New build and maybe tremolo

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Smokebreak
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Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:53 pm
Location: Texas

New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Smokebreak »

I finished up a 50W build the other day, and now after mods, I have room for a simple tremolo.
I started with Boogie MKI plans, and couldn't get the added switchable stage upfront to sound sweet so I yanked it. So now it's basically a single input 3 stage sf/bf Fender vibrato channel thing, with no reverb or vibrato. I've got 475 plates so it's kinda like a Super w/ a master volume...I say that because after I yanked the switchable 1st stage, I broke open my '71 Super(my#1 in the poll) that had been modded by the local guru 20 years ago, for ideas. He had put a dpdt pull on the treble position, that constantly ran a series 10M/1200p across the treble cap(very small boost), then switched in 47K in parallel with just the 10M. MASSIVE boost in all the right ways. The other pole switched in 10M(I used 6M6) parallel to the 3M3/10p interstage, giving 2M2, another common value and I imagine an additional small boost. This may be a common mod but it's new to me, at least in the way affecting the treble cap can sound badass, and not just "different".

These pics are from before the changes, and now I have a free triode upfront, as the boost is way more pleasing than the added stage. I'd like to add a simple tremolo, but I've never built one, muchless wedged one in. I've been looking at the 5E11, as I think I could build that on a terminal strip up there by V1. I really like the sound of the bias modulation tremolo, but am looking for some other options/circuits as well. Plus, I've seen the bias wiggle even just a bit with this circuit, even when "off", and that freaks me out for some reason.
The ridiculously large bias/res cap board is an entirely different story. I goofed the layout, and luckily I had the doghouse cap option, which I'm becoming more and more fond of by the day. Ends up I'm cloning my favorite Fender, just in case !
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Smokebreak
Posts: 1391
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:53 pm
Location: Texas

Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Smokebreak »

Here's the Fender from whence the inspiration came.
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Colossal
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Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Colossal »

Your build looks killer! That Fender? not so much...
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dorrisant
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Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by dorrisant »

Nice build!
"Education is what you're left with after you have forgotten what you have learned" - Enzo
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Phil_S
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Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Phil_S »

Colossal wrote:Your build looks killer! That Fender? not so much...
Yeah, +1 on that.

I see you are going to need a doghouse and am wondering what you're doing about it.

I parked this auction in my watch list http://www.ebay.com/itm/221342739157?ss ... 1423.l2649 These are too small, but it looks like a good idea to me. If you can find the appropriate stock, it would not be a big challenge to bend a doghouse. I'm thinking you could probably do it with the small hand brake they sell at Blowes and Home Despot -- it's not much more than a clamp with wide jaws. A bit of filing of the rough stuff and you're there.
Smokebreak
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Location: Texas

Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Smokebreak »

That Fender sounds killer though..hmmm.

Phil, I've got a doghouse fit and drilled for, that I got lucky with from my pile! I assure you safety is my concern as well, though I admit I was more concerned with shorting something out. It seems so claustrophobic in there. However it's nowhere as neat as the one you linked. Thanks!
Smokebreak
Posts: 1391
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:53 pm
Location: Texas

Re: New build and maybe tremolo

Post by Smokebreak »

So how about a very simple tremolo using the free triode I have?Any suggestions on one that can be shoehorned in? 5E11? It needs to have a small footprint.
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