Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Danskman on October 15, 2011, 10:04:35 am

Title: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Danskman on October 15, 2011, 10:04:35 am
Some pics:

http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/denferdan/Venom%2015/?albumview=slideshow (http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/denferdan/Venom%2015/?albumview=slideshow)

Built between may and this week; needed a lot of time (chassis preparation, point-to-point build, cab building and covering, etc...).
This amp sounds impressive. I compared it with an original and it really rocks! no noise at all. She's brand new, so loudspeaker and components need a break (!), but I think it's an amp for the whole life!!
BR,
Danskman
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: TubeGeek on October 15, 2011, 10:28:58 am
Nice job on the point to point wiring, looks nice an clean. Congrats!

What is it? Your own design?
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Danskman on October 15, 2011, 10:33:48 am
I was largely inspired by the neat job the Matchless guys did in their amps in the 90's... The simplest is the better, IMHO, but it costs a LOT of work to do it like this. I built two of these, one for me and one for my best friend, but if I ever would sell it (no way!), it would costs a lot of $$$!
Thanks for the compliment,
BR,
Danskman
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: plexi50 on October 15, 2011, 11:27:23 am
Real nice build and cab. I like using terminal strips when i have enough laying around to build an amp circuit
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: John on October 15, 2011, 01:18:02 pm
Nice build. I will never ever post gut shots of mine.  :laugh:
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: tubenit on October 15, 2011, 01:20:07 pm
Very well done job!  Thanks for sharing the photos.

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: tubeswell on October 15, 2011, 02:28:08 pm
Very smart looker danksman; wiring, finishing, the works.  I esp admire people who can DIY faceplates like that.
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: dpm309 on October 15, 2011, 02:30:54 pm
Looks great, especially the faceplate.  How did you do the faceplate?

Dan
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: LooseChange on October 15, 2011, 02:56:07 pm
Nice work. Made the chassis too?
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: zendragon63 on October 16, 2011, 12:17:23 am
Simple is good. Tidy build Danksman--you make it look so easy! And +1 on the 'LOT of work'! Regards

dennis
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Danskman on October 16, 2011, 01:51:59 am
Thanks to all for the kind comments!
Chassis is a Hammond 1441 steel; I draw the holes design and spend some time to drill and cut holes (and there's a bunch of them!). I had to use some flux to prepare the terminal strips (unable to solder on them :sad2:). Faceplates were made by Sandy, of PrecisionDesignIn.com  :thumbsup:, from a template I drew in Corel Draw. Pots are Allesandro/PEC, but I first used Bourns (very good brand, IMHO). Caps are F&T. Tubes sockets are mounted on grommets. Cab and baffle were made of 12-fold birch and we used a swiss-made water-based contact cement for the Tolex.
We love to make our own cabs most of the times, as my friend has a long history of woodworks and teaches them at school for years (he builds ukulele with his young students!  :worthy1:).
Once again, best regards to all,
Danskman
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: LooseChange on October 16, 2011, 06:26:15 am
Chassis is a Hammond 1441 steel; I draw the holes design and spend some time to drill and cut holes (and there's a bunch of them!).

I am curious how you added the flanges that hold the speed nuts that are used to hold the chassis to the cab.  ??
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Danskman on October 16, 2011, 07:20:40 am
I am curious how you added the flanges that hold the speed nuts that are used to hold the chassis to the cab.  ??

We use pieces of steel coming from the PT and OT holes we cut; we then cut them in triangular shape, pre-drill these pieces of steel and the chassis, and finally use rivets to hold them in place. A little bit of work, but the result is impressive and efficient (for a two-pieces production  :icon_biggrin:).
We spent some time (and drank some beers) about who we had to do all the things around the chassis; that's the pre-prod phase I prefer (anticipation)!! This kind of project is very satisfactory, especially when the result is beyond what was expected!
 :grin:
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: moonbird on October 24, 2011, 02:29:23 pm
I agree -- the chassis flange idea is great  :thumbsup: -- I must have a mental block about that kinna stuff -- which is the reason none of my amps ever make it "to the woods" so to speak (LOL). My wife might tolerate my "habit" better if I dressed them a little better perhaps ... hmmmm (LOL). Plus once I get them working -- I lose interest ... :dontknow:

Where do you get the speed nuts?? Been searching around for them. Thanks for the pics - very helpful to see the ideas and assembly artistry  :worthy1:
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: zambo on October 25, 2011, 08:13:27 pm
that is one sweet looking amp inside and out. Very nice indeed.
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: theundeadelvis on October 25, 2011, 08:36:55 pm
Looks great! Are those TDS transformers of West Labs? I have a set of the TDS in my Matchless inspired build, and I really like them.
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: tubeswell on October 25, 2011, 08:37:11 pm
Chassis is a Hammond 1441 steel; I draw the holes design and spend some time to drill and cut holes (and there's a bunch of them!).

I am curious how you added the flanges that hold the speed nuts that are used to hold the chassis to the cab.  ??

Another solution:

http://www.boltproducts.com/blind-rivet-nuts-c-110-l-en.html (http://www.boltproducts.com/blind-rivet-nuts-c-110-l-en.html)
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Geezer on October 26, 2011, 07:34:11 am
Wow! Very nice indeed!

Can you (will you) share what the circuit is, or what it's based on or inspired by?

I can appreciate the work that goes into a PTP amp like that (having done one once myself). The bad part (for me) is that I am a "tweaker", constantly "improving" stuff & the PTP makes it very hard to maintain a neat appearance after changing components.

Here's a pic of the one I did several years ago.

Again, great job!

G
Title: Re: NHAD!! (New homebrew amp day)
Post by: Madison on October 26, 2011, 08:16:37 pm
Good looking amp.
You do nice work!