Brownote Foxy 18

[txbluesboy]

Just happen to have a Matchless Nighthawk Reverb on the bench. This is how they did the tone selector switch.

[Structo]

For some reason those Matchless amps always look messy inside.

Not sure if it is the point to point wiring or just the way they are laid out, but they sure don't look very tidy.

[Reeltarded]

Looks like my amps on the inside but nicer.

[M Fowler]

I think the spaghetti makes it look messy.

If you were just looking at resistor and capacitor leads it would be much better looking but the spaghetti has a job to do.

Mark

[ampmike]

I should get my resisters and pots today,I noticed the matchless had the 5.1"s Green,Brown Green,Right??

[ChrisM]

I should get my resisters and pots today,I noticed the matchless had the 5.1"s Green,Brown Green,Right??

5.1M anti popping resistors for the contour/cap switch.

[ampmike]

OK,Just a quick update I put the correct pot in today and just wired in the notch switch from my amp and it works beautiful.I am going to finish with a full report this week,Thank Guys ,Mikey

[ampmike]

Hey ,Thanks for the closeup on the Matchless notch switch.Is is very helpful and just may simplify making this one.So,On the back of a 6 pos. 2 pole rotary there are 2 center lugs.Each one of those has continuity with a set of 6 outer lugs.So instead of using one of those for a connection of the 6 caps after they leave their outer lug connections can I just run them in a bundle to a ground on the chassis?Thats what the matchless shows.The remaining lug then connects to the 1MA gain pot.The 5.1 popping resisters would then just go inbetween the 6 outer lugs..Also do you guys have any other cap values on that switch that might even broaden the tone.I have to say this amp is sounding really nice.But since I borrowed the notch switch from my Brownote amp I cant do a side by side test yet.My biggest thing I would like to see is if the 430.00$ spent on the mercury trannies is noticeable.This will settle something I have allways wanted to know.Is expensive iron worth it on amps.Brownote really does have great amps I just could not wait a long time for the kit.Im very happy with mine.The EF86 preamp is a class of tone of its own.It does have that Brian May kinda tone.Creamy saturation when cranked.Well Ill wait to here from you guys on the notch switch,Thanks Mike

[ampmike]

Thanks TexBluesboy for the matchless photo.Really helped me with the switch.This amp is awesome.Plenty of gain and lots diff tones to play with.
What I like is a explorer or Les Paul humbuckers sound huge.Great rock playing.Mess with the notch swich and a Tele or strat and you got a smokin country sound.I love the 6 way rotary,great little option.I have some great tubes from Bob S.You got to get a good ef86 for this amp and you will be set.The only feature I did not include was the Brown Sound switch.I think you have to have this implemented in the trannys.Brownote used Heyboers.I have to say Moss is a very talented amp builder.Out off all my amps my sons friend picked this one for me to build him.Now I have to do a head cab and a 2x12 speaker cab.Any sugestions on the speakers?I was thinking Celestion Blues or golds.Thanks Guys for all your help.Its a great thing to build an amp and get it working with all you guys help.Mikey

[Reeltarded]

Awesome Mike!

I think I would try alnicos, but honestly a decent set of greenbacks probably does good too.

I am interested in what the front end of that thing sounds like with the switch flipping around. It's just gain selection with a little touch of shift for eq, plus the one knob there?

[ampmike]

Yea I just ordered a couple values on the caps.I think I only have the five hooked up but they do have a nice selection of tones.Some for more gain and 2 seem to clean it up a bit.This amp is quite loud now that everything is working.I noticed on Sat. that it was running on one power tube.I had the heater wrong and now its loud and kicks butt.I have a lot of amps but this one is special.Im not going to say for sure yet because mine is still a part but the mercury trannys are sounding a bit better.This one is seems to be louder and more focused.I dont know how eles to describe it.Its just a bit meaner sounding.I will get the chance to A/B these two before it leaves.It has taken me over 6 months to put this together getting parts.This kid might tell me to stick it.He has waited a long time.I have to get some special hardwood still to make the cabs.I have at least 800.00 into this so far.The mercury"s were 430.00 bucks.I drilled my own chassis and made the board.The pots were a pain to get.A couple other weird values on the resisters and caps.I like this amp a lot.Im playing it with vintage 30"s and some webers and it sounds great.The pedals sound good too.I tried a compresser and a Wah pedal and it sounds very nice.I would love to learn how to post sound samples.Anyway I have to take a 2 hour ride out to Groff & Groff lumber.They have 65 species of wood in stock.
I have been ordering wood for the head cabs and they have great service.I call in an order on Monday morn and its on my front porch Tues afternoon.I want to get this kid something special with a lot of figure.
He has a incredible recording studio and this amp will be the house amp.
They took a barn on his property and gutted it and made this studio.
Oh well time to get another cup of Rocket fuel and get going here.Thanks Mike

[M Fowler]

Mikey,

Great that you have the amp working good. Bolt the amp to a board and let the guy use the amp while your building the cabinets. Then collect the cash for the build and down payment for the cabinets.

Mark

[Reeltarded]

That is expensive!

I am not sure about MM trannies. I am not sure. They are so expensive. In the couple shootouts I have been there for, I was just fine with the cheap stuff. It all matters though.

I want to hear that amp. Doesn't have to be loud, I want to hear what the drive selection does, and how much gain is there. Would you compare it to a.... what would you compare the available gain to? Would a 12ax7 half in front of it be just plain silly if I stuck with the Foxy circuit pretty much verbatim? I have the Selmer Zodiac and Foxy pretty much mixed together without a clue of what's going to happen when I flip de sweetch... all still on paper til work slows down. I am obsessed with the ef86 only because it's REAL different.

[ampmike]

Well guys I got it done.I will probably change the grill cloth to wheat but I have built this thing from scratch,Thanks Mark F and Bob S and more for all the help.Im going to get clips because this little amp is special. It just loves single coils and no flubbing out at any vol,I do think mercury trannies help for this tightness but I will confirm when my heyboer build has the shootout.I put a alnico blue and a greenback and it is tight.The amp is dead quiet.I love the 6 pos select.It really has a true Vox vibe.A couple little details and it is on its way.Im debating on the 2 handle on the sides of the cab and if I want the chrome corners.Thanks again fell-as,Mikey

[ampmike]

Wow,I had to post.The clarity and punch this amp has is tremendous.You cant get a bad sound no matter how you dial.And its just dead quiet.I would say it is perfect for rock and country.This thing is awesome and the only diff things is the mercury trannies and or the blue and green.I pulled a board of the back of the cab and its really nice.Maple cab is hard wood and that might not be of too help but this little amp is the perfect storm.Its sucks because the guy will be taking it any day.Drilling the stainless steel faceplate was a challenge but I got it!I love the chrome knobs and I always like to match the pilot light color to the cab.Im going to call this amp Blue Thunder!OK Im going keep playing this thing,Mikey