AMP PORN Ac15 / Misc

[Ed_Chambley]

To pay homage to Sluckey's redesign of the AC15 I present you with the following.

[Ed_Chambley]

Getting a chub yet?  If not, here is more.

[Ed_Chambley]

It's alive.

[Ed_Chambley]

This is a really fun amp to play and it seems so far to run cool like thr originals never did.

[Ed_Chambley]

Remember, I made everything.  The chassis scratches were already in the aluminum I folded and welded.

[kagliostro]

Molto ma Molto Bello 

Franco

[Ed_Chambley]

Thanks Franco.  Here is more.

[Ed_Chambley]

Here is the first amp I ever built.  It is made from a 50 TV.

[Ed_Chambley]

Another

[sluckey]

That really looks nice Ed! I had forgotten that you built one. 

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

[Willabe]

Beautiful Ed!!!!!!!


            Brad     

[Ed_Chambley]

Again.  Running KT120.

[Ed_Chambley]

That really looks nice Ed! I had forgotten that you built one. 

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

Yea, it is really the only way.

Soldano has another method that looks and works well.  I found out to ONLY string them on preamp tubes.  Going across the socket like this keeps from having to cross them with anything. 

This amp is the quietest studio amp I have.  It is even quieter than a DC filament Deluxe.  Attached is that one and I use it with the AC15.   

[Ed_Chambley]

And my favorite guitars, but I have to play a Telecaster mostly.

[SILVERGUN]

 

[Ed_Chambley]

The eyes look like Ozzy's during the mid 70"s.

[Mike_J]

Looks very professional.  What speaker did you use?  Looks like a 1 x 12 cab if I am not mistaken.

Thanks
Mike

[SILVERGUN]

Well, I'm just blown away...
The only thing missing is a pic of you and the wife in some ugly Christmas sweaters! 

I'd just like to thank sluckey for calling you out,,,and bringing about this onslaught of documented artistry.

There's just one thing that stood out to me...
....made me drop seven doughnuts   

[jjasilli]

 

[John]

Nice work Ed!

[Ed_Chambley]

Looks very professional.  What speaker did you use?  Looks like a 1 x 12 cab if I am not mistaken.

Thanks
Mike

Celestion Blue!  Thanks!

[Ed_Chambley]

Well, I'm just blown away...
The only thing missing is a pic of you and the wife in some ugly Christmas sweaters! 

I'd just like to thank sluckey for calling you out,,,and bringing about this onslaught of documented artistry.

There's just one thing that stood out to me...
....made me drop seven doughnuts   

It is no longer there.  I just missed it when I was making the Gatling gun.  I do not make these while in the amp of course so when I cleaned everything this was not installed yet.  I must say I have added the coupling cap mod to a couple other amps.  Actually bypassed the tonestack in a couple of builds and used this as an option. 

Good catch.

Thanks for the complements guys.  This is just a few.  I will try to get better about the photos.

Actually, this amp redesigned in this fashion, everyone who records should build one.  There are some nice tones come from this thing.  Sound clips will follow.

[DummyLoad]

thanks for sharing. very nice work ed!


--pete


telecaster? huh?

[Ritchie200]

And I was JUST getting ready to say something nice....


Ed, that KT120 amp...  How deep is the chassis on that thing?  You stuffed a lot of crap in that little box!!!!!  I'd like to see that one naked please!


Great stuff Ed!!!


Jim

[Willabe]

I'd like to see that one naked please!

Yes Please!


                  Brad   

[MadMax]

That chassis is a work of art, and an inspiration to my next build. How do you make your face plates and back plates? or do you sub them out?

-MadMax-

[HotBluePlates]

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

Pretty clever if you use PTFE insulated wire!

I did something similar in my Standel build. The black & green wires are the heaters. Looking closely, everything is either 90-degrees to the heater wires (different planes depending on what you're looking at) or is far enough away. No hum in that amp up to max volume.

[Ed_Chambley]

And I was JUST getting ready to say something nice....


Ed, that KT120 amp...  How deep is the chassis on that thing?  You stuffed a lot of crap in that little box!!!!!  I'd like to see that one naked please!


Great stuff Ed!!!


Jim

Jim, I play the guitar needed for the gig.  I am not one of those guys.  I usually get asked to play because of the ability to Chicken Pick.  It simply works best on a Telecaster, but I also do not exclusively play this style.  I think I will use Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd on the sound demo.  Les Paul baby.

The chassis for the KT 88 is 15 x 8 x 2.  The cabinet is tall which makes it look smaller.  Next time I have it out I will get you some photos.  It is full in the chassis.  That build I learned how to use Visio to scale items.

[Ed_Chambley]

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

Pretty clever if you use PTFE insulated wire!

I did something similar in my Standel build. The black & green wires are the heaters. Looking closely, everything is either 90-degrees to the heater wires (different planes depending on what you're looking at) or is far enough away. No hum in that amp up to max volume.

Yes, I use PTFE, but I think PVC would be fine in a tube up design.  I also think all amps should be tube up, but it is not always practical if you want a combo.

A while back I restored and repaired some old SUNN amps for a guy who has a few and got me interested using more PTP like in the Standel you built, but not lug strips.

I had some terminal strips, but I do not know where they came from and would like some more.  They have a loop of wire at the top and come in single strips, not like tagboard.  They are extremely sturdy and the loop is large and makes getting a great mechanical connection and very little solder is needed.

I have found the single strips are much easier to repair and mod as you can get to every wire.  I can also make them the width of the largest part and these I cannot find just look better.

[Ed_Chambley]

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

Pretty clever if you use PTFE insulated wire!

I did something similar in my Standel build. The black & green wires are the heaters. Looking closely, everything is either 90-degrees to the heater wires (different planes depending on what you're looking at) or is far enough away. No hum in that amp up to max volume.

Are those Dale RN65 1 watt resistors?  Do you have a source for those, they seem to be getting scarce.

[Ed_Chambley]

That chassis is a work of art, and an inspiration to my next build. How do you make your face plates and back plates? or do you sub them out?

-MadMax-

Thanks MadMax!
I draw them in Adobe Illustrator, but you can use Visio or Inkscape or similar.  I own a printing company and my complay does work for a sign shop that can print directly onto metal.  I make them BEFORE I drill the Chassis and drill both at the same time.  Just easier.  I have done it the other way as well.

They also can put a coating on them like highway signs and will last a long time.  Getting 1 is expensive, but if you are planing to build 3 or 4 amps you could get all the faceplates for less than $70.

It really helps to have everything drawn to scale before.  I have a friend who can laser wood and since I mainly prefer heads I am thinking of working up a design for the front like on Trainwreck amps except much more detail. 

[Ed_Chambley]

thanks for sharing. very nice work ed!


--pete


telecaster? huh?

Sorry Pete, I do not own a Strat.  I quit looking.  I hate to say it but the new Strats are selling on Craigslist for 600 to 700 for American Strats because they are not very good.  It is difficult for me to pay $2500 or more just to get a nice Strat.  I believe I may would build one first.

I have the 2 photoed and 3 telecasters.  One is a 59 and stays home.  I have a Thinline and 2009 Deluxe.  Neither are stock and the 2009 is a 3 PUP with 5 way. 

I had a Ibanez Gamble model S and should have kept it, but it had a full floyd trem and the 80's are gone.  The new Olympic White/Rosewood strat is cool tho.

[HotBluePlates]

I like the way you wired the filament string to those 12??7 sockets. If I ever build another amp I'm gonna steal that idea.

Pretty clever if you use PTFE insulated wire!

Yes, I use PTFE, but I think PVC would be fine in a tube up design.

I would think the heat of soldering pins 4 & 5 would melt the PVC running to pin 9. No issues with that at all with PTFE.

Are those Dale RN65 1 watt resistors?  Do you have a source for those, they seem to be getting scarce.

Large distributors (Mouser, Digikey, Newark, etc) have them, and that's where I got them. Same with the 5w black wirewound resistors over in the power supply section.

Sorry Pete, I do not own a Strat.  I quit looking.  I hate to say it but the new Strats are selling on Craigslist for 600 to 700 for American Strats because they are not very good.  It is difficult for me to pay $2500 or more just to get a nice Strat.  I believe I may would build one first.

The Made in Japan 60's reissue I got back the mid-90's for $450 new is as-good as just about any U.S. strat (unless you need a dive-bomber setup). For about $900 you could scratch-build a Strat with the best of everything. By "scratch-build" I mean using a ready-made neck & body that just needs finishing & assembly/setup.

[Willabe]

Sorry Pete, I do not own a Strat.  I quit looking. 

WHAT?




               

[HommeMarrBuckley]

Very nice craftsmanship Edward.  I'm glad you shared your photos because I was always curious as well. 
It makes me think that perhaps there should be an area on the forum where members could post their handmade gear and keep things simple and clean Frank TJ Mackey style. 


My only guitar is one of those MIJ early 90s 60s reissues.  I call it my sushi strat.  I've got nishto to compare it to cuz I don't have that kind of sidecash.  I dig it just fine however it has had its share of drops and the paint/finish is crazy thick before you get to the actual wood.  I've thought of stripping it down completely and going with the nitrocellulose but the sunburst is pretty nice as is.  I also have a weird kind of Christine (da novel/film) kind of vibe with gear that I feel treat me right. 


Again, thanks ed.  I appreciate the post.

[EL34]

Looks good Ed


I like that filament tunnel on the pre amp tubes
A teflon jacket definitely would be the ticket for the tunnel liner



Got a project for the little Stout Chassis yet?

[Ed_Chambley]

Looks good Ed


I like that filament tunnel on the pre amp tubes
A teflon jacket definitely would be the ticket for the tunnel liner



Got a project for the little Stout Chassis yet?

I do have a 4 projects for the chassis.  I have heard a lot of good things about your Iron sets and to tell you the truth I did not know if I even liked EL84's as it had been years since I played the original Vox I had.

I had planned to build the Mini Plexi that DL is working on for one, but I do not know if it will fit.

I am wanting a Ampeg since I do not have one in the studio.  It needs to be one with Verb or with a parallel/series loop.

[Ed_Chambley]

Sorry Pete, I do not own a Strat.  I quit looking. 

WHAT?




               

No worries, I did not say I was not going to get one.  I looked hard and even went to Gruhn's in Nashville.

I was considering building one, but adding up all the part cost from Callaham it get to be more than $900.00.    The Japanese Fenders are great, but I know me.  If when I first pick it up to play I know right them if it will be a dust collector or if I will play it. 

The American ones go for 6 to 7 hundred like new on Craigs List so it is not difficult to find them it just doesn't make sense to get something that will not get played.

[terminalgs]

AC15 pics are fantastic.


what are the details on that 'brilliance' switch?

[Ed_Chambley]

AC15 pics are fantastic.


what are the details on that 'brilliance' switch?

The brilliance in the original switched in a smaller cap in series (250 pf) with a .01.  Rather drastic.  I am not sure because I do not know why anyone would use it as it is very bright
The .01 cap is now on the rotary switch along with 11 other values.  With the switch at center top it is stock.  Turn to the right and it goes from extremely thin 500pf to 1.5uf making the amp have tones it never would have had.

It really is a great setup.  It is not my idea, it came from Sluckey's "November amp."  His did not have 12 positions, but I really like having them.  It seems to let me get everything the amp has to give.

[sluckey]

Here's my brilliance switch. I think Ed may have more switch positions on his switch.

http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/VAC15/Vox_AC15_mods.pdf

[Willabe]

No worries, I did not say I was not going to get one.  I looked hard and even went to Gruhn's in Nashville.

Man, you had me scared, I thought you had lost it!     

'Oh Stratocaster how do I love thee, let me count the ways,'

EC, Jimmi, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Bonnie Raitt, SRV and brother Jimmi, Vince Gill, Lowell George, Blackmore, Buddy Guy, Anson Funderburge, Steve Winwood, Robert Cray, Sammy Lawhorn...........


                               Brad     

[jojokeo]

Ed, after a holiday music sabbatical I'm just seeing these. Terrific work! (except that cheese (grill) cloth on your first amp)

[TubeGeek]

Yes, nice work Ed!

[Ed_Chambley]

Ed, after a holiday music sabbatical I'm just seeing these. Terrific work! (except that cheese (grill) cloth on your first amp)

Yep Jojo, you are so correct.  That grill cloth is actually cane, but it doesn't look good.  I said I was not going to buy anything to build it since I had a donor Bassman.  Well, that is how I met Doug, buying stuff for a amp that I swore I wouldn't have to.

That was before I got the amp building virus.  Good you noticed as the appearance is everything.  Seriously!  I am getting better, but grill cloth still give me a hard time.  Oh the amp ended up being a 5f6a with an additional updated mods.