UltraPhonix with a few twists

[fred.violleau]

Hey Synchu, I did check some small special build and schemo, are you refering to a specific thread? Thanks for the reco!

Fred.

[martin manning]

So should I drop the recovery stage for the filters? Would the signal be strong enough for the FX Loop stage?

I think it would be, you only need a couple of volts for line level. V1a and b for the clean preamp, then V2a and b for the loop works out nicely. You are planning clean only (no OD), and no reverb?

[fred.violleau]

Yup, no reverb. I will add it through the Loop FX and a TC electronic pedal.

Fred.

[fred.violleau]

That would simplify the layout, and keep things to a minimum, which I like.

Fred.

[martin manning]

It’s true that you wouldn’t be able to drive the cathode follower very hard, but adding a tube you’d have to come up with something for the other triode ):^\

[fred.violleau]

It’s true that you wouldn’t be able to drive the cathode follower very hard, but adding a tube you’d have to come up with something for the other triode ):^\

Martin, in option 1, both triodes are used.

Fred.

[dbeasley]

From my experience in putting these D styled amalgamations together, I think you should expect to have to tweak a lot after you do the initial build. Planning at the schematic stage is fine, but to really tune it (and you probably will after you build it) I highly recommend building 3 or 4 small resistor and capacitor substitution boxes each. Then when you build it and start troubleshooting the "voicing" on your build you will get much faster results with your ears than going back and forth with schematic values.

Good luck and have fun! I have a lot of respect for those builders who have the gumption to make their own thing from the Dumble DNA that's documented here. Clones are great, (and I have the greatest respect for some of the clone builders out there) but it takes a lot of skill to step out of the box!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[Synchu]

Hey Synchu, I did check some small special build and schemo, are you refering to a specific thread? Thanks for the reco!

Fred.

Not really a specific thread, Fred.

From what I read through, though, it seems that you're looking to twist the clean channel of an ODS and that's what Small Special is - ODS clean channel.

Though, it will require some twisting, if you would like to have some breakup. It is rather clean when done stock, but sounds great.

Niki

[talbany]

Thought I would jump in here and give you my opinion on this amp so take it for what it's worth!. I built an #002 SSS just like the schematic. Fantastic one of a kind MONSTER! however, I find the filters to be honestly somewhat useless for guitar! Some of the Lo filter settings are pretty much un-useable (unless I play bass). Some of the Hi filters give me either not enough highs or is annoyingly bright. In total depending on the cabinet, I toggle between 2 different Hi filter settings and 2 different Lo settings the rest of them I don't think I have ever used!
Although the SSS can handle the wider bandwidth the filters provide (due to the class AB2 driver) I am not so sure a standard 50 watt BM output section can before the amp farts out and you hit the onset of blocking distortion. If it were me and I wanted more tonal flexibility I would insert a graphic EQ right in the loop you could build it right in the amp.IMO you would find the EQ more practical than you would the filters!..

I think the perfect UP setup would be a BM stack on 1 channel and either a Classic or a High plate Skyliner w/NFB on V1b on the other The Skyliner and or the Classic being slightly cleaner with the slightly dirtier BM channel using the BM/Marshall (EL-34) output section with the built-in loop the graphic EQ and internal switching for the 2 channels and the loop. This IMO would make for a killer pedal platform!
BTW. If you want more preamp distortion axe the NFB loop on V1b since the loop makes for a cleaner preamp!

My .02 cents

Tony

[martin manning]

It’s true that you wouldn’t be able to drive the cathode follower very hard, but adding a tube you’d have to come up with something for the other triode ):^\

Martin, in option 1, both triodes are used.

But then I don’t think you need the first triode (CF) in the loop tube, or maybe you could just drop the D’lator altogether.

[fred.violleau]

I highly recommend building 3 or 4 small resistor and capacitor substitution boxes each. Then when you build it and start troubleshooting the "voicing" on your build you will get much faster results with your ears than going back and forth with schematic values.

dbeasley, thanks for your input! Any web page I could visite to actually see how this kind of tweaking is organized? I am really interested in this, but don't know where to start and how to proceed.

Fred.

[fred.violleau]

From what I read through, though, it seems that you're looking to twist the clean channel of an ODS and that's what Small Special is - ODS clean channel.

Though, it will require some twisting, if you would like to have some breakup. It is rather clean when done stock, but sounds great.

Niki

Gotcha! Thanks!

Fred.

[fred.violleau]

I built an #002 SSS just like the schematic. Fantastic one of a kind MONSTER! however, I find the filters to be honestly somewhat useless for guitar! Some of the Lo filter settings are pretty much un-useable (unless I play bass). Some of the Hi filters give me either not enough highs or is annoyingly bright. In total depending on the cabinet, I toggle between 2 different Hi filter settings and 2 different Lo settings the rest of them I don't think I have ever used!

Tony, thanks for your input! 


I am willing to build something that is musically usable and if the filters don't act on a frequency bandwith that suits the guitar, then I would rather add something else (no offense Martin). BTW Did you build Martin's version for the Filters ?

Although the SSS can handle the wider bandwidth the filters provide (due to the class B PI driver) I am not so sure a standard 50 watt BM output section can before the amp farts out and you hit the onset of blocking distortion. If it were me and I wanted more tonal flexibility I would insert a graphic EQ right in the loop you could build it right in the amp.IMO you would find the EQ more practical than you would the filters!..

About the blocking distortion effect, I have read about it, and I don't know enough about tubes Amp chemistry yet to see it coming. I am glad  you shared your concerns!


The graphic eq is interesting, but I would probably go a simpler way with an an accent pot that allows to fine tune the amp's overall output to the venue you play.

I think the perfect UP setup would be a BM stack on 1 channel and either a Classic or a High plate Skyliner w/NFB on V1b on the other The Skyliner and or the Classic being slightly cleaner with the slightly dirtier BM channel using the BM/Marshall (EL-34) output section with the built-in loop the graphic EQ and internal switching for the 2 channels and the loop. This IMO would make for a killer pedal platform!

Funny enough, my initial plan was revolving around that idea as I have baught the trannies of a '66 Super Reverb and it can support the two channel.. 


I have read that some UP use EL34. Is the difference audible? I have a spare set of tubes at home and could switch my 6L6 on the HRM and rebias to hear the difference I guess.

   BTW. If you want more preamp distortion axe the NFB loop on V1b since the loop makes for a cleaner preamp!

I know it does, if I can tweak the amp to have it break up earlier, then this LNFB would help if I need clean headroom




Fred.

[martin manning]

After redesigning the step filters, I thought it might be interesting to build them into a Hammond box and plug that into the loop of my ODS. I also have a stand-alone D’lator, so some of these proposed configurations could be tested in hardware. The D’lators CF and CC gain stage can be used independently, so any arrangement is possible. Others could experiment this way too.

[fred.violleau]

@Martin, the layout I have organized is based on the SSS. So every component is organized around the tubes. Each tube has its own circuit board so I can swap into different configurations.

BTW, is there some rules to respect or one can organized the layout freely?

Humbly,

Fred.