2 builds going - 1 close to power up

[Structo]

My high plate amp seems to break up fairly easy depending where I set the pre and master.
Normally I like to set it as clean as possible.
This is with humbuckers, specifically Seymour Duncan Jazz neck and JB bridge.
I use a Dumbleator to tame the volume.
But the Pre is set at 3 (10:00) and the master at 4 (11:00).

Single coils not so much so the amp seems very sensitive to input strength.

[odourboy]

I usually set my pre volume between 6 and 7 (maybe 1:30ish) and generally I'm using humbuckers.

[Structo]

Maybe we have a different idea of what breakup is.

To me clean is Fender Twin clean, no distortion, even when digging in.

I'd say my pickups are medium hot.

I can dial in a pretty good loud clean tone, just not crystal clear/clean.

But in a way it is nice to be able to dig in and get some dirt because that adds another dynamic layer to the mix.
Pick lightly and it is perfect, attack harder and it will bite back a bit.

One thing is for sure, these are and can be very loud amps.

[stelligan]

A get a squeaky clean with Fender single coils in this amp. I like the input volume past noon, and I believe the humbucker guitar that I have been testing with is just way hot. It has an old Bill Lawrence L500 at the bridge. It will will really crank with that big PT. Me thinks that crappy Hot Rod Deluxe transformer may be under performing for my cleans. I'll try some tube swapping at V1 first, but this build may require some money thrown at the OT. Any suggestions out there? TIA

[stelligan]

Finally got the foot switching wrangled and installed a defeat switch for the global NFB. Sounds really good. It's in a head cab now and done. Probably gonna sell it to a friend for the cost of parts. Cleans break up rather early with humbuckers, but it holds together nice with singles.

Here's today's Tele clip. Just wanking and using the footswitch to demo the tones.

[odourboy]

My high plate amp seems to break up fairly easy depending where I set the pre and master.
Normally I like to set it as clean as possible.

But the Pre is set at 3 (10:00) and the master at 4 (11:00).

Single coils not so much so the amp seems very sensitive to input strength.

I usually set my pre volume between 6 and 7 (maybe 1:30ish) and generally I'm using humbuckers.

Maybe we have a different idea of what breakup is.

I found out yesterday that my preamp volume pot on my 100w has been defective since I built this amp.
The 1 Meg pot would make a huge jump in resistance just off of the zero mark.
With the pre-volume on zero and the master up a bit the amp was quite loud. Shocked
So it was really driving the master and PI hard.

[stelligan]

Now, now , boys.......

This amp had a bad power tube that went totally flakey during a 3 hour playing session yesterday. New tubes now - much better clean headroom and tone. Readjusted the PI with a new tube - voltages lower there now and all is good. Used the ear method

Funny how you can chase your tail trying to find something and it finally rears it's ugly head.....

This is off to a good home today. Pretty much the price of parts and a shipping box. I hope the new owner has fun with it

[Structo]

Yep, my amp was screwed up so most of my observations were faulty concerning it.
Sue me.

[odourboy]

Moral is - if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

[Structo]

Moral is - if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

I know, but it was my first 100w ODS and I didn't know exactly what to expect, so I didn't notice the problem right away since I was using the D'lator as the master volume.
I didn't think it should break up in clean but I thought the humbuckers were overdriving the first stage.
But one thing is for sure, it is better now.

[odourboy]

Moral is - if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

I know, but it was my first 100w ODS and I didn't know exactly what to expect, so I didn't notice the problem right away since I was using the D'lator as the master volume.
I didn't think it should break up in clean but I thought the humbuckers were overdriving the first stage.
But one thing is for sure, it is better now.

I hope you didn't take this the wrong way Tom - it was meant to be in (evil) good fun! Kudos to you for fessing up that you had a buggered up volume pot.

[Structo]

No Brian, I'm good.
I thought maybe you had taken offense to my saying: "Maybe we have a different idea about what breakup is"

I did not mean that in a condescending way.
These damn keyboards don't convey intent very well do they?

[stelligan]

Really liked the 50 watter tones when finally sorted out. It is now at a happy home and I am now stalled with my 100 watt build. This is to be for me and my last(yeah, right ) build. I am at the point of no return with what was to be a bluesmaster. I made another board like 104 meets 183 - as in the first build on this thread. Mark's "no love" bluesmaster thread and the "dumble/single coils" thread have me locked up with how to proceed.

I have no plans to use the FET input on this chassis, as I have a fine FET clean boost pedal, and was contemplating a "Stratocaster" input. My thought was to build a small low plate V1 daughterboard that was switchable with a switch jack at this input. An alternate V1 voiced for a vintage Strat. Am I obsessed, an idiot, a dreamer? Anyone done something akin to this that has a pointer or two? Will it sound like ass?

I have the whole week off to forge ahead or remain petrified with doubt.....

Thanks for any thoughts or nudges one way or the other.

[mat]

Really nice tone, congrats ! The amp looks also superb What grill cloth is that ?

[stelligan]

Really nice tone, congrats ! The amp looks also superb What grill cloth is that ?

Thanks mat! That clip is actually from before I discovered a bad power tube. I wish I would have recorded after I replaced them. Sounded very much better then.
I had that cabinet built long ago, but asked them to send me enough for a future head cab. "bronze basket" is what I think they called it. The cab is from Stagecraft. An offshoot of Reason amps, I think. The link to the cab and cloth is here: http://www.stagecraftgear.com/servlet/t ... %93/Detail

I have not been able to source the cloth elsewhere. They may be able to help. A nice bunch of guys.

**edit: it's "tan basket"