Not the usual D build style (pix)

[pullshocks]

This has been a work in progress for 6 (!) years with lots of gaps. With the cab almost done (still need to do the back panel) I thought you guys might like to see some pictures.

As you can see, I had some different ideas about construction, layout, and wiring. If all the info on this board had been available back when I started, I probably would be just building a D'lite

I really like the removable top, and for such a heavy amp, having the 2 side handles makes it more balanced to carry. The handles were done in matching walnut.

I did pretty much everything the hard way, bent my own chassis, made my own knobs out of walnut to match the cab, laid out the panel in Turbocad and ink jet printed onto gold poster board. It is protected by a thin layer of plexiglass

Circuit wise, the preamp is pretty much straight Hybrid A, but there is a TUT effects loop installed but not in the circuit yet. Also, the HRM tone stack can be switched in and out, and all the pots are panel mounted. No trimmers.

The power amp is cathode biased with 6v6s. The PT and OT came from an Eico stereo amp with 7591s and I am going to rewire for those tubes soon. Speaker is an old G12H30

[toneman]

A labor of love...A fine looking amp.How did you make the knobs they look GREAT!!!

[pullshocks]

Thanks for the comments. Here are a couple better shots and a close up of the knob that you asked about.
The knobs were cut with a 1" plug cutter. Before cutting them loose from the slab, I drilled the sides for the set screw, the back for the 1/4" shaft, and the face for the dot. The dot material is 1/16" white plastic rod material I got at a hobby shop. What I did with the set screw holes was drizzle some thin superglue in the hole to firm the wood up before running the tap through. After tapping the threads I put more superglue in and after it dried, ran the tap through again. It works pretty well, the threads do not strip out when you tighten the set screw.
One problem I ran into was getting the 1/4" hole totally concentric with the knob outside diameter. I had to chuck some 1/4 rod in the drill press, and mount each knob on that to spin them while I trued them up. I fine sanded the face of the knob but left the rest textured for a better grip.

[heisthl]

Wow - Deep and Rock/Jazz switches - Have you documented the build in schematic form so you can post it? Curious minds want to know....

[brownnote]

dig those walnut recessed handles...Nice work!

[heisthl]

For those of you who don't browse the BrownNote forum - here's another variation of the "wood look".
http://www.brownnote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242

[Drumslinger]

Very nice Pullshocks. That's one heck of a build.

[Tonegeek]

Very nice! How bout some sound clips?

[pullshocks]

Made the swap to 7591s this weekend and the amp just seems happier. With 465 v on the plates I could not keep the 6v6 tubes from orange plating, even with a 640 ohm cathode resistor, and the idle current was way over max as well.
With the new tubes there is nothing but robust clean sound, even with the bass all the way up and the deep switch on (master volume is on 2, about as loud as I care to play at home). Probably wouldn't turn the bass up this much playing with a band, but for solo practicing it is a lot fuller.

I want to thank all of you on the board for sharing your knowledge and ideas.

The single most important tip: I can't remember who said it first but it is so true--use the PAB and OD together. It lets you turn up the bass for clean sounds, and knocks it out for overdrive. That just works so well.

I'd love to put up some sound clips, but know zilch about recording. Does anybody have a guide to basic sound clip recording?

[Tonegeek]

I'd love to put up some sound clips, but know zilch about recording. Does anybody have a guide to basic sound clip recording?

This is a good, simple setup for creating MP3's: Shure SM-57 mic into low to hi-Z transformer into the sound card mic input. Download and install "Audacity". Also download "lame_enc.dll". Read Audacity help on MP3 exporting to see how to install and use LAME to export an MP3. Run Audacity, make your recording and export it to MP3. Then upload your MP3 to any number of free hosting sites, and post a link to the file here.

I get the best tone by miking about 18" away from the speaker (may have to be closer in depending on your amp volume - mine is LOUD!!) and off the edge of the cone or even a few inches away from the edge. Lots of room to experiment here.

good luck!