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Post subject: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 12:17 pm
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Recently, I bought a Monoprice Stage Right 15w amp. It sounds fantastic and is often compared to a BJR.

https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=611815

It looks similar to a Laney so maybe it's a Laney copy or maybe Monoprice made some Laney amps. I really don't know.

My question is, how difficult would it be to install a standby switch in it? There really isn't enough room to add a decent switch but, I've seen some on/off/standby switches. Maybe one of those would work. I have not been able to find schematics for this exact amp but, I did find a Laney LC-15 schematic that may be close.

Image

My goal in doing this is extending tube life but how important is a standby switch in a 15w amp? The BJR doesn't have one.

What do you guys think?

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 12:50 pm
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The EL84 is a pretty hot-running tube and your concerns about extending their service lives are warranted. All you need is a SP/ST switch rated for about 350 volts and 2 amperes to be inserted somewhere between the power supply's B+ tap and the plates of the power tubes. Such a switch could be installed on the amp's rear panel to preserve the front-panel cosmetics.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 3:21 am
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Doing a good and reliable job may not be easy on small printed circuit.
EL84 are so cheap....$14 each
By only good american made switch, chineese made switch may not last.
I use Carling switch ;

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/s ... older-lugs


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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:03 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
The EL84 is a pretty hot-running tube and your concerns about extending their service lives are warranted. All you need is a SP/ST switch rated for about 350 volts and 2 amperes to be inserted somewhere between the power supply's B+ tap and the plates of the power tubes. Such a switch could be installed on the amp's rear panel to preserve the front-panel cosmetics.

Arjay

I have noticed a lot of heat coming out of the grille on the back after playing for awhile. I'm glad to hear that I'm not being overly concerned, too. I like your idea although it may be beyond my technical expertise but, there's a first time for everything. I'll do more research.
Thanks, Roger, you gave me a great place to start.

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:06 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Doing a good and reliable job may not be easy on small printed circuit.
EL84 are so cheap....$14 each
By only good american made switch, chineese made switch may not last.
I use Carling switch ;

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/s ... older-lugs


Image

Thanks for the link and your markup on the schematic. The wheels in my head are turning. :)

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 12:11 pm
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Marky Forrest wrote:


I have noticed a lot of heat coming out of the grille on the back after playing for awhile. .



I t could be normal.


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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:21 pm
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One last thought.

This amp has a power attenuation button that switches between 1w and 15w.

Would switching to 1w, when taking a break, be almost like a standby switch? It seems logical to me but I'm no expert.

Thanks for your replies.

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 6:15 pm
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I'd have to examine the schematic to confirm but yes, it's possible.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 7:28 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I'd have to examine the schematic to confirm but yes, it's possible.

Arjay

I wish I could find the exact schematic. I posted a Laney schematic before but today I found a 2015 Monoprice 15w schematic. The 2019 version, that I have, of the amp is a little different. The 2019 has a 1w/15w push button, the 2015 has two input jacks, one for low power and one for high power. The control knobs have been moved on the 2019 model too but that shouldn't matter. This is the 2015 schematic:

Image

I don't know if the 2015 schematic helps but thanks for taking a look at it.

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:11 am
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These schematic are not the right one, they don't have switch to reduce power.

There are few circuits to reduce power, some like one made by London Power may save tube, none work like a standby switch.

Monoprice amps may come from same factory than Laney, it do not mean they are like Laney amp.

Your schematic come from this thread ?

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index ... ic=21220.0

Big job for a newbie to put standby switch;

Image


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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:20 am
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stratele52 wrote:
These schematic are not the right one, they don't have switch to reduce power.

There are few circuits to reduce power, some like one made by London Power may save tube, none work like a standby switch.

Monoprice amps may come from same factory than Laney, it do not mean they are like Laney amp.

Your schematic come from this thread ?

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index ... ic=21220.0

Big job for a newbie to put standby switch;

Image

You are correct. That schematic is for a 2015 Monoprice SR-15 amp that does not have the 1w/15w switch. Instead it has Hi/Lo input jacks. Otherwise, I think it is the same as the 2019 amp that I have.

I think Monoprice and Laney may come from the same factory but I have not found confirmation of that, yet.

I have not seen that thread before. Thanks for the link.

It does seem like a job too big for a newbie to amp work. Unless, I can find a on/off/standby switch to swap with the current on/off switch.

Do you think switching to 1w, when I take a break, would be similar to having a standby switch?

Thank you for taking the time to look over the schematic and do research. If I find a good American on/off/standby switch or the correct schematic I'll post again. Otherwise, I won't take more of yours and Rogers valuable time.

Thanks again!

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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:48 am
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Marky Forrest wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
These schematic are not the right one, they don't have switch to reduce power.

There are few circuits to reduce power, some like one made by London Power may save tube, none work like a standby switch.

Monoprice amps may come from same factory than Laney, it do not mean they are like Laney amp.

Your schematic come from this thread ?

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index ... ic=21220.0

Big job for a newbie to put standby switch;

Image

You are correct. That schematic is for a 2015 Monoprice SR-15 amp that does not have the 1w/15w switch. Instead it has Hi/Lo input jacks. Otherwise, I think it is the same as the 2019 amp that I have.

I think Monoprice and Laney may come from the same factory but I have not found confirmation of that, yet.

If it do, it do not mean it is same amp or close


I have not seen that thread before. Thanks for the link.

It does seem like a job too big for a newbie to amp work. Unless, I can find a on/off/standby switch to swap with the current on/off switch.

You can buy this special switch, I have some in stock.
The problem will always be to connect it to the high voltage circuit, work on / modify the printed circuit.
This special switch save you to make another hole. Switch itself can't do standby




Do you think switching to 1w, when I take a break, would be similar to having a standby switch?
Show me the right schematic

Thank you for taking the time to look over the schematic and do research. If I find a good American on/off/standby switch or the correct schematic I'll post again. Otherwise, I won't take more of yours and Rogers valuable time.
Read at my answer above

Thanks again!


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Post subject: Re: Non-Fender Tube Amp Question
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:53 am
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On-Off- Stanby switch

https://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Swit ... -stby-off-

That is the switch I'm talking about. It just save you to make another hole in the chassis.

You have to do wiring on High Voltage printed circuit board :(


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