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Post subject: What amp to build????
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:56 am
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I need some suggestions. I went through 3, yes 3 Deluxe Hot Rods (the WORST most unreliable amps I’ve ever had the misfortune to own, all developed problems within weeks of getting each). I used 2 of them to make 1 really good, reliable one by combining components, and reinforcing problem areas. I also just finished modifying the hell out of a Deluxe Reverb Reissue (swapped out the coupling cap for a higher value, which affected the clean headroom so that instead of starting to breakup at 7 or 8 using vintage output pickups, it does it at 4. I also took out the resistors that keep the midrange at a fixed position. I looked inside a real 66 or 67 deluxe to see what value they used, they varied from 8K-10K (the older one was 10K), they had a sweeter midrange. So I put a 15K in the normal channel, making it sound more like a tweed, and used a 10K trim pot for the VIBRATO channel, so I can adjust it from about 1K up to 9.76K , and put the knob on the outside of the PCB board where the pots are affixed ( I have it set at 8.25K). I also ran a jumper inside so now the NORMAL channel has reverb and vibrato (Tremolo), and its in phase with the VIBRATO channel so I can run a jumper. Also, just to see how it would sound, I took out the stock speaker that has a power rating of 100watts (for a 22 watt amp), and put in a 50watt one from a Hot Rod. I discovered that the speaker in the Hot Rods is actually pretty good sounding speakers, just not in the Hot Rod amps, but in the DRRI it sounds good.

Anyways, my ADHD is causing me to get off topic. I have a chassis and cabinet of one of the Deluxe Hot Rods that I want to use to build a hand wired, point to point amp, and was looking for suggestions as to what to build it as.
Any suggestions?


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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:31 pm
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How about a 6K6 (6K6 tubes not 6.6k) version of the hot rod? The tone would be close to the hot rod but you could crank it into break up at really low volumes. I think 6K6s put out about half or one third the power of a 6V6. I've thought about building a low wattage push-pull amp but I'm lazy and will likely never get around to it. :(

It might even work with the Hot Rod PCB/Circuit but you'll likely need different transformers.

Some of the old ('40s and '50s) Valco/Supro amps are also tone monsters when cranked. However, the old 8-pin pre-amp tubes are a bit skittish.

Cheers.

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:33 pm
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I'd go with either a Tweed 5e3 clone or an 18 watt Marshall clone. I would hook shot the HRDlx into the nearest dumpster. My HRDlx was a total unreliable POS too. I went with an Egnater Rebel 20. Suits my needs just fine. I'll never buy another new Fender amp. I'll stick with the oldies but goodies.

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:06 pm
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Windwalker, that seems like a nice platform. If I'm not mistaken, that chassis is punched for 2 octal and 3 9pin sockets. A 2 6V6 power section, with a Bassman 5F6-A pre amp section might be cool. I'd probably punch out a hole for a tube rectifier, but that's kind of a snobbish preference, and of little benefit. How about a tube rectified single-ended power section? Yeah, then there is room for a tube reverb. And Supro has a good idea about the 18watt Marshall. All you would need to do is build downsize plates to accomodate the EL84's. Ahh, the possibilities! Art

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:15 am
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Art, how you been buddy! Missed your input.

Now I see they have a Marshall 18 watt lite conversion kits for the Epi Valve Jr. That would be both cheap and interesting. I just bought a Weber Z Matcher that allows me to match just about any cabinet with any amp. Great possibilities on the horizon. I want to try my 74 Champ with my Egnater 112 cabs. They're ported and closed back so it should be pretty interesting. I just built a little 5 watter true point to point on terminal strips and EL84 driven. Sounds pretty good.

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:17 pm
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Yeah, Supro, been fine. Just had to take a break from the computer. I think Windwalker has a great opportunity with that blank chassis. My amps probably wish there was a Z- Matcher in the mix, considering the way I assault them with three speaker arrays. Yeah, the 5 watter is way cool, nice move! I'm finishing up my '55 Valco. Spent two weeks rebuilding the amp(same as yours-true point-to-point). But building the cab has been a six week effort(read-Art is a very crude woodworker). Anyway, with Arjay's help I'm near the project's completion. It's a 6V6 powered 5 watter, two octal pre amp tubes,and very sweet! Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Windwalker. Art

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:38 am
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I'd build a 5E3 if it were me. Those Tweed Deluxes were smokin' amps. In fact, someday I hope to build one myself but it will have to be a kit that any beginner can build. I can solder and I have a good multi-meter and some tools but I don't have much experience tinkering with amps beyond speaker and tube swaps. The BillM mods I did to my old BJ are about the closest I ever got to real tinkering and I had explicit instructions for that.

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:55 am
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BMW-KTM wrote
Quote:
I'd build a 5E3 if it were me. Those Tweed Deluxes were smokin' amps. In fact, someday I hope to build one myself but it will have to be a kit that any beginner can build. I can solder and I have a good multi-meter and some tools but I don't have much experience tinkering with amps beyond speaker and tube swaps. The BillM mods I did to my old BJ are about the closest I ever got to real tinkering and I had explicit instructions for that.




Could always build the tube depot kit like i did mate. Its 98% no brainer honest. It was my first amp build and i can read a schematic anyways, but they tell you which component goes where.
Just a thought.

Hi Windwalker matey hope your well. 8)

.. Al


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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:23 pm
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Al 87 wrote:
Could always build the tube depot kit like i did mate. Its 98% no brainer honest. ...

I don't know enough about amp parts to know if the Tube depot kits use good components. I know Switchcraft jacks are pretty good but that's the only name I recognize on their list of suppliers.

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:26 pm
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Sincere apologies to windwalker for slightly hijacking the thread but in response to your point about component choice in the tube depot kits ...... its a good point.

Id just say they have a few options re caps and resistors (from memory) based on price. That issue would apply to most amp kits where options are offered. Sometimes less options can be a help.
I used a couple of "improved" resistors etc. Biggest improvement i did was to change out the supplied Jenson P12R i originally fitted to a new Weber 125 alnico job, sweeter even after on an hour or two of use.
Bung expensive Brimar 6V6 tubes in and old preamps and jobs a good un. Even Golden dragon tubes sound better though with the Weber!
I like this amp kit, its not noisy and seems a decent bit of kit when done.

JMO of course.


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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:24 pm
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The PCB board is getting chucked, the 1+1= 1 woeking HRDlx is getting sold; they are without a doubt the worst amp I've had the sidpleasure of owning. But, I have to say the speaker isn't as bad as its made out to be; it just sounds bad in that amp. I put it in a DRRI to see howh a lower wattage rated speaker would sound and I liked it. Ill probably build a tweed, point to point. Bufortunately, Inow have an issue wuith the DRRI, that'll be on another thread.
I don't know how people tour with the hot rods, they're so unreliable.


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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:55 pm
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Could it be you? :wink:

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:51 pm
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Windwalker, I'm still thinkin' a tube rectified single ended guy with a tube reverb. Maybe an El 34 design or even a 6550. Anyway, good luck! And Shimmy, you're a real "stick-to-it" guy, keep the faith, man! Art

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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:25 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Could it be you? :wink:


If you're referring to 3 amps going to crap; I don't see how plugging in and playing them for a couple weeks, then something going wrong;no. If its choosing to buy these particular amps; then yes, maybe. Again; thank you so much for your extremely helpful remarks.

On the build; I'm going to clone a JTM45, but put in it a bypassable master volume. Actually whatever amp I buil ill do that. I put one in a silveface deluxe that didn't have a master, the guy loves it & its still workig perfect. I have to admnit it wasn't an original idea; I copped it from the Mesa Transatlantic.


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Post subject: Re: What amp to build????
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:37 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
Al 87 wrote:
Could always build the tube depot kit like i did mate. Its 98% no brainer honest. ...

I don't know enough about amp parts to know if the Tube depot kits use good components. I know Switchcraft jacks are pretty good but that's the only name I recognize on their list of suppliers.


Ill have to check them out. I build/mod pedals, but my forst experience with building was a Ts808 kit I bought from BYOC(though I do mostly point to point on breadboards, I offer people cheaoer PCB board mounted pedals, the boards I still get from BYOC now that they selll parts, & in a pinch ill buy components from them, they'remore $ than other suppliers, but they deliver fast & always have what I need. I bought 2 dozen CA3080A metal can chips to build Ross clones, though Ross uses CA3080E, as does Keeley and Analogman, but I find the cans retain more treble).
Anyways, I find the pedals built from their parts are FAR SUPERIOR than the actual company built pedals, especially Tube Screamers. I do a lot of TS9 to TS808 conversions (and remember; a ts9 with a JRC4558D chip alone is not a 808, its just a ts9 w/JRC chip? You need to replace 2 resistors for the input buffer.
Actual Ibanez pedals arejust a mess when you take them apart; wires everywhere, and most of the time too long, they use parts with 10-20% tolerances,etc. The BYOC kits all fontain very high quality parts; metal can resistors w/ 1% tolerance, quality jacks, caps, potsetc.
So I'm confident that a tube amp kits parts are prokbably rqually as good.


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