Revisit High-Plate Classic with a 5-piece chassis

[dbharris]

Thanks Dan. I have NOS GE 12AX7WA preamps and TAD STR redbase 6L6s

I just put a quad of those in my #102. I am liking them so far but still burning in. One has drifted more than the others. I have a quad of the old version TAD black plates in my JM Sig and like them a lot.

I'm really liking them. Did you get Apex matched with burn-in?

No, I got them from Amplified Parts with an order of some other parts for my 2nd Gen and sadly burned in wasn't an option. I see TAD is calling both 6L6 types STR now. Are yours the tall bottle or short? Mine are the short bottle.

[ijedouglas]

I just put a quad of those in my #102. I am liking them so far but still burning in. One has drifted more than the others. I have a quad of the old version TAD black plates in my JM Sig and like them a lot.

I'm really liking them. Did you get Apex matched with burn-in?

No, I got them from Amplified Parts with an order of some other parts for my 2nd Gen and sadly burned in wasn't an option. I see TAD is calling both 6L6 types STR now. Are yours the tall bottle or short? Mine are the short bottle.

I think mine are the tall bottle. I'll check a little later when I can

[rootz]

I had those tall ones, directly from TAD. If APEX checks these and burns them in, he might be the much better option. Not the first time a set of TAD tubes failed me. Not meaning to sound sour, but keep an eye on them is all I'm saying.

[ijedouglas]

I had those tall ones, directly from TAD. If APEX checks these and burns them in, he might be the much better option. Not the first time a set of TAD tubes failed me. Not meaning to sound sour, but keep an eye on them is all I'm saying.

Warning heeded..

What are your favorite new production 6L6s?

[rootz]

My last new pair of JJ's were good. They still are after 4 years. I do quite a bit of commercial amps and reliability is important. JJ's never failed me so far. I also have good experiences with Tung Sol new production. I really like their 12ax7's. Rugged, sound good and measure mostly balanced halves and on par with the datasheets.

[mikeram]

Ian,

The big question is if you hear a difference with this amp now that is in the new chassis? Does it sound better or just "different"?

By the way, extremely clean and beautiful build (as usual). Definitely a reference build for me.

Mike

[ijedouglas]

Ian,

The big question is if you hear a difference with this amp now that is in the new chassis? Does it sound better or just "different"?

By the way, extremely clean and beautiful build (as usual). Definitely a reference build for me.

Mike

Definitely, same as with the other builds, there seems to be a clarity that was not there before. The top-end also doesn't seem as harsh, yet it feels to be a little brighter than before. It's quite a lot of work but IMHO it's well worth it. These amps get way closer to the real Dumble's I have played than anything else I have built.

I have 2 amps left (bluesmaster and #0124) and they are going to get the same treatment (yeah I know #0124 was a 1-piece chassis...maybe I'll get a chassis bent for that).

[ijedouglas]

Finished up the cab. Decided to go with suede and vox grill cloth like #094

PXL_20240212_202750081.jpg

PXL_20240212_202838038.jpg

[rootz]

I think I'm in love with that amp!

[dbharris]

Looks fantastic!

-Dan

[bepone]

yes great, forcing me to try suede one day

[rootz]

yes great, forcing me to try suede one day

I’d be happy to guide you through the process of covering with suede. I think it’s actually simpler than covering in tolex, just more time consuming.

I’ve done quite a bunch of amps in suede already. Really fun to do IMHO.

[ijedouglas]

yes great, forcing me to try suede one day

I’d be happy to guide you through the process of covering with suede. I think it’s actually simpler than covering in tolex, just more time consuming.

I’ve done quite a bunch of amps in suede already. Really fun to do IMHO.

I agree. I think it was way easier than the tolex (or I'm getting better at it..) I did need to do a lot of planning as the hide I got was just big enough and any mistake would have caused a few things to get thrown around

[bepone]

yes great, forcing me to try suede one day

I’d be happy to guide you through the process of covering with suede. I think it’s actually simpler than covering in tolex, just more time consuming.

I’ve done quite a bunch of amps in suede already. Really fun to do IMHO.

great.. there is local store with thin leather with million versions from pink to black, just need to find spare time thx

[erwin_ve]

Hi Ian, fantastic build again.
Do you think grounding points in this chassis have something to do with the sound of the amp?
Current flows can be a strange thing.
Maybe I do a PM on this.

Erwin