The control placement doesn't bother me too much. The idea of building the cabinet from scratch would put me off doing this altogether. Making it as a head so I could build many cabs doesn't bare thinking about!!
I'm doing this because I'm a tight-arse and I want something that can't be bought off the shelf. The having to do it myself bit is a mild inconvenience that I hope to minimise.
End goal is a small, lightweight combo that will surprise other unsuspecting jam session attendees with its tone and volume (who knew that thing was full of valves???)