Phil X's amp

[Markusv]

Hi

I may be late to the party. Perhaps this is old news,but I really enjoy this cat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7R1uB8d2A
He seems totally about the music and the gear. Has played on various albums and replaced the guitarist in Bonjovi for a few gigs. Fairly down to earth given his success and seems to be having a blast
Also a huge self promoter via YouTube- hats off to him

The amp he plays is based on an old Tonemaster (which used to be an old accordion amp), by Magnatone. I believe it's now marketed under the brand Evil Robot or Tone monster
Sounds killer

Has anyone tried to build one yet?

Markus V

[patrick620]

I brought a 213 back to life a few years ago and sold it (which I regret) and have considered doing a clone but haven't as of yet. I know the original rod type varistors for the vibrato section are getting scarce and pricey. They are awesome sounding amps and it would be a great project.

And yes, Phil X can be entertaining to watch.

[cobalt]

Hello,
A little off-topic, but do you know the specs of those varistors? I would like to build a more powerful 280. So far I have found no info(on varistor).

Thanks for any info!

weirddave

[Structo]

Dogears (Scott) bought a Evil Robot amp and said it's the bees knees.

They just came out with a import clone of the Robot for much less.

[Markusv]

Thanks for the replies

Well I think that will be the next main project for me
The 214 schematic is floating around and I would love to hear from those who know about the function of the varistors etc.
http://s721.photobucket.com/albums/ww21 ... chematics/
Not that the circuit seems that complex, but the varistors have me scratching my head
Also the Vibrato is said to be sublime

Markus V

[Markusv]

...........or- where do I get varistors cheap?

Folks

Those varistors in the schematic are reportedly very expensive as they are no longer made
Is there an alternative to a varistor? Sure some of you may have run into this issue before?

Alternatively I need to ask:
1) Do the current production varistors have the same characteristics as the old copper oxides used in old Magnatone amps?
2) How do I determine the values of the ones in the schematic?


Thank you in advance for any insights

Markus

[da Geezer]

A friend (Steve Luckey, a fellow mod @ the Hoffman forum) has some info that might be helpful, & is very knowledgable about the varistors.

Here's his webpage dedicated to his Maggie M10 rebuild ( http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/ ... natone.htm ).....especially check out the links @ the bottom of the page.

You might also shoot him an email, or search the Hoffman forum, or post a question there to get his response.

There's a guy selling the varistors on eBay for $85 a pair....they are almost unobtainium.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-RARE-NOS ... 2a1b752acf

Geezer

[Markusv]

Geezer.

Thanks so much for the info.
I will be sure to have a look at all the info you provided

Here is another dual question
1. I highly doubt that the PhilX crowd use varistors at that price in a commercially available amp - so what do they use- and where do they get it?
2. What are these things then? Completely different animal?
http://www.sayal.com/zinc/zinc_SEARCH.a ... or&Search=


Thanks!!

Markus

[Markusv]

Bumping this topic please.

It's incredible- the varistors in the schematic are:
-Rare
-No longer produced
-Expensive to obtain

...............and most of all I can't get anyone on various forums to comment on:
1) modern alternatives ( if they exist) There are metal oxide varistors available everywhere at 2 bucks a pop, but that doesn't seem to excite anyone. Is it because they won't work/ are he wrong component/sound different?
2) How they work and what electrical values they should have

I am respectfully begging anyone to explain what they know please. Meaning how do they function in the circuit etc?

Markus V

[C Moore]

A friend (Steve Luckey, a fellow mod @ the Hoffman forum) has some info that might be helpful, & is very knowledgable about the varistors.

Here's his webpage dedicated to his Maggie M10 rebuild ( http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/ ... natone.htm ).....especially check out the links @ the bottom of the page.

You might also shoot him an email, or search the Hoffman forum, or post a question there to get his response.

There's a guy selling the varistors on eBay for $85 a pair....they are almost unobtainium.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-RARE-NOS ... 2a1b752acf

Geezer

I did not know that was sluckey's website....
A few years ago, I had a 1948 Magnatone given to me, along with a 1948 Rickenbacker Lap Slide.
Anyway......that little amp helped get me into this whole mess, and his was the first website I accessed for "amp repair".
A real nice place to go for anybody that has an interest.
Best

[da Geezer]

Bumping this topic please.

It's incredible- the varistors in the schematic are:
-Rare
-No longer produced
-Expensive to obtain

...............and most of all I can't get anyone on various forums to comment on:
1) modern alternatives ( if they exist) There are metal oxide varistors available everywhere at 2 bucks a pop, but that doesn't seem to excite anyone. Is it because they won't work/ are he wrong component/sound different?
2) How they work and what electrical values they should have

I am respectfully begging anyone to explain what they know please. Meaning how do they function in the circuit etc?

Markus V

Markus.......did you contact Steve Luckey as I suggested (or at least post something for him over @ Hoffman or do a search over there)??

He can answer your questions (I have seen those same questions asked & answered).

DG

[Markusv]

DG

I did speak with him yes- and thanks for referring me. Nice guy
He simply said he is not aware of available alternatives
I haven't heard much more from him though

Because I have no formal technical background I want to learn more about the function of these components in the trem channel.
That seems to be elusive info

I'm gonna try over at AX84 and see- maybe that yields something

Thanks again!!

Markus V

[Phil_S]

This is a discussion of the part in question and I almost understand what they are discussing!
http://www.ax84.com/bbs/dm.php?thread=432929

[Markusv]

Phil

Thanks!
Yes I must say it's not that I struggle to understand it- only when I read at regular speed!! It took a few reads frankly but this is really encouraging
I will chat with Ben Sykora and TRobbins to see if they were able to come up with an equivalent alternative.
I refuse to believe that only one component ever in history was able to produce the desirable characteristics
Go ahead- Call me an optimist

Markus V

[67plexi]

This may help got this 214 in for a repair today.

The varistors are P39z1 little fuse brand metal oxide.

Mouser # 576-V39ZA1P or #576-V392T1P