New Build - 1st Real Test

[wallybob]

Today I finally got the chance to test out my recently completed T-Wreck based build and here are some initial impressions, comments & questions:

1. I liked the sound of the EL34s more than the 6V6s - it seemed to be a bit livelier sounding (or maybe it was just louder...)

2. The sound of my strat through this amp just blew me away. I don't know if it was due to the overall enhanced brightness of the amp or what. I found that each of the five different pickup combinations each had very distinct sound characteristics - more so than I have noticed with any of my other amps.

3. The guitar volume control characteristics behave just like folks on this forum have described - as you turn the control down it does more to clean up the sound rather than reduce the volume - wild!

4. I initially left off the "fizz" cap across the PI output and it seemed a bit too raunchy. After playing around with a couple of values I settled on 75pF for this component.

5. I read on www.tone-lizard.com about a mod where pin 1 (suppressor grid) of the EL34 tubes is connected to the negative bias supply rather than ground. I modified my amp to this configuration but can't really comment on any impact to the sound. Has anyone else done this mod?

I can't wait to play this thing in a band situation. Thanks to all the members here for being part of such a fantastic forum - I'm an Amp Garage junkie and visit this site on a daily basis!