Noobie maybe asking a dumb question.

[jeshin]

Hi! Im new here, after months of trying to find an amp that would be a dumble/voxish child or somewhere in the middle. I've come to the conclusion that I just may have to build one myself. So, here's the potentially dumb question:

If I wanted to build an ODS #102 that ran on 4 el-84 how would I go about doing this? And would I also loose too much bottom end?

Thanks a lot.

[dreric]

Welcome to the forum!!!

Keep in mind that a Dumble + Vox are kind of like dogs and cats living together. It can work but one has to compromise their nature.

Here's a taste to get you started:

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... sc&start=0

There is also a 4 EL84 HRM running around somewhere.

Good Luck

Eric

[ER]

Welcome,

Maybe check into the trainwreck side of amp garage, simpler build than a dumble and sounds like the tone you're after. Specifically the liverpool is the 4x el84 platform with good overdrive/bloom characteristics.

Not to say it can't be done, just if you want an orange don't start with an apple. I myself ended up here years ago after coming to the same conclusion that to get what I wanted I'd have to build it myself.

#102 is the most voxy sounding dumble I've heard but I think it would be a very different amp with el-84's. The way the topographies work is very different between the two amps, el84's have a nice chimey power tube distortion that the trainwreck coaxes through each stage to perfection, whereas the dumble has all the magic happen in the pre-amp and preserves that with a relatively Hi-fi power section, also in general the speaker selection for each type follows the power section philosophies efficient hi-fi speakers in the dumble to preserve the tone and less efficient tonefull speakers to encourage power stage break-up and add chimeness/harmonic artifacts.

-ER

[jeshin]

Thanks for the replies!

Maybe I should just build a #102 first than? The only thing I just want from vox amp character wise is the chime and maybe a little bit of the aggressiveness. Right now Im using a vox ac15 clone with ef86 and I just want more clean headroom and a little bit fuller sounding amp/hi-fi. Does the #102 retain these characteristics? Im more interested in clean amps more than the overdriven stuff.

[xtian]

Thanks for the replies!

Maybe I should just build a #102 first than? The only thing I just want from vox amp character wise is the chime and maybe a little bit of the aggressiveness. Right now Im using a vox ac15 clone with ef86 and I just want more clean headroom and a little bit fuller sounding amp/hi-fi. Does the #102 retain these characteristics? Im more interested in clean amps more than the overdriven stuff.

I don't think you're describing a Dumble. I think you want the TW Rocket, which is the top-boost channel of a 1963 AC30.

[crbowman]

If you like your pentode AC15, try this one.
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=vox+ac30

FWIW, I love the EF86 based AC15.

The Dumble sound is a far cry from the Vox sound.

[jeshin]

Thanks for the replies!

Maybe I should just build a #102 first than? The only thing I just want from vox amp character wise is the chime and maybe a little bit of the aggressiveness. Right now Im using a vox ac15 clone with ef86 and I just want more clean headroom and a little bit fuller sounding amp/hi-fi. Does the #102 retain these characteristics? Im more interested in clean amps more than the overdriven stuff.

I don't think you're describing a Dumble. I think you want the TW Rocket, which is the top-boost channel of a 1963 AC30.

Thats emberassing, I guess never having played a dumble I only know that I like the tones of people who use dumble style amps. Heck even scofield went from ac30's to two rock. I guess I just don't want to miss the vox sound too much since I can only at this time afford 1 amp.

Having said that what are trainwrecks like vs dumble?

[ER]

Hey Jeshin-

Have you ever played a hiwatt?

[jeshin]

Hey Jeshin-

Have you ever played a hiwatt?

I have not, although I heard they were somewhat close to dumbles.

[10thTx]

Hiwatt is not close to a Dumble.

Geezer on Hoffman forum (DaGeezer on AmpGarage) designed an amp that gets some chime but also has great overdrive and sustain. Very touch sensitive and articulate amp called the HoSo56. Uses a 5879 pentode in V1 for a fat overdriven tone.

This might be worth looking into based on your comments. Numerous guys on that forum have built the amp and report good results.

With over 5,000 hits on the thread, there is some information on it here:
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6176.0

With respect, 10thtx

[ER]

Yeah I wouldn't say a hiwatt is dumbley, but it can have some chime with good overhead cleans and the lead series have good overdrive. Also may want to look at the Vox AC50. Of course none of these amps are cheap nowadays.

I would really consider 10thTx's suggestions, he's got a lot of knowledge about unique configurations to get specific tonal variations.

[jeshin]

thanks guys, will definitely look into all suggested. Hopefully, when I do get something together post an update haha.

[stelligan]

mat, 10thTx, Colossal and and rogb were going at a cool sounding mini HRM with EL84. Any body know the link to the layout, etc. ?

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=14177

Maybe some of the ideas could be rolled into a 4 x el84

[10thTx]

This is the closest I can find to Mat's mini-HRM with push/pull EL84's. I

don't know if this is the "final" version or not ? It would at least be a starting place to consider something and there is a layout there using paralleled terminals or turrets.

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11146.0

With respect, 10thtx

[stelligan]

That's the one. Someone with more chops than me would have to come up with how to implement a duet or quad of el84. I remember that amp sounded cool and can't find mat's thread.

Thanks