This might seem strange, but I'm in need of someone to build me a digital clock. Just the guts. I am going to place it in a bespoke machined aluminium case. This bit, I can do. The electronics, however, have me stumped.

I'd like a VFD display (as they are pretty) - probably similar size to the one in the empeg, as well as a few other basic requirements (battery backup, dimmable etc)

If anyone is up to fabricating this for me please do get in touch.

I would try it myself but it would take me years, or I'd burn the house down with my final item, or both! I'm guessing anyone who replies will be much more competent ;-)

Anyone bored enough?

There are millions of kits for this kind of thing.

And my 9 year old daughter built one, when she was 8.

You can do it.

VFDs do have high voltage, so be careful with this... even the empeg has a 60V supply for its VFD.

http://www.ladyada.net/make/icetube/

...but that shouldn't put you off from building one. Just follow the instructions very carefully, check everything 3 times, and don't touch the high voltage bits when it's plugged in!

Not all VFDs have exposed high voltages.
Here's a rather simple one for projects like this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251000878485

My MythTV box has this exact VFD installed in the front panel!

You might also consider buying an off-the-shelf consumer digital clock and cannibalizing it to shoehorn into your new case.

Look around in thrift stores, back in the '70s they made VFD clocks with beautiful blue displays. They weren't afraid of counters that ran backwards as well as forwards back then either.