 P's (Pride Passion Precision perfection) into anything I do, not just at work, but into car adio, videogames, partying, in bed......whatever. If it worth doing, it's worth doing well. If it's worth doing well, it's worth perfection. If perfection is achieved, reputation, recognition, and possibly fame can come from it.
The above mottos have always served me very well in life, and I am sure that it will continue if I stick my my objectives, outlooks, attiutude, morals and work ethic.
Right back at ya, and may you find somehing better soon
Curtis
swez on 06/10/2008 14:08:31
Well said son... we are connecting and firing on all cylinders.
Perfection? I'd say from trying that road for many years, it's not possible on this planet. Persistance and Perservence are possible, along w/ Passion and Pride of accomplishment as we learn and grow.
Pride can be a good thing, but the other side of the coin to Pride is Arrogance and self-sufficiency. Have been there many times and it's not a pursuit I wish to strive for anymore, excellents in what we do is a very profitable goal/replacement for Pride. Yes, we can be proud of the efforts and achievments we have in life over many years. However,
Pride and Prestige do not put bread on the table or bread in our pockets per-se.
They may make us look good in the eyes of others, but we have to face the man in the mirror each day. I worked for a boss once that was so superficial, his pride and sense of prestige were his undoing. He did not make the connection to Excellents/Pide as best he could have. He made enemies at the top and those below him in the process.
After 18 years with the company, he was promoted beyond what his ego/pride/skills could sustain. Within 9 months he was demoted, fired and replaced by a level-headed manager that was very capable and a real blessing to work for. (The best Manager I ever had)
Do you see the difference between Pride and Excellents? Excellents means we do our best under any/all conditions and the outcome is as good as our skills and situation allow.s As we become more skillful and proficient at one thing or another, Excellents will be our goal and a legacy to those who follow later.
See the difference?
Dave
PS Am giving you a crash coarse on things I learned by trial and error or the hard way. Use what you can understand for now and let time fill in the gaps. I was a lot like you in my younger days. But time, experience and getting a good number of kicks in arse along the way, brought some very valuable lessons that needed to be worked out. Am just trying to save you some grief that many of us older guys had to go through as we learned the ropes. I'm not trying to preach here at all. But rather, a guide that have been through many tough things and learned the hard way. If you can be spared some of those hard knocks, more power to ya. GRIN
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 18:01:20
I feel you again, but heres my outlook on things.
Pride and perfection are both sketchy words, and can be skewed by different views. I personally belive in forms of perfection, but they mostly deal with products or services that you can produce and perform, but certainly not personal perfection.
Take for example, we meet up and bake some muffins. We follow the recipe precicely, mix the batter to just the proper consistency, properly lubricate the pan, and bake for the exact time at the exact temperture. If the result is equal too the best muffin you have made or eaten, than you have accomplished perfection. If the product is better than even that, you have achieved a new standard of perfection. I think in cases like this, and similar, perfection is definetly possible.
Does that make us perfect cooks? Hell no, I know myself I make way too many mistakes for that! GRIN
As for being the perfect installer, I am far from that, as I spend more time looking for where I set that damn screwdriver than I actually do working on the project!
I definetly see a difference between pride and excellence. The way I have managed to take pride in my accomplishments is to base that pride on the excellence of that very acccomplishment. I feel no enjoyment, rather shame, when doing less than top notch work. I expect more of myself than that, and above average just isn't enough for my official stamp.
Me and the sous chef candidate were discussing this self-standard a few months ago. Sometimes, there are days where everybody was satisfied with our performance that shift, but were not satisfied with our performance personally. Kind of like some start basketball player talking in the locker room afer a nice victory, dissapointed that they didn't score enough, not because they didn't get the ball enough, but because they had that ball and didn't score/passed it.
No right to take pride here.
Although the team wins, the matter of personal excellence is not there, and we spend the day thinking on how to improve the situatuin, instead of cracking bubbly and taking something good lookin' home
My outlook on the 4P's is much like that of the samurai, a tradition of spirit that I can follow much more effectively. Its no much the warriors code, but more applying absolute passion and precision towards perfection in anything, whether leading men in battle, to building a hut to boiling rice, leads to a sense of pride and also, self esteem and calmness. But when the fierceness of battle calls, that same dicipline is available to do warfare.
And a similar, but much less extreme for me, approach is taken in defeat as well. But as opposed to taking my own life in the dishonor of defeat in battle, I feel like a moron and plot and scheme the rest of the day on how to improve my performance when I burn a roasted chicken. GRIN although I am very dishonored in my hand's defeat in the battle with the stainless steel table.......it kind of took it's own life in the process.......
Anyway, this is my personal view on how one can take much prde in their accomplishments, and not succomb to the dark side of arrogance.
A lot of this is generated from many of the hard knocks I have taken myself, and lessons learned and conclusions drawn. These are things I have drawn up to improve, not perfect, myself. Personal perfection is something I don't believe in, and even if it did exist, the perfect man role isn't quite for me......
swez on 06/11/2008 10:52:23
Indeed, we all have a learning curve and things do change with time, experience and looking at the tangible results.
Personally, perfection is a fleeting notion. Just when we think we have reached a pinnicle, the fence shifts and we look for the next level and up the ante.
I am far from perfect and do not have any aspirations/delusions for such things. Instead, have learned to take one day at a time, moment by moment and when a gain is noted, I follow that lead.
BTW, there is nothing wrong with being "average on some things in life". We can only focus on so many things in a given time. But the ones that really count, we pour it on and see how far we can go and never give up.
Again, I believe you will be successful when passion, knowledge and a persistant drive for excellence is in balance.
Swez
SQLThump on 06/11/2008 11:01:16
So, bad news. I just got back from the doctor, and it looks like another 3 weeks out of work. When the said I would be coming out of the splint today, I didn't know I was going into another splint.....
swez on 06/12/2008 01:49:55
Ouch ... that's a setback that was not anticipated. Are you getting workman's comp while on the sidelines? (Hopefully yes)
Have a little unexpected good news to share... the last day on the old job was Monday the 9th. Talked to my brother a few weeks ago about being available for jobs in his business. Sure enough, he called me Tuesday and said he had a job for both of us to wrap up at a new Dollar Tree store in the area on Wednesday.
So, grabbed the trusty old tool pouch, drill gun and off we went for a 6 hour stint there. It was great to be back in that line of work again. We installed 12 ceiling can type speakers, a remote amplifier and paging system to the main office and a few other odds and ends. One tool I really needed and did not pack, was a headlamp. It dark up there above the acoustical tiles and having a good head lamp to see what's being done, is a must. Won't forget that tool again.
Admittedly, I was a bit rusty and needed a little extra supervision for the first hour. But after that, things fell right into place and back into a nice groove again. The hardest part of this job was all the ladder climbing. Dang, that's real hard on the bad knee and makes for very sore feet/calves at the end of a shift. Was one sore and pooped puppy at the end of the shift.
Aside from that, the system fired up perfectly as we tested all zones. The other contractors on site were happy to have music in the work area again. In all, a real fine bunch of guys on site today. Many were out of state contractors who have been on site for 12 weeks now. They are all itching to wrap up and move on to a new site after passing all inspections.
Finally, hang in there Curtis. The longer you are away, the more they will appreciate your gung-ho energy when you return. It's tough sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the injuries to heal bro. Just hang in there and your day will finally come.
Peace,
Dave
SQLThump on 06/12/2008 08:48:58
Killer man! Great to see that you found something to suit your pro audio skills more suitably. Wouldn't blame you for being a little rusty, spend enough time from anything and it can be difficult to get back into top gear.
Is this a more permanent gig here? I know you mentioned doing stuff like this for churches and the like with your bro in the past.
I bet the crew was happy to have tunes back on the site. Boomboxes get old, fast, and buying D-Cell after D-cell can get a bit pricey for below average sound..good that everything work out well, now remember that miner's light!!! Maybe some nice cushioned kneepads too.
I did go into work to train again today, but again,l my trainee neglected to show. So I hung out with the chef and one of the guys, smoked a cig, and joked around for a few.....
I am hanging pretty well, I was getting W.C. checks for a few weeks, but a mistake in my bosses accounting has made it to where the insurance company is hesitant to cut me any further checks until it is fixed. This should be fixed by 4PM today though.
Fortunately, this has given me much time to work on the sales department of my side gig, which I officailly named "Hard Knock Life Custom Audio" for the business cards I am going to make this weekend. Figured now that I have a phone, I better start promoting more business, especially durung the summer season.
Anthough unable to install at the moment, sales are picking up great. I moved 5 Alpine Type-E's at insanely low prices last month, helping my buddy clear out the last of the old "gray cone" style subs, and ushering in the advent of the 3rd-gen Type-E, which is going to make me, my wallet, and customers very happy.
Anyway, keep up the P.A. work. We need people with skills like you using those skills for a good purpose. Rid the world of crappy sound!!!
Curtis
ttocs on 06/12/2008 12:15:35
working with family can be hard. I love my brother but I am not sure if I could work with him. Bing twins would make a difference as me and my bro could not be further apart and if we were not brothers we would certainly not get along. Glad to hear it got you excited! I am waiting to see if they will switch my job or if I am out of a job.....
SQLThump on 06/18/2008 18:40:35
Back on topic here.........Did even more mods to the car. I replaced that faulty ass old JBL GTO75.4II I was using as a sub amp with a real deal Alpine MRP M500 sub amp. It dumps! On top of that, I replaces my interior lighting rig with some non-ghetto Led lights that strobe to music, but stay full on when my subs are hitting even with them all the way down, and sensitivity on the lights at minimum.
Then I went even more crazy, and decided to redo the back dash again, and all the pillars and trim pieces with some nice blue felt. I ran out of black grillecloth though, and have to wait to redo the grilles with the now the better looking JBL logo and M4's
Scope the photobucket album...........
http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/
swez on 06/19/2008 01:51:21
Looks pretty good Curtis. CLAP
Seems you have been working very diligently on cleaning up the old and make things look fresh again. Keep up the good work.
You're gonna love that Alpine M500 amp for these subs. What's wrong with the JBL amp?
Swez
SQLThump on 06/23/2008 13:09:09
The JBL amp would go into protect mode every time when a super deep note came around. This became intolerable, so I had it exchanged on warranty. Would have worked great for upper range/midbass, but I did have to give it back.The lights I updated were thrown in as a bonus since the JBL amp was more expensive than the Alpine.
Loving that Alpine too! The only time my bass has cut out since I got is when I was dreaming about the JBL amp a few nights ago!
Some spiffy build pix!
Removed sound isullation between seats and trunk
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor014.jpg
Traced out JBL logo on rear deck
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor012.jpg
Closer shot of same
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor013.jpg
sound vent cut
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor015.jpg
Rear deck after cutouts
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor016.jpg
One oval hole finished, M4 assualt rifle for the hell of it!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor017.jpg
After everything was finished
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor018.jpg
With the work lamp in the trunk where the subs go, it turned the grillecloth translucent, and casted a lit up JBL logo on to the back window like a batsignal or something. It can be seen very faintly in the picture, but soon I will have 2 neons and a mirror to make that shine nicely!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor020.jpg
After full reassembly
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/bdayanwindsor021.jpg
The best parts, ghetto car bling factor, and not spending a cent on the whole project!!
Replies (20)
SQLThump on 06/8/2008 09:33:57
No love?!?!
swez on 06/8/2008 10:04:17
It's not a no love factor bro... it's more like many are pre-occupied with other things right now and this happens every year in the summer months.
Can only speak for myself, but am wrapping up a work project that has kept me focused and little time/energy for CK/other stuff right now. We are in the final push for this season and it will come to an end in a matter of days. It will feel so good to get off this treadmill and then move on to something new and hopefully better in the future. I am so done with this gig and hope to find something better soon. But for now, the goal is to finish strong and move on to better things.
As for your work on the GHB, like the JBL Logo, but what are the assult rifles all about? LOL That's a bit over the top, but kinda cool anyway!
In the mean time, keep chugging along until you find the right mix. Most Bass-Heads outgrow this expensive phase and then re-define their goals toward SQ or SQL type systems. It seems like you are straddling the fence right now. That's all good and look how much was learned in the process?
Swez
PS Doing things like this on a tight budget, make the end result all the sweeter. When all is said and done, you'll probably scale things down to the basics and still have solid bass. However, it will be balanced and when you want to show off a tad, you can. SMILE
SQLThump on 06/8/2008 12:18:14
Right on....I guess I am the only person with too much time on their hands.......I get to go back to work soon though!!
The assualt rifles are a bit over the top, but all the boys round the neioghborhood still call me Shootuh, so I had to throw it down McBustaCap style to make it my own and nobody elses'.
The project kind of started simple and ended up going crazy before very long at all. It was just going to be cutting the wood and metal, while retaining all the carpet. Then we cut out the insulation between the seats, then we were going to bust out the grillecloth, then the JBL logo, and after that, the ovals were going do be lonely, so it was M4 carbines after that.
It was a pretty fun build, and the price was right. A lot more air is moving where it should be going, and the air pressure in the truink has been reduced greatly, relieving much of my rattling trunk issues.
As for finding the right blend, you have me pegged on straddling the fence. The sub control on my H/u helps me out greatly with this. Usually halfway down, all the way down for sessions where I'm loving the upper end, and striaght up for increasingly rarer "showoff basshead" mode.
I have learned a lot, and really have scaled back quite a bit. Plans for now are a dedicated sub amp, using my four channel for my front comps, and a pair of dedicated midbass to occupy the rear channels. I may sell the current JBL GT5 subs if the new GTO series subs coming out perform better and come at my usually wholesale cost. I can probably turn a profit getting some new subs,, so I an not too likely to turn that down if the new GTO's kick it harder than the GT5's already do.
I am going to redo the interior carpet, and possibly make some new seat covers soon, if this happens, all the logo and rifles will be redone to match, which is fine, because some detials of the rear deck look a bit ghetto as of yet. Lights are going to be added as soon as another check comes in.
swez on 06/9/2008 13:53:31
Hey SQL,
Just wanted to pass a little "fatherly advice" your way when you return to work. (How's the mending process coming along?)
Have just completed a 10 month stint on a job that pushed this old man to the limit and then some. When you return to work at the restaurant, give things time to gel with your hot-tempered chef. He's got a lot on his plate and he may feel the weight of many pressures you are yet unaware of at the moment. (You may get some of that displaced frustration, but don't let it thwart your efforts)
If you want to make a lasting impression, look past the emotional outbursts and learn to be his right-hand man. This will take time and persistance, but it will pay off in the future. Learn to anticipate the needs on the "line" and flex with the demands as best you can. In time, he'll ease up, give you more leeway and consider you as a very much valued right hand man.
This may be a "tough row to plow right now" in the near-term, but once he sees your level of comittment, things will change for the better for all. I say this from experience. The goal is to learn as much as possible about the "back of the house" demands and how to anticipate them before they get out of hand. Once you have a solid grip on his priorities and carry them out to his level of expectation, these lessons will make you a valuable player he can rely on, when in "deep weeds".
Why am I telling you this? Because I desire to see you succeed and prosper along the way. When the pressure is on, you'll be the go-to guy in times when it is needed most.
Finally, even when he's an A-hole under pressure, he can count on you to come through in the clinches. Once that is established, you'll be viewed a valuable team player they don't want to lose. The perks come later, but they will come.
Best regards,
Swez
newB on 06/9/2008 23:17:05
<3<3<3<3
^
my "love"
looks good bro!!! GRIN
much better than i could have done
dont listen to old man audio and be as loud as you can! ^_^
-Drew
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 07:27:07
Thanks for the love bro.....It turned out better than I was expecting too.....though a little ghetto still.....
I Can't go as crazy as I would like lately, I gotta nuther infection in my right ear, so I'm gonna roll with Swez's advice for a while on that one.
Swez, as always, your good advice is always heeded and appreciated. My absence had made the whole kitchen realize what happens when I'n not going crazy cooking it up! I went in today to train somebody for my position, but the guy didn't even show. Chef was impressed that I showed up anyway, and did so without even talikng directly to him.
The healing is doing well, all the docs are impressed with how quick of a recovery I am making. Of course, I take my meds, and for the most part abstain form the list of stuff I cant do. Not too difficult really.
My position as the goto guy was pretty well nailed before, as long as my hand is ready when I go back, I am ready to act a'fool! Plus, Chefesuarus rex has chilled out quite a bit in the last 2 months, and our sous chef just quit, which was more a relief than anything as dude was a total hackjob.
Stoked to go back to work, thats for sure. I may be cleared as soon as tommorrow, two more weeks tops. If there is undue stress or pressure, I am already well trained to deal with it. Just ready to go back in and show some stripes already.
Thaks again Swez
SQLThump
swez on 06/10/2008 08:54:44
Great news and I hope you'll get the green light soon and return to work and ready to up the kitchen a few notches in a week or two after returning.
The reason I said those things is from my recent experience as a 1099 subcontractor with a very small group in a larger corporate franchise. We started out last fall with 3 guys on the road, one wharehouse manager and one Customer Service Rep/roadie and the owner.
There were 2 newbies on the team this season and I was one of them. The others have been together for 8 years now. They know the ropes and I benefitted greatly from my partner's years on the road. Yes, he was one tough nut to crack, but now I know why... He wanted to make star player shine in the field so that he could do what he does best. (Customer Service and logistics)
Well, it was tough in the beginning and as winter approached, things got even harder. But I did not yield, give up or take undue shortcuts. I went the extra mile even if it meant extra hours w/o additional pay.
That strategy paid off in April when the lean times hit. Sales were way down, fuel costs were huge and the owner had to make an executive decision and cut one driver loose. He had a few more weeks on the job, but took too many shortcuts, rushed to get home early and did not fill late coming orders. That was his demise. (Every dollar of income was needed to meet payroll, keeping 3 vans on the road and fresh inventory coming in every 4-5 weeks and more)
Anyway, I took the opposite approach and stayed in the field until the job was done to the best possible outcome. I was the lowest paid guy on the team, had most of the longest routes and was building a new territory to boot. It was grueling, but I just knew that would change in time. Sure enough, when the other guy got the axe, the remaining work load jumped about 30% and so did the income.
Dang... the big push was on and we had 10 weeks to finish up biz for this season. But we prevailed as a team and I can honestly walk away now, knowing that quality work in quantity, will stretch anyone to their limits and then some. That's exactly what I needed to prove to myself. (How far are we willing to push ourselves to learn something of lasting value?)
Finally, I credit the oversight of my manager to a large degree. He pushed hard and demanded a lot. He was also there in the clinches to support a worn out team mate when needed. (He's not a compassion man by nature and rarely offered obvious props) But his no-nonsense/no excuses approach served us well and I commended him for the tough talks when they came due. To his credit, when I saw a better way to manage things in the field, he listened, took appropriate action and we pounded out several new strategies in the process. Yes, I had to play a little hard ball with him at times, but he knew I was right and walking the walk and adjusted accordingly. (That was just short of a amazing... he listened, took stock in my arguments and conceded to changes as needed)
Swez
PS I don't want any to think I'm blowing my own horn here. The real intent is to share what success looks like when the chips are down. It all boils down to attitude, a tough mental determination and pushing ourselves past the walls we often create in our own minds. Yes, there were "many days" when I just felt like giving in and giving up. Am glad I resisted that notion too. It feels so good to finish well and move on to bigger and better things now.
PSS I give a even more credit to the "Man Upstairs" here too. HE brought me to this challenge and saw me through it as well. I thank HIM daily for the opportunity and the energy to carry out each assignment with skill, endurance and quality workmanship. HE blessed me and now, am hoping to bless you with what has been learned. We have no idea what the power of prayer can do until we pursue it with passion and diligence. Think that one over a while. Wow, if you read my daily journaling notes, it would be clear that He is in control and knows just when to intervene on our behalf. Just when I thought one more step was too much, HE stepped in and made up the difference. I cannot wait to see what the next steps will be in the future. No, am not a perfect man by any means, but I am glad to be growing and moving forward again. Am not the man I wish to become, but looking back at the man I was before, there is a lot of good progress to be thankful for.
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 09:19:22
I see a lot of similaraties in our two stories. Although my season is never over, and I am on a little "sabbitical," I have definitely benifited from the high intensity of my chef. As another no-nonsense no-BS kind of employer, it took a lot to learn to deal with keeping cool with his attitude. But now that I look at it, the pushing was a great thing, as there are very few people who can put my attitude in check.
Athough it was much like a pair of alpha male wolves fighting for dominance, we managed to find a way so neither ever had to submit. He pushed me to work harder than ever before, and I amazed him with my ability to comply with whatever was asked quickly and effectively, with military level of dicipline.
All of this paid off as well, when one of the cooks left, I was asked to fill the position than somebody older, more expeirenced, and with more seniority over me. I say I fared pretty damn well for starting off as a dishwasher.........
I see it with a view of this: he was like a tough seargent taking a decently skilled man and turning him into another tough seargent. There are very few familar faces in the itchen since I left, and I have a lot to take care of upon my return. My Gestapo style of orginazition in my walk-ins, freezer and dry storage have gone to hell with me not there, and Chef is running out of steam when enforcing lately due to high turnover of rookie employees, and due to being at retirement age.
The candidate for the sous chef position and I are pretty close knit, and agree that Chef is looking for a close knit "unit" that can rock his kitchen so he can do what most resturant owners do; come in for a few hours, drink with and charm customers, look over the books, do a little enforcement if neccassary, and then leave.
Everybody can see how the many years of running top notch kitchens has taken a toll on him, and you can see his tiredness in his eyes as he works. Funny thing is, nobody in the whole place has the slightest idea of how old he really is besides maybe his wife.
I am definitely ready to go back now, but have enjoyed the last months time to work on personal BS, my car (well, more like getting others to do it), go on a mackin' mission, and more than all, chill and improve my health.
I feel you on the desire to give in though. I couldn't lie and say that there wasn't more than a few times I wanted to just pop him one in the lip and just leave, but now here is kind of a bond, one I can tell is there every time I have been in the kitchen since my injury.
swez on 06/10/2008 11:27:03
With that attitude, you'll make it into the inner circle when the time is right. (I just know it, but don't ask me how)
When dealing with the power structure above us, there's always room for teachability, an open mind and lots of repsect for them. We may not like how they handle certain things at times, but like the Army, Marines and other such things, one earns the rank they aspire to. We all have to know the pecking order and only push back when the timing is right and we are in a rational state of mind. (Hopefully, our opponent is too tired or just plain receptive to fight back, able to listen and sees value in the opportunity to hear you out)
Hehe, expect some chaos when you get back to biz. They probably have been short-handed a lot, standards have slipped and you'll know what to do about them in short order.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in work and life in general, take a proactive approach and ownership in the tasks we are given. Ask for help as needed, but treat each task as it is uniquely ours to resolve or carry out. After a few solid victories under the ol belt, respect and advancement will follow. Just try not to over-step unseen boundaries in the process.
Like your analogy of two Alpha Wolves in a confined space. That's common when older and more experienced hands feel out-gunned or in competition with a younger buck. Here, the younger buck needs to bide time, build rapport and take orders from HQ as given. Body language will tell when the time is right to approach the primary Alpha and seek his wisdom. If he's not receptive, hold off until the time is right.
Go get em,
Dave
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 12:37:51
We are definitely seeing eye to eye on this one. For better or worse though, most of the "inner circle" has left or has only a few shifts before leaving. It's shows on Chef's face how "in like Flynn" i really am, and how anxious the guy is to get me back.
A week or two at most, everyhting will be business as usuall. I to take the same feeling of ownership you speak about, maybe not some much that, but putting the 4 P's (Pride Passion Precision perfection) into anything I do, not just at work, but into car adio, videogames, partying, in bed......whatever. If it worth doing, it's worth doing well. If it's worth doing well, it's worth perfection. If perfection is achieved, reputation, recognition, and possibly fame can come from it.
The above mottos have always served me very well in life, and I am sure that it will continue if I stick my my objectives, outlooks, attiutude, morals and work ethic.
Right back at ya, and may you find somehing better soon
Curtis
swez on 06/10/2008 14:08:31
Well said son... we are connecting and firing on all cylinders.
Perfection? I'd say from trying that road for many years, it's not possible on this planet. Persistance and Perservence are possible, along w/ Passion and Pride of accomplishment as we learn and grow.
Pride can be a good thing, but the other side of the coin to Pride is Arrogance and self-sufficiency. Have been there many times and it's not a pursuit I wish to strive for anymore, excellents in what we do is a very profitable goal/replacement for Pride. Yes, we can be proud of the efforts and achievments we have in life over many years. However,
Pride and Prestige do not put bread on the table or bread in our pockets per-se.
They may make us look good in the eyes of others, but we have to face the man in the mirror each day. I worked for a boss once that was so superficial, his pride and sense of prestige were his undoing. He did not make the connection to Excellents/Pide as best he could have. He made enemies at the top and those below him in the process.
After 18 years with the company, he was promoted beyond what his ego/pride/skills could sustain. Within 9 months he was demoted, fired and replaced by a level-headed manager that was very capable and a real blessing to work for. (The best Manager I ever had)
Do you see the difference between Pride and Excellents? Excellents means we do our best under any/all conditions and the outcome is as good as our skills and situation allow.s As we become more skillful and proficient at one thing or another, Excellents will be our goal and a legacy to those who follow later.
See the difference?
Dave
PS Am giving you a crash coarse on things I learned by trial and error or the hard way. Use what you can understand for now and let time fill in the gaps. I was a lot like you in my younger days. But time, experience and getting a good number of kicks in arse along the way, brought some very valuable lessons that needed to be worked out. Am just trying to save you some grief that many of us older guys had to go through as we learned the ropes. I'm not trying to preach here at all. But rather, a guide that have been through many tough things and learned the hard way. If you can be spared some of those hard knocks, more power to ya. GRIN
SQLThump on 06/10/2008 18:01:20
I feel you again, but heres my outlook on things.
Pride and perfection are both sketchy words, and can be skewed by different views. I personally belive in forms of perfection, but they mostly deal with products or services that you can produce and perform, but certainly not personal perfection.
Take for example, we meet up and bake some muffins. We follow the recipe precicely, mix the batter to just the proper consistency, properly lubricate the pan, and bake for the exact time at the exact temperture. If the result is equal too the best muffin you have made or eaten, than you have accomplished perfection. If the product is better than even that, you have achieved a new standard of perfection. I think in cases like this, and similar, perfection is definetly possible.
Does that make us perfect cooks? Hell no, I know myself I make way too many mistakes for that! GRIN
As for being the perfect installer, I am far from that, as I spend more time looking for where I set that damn screwdriver than I actually do working on the project!
I definetly see a difference between pride and excellence. The way I have managed to take pride in my accomplishments is to base that pride on the excellence of that very acccomplishment. I feel no enjoyment, rather shame, when doing less than top notch work. I expect more of myself than that, and above average just isn't enough for my official stamp.
Me and the sous chef candidate were discussing this self-standard a few months ago. Sometimes, there are days where everybody was satisfied with our performance that shift, but were not satisfied with our performance personally. Kind of like some start basketball player talking in the locker room afer a nice victory, dissapointed that they didn't score enough, not because they didn't get the ball enough, but because they had that ball and didn't score/passed it.
No right to take pride here.
Although the team wins, the matter of personal excellence is not there, and we spend the day thinking on how to improve the situatuin, instead of cracking bubbly and taking something good lookin' home
My outlook on the 4P's is much like that of the samurai, a tradition of spirit that I can follow much more effectively. Its no much the warriors code, but more applying absolute passion and precision towards perfection in anything, whether leading men in battle, to building a hut to boiling rice, leads to a sense of pride and also, self esteem and calmness. But when the fierceness of battle calls, that same dicipline is available to do warfare.
And a similar, but much less extreme for me, approach is taken in defeat as well. But as opposed to taking my own life in the dishonor of defeat in battle, I feel like a moron and plot and scheme the rest of the day on how to improve my performance when I burn a roasted chicken. GRIN although I am very dishonored in my hand's defeat in the battle with the stainless steel table.......it kind of took it's own life in the process.......
Anyway, this is my personal view on how one can take much prde in their accomplishments, and not succomb to the dark side of arrogance.
A lot of this is generated from many of the hard knocks I have taken myself, and lessons learned and conclusions drawn. These are things I have drawn up to improve, not perfect, myself. Personal perfection is something I don't believe in, and even if it did exist, the perfect man role isn't quite for me......
swez on 06/11/2008 10:52:23
Indeed, we all have a learning curve and things do change with time, experience and looking at the tangible results.
Personally, perfection is a fleeting notion. Just when we think we have reached a pinnicle, the fence shifts and we look for the next level and up the ante.
I am far from perfect and do not have any aspirations/delusions for such things. Instead, have learned to take one day at a time, moment by moment and when a gain is noted, I follow that lead.
BTW, there is nothing wrong with being "average on some things in life". We can only focus on so many things in a given time. But the ones that really count, we pour it on and see how far we can go and never give up.
Again, I believe you will be successful when passion, knowledge and a persistant drive for excellence is in balance.
Swez
SQLThump on 06/11/2008 11:01:16
So, bad news. I just got back from the doctor, and it looks like another 3 weeks out of work. When the said I would be coming out of the splint today, I didn't know I was going into another splint.....
swez on 06/12/2008 01:49:55
Ouch ... that's a setback that was not anticipated. Are you getting workman's comp while on the sidelines? (Hopefully yes)
Have a little unexpected good news to share... the last day on the old job was Monday the 9th. Talked to my brother a few weeks ago about being available for jobs in his business. Sure enough, he called me Tuesday and said he had a job for both of us to wrap up at a new Dollar Tree store in the area on Wednesday.
So, grabbed the trusty old tool pouch, drill gun and off we went for a 6 hour stint there. It was great to be back in that line of work again. We installed 12 ceiling can type speakers, a remote amplifier and paging system to the main office and a few other odds and ends. One tool I really needed and did not pack, was a headlamp. It dark up there above the acoustical tiles and having a good head lamp to see what's being done, is a must. Won't forget that tool again.
Admittedly, I was a bit rusty and needed a little extra supervision for the first hour. But after that, things fell right into place and back into a nice groove again. The hardest part of this job was all the ladder climbing. Dang, that's real hard on the bad knee and makes for very sore feet/calves at the end of a shift. Was one sore and pooped puppy at the end of the shift.
Aside from that, the system fired up perfectly as we tested all zones. The other contractors on site were happy to have music in the work area again. In all, a real fine bunch of guys on site today. Many were out of state contractors who have been on site for 12 weeks now. They are all itching to wrap up and move on to a new site after passing all inspections.
Finally, hang in there Curtis. The longer you are away, the more they will appreciate your gung-ho energy when you return. It's tough sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the injuries to heal bro. Just hang in there and your day will finally come.
Peace,
Dave
SQLThump on 06/12/2008 08:48:58
Killer man! Great to see that you found something to suit your pro audio skills more suitably. Wouldn't blame you for being a little rusty, spend enough time from anything and it can be difficult to get back into top gear.
Is this a more permanent gig here? I know you mentioned doing stuff like this for churches and the like with your bro in the past.
I bet the crew was happy to have tunes back on the site. Boomboxes get old, fast, and buying D-Cell after D-cell can get a bit pricey for below average sound..good that everything work out well, now remember that miner's light!!! Maybe some nice cushioned kneepads too.
I did go into work to train again today, but again,l my trainee neglected to show. So I hung out with the chef and one of the guys, smoked a cig, and joked around for a few.....
I am hanging pretty well, I was getting W.C. checks for a few weeks, but a mistake in my bosses accounting has made it to where the insurance company is hesitant to cut me any further checks until it is fixed. This should be fixed by 4PM today though.
Fortunately, this has given me much time to work on the sales department of my side gig, which I officailly named "Hard Knock Life Custom Audio" for the business cards I am going to make this weekend. Figured now that I have a phone, I better start promoting more business, especially durung the summer season.
Anthough unable to install at the moment, sales are picking up great. I moved 5 Alpine Type-E's at insanely low prices last month, helping my buddy clear out the last of the old "gray cone" style subs, and ushering in the advent of the 3rd-gen Type-E, which is going to make me, my wallet, and customers very happy.
Anyway, keep up the P.A. work. We need people with skills like you using those skills for a good purpose. Rid the world of crappy sound!!!
Curtis
ttocs on 06/12/2008 12:15:35
working with family can be hard. I love my brother but I am not sure if I could work with him. Bing twins would make a difference as me and my bro could not be further apart and if we were not brothers we would certainly not get along. Glad to hear it got you excited! I am waiting to see if they will switch my job or if I am out of a job.....
SQLThump on 06/18/2008 18:40:35
Back on topic here.........Did even more mods to the car. I replaced that faulty ass old JBL GTO75.4II I was using as a sub amp with a real deal Alpine MRP M500 sub amp. It dumps! On top of that, I replaces my interior lighting rig with some non-ghetto Led lights that strobe to music, but stay full on when my subs are hitting even with them all the way down, and sensitivity on the lights at minimum.
Then I went even more crazy, and decided to redo the back dash again, and all the pillars and trim pieces with some nice blue felt. I ran out of black grillecloth though, and have to wait to redo the grilles with the now the better looking JBL logo and M4's
Scope the photobucket album...........
http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s191/GhettoHooptyBucket/
swez on 06/19/2008 01:51:21
Looks pretty good Curtis. CLAP
Seems you have been working very diligently on cleaning up the old and make things look fresh again. Keep up the good work.
You're gonna love that Alpine M500 amp for these subs. What's wrong with the JBL amp?
Swez
SQLThump on 06/23/2008 13:09:09
The JBL amp would go into protect mode every time when a super deep note came around. This became intolerable, so I had it exchanged on warranty. Would have worked great for upper range/midbass, but I did have to give it back.The lights I updated were thrown in as a bonus since the JBL amp was more expensive than the Alpine.
Loving that Alpine too! The only time my bass has cut out since I got is when I was dreaming about the JBL amp a few nights ago!
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