Any Phoenix builds out there?

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azatplayer
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Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

Ive gleaned from around the place that the phoenix is a DC30 frontend bolted to chieftain back end. WIth that in mind, i joined the top boost channel of the DC30 through to the power section of the chief, kinda ;)
This is a mule thats been a few amps, more recently used to checkout the K50 circuit, and as such ive left the controls as was , i did put the Vox controls in, but preferred the K50's.
Its fixed where the matchless is cathode biased, and is running a little less voltage. Ive kinda guessed the dropping string as a blend of the two circuits. Im really keen to try it cathode biased now.
I gotta say for a bitsa it sounds pretty great, tho has a bit more gain than the phoenix i played in store a few times. Kinda octal rocketish, has the same sweetness, but wound on has more breakup, singing sustain too. And just absorbs boost pedals.
I took some pics of the guts at the shop as a buddy ran the place, but have lost them!!
The string has been the most fiddling about, i think its pretty right.
Would like to compare notes tho if theres any other builds been tried.
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M Fowler
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by M Fowler »

The Phoenix is a 18w EL84 amp like the Hammond AO-35 reverb amp right?

Mark
Weathered
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by Weathered »

I think it's cathode biased EL34's. I've been tossing around the idea of doing something similar in the future - tube rectifier, cathode biased big bottles, and a clear and punchy preamp.
andyhardy
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by andyhardy »

This guy
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andyhardy
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by andyhardy »

AO35
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M Fowler
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by M Fowler »

Yeah I built one of those sounds good but the controls are very limited to me.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... light=ao35

Mark
azatplayer
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

No not that, the Matchless Phoenix. Cathode biased EL34's.
It has the same 2 channels of the DC30 into a pair of EL34's.
I didnt do the EF86 side, but stayed with the 12AX7 TB half.
Im digging this build!
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Aurora
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by Aurora »

Any schematics for that DC30 part ?
azatplayer
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

Just followed the ceriatone schemo, which is accurate to what ive seen around.
The chieftain is out there too.
Sounding really good right now, more tweeaking tho...
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M Fowler
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by M Fowler »

I doubt if that info is out there!

http://www.matchlessamplifiers.com/phoenix.html
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azatplayer
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

Nah theres nothing!! On the phoenix. But the chieftain schemo is kicking around. Ive mated the chief to the dc30 topboost side, and i reckon its pretty close. Big clean sounds, but will drive nicely too.
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M Fowler
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by M Fowler »

Don,

I emailed you four photos which I am sure will help you out :)

Mark
azatplayer
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

You are a bad man, Mark Fowler!
:lol:
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M Fowler
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by M Fowler »

Yeah but in a good way :)
azatplayer
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Re: Any Phoenix builds out there?

Post by azatplayer »

Heh ;)

Im looking at the Chieftan schematic. They bias the EL34's with 270R on each tube, bypassed with 250uf.
Plate voltage is 415V, cathode is 24V and screens are 369V.
That comes to 34 watts!
Now thats obviously very hot, but im sure they would not have sent something out that was a tube eater.
Looking at the screens, theres a 1K dropper after the choke to the screen resistors which are likewise 1K. Knowing screen current is the major factor in how long a tube lives cathode biased, do you think that 1K is saving them? Or are they actually tube eaters? ;)
Im ordering some resistors anyways to try it out. Shall report back.

Hmm seems guys are swapping them out for 300R to save tubes...might get some 300 and 330..
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