It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:18 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 37 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Homemade Headphones-Out/Attenuator for Superchamp XD
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:35 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:33 am
Posts: 154
Location: Salonica-Greece
For sometime I wanted to find a way that I could use my Superchamp XD at nighttime. I searched for a solution (like weber Headphone Tap) and did some research to find out if I could be able to build something on my own.
To cut a long story short, I drew a schematic, I bought the components nad successfuly built a passive attenuator with a dummy load, which takes the output from the amp and has two outputs, one to the speaker and another to a set of headphones. The seletion between the outpouts is done by a DPDT SwitCh with 6 pole pieces so that I can choose exclusively between the speaker and the headphones. When I put it on the speaker the speaker itself becomes part of the circuit with one resistor in series and two other in parallel so the whole think reacts like an attenuator. In this mode I need almost double the volume in order to take the same output as before.
So here is the schematic

Image
(Edited: Added a cancel-attenuation switch)


components:
1) 4 resistors @ 8.2Ohm with 50Watt tollerane
2) 2 mono 1/4 Jack female
3) 1 stereo 1/4 Jack female
4) 1 potensiometer 5Κ
5) 1 DPDT Switch (6 pole pieces)
6) 1 metal box to house all these

Image

Here is how I did it step by step

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image


In every step, mesurments where taking place, to be sure that the soldering was done correctly and that the total resistance was close to the desired number. After I did a primary test and found out that everything was working right, I placed the box on my amp. I unscrewed the amp's handle, draw a hole on the floor of the metal box and using the same screw from the amp's handle I steadily fixed the attenuator in top of the amp making almost part of it.

Image

The project complete

Image

Rearview. You can see the input from the amp and the output to the speaker.

Image

There was a slight malfunction. In speaker mode there was still sound coming from the headphones. That was because the jack was metalic and mounted on the case closing a circuit with other components. I used some teflon and a rubber washer to insulate it and it was perfect.

Image

conclusion: The whole thing cost me about 35 euros (about $50). On the speaker mode due to the attenuator properties, I now have a more tube-y sound at lower volumes.
On headphones mode I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sound. Trully it was something beyond my wildest expectations. considering that I use a regular pair of Philips Headphones (priced about $15) I can say that the sound.... Rocks. Trully unexpected.
I played/tested it for about 1/2 hour and all went as expected. No hissing sounds or excessive heat from the tubes. All seems to work pretty well.

_________________
Alexander
AMSTD Strat RW Candy Cola +Callaham + Texas Specials +Tortoise shell pickguard/Fender Blues Junior III SN FSR
Salonica-Greece
Image

Macedonia IS GREECE the last 2500 years


Last edited by Alex_Under on Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:30 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:38 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Harvard IL
Very nice work Alex. I work on the old Fenders, but I'm not familiar with attentuators. I've been thinking about building a dummy load box for years. Maybe your project will get me going on that. What brand of resistors are you using? Art

_________________
None of Us are free, if One of Us is chained !


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:27 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:36 am
Posts: 3219
Location: Las Vegas
This is great! Now, if you could figure out how to wire it to automatically switch to headphones just by plugging them in and eliminate the toggle switch it would be even better than it already is. Great job. :)

_________________
Don't worry, Be happy. 8)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Are your amp and attenuator still working properly?
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:29 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:01 am
Posts: 1
Hi Alex_Under, what a nice job! This is exactly what I was looking for. Are you still using the attenuator for for your Super Champ? Did you encounter any problems with the amp or attenuator? If not, I will build one myself with the help of this instruction.

Thanks, Benjamins


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:38 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:33 am
Posts: 154
Location: Salonica-Greece
Still using it and still loving it. 8)

Nothing out of the ordinary so far. I've come to a point where I don't use the speaker anymore, now with the newborn baby in the house.

It came out to be the best mod I've ever done.
:)

Good luck with your effort!

_________________
Alexander
AMSTD Strat RW Candy Cola +Callaham + Texas Specials +Tortoise shell pickguard/Fender Blues Junior III SN FSR
Salonica-Greece
Image

Macedonia IS GREECE the last 2500 years


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:51 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:22 pm
Posts: 42
YZFJOE wrote:
This is great! Now, if you could figure out how to wire it to automatically switch to headphones just by plugging them in and eliminate the toggle switch it would be even better than it already is. Great job. :)
You probably could rig an interrupter jack to do the task.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:30 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:49 am
Posts: 1153
Location: South Bay, CA
nicely done.

Attenuators are fantastic as a solution for keeping the power tubes involved and part of your sound.

If you don't want to build one, there are options either new/used:

New: DR Z Air Brake, Brake Lite; THD Hot Plate; Weber
Used: Tom Scholz Power Soak, Marshall Power Brake

I'm sure there are others.

_________________
Image
'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


Top
Profile
Post subject: WIRING DIAGRAM
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:33 am
Posts: 1
Very nice project, congratulations.

Your Fender Super Champ XD is an 15W amp. ¿It works on a 100w tube amp? ¿what modifications would need?¿more tolerance on the resistors maybe?. I am interseting on the wired diagram on the photos it is dificult to see.

Great job really!!!.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:15 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:23 am
Posts: 833
I haven't tried it yet, but I believe I could input the signal from the line out on my SCXD into a Tascam GT-2 trainer. The GT-2 has a guitar/mike input with a level control and it has a headphone out.
Do you think this would work?
I was thinking of trying this as, quite frankly, the sound of the guitar and effects is not bad on the trainer (ok for practice I guess) but not great either. It can get a little muddy. I am reluctant to try it as I am a little unsure of whether or not this would be safe. Just call me overly cautious, I suppose.

_________________
'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:56 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:50 pm
Posts: 4
Hi,

Congrats for this wonderfull mod ;) Moreover, if you haven't damage, it's the best!

But, i have a lot of questions! :D

- Why, on the shematic, all jack are stereo?

- Is there a ground? (to prevent hum)

- Where do you buy your resistors? I found them on audiphonic at 4€50, really?

- How can I remplace the DPDT to switch on headphone when headphone jack is plugged? I have this : http://www.musikding.de/product_info.ph ... print.html

End! Thanks a lot if you can answer me ;)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:40 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:50 pm
Posts: 4
Nobody? There are questions wich don't ask a person who made this mod ;)

Thanks a lot!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:55 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:50 pm
Posts: 4
I'm disappointed... :(


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:51 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:39 pm
Posts: 1
guiguidu59 wrote:
Hi,

Congrats for this wonderfull mod ;) Moreover, if you haven't damage, it's the best!

But, i have a lot of questions! :D

- Why, on the shematic, all jack are stereo?

- Is there a ground? (to prevent hum)

- Where do you buy your resistors? I found them on audiphonic at 4€50, really?

- How can I remplace the DPDT to switch on headphone when headphone jack is plugged? I have this : http://www.musikding.de/product_info.ph ... print.html

End! Thanks a lot if you can answer me ;)


While I have just found and read this thread, and have not built one of these yet for myself, I may be able to help answer a little bit.

On the schematic, 2 jacks are mono and 1 stereo (stereo jack is for the headphones).

Have no idea where he bought his resistors, but at least if you are in the US RadioShack is probably a good place to check, but perhaps you'll need a more specific musical electronics parts supplier, I don't know.

synchro mentioned "You probably could rig an interrupter jack to do the task", that task being rigging it to automatically switch to the headphones when they are plugged in.

Hope that helps a little.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:00 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:50 pm
Posts: 4
Thanks a lot for your answer, it helps me a lot :)

I found the resistors on ebay finally, from Hong Kong :D Great!

I leave my idea with the jack swith, it wasn't possible i think actually.

Else, i isolated the output and the headphone, it seems me the best solution and it's perfect!

Finally, after tests, the schematic is right but i must put a booster (like the super hard on) to hear something sometimes :? Weird but it isn't a problem...

Thanks yet ;)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:58 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 411
Location: France
Great work. Just one remark, the resistor can be very warm, then my advice is use rigide wires. :)

_________________
Tissan '52 Tele RI & Washburn Hawk 1980, Epiphone Casino MIK, Blues Deluxe RI & VOX ...


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 37 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: