Who can make a 15-w ODS

[Luddy]

Can anyone recommend someone who could build a 15-w ODS-style amp head?

[Zippy]

Why 15W?

Are you familiar with the D'lite (2-6V6)? That's about 22W. What output tubes do you have in mind?

[DonMoose]

True enough - 15W to 30W is only 3dB louder (with the same speaker).

[triode3]

Hrm, I would consider what kind of power section tone you want. If you want that EL84 tone, do the 15W, if you want that 6V6 tone, do the 22W.

Like the other poster said, you will find very little volume difference between 15W and 22W (in fact I built a two-amp amp with 2x12s, one amp had 6V6s at 22W one had EL84s at 15W, you could barely notice a volume difference on the same speakers, with different speakers, no volume change).

And yea, I could build it for you if you like...

[Luddy]

Well, I just have to go ahead and show my ignorance here. I have two reasons for 15w as opposed to 22w. First, if I had both amps side by side, where would break-up occur? I use a 22-watt Fender DRRI and I just can't turn it up to that level without it being too loud for some of the small venues that I play. I turn it down and use an OD pedal, which is fine. But I would like to be able to use the amp itself to get that sound. My Champ clone and Champ 600 do this great, but aren't loud enough for drums. The second reason is weight. The output transformer on my 50-watt Ceriatone ODS weighs a ton. I am only guessing that a 22-w tranny would weigh less and a 15-w even more less. But I don't know the numbers on those. I don't want to make weight a big issue, and I know that there are other factors related to speaker. However, I am focusing on a head.

Are these ideas badly informed?

[Structo]

Because the Dumble amps use the preamp to get distortion and maintain a relatively clean power amp.

Along with a good master volume you can get pretty good tones at bedroom levels.

So even a 100w ODS can be played at low levels.

[Luddy]

If others here really think that 22w is the way for me to go, please chime in.

[M Fowler]

Luddy,

Based on the amps you listed in your post I would suggest the 22w 6V6 Dumble.

Mark

[pamaz67]

+1 on the 100w. the minimum power to build a good sounding d style amps.
(i've owned, tried and built anything between 22 and 100w). Nothing like the 100w also at low levels.

[67plexi]

Building an ODS under 100 watts is a total waste of time and money.
For me it’s all about clean headroom with total sustain.
I made the error of building a 50 watt ODS breaks up way to early, nothing special about that amp.
It will soon be transformed into a 100 watt amp.
If it is too loud for you use an attenuator.
15 watt you can’t be serious.
Just a word from the wise life is too short for bad tone.
In fact your blog; should say. Can anyone build a 150 watt? SSS.

Have a great day.

[talbany]

If your talking pretty low bedroom volume levels you have to get it from the preamp!!..A 15w amp cranked into saturation is still fairly loud..

Here is a cool trick!!

If you are a living room player and hang on the OD... Build an HRM but instead of wiring like the stock HRM w/separate masters wire it like a non HRM..This will give you more gain out of the preamp and another master on the OD..It will give you all the preamp gain/saturation you want at whisper volume levels (due to the impedance mismatch of the 2 pots)and the low end response of a higher powered output section..Something cool to try.. If you want to put it back stock it's a matter of moving a few wires.. Is it going to sound the same with the amp cranked... NO!!!


Tony

[Luddy]

I am all ears and taking everything in. What about weight? My Ceriatone head weighs a ton

[Bob-I]

Well, I'm one who disagrees with the 100 Watt. My favorite build is a 50 watt HRM built from an old Peavey VT. I gutted it and used the chassis cab and iron.

I also have a high plate non-HRM 2x6V6 that sounds great. If you want clean headroom you won't get it from this amp, but it sounds great at any volume, just not enough headroom for gigging.

My 100 watt gets no love. I don't feel it sounds really great until it's just too loud for any venue I play. Of course at volume nothing beats it, but it needs to be fairly loud.

[David Root]

+1 on 50W, it works in D-circuits. Yes, it's different than a 100W, but only in the sense that any four power tube amp sounds/feels different than two power tube circuit of the same design. I find a four-tube 5881 is a nice way to go.

Personally I wouldn't go any lower than 50W in a D-circuit, but I have built other amps from 15W to 100W that sound really good, and 60 to 100W four tube D-circuits that also sound great.

As Tony says with a MV you can get good tone without blowing the room out.

As far as a Ceriatone OT being "too heavy", I'm sorry, but get serious! Mass = tone.

Four 6V6 would make a decent D-circuit I think, although I have not tried it. IMHO four 6V6 amps seem to be a rather well kept secret. I recently built one (not a D-circuit but basically a four tube tweed Deluxe, it is AWESOME!).

[Luddy]

As far as a Ceriatone OT being "too heavy", I'm sorry, but get serious! Mass = tone.

Ha-ha. Message received.