noob questions about EH-150's/185's

[campusfive]

So, I'm still trying to find an EH-185/150 clone.

The good news is that both Elektra Amps (which look amazing, and I've corresponded with the guys behind it, who are super cool), and Nocturne Brain (with their Moonshine '39) are making a model designed to be similar to a 185/150. Elektra is based in Europe, so I haven't had a chance to play one, and I've emailed Nocture about my interest in the amp, and despite knowing a bunch of the same people, I got no response. Good times.

I still haven't bought a Vintage 47, but at some point, I probably will.

I did get a 1946 Gibson BR-6 a couple months ago, and that has a very similar tone to the 150/185's I have, at least compared to a standard tweed or blackface amp. It's nice to have one other amp that gets in that ballpark, but I'm still gigging with my 185.

I also got a 1937 ES-150 guitar, and it's fascinating to hear the original pickup, guitar, and amp combo all together. There's a magic to the combination.

I was also gifted with a non-working Valco, like the ones Vintage47 copies, but I haven't had the time to have it fixed up.

Anyway, I was out at Guitar Center Hollywood, and the sales guy in the vintage room made a point I hadn't thought about. I mentioned how I wasn't always able to get enough clean headroom out of the 185, and he suggested a Variac.

I'd never thought about a Variac except for reading about how Van Halen supposedly used one to lower the voltage on his supposedly modded Marshalls.

So, 1) Do you think a variac might make it sound more like it did in the 30's?
2) if so, what kind of specs on the variac would I need to sufficiently power a 185?

[Colossal]

I'd never thought about a Variac except for reading about how Van Halen supposedly used one to lower the voltage on his supposedly modded Marshalls.

So, 1) Do you think a variac might make it sound more like it did in the 30's?
2) if so, what kind of specs on the variac would I need to sufficiently power a 185?

A variac might be a good way to go in order to protect an original amp from running at excessive voltages. The originals ran 275-300VDC on the plates of the 6L6s. Today's mains voltages may increase this. The original cathode voltage was about 19-21VDC.

I worked with a gentlemen who has a sizable collection of originals and he was kind enough to let me take some measurements from one with a serial number that was very close to Charlie Christian's amp.

If you are looking for a high quality variac, check out David Riddle Company. He is an eBay vendor that takes older variacs, completely rebuilds them, crinkle finish powder coats them, and resells. I have had very good dealings with him and the variacs are US made. His prices were very reasonable given the quality. Not those Chinese POSs that you can get for $99.

[pops]

I built a champ with two preamps, two power tubes and two output transformers with the same idea that when i need to be louder add the second amp. The result was very cool, more intense sound and somewhat louder, but not the louder i expected. With a low power amp you could make a line out off the speaker and send it to the P.A. It will sound just like miking the amp, but without the stand and mike.

There is also someone in Minneapolis building or reconeing feild coil speakers. Not sure they are totally up and running yet tho.