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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:54 am
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Nah Shimmy, wasn't yours. It was from a guy I know from Facebook, Rob Hull. I think his site is myamptech.com.
Nice guy. He did all the design layout stuff for Tube Depots kits and answered many of my questions before I built the amp. He designed the board for that amp too as well as the layout. He left Tube Depot and went out on his own repairing amps. It may have been a Princeton RI.

Glad your amp served you well. It didn't do that well for many of us. But hey, all our bitching and whining got you all the III series. Same thing with Egnater. He has the MKII rebel series now. The difference is it didn't take Bruce Egnater ten or fifteen years to do something about. My Rebel's four years old now and zero problems. I gigged the snot out of that thing till I built the 5e3.
Sounds like your HRDlx was more of a repair learning center than a test bed. :lol: Just kidding. From what I remember yours was made in the U.S.? I know mine helped for my techs kids college tuition.

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:14 am
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Can you guess which amp this is, with all of the ribbon cables and spade connectors, with circuit board mounted jacks and circuit board mounted pots?

Image

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:35 am
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Can you guess which amps these are without them?

Image

Image

I know which ones I'd rather plug my guitars into. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:41 am
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I would say a "JTM 45 Clone" and a "5E3 Clone"? And with junk IC caps? :shock:

Wait a minute, I asked you first. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:53 am
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shimmilou wrote:
I would say a "JTM 45 Clone" and a "5E3 Clone"? And with junk IC caps? :shock:

Wait a minute, I asked you first. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:07 pm
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63supro wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
I would say a "JTM 45 Clone" and a "5E3 Clone"? And with junk IC caps? :shock:

Wait a minute, I asked you first. :lol:


It's not a JTM45 It's just an 18 watt 1974 clone. Yeah, just in the 5e3. I have F&T in the Marshall clone a couple of the smaller caps are IC in that one too. Don't worry, I'm going to change them out when I get around to it. Glad you mentioned the junk IC caps because they're in all the Fender amps except the Custom Shop amps. Those caps are the least of my concerns. At least it built well with no cold solder joints. The 5e3 was my first bigger build. I think the Weber Alnico more than makes up for the cheap caps. I replace the 5 watt power resistor with an Ohmite "Brown Devil" wire wound resistor. Funny thing is Snowy built two of these amps one with stock components and the other with Sprague caps and some other upgraded components and he said it really didn't have a lot of impact on the tone. Not patting myself on the back, bit they're still away better builds than the HRDlx. Looks like you have some hot spots on your board. :lol: Looking at that one, I don't thing it's a HRDlx unless you mounted the tube sockets to the chassis. Still a cheapass tin looking chassis, So I'm guessing a 65 reissue maybe a DRRI, also with junk IC caps. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:23 pm
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I was just ribbing you because you blasted those caps before. :lol:

Yes, even the Fender Custom Shop amps use IC caps, and they really aren't horrible, just not the best, and not my first choice.

A DRRI it is! :D An amp which you have highly recommended before (mine is fine 8) ).

So really, IC caps, ribbon cables, spade connectors, circuit boards, circuit mounted components, if used properly, can make a fine amp, whether HRDLx or DRRI or even a CVR from the Custom Shop.

You have done some fine work with your clones, and deserve that pat on the back. :!:

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 7:01 am
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shimmilou wrote:
I was just ribbing you because you blasted those caps before. :lol:

Yes, even the Fender Custom Shop amps use IC caps, and they really aren't horrible, just not the best, and not my first choice.

A DRRI it is! :D An amp which you have highly recommended before (mine is fine 8) ).

So really, IC caps, ribbon cables, spade connectors, circuit boards, circuit mounted components, if used properly, can make a fine amp, whether HRDLx or DRRI or even a CVR from the Custom Shop.

You have done some fine work with your clones, and deserve that pat on the back. :!:


I know Lou, no problem. I'm still getting rid of the IC caps. In the parts list when you buy these kits, they don't give you the whole story as far as parts manufacturers. I saw that 500 volt IC and went for a F&T, then after I ordered the F&T cap, I noticed a couple of smaller caps were IC's too. The Tweed, when the filter caps go in that I'm using Spragues. I was on a tighter budget on the Tweed build and I wasn't too sure of my skills. I figured If I screwed the pooch on the build, at least I wouldn't be out any additional expense. The Marshall clone has a JJ's cap can. Don't know how good they are, but they show up in a lot of builds. I've been really happy the the Classic Tone trannies in both builds. Mercury Magnetics is another popular choice, and I've played amps with them installed and don't really see what all the hooha is about. The guys at Magnetic Components, Inc make Classic Tone and have been around for 70 years and are an American manufacturer. That says something right there.

I know what's inside the DRRI. They've had a great track record with a few bumps in the road in the QC department. It's still a shame about all the shortcuts they make. I agree, about PCB's being fine. The one in my 5e3 is outstanding. Thick board, wide traces, plated through holes, high quality board. When I had IC caps fail in my HRDlx, that's when I thought something was weird. My amp tech wouldn't put the same caps back and changed them all the F&T at no charge to me. Guess he felt sorry for me having all the issues with the HRDlx. The guy being my amp tech for 25 years helps too.

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:56 am
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question about the 68 drv, is there issues with only some or all, do they develop issues with time, or if I go to a music store and It doesn't make any noise its a good one?

Anyone play a mesa rectoverb? how do these stack up against fender DRV?

Last question, when I gig out of town I use an enclosed trailer, will a tube amp last in those conditions? What precautions do others take?


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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:03 pm
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You didn't list it as an option but a peavey classic is a solid roadworthy amp. They are built like tanks and are pretty versatile. In fact you can generally pick one up used for around $300 to $400.

At the very least it would be a good backup.


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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:00 am
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kingding wrote:

...Last question, when I gig out of town I use an enclosed trailer, will a tube amp last in those conditions? What precautions do others take?


Trailers aren't necessarily damped like cars so the amp is likely to be subjected to a lot of vibration. This isn't going to be good. I'd try and avoid it if possible or get a flight case. Much will depend on the size and quality of the trailer, and the load weight relative to the working load of the trailer.

Best option, put the amp in the car.

Valves aren't super fragile - they were used in planes before transistors, and filament bulbs don't break on every bump you go over, but if you can avoid torturing the amp it will be better. Enough uncased valve amps were stuck in the back of Transit vans, back in the day, to suggest they are pretty robust, but why take the risk?

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:37 am
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Amps are pretty tough. I've even had them get knocked over with no problems. Humped them in and out of vans and pickup trucks, rolled them down sidewalks and driveways without issue. The biggest thing is the weather. If it's really cold out, give the amp a chance to get to room temperature before you turn it on. Same with your guitars before you take them out of their cases.

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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:09 pm
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Last week I had a chance to demo some amps, I brought my prs tremonti, and plugged into 68 deluxe reverb,65 deluxe reverb,68 vibrolux, th30 orange combo, and a hrd emerald green edition.

My take on them the 68drv, and 68 vibrolux, were my two favorite they sounded balanced on sound and open, the 65 was a to brite like more of a country style amp, the orange had great power but sounded boxy in the combo not as open like it couldn't breath, the hrd sounded good but didn't like the touch sensitivity of the volume.

So the styles of music I play is really everything im in a band and we play country,blues,rock,R&B, and I also play Christian rock and gospel music.
I currently play thru a mustang iv v2 its ok but still not the warm sound from a tube amp, I don't really have any pedals just a mxr micro amp, and an old digitech rp100 or something like that. I also have a Fender Super Champ xd.

Some thoughts I still would like to test the mesa rectoverb head with a 1x12 vintage 30 cab, (bad Back), only thing is I don't know when that will be I live 2 1/2 hours away from the nearest dealer. later add another 1x12 later perhaps for outside gigs, we currently travel around and don't really like the thought of my tube amp in the enclosed trailer and bounce around back there, that Is why I like the head idea,if the mesa goes down I can always plug in my fender super champ xd, to the 1x12 cab, I forgot to mention, we also try to keep our stage noise down and mic everything up.

The two 68 fenders I like, always liked fender clean, and reverb especially these two, combos I'm leaning towards the dv, and get a mesa flux drive pedal to start off my new rig. its hard really torn between these amps because some people have issues some don't, I could put it in my enclosed truck bed to haul it when its not so cold up here in north Dakota, this is tough been saving my money to hopefully buy a first and last tube amp. thanks for listening.


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Post subject: Re: Need a Tube Amp!
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:47 am
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Thanks for keeping us updated - it really riles me when people ask for the benefit of peoples experience and then don't have the courtesy of letting them know what happened.

As may have been said previously, tubes behave very different when cranked. If you are mic'ing everything you aren't going to need a lot of wattage (which will also keep the weight down). But, you will need enough head room to retain your clean sound, if this is what you are going for...or sufficiently low wattage to be able to crank the amp without it getting too loud, if you are going for some break up.

I'm a massive fan of 5 Watt tube amps, they are so small and light (and cheap) that, if you need more just add another amp. You can switch between amps with an ABY pedal or run them together. And having two, or more, allows redundancy if one should fail. You can even get 5W micro heads from the likes of Vox and Mooer, which are so small that your main concern would be forgetting where you put them. :-) They probably wouldn't compete with an enthusiastic drummer in isolation though.

At the cost of a reasonable pedal they might be worth a try and, if not ideal, kept as a spare or punted on ebay. Might cost you less than a tank of gas and a round trip to your "local" music store.

Other smallish heads (not quite as economic as to be considered consumables) are available from almost all amp manufacturers with small notables (5 to 22 Watts) including Hughes & Kettner, Marshall, Bugera, Palmer and Messa.

And there is the 15W Fender Super Champ head.

Strikes me that you are spoilt for choice in the small head market :-)

YouTube obviously isn't as good as trying but there are many comparison videos which may well give you an insight into what may or may not work, especially now you have some bench marks.

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