Is a Super Reverb OT (MM, with 4,8,16) OK to use in a build?

[pine]

What about something to add some sag to the circuit? Does putting a 100 ohm power resistor in series wth the center tap of the OT work?

[BobW]

Not a Dumble, but Sam Timberlake of Samamp uses this configuration for switching in the amount of sag using incandescant bulbs.

[pine]

I've never seen anything like that before, really ingenious if it works

[heisthl]

Not a Dumble, but Sam Timberlake of Samamp uses this configuration for switching in the amount of sag using incandescant bulbs.

I haven't tried a Samamp but I did play with this idea back in the late '80's, to me it ruined the feel of the amp by taking away too much of the dynamics. The light bulbs are current limiters and when you reach maximum current (maximum brightness of the bulb) the signal can't get bigger and it feels like a cheap compressor. This is similar to the Mesa S.O.B. PI tunnel diode "limit" circuit except it's on the output, IMHO it works better on the PI.

[pine]

Is the sag resistor on the center tap of the OT a worthwhile addition?

[BobW]

Not a Dumble, but Sam Timberlake of Samamp uses this configuration for switching in the amount of sag using incandescant bulbs.

I haven't tried a Samamp but I did play with this idea back in the late '80's, to me it ruined the feel of the amp by taking away too much of the dynamics. The light bulbs are current limiters and when you reach maximum current (maximum brightness of the bulb) the signal can't get bigger and it feels like a cheap compressor. This is similar to the Mesa S.O.B. PI tunnel diode "limit" circuit except it's on the output, IMHO it works better on the PI.

Henry, I have played through a few of his amps an agree, it does provide the sag but the bulb(s) provide too much inductance (i limiting) and lose the sparkle. An AGC type circuit may actually work better but a simple pwr resistor works for me. cheers!

[pine]

If you were to put the sag resistor (in series with the OT center tap) on a switch to bring it in and out of the circuit (I know there are similar threads about this, they didn't address my question) Would this be a switch that you could throw while the amp was on or in standby, or would you have to power everything off first?

[Structo]

You wouldn't want to switch it live.
I think you could get a huge pop or surge.

Possibly if you used a make before break switch you could but I wouldn't just flip the standby switch, then switch the resistor in or out.

[pine]

If I put the resistor in series (switched) between the rectifier diodes and the first filter cap, would that be a better choice for placement?

[pine]

So, I put on my crash helmet and stuck a 10 watt 100 ohm wirewound power resistor with a built in metal heatsink on the chassis floor, used some thermal grease just to be safe. I put it in series right between the diode rectifier and the standby switch. Rebiased. It gave me a slightly softer attack, the amp is somehow easier to play, or more forgiving might be a better way to say it. I'll leave it in for awhile. It sounded good the other way too.