Looking for speaker cab, tube, and transformer info.

[kevster]

I've been considering a few options for my first set of tubes and transformers for my build. I'm also looking at doing a speaker cabinet down the road, and I'd seen one on here posted within the last week or so (I think) that really intrigued me. The speaker cab had a built-in microphone. That would make life SO MUCH easier with ensuring consistent tone around church settings (people bumping mic's or volunteer tech assistants that don't know squat). I would love to do a cabinet like that once I've chosen what speakers to use.

The amp parts should be here around the 1st of August and I wanted to get some modern tubes. I was considering Golden Dragon 12AX7's for V1-3. I've heard some really good reviews from some particular players, but I wanted to check with the source (here)... Any body like them? They're not NOS, but they're supposed to be pretty good. Once everything is really working well and broken in, I'll invest in some NOS tubes.

I'm not sure on the power tubes yet.

The transformers I'm considering are here:
http://shop.amppartsdirect.com/Marshall ... egoryId=-1

I appreciate any and all feedback anyone can offer.

Thanks

[dreric]

Hey Kevster

I'm a little unclear about what amp you want to make. This is the Dumble side of the forum and there are quite a few different Dumbles. The transformer you picked could be used (you'll need 1 more and a choke) but a Fender OT would be a more conventional choice for a 50 watt Dumble.

Maybe you could let us know what you were thinking of building!

Eric

[kevster]

Hey Kevster

I'm a little unclear about what amp you want to make. This is the Dumble side of the forum and there are quite a few different Dumbles. The transformer you picked could be used (you'll need 1 more and a choke) but a Fender OT would be a more conventional choice for a 50 watt Dumble.

Maybe you could let us know what you were thinking of building!

Eric

Sorry. I'm building a #102 ODS 50 with a Dumbleator. The transformer I'd linked to is one of the three I'd tagged by that manufacturer.

The choke and PT are Fender, but I'd though about doing something just a little different with the OT. Here's the OT I'd looked at for a more pure clone build (Fender): http://shop.amppartsdirect.com/Vintage- ... egoryId=-1

Sorry to have been limited on the information, but I was posting in a hurry due to thunderstorms. I wanted to get my machine shut down before it got to bad. I don't trust these basic UPS units for power isolation and I don't want to replace a PC.

[ToneMerc]

dup

[David Root]

That is Magnetic Components good solid Chicago iron you have there. Good choice.

I've built one 50W ODS, a '70s circuit. It luvvvs old used RCA blackplate 6L6GCs. Not cheap but nothing else sounds like a blackplate.

It also has old used Amperex in V1 and V2. You can get those in decent shape for about $30 each.

In a #102 I'd use a long plate GE 12AX7 in the PI. In current production tubes, try a Sovtek LPS. That might work well in V1 too. V2 a JJ might be good but go to Eurotubes and have them pick one for you specifically for that application, JJs vary a lot.

I recall Brandon (Mr. Bludotone Amps) saying a long time ago that in an ideal world he would have, in an ODS, a '50s RTC in V1, a '50s Mazda in V2 and a long plate GE in V3. I buy tubes from the same guy that Brandon bought those from. The first two NOS will cost you a grundle, ask me how I know this, but a used GE longplate in V3 is not even a grundlet, just make sure it is well balanced DC plate volts triode to triode, that makes final tuning up much easier.

[dreric]

Kevster

Looks like you are going for the Ford tone? I'm no expert but if memory serves a big part of his tone is the 100watt head and it's interplay with the Dumblelator. I think Robben sets the head at levels he likes then controls the master with the Dumblelator. Why the 50watt?

Are you making your own chassis?, boards?

Eric

[kevster]

Kevster

Looks like you are going for the Ford tone? I'm no expert but if memory serves a big part of his tone is the 100watt head and it's interplay with the Dumblelator. I think Robben sets the head at levels he likes then controls the master with the Dumblelator. Why the 50watt?

Are you making your own chassis?, boards?

Eric

Eric,

I'm new to guitar amps, but I have extensive experience with electronics design and assembly (aircraft and medical equipment). Military trained... Anyway, I wanted to do a total three amps. A 50w ODS (Ford-esque, current), a 100W ODS HRM (next), and a hybrid Dumble plus a custom high gain (Mesa or Soldano) third channel with a number of other bells and whistles. I'm doing these amps in steps. My first amp is bought as a kit and about 50% complete with a pre-assembled board. The second amp I'll do from scratch with an existing and proven 100W HRM layout. The last one will be a LONG and INVOLVED process... Hence, the baby steps.

I prefer smaller amps whenever I can. Anything/Anywhere I play, the amp is through a PA. I rarely need to compete with open drums, but when I do I usually can do it with 50w or less. It may make a pretty significant difference in tone when using a 50w, which I'll be able to verify in about a year... Presuming the 50w has the tone but not enough volume, I'll add extension speakers.

Thanks man!

David,

Thanks for confirming the iron!

I wanted to find some (good) modern production tubes to break it in and then hit it with NOS in a month or two when it's broken/burned in.

I can deal with $70/tube if it is a tube that I'll be using as one of the primary (long term) power tubes. I won't be buying $400 worth of NOS power tubes any time soon.

I'd heard that the long plate makes a big difference in the PI... A single tube of higher quality makes sense there. The Sovtek tubes are pretty reasonably priced, so I put that on the list as a leading candidate...

I'm going to just keep making notes of recommended NOS tubes over time and in a few months I'll get some to try. Since I play contemporary praise and worship with multiple guitars, I doubt the extra warmth and tone of NOS tubes will cut through too much... If I'm asked to fill in with the ABB tribute band on slide, then it'll probably make the difference!!!!

Thanks David!!!

[T Wilcox]

Hey Kevster

This PT just came out and is perfect for a 100watt D-style

http://www.classictone.net/40-18042.pdf

I realise you were going 50 watt but if you went with the 100 and its too much you could just pull 2 of the output tubes. Wish this PT was released before I ordered my last setup.

I think the matching OT is 40-18013
And choke is 40-18003

Todd

[kevster]

Hey Kevster

This PT just came out and is perfect for a 100watt D-style

http://www.classictone.net/40-18042.pdf

I realise you were going 50 watt but if you went with the 100 and its too much you could just pull 2 of the output tubes. Wish this PT was released before I ordered my last setup.

I think the matching OT is 40-18013
And choke is 40-18003

Todd

Hmmmm.... Well, I'll go with the 50w since I'm already headed that way, but there will be an upgrade if a 100W ends more to my liking!!! Thanks for the heads up!!! Another saved link.

If my current build goes well, then I already know of two potential builds that I will do for others.... It sounds like a testing ground!!!

[Structo]

If it is any consolation I built a 50w amp first.

Then built a 100w ODS clone.

I play the 100w 99% of the time now.

I am not currently gigging but with the addition of the Dumbleator you can make the 100w amp sound very good at lower levels.

I have a wife that likes to watch TV in the next room over from my guitar room and I can play this amp and she can watch TV.

The difference between the two at lower levels is not very apparent but once you start turning up it is obvious the 100w amp has the goods.
More girth, width, bottom, whatever to the tone.

The added expense for the extra parts was worth it to me.

But, I could survive just fine with the 50w as well so it is subjective.

With your build schedule it sounds like you will be covering all the bases so that is cool.