PLEASE HELP!!! Steel String Singer #002 Preamp

[the_jessmo7]

Hello! I would love to build/have built a SSS preamp in a pedal format. A full SSS head would be too much for my application, but a SSS preamp would be perfect. I would love any help or suggestions (other than don’t do it lol) to get me going, or if any of you builders would want to tackle the project, I’d gladly pay for your work! I’m new and want to get into the world of building and I know this is over my head but I’m willing to learn and pay for all the help I can get. I know the SSS is the sum of all its parts, but I love the Kingsley Maiden, but would love to have that with a more SSS voicing.

[pompeiisneaks]

I've removed the duplicate post in the dumble files section as that's only for posting files related to dumble builds. Not for questions. This dumble discussion forum is for discussion like this. Please don't duplicate posts.

As far as this goes, it's definitely NOT a starter project. Making a pedal out of this also is very hard, as you'll need a very large pedal, with direct AC Power, instead of the typical 9 or 18V power. The multiple 12AX7's would require a high voltage transformer that can handle the current requirements.

I have not yet seen anyone that's built a full SSS preamp anywhere myself, but I've also not looked for one personally.

IMO almost half of the tone in a SSS is the cathode follower driving into the power section that gives the amp it's character/personality. This means you need a real tube power amp as well.

That being said, it doesn't mean it's not worth trying. Everything is worth trying once

I'm not saying you shouldn't try this, I'm saying it might be better for you to try building a simpler amp like a champ or a tweed deluxe to get the understanding of reading schematics and layouts, and understanding how the components interoperate etc. This will help you later if you decide to try to alter the schematic of a SSS to remove the power section, and how to adapt that to a 'foot pedal' type setup. I don't really see it being realistic to have the 5 tubes and reverb that a SSS provides in a small ground based enclosure... unless you're thinking of omitting the reverb as well, and then you've only cut 2 of the 5 tubes. 3 tubes in a floor enclosure is going to be iffy. The only tube preamp pedals I've ever seen have been single tube, but that's a limited experience, I've not gone seeking them.

I would guess creating a smaller rack sized or decent sized box style build that could go on top of a counter/amp etc, may make more sense at least as a first try.

~Phil

[Max]

IMO almost half of the tone in a SSS is the cathode follower driving into the power section that gives the amp it's character/personality.

sss3.jpg

This one (#004) has "Steel String Singer" written on its front panel. So Alexander Dumble might have a different opinion .

A Happy New Year to all here!

Max

[professormudd]

Hello! I would love to build/have built a SSS preamp in a pedal format. A full SSS head would be too much for my application, but a SSS preamp would be perfect. I would love any help or suggestions (other than don’t do it lol) to get me going, or if any of you builders would want to tackle the project, I’d gladly pay for your work! I’m new and want to get into the world of building and I know this is over my head but I’m willing to learn and pay for all the help I can get. I know the SSS is the sum of all its parts, but I love the Kingsley Maiden, but would love to have that with a more SSS voicing.

Vertex makes a pedal that aims to re-create some of the characteristics of the SSS. Look up the Steel String Clean Drive on youtube.