first build for Peavey Encore 65?

[mtman5821]

Hi all. I've been a long time lurker and have learned alot from all of you. I'm ready to try my first Dumble-style build and I am looking for opinions on what to build first. I was first drawn to these amps because of the impressive tones (bloom, definition) I hear and also that they can sound good at low volume because I live in an apartment.

I have a Peavey Encore 65 (65W 6L6) and EVM 12L speaker that I want to use for a combo. Looking at the original schematic, the Encore 65 has 500V on the plates so I'm considering using KT-88's instead. Unfortunately, I've listened to clips here of different combinations and many of them have great and usable tones but I'm not sure what would be best suited for my tastes and/or build experience. I have never played a D-inspired amp and I cannot try out any D-style amps, so hard to compare all the preamp and OD combos.

I enjoy playing blues and rock mostly, but also country, jazz, etc. and looking more of the tone of Joe Bonamassa rather than Ford so I'm thinking more towards HRM for this? The tones I've liked the best on this forum are Mat's HRM101-EL84 amp (i may eventually convert my Blackheart BH5 to this), Erwin's Bluesmaster/Non-HRM, Talbany's KT-88/Non-HRM (though slightly aggressive).

Thank you all in advance for your opinions and suggestions.

-Brian

[M Fowler]

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... elta+blues

[boldaslove6789]

Joe Bonamassa uses Non-HRM's the most in his rig. His Van Welden is a NON-HRM (both of them). He also says that he likes his Dumble clone to have "that Robben Ford tone" and they're setup that way,Dumbleator and all. He even uses a TC electronics 2290 in the loop. Maybe you may want to look into #183 or Robbens #102 in the files section.

[mtman5821]

Thanks guys!

@ Mark: that Delta Blues convert is an interesting choice. I was wondering if you could elaborate on this choice as opposed to a ODS-101? I looks like a ODS-101 amp minus the OD. Are you thinking jumpering channels or ? I would think to overdrive it, I'd have to really crank it which I can't do in my apartment.

@BoldAsLove: Interesting info on Bonamassa. Didn't know his Van-Weelden was Non-HRM. His EL34 Carol Ann too? He always blends these amps with his Marshall Jubillee. That's why I was thinking HRM as it has some Marshall tendencies too. (?) I'm not looking for an exact copy of his tone, just a reference. I looked at both #183 and #102. Haven't heard any sound examples of #102 but schematic is similar to #101. #183 probably sounds a bit shrill with EV-12L...maybe(?)

I forgot to mention guitars are mostly humbuckers but some single coils.

[boldaslove6789]

#102 is Robben fords amp just look it up on youtube.

The Carol Ann is not a dumble clone I guess? That's what Alan Phillips says anyways. Not a specific clone anyways, maybe dumble inspired.

[M Fowler]

Oh yeah that one is the non OD version here is the OD section.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=#28631

Mark

[mtman5821]

Thanks Mark, interesting with the Bluesmaster PI, should break-up pretty quick!

Greg, I believe you are using a BM PI with a Skyliner pre in your amp as well (can't remember HRM or non-HRM). What is your thoughts on how it all works together?

[boldaslove6789]

Yes my amp is a High plate 100w HRM w/ skyliner EQ and BM PI. Jon Mernyk built it. The amp responds to Humbuckers very well. At high vol it blooms into feedback. I think its a great circuit.

[Bob-I]

I have a Peavey Encore 65 (65W 6L6) and EVM 12L speaker that I want to use for a combo. Looking at the original schematic, the Encore 65 has 500V on the plates so I'm considering using KT-88's instead. -Brian

Brian,

Sorry I haven't jumped in here earlier. I've built 3 Dumble's from Peavey VT series amps, similar voltages. On the first VT 60 I built a high plate HRM and used 6L6's, the second I used an one tube reverb with an ECL86 but otherwise it was a duplicate of #1, and the 3rd is a 120 watt with 4x Sovtek 5881 and a built in parallel loop.

The second one is my main gigging amp. I've used KT77's, EL34's and several 6L6's. Right now it has a pair of Chinese 6L6's. Speakers are currently Emi Swamp Thang and Tonker.

I have several other amps and this old Peavey is my go to amp. The 525V B+ doesn't seem to be a factor for tube life since I've been gigging almost weekly for 2 years with the Chinese tubes and the amp sounds big and fat with plenty of high end.

I'd encourage you to gut that monster and go for it. Great sounding iron and if you want any assistance with the layout I have several drawn up in Visio that I can share, although they were all in 2x12 combos so wider chassis.

[mtman5821]

Greg, I do love bloom in an amp. Sounds like you get it in spades! I figured it sounds it's best at high-volume amp with that PI. Unfortunately my amp will see about 80% bedroom volume use. Probably need to stick with the regular PI, huh?

Bob, Thanks for your input. Your Peavey amp builds actually inspired me to buy this donor chassis off Ebay. What was your reasoning for choosing the HRM vs non-HRM? I've heard your band tunes and you like to rock, I imagine that's the reason!

It seems there is a 50-50 split on preferring HRM vs non-HRM....maybe I just need both!

[boldaslove6789]

Actually when using a D-lator and the amps master @ 11 o'clock or so the amp does feedback at moderate to lower volumes. With the BM PI the amps does break up quicker. Not entirely a bad thing, just different.

[mtman5821]

Greg, I looked through the old 'clip reference' thread and found a couple Robben Ford YouTube clips you and Structo posted with the tones I like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQCQetC6Oc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7OINxfK ... re=related

I like that they aren't as 'harsh' as most examples I've heard of Dumbles. Are these #102 as shown in the layout section?

[boldaslove6789]

Yes Robben fords amp is #102

['67_Plexi]

Someone was asking about the JB100 earlier in the thread.

JB100's started off life with lower gain staged variant of a HRM type architecture. THey have changed quite a lot over the past 4 years. THey have several filter circuits that tune the voice of the amp and a monstrous power amp section that really isn't like any Dumble I'm aware of. Very stringent and powerful note attack. It's designed to be used in tandem with the Jubilee and has a very strong mid-range voice, which is very significant in Joes playing. Joe has 5, 2 EL34 and 3 6L6. The EL34's are used mainly for recording.
I've never built any amps that were sold using the non-HRM type architecture or even inspired by it, I fiundamentally don't like it in any form of actual Dumble I've played nor is it a type of gain staging I could even use as a platform for anything. Each to their own, some guys love it, I don't.

[mtman5821]

Wow, Plexi,

Thanks so much for the background on the JB100. I had seen in interviews with Joe that it had a 'Dumble Vibe'. It's a fantastic sounding amp, regardless of architecture. I've always thought Joe's best tones have been using the JB100 with his Jubilee.

I was leaning more towards Non-HRM, but you're strong dislike has me back to my HRM vs. non-HRM dilema... Can you elaborate what it is that you dislike in the non-HRM? is it tone, or feel, or?