Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: TubeGeek on January 01, 2016, 01:50:23 am

Title: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on January 01, 2016, 01:50:23 am
I have been building a few 18W mojo kits this winter and wanted to share how this one came out.  It was customized a bit from the standard mojo kit.


I added VVR and it works great in this circuit.  I also modified the layout from mojo and made a few component changes to my liking and styling.  I used one of Doug's 3 position switches for off/standby/play which then allowed me to use the empty hole for the VVR master control pot.


This project in particular need a little help with the low end due to the speaker choice.  I used a brand new Celestion speaker...The G12 Cream 90W alnico model.


I am pleased with the faceplate and backplate design on this project, it ties in with the cream speaker.


This amp sounds really quite nice to me. I have another of these kits coming up on the bench next week too, only it's not going to be as customized.
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: Willabe on January 01, 2016, 09:06:57 am
Looks great!  :icon_biggrin:

Where did you get the chassis and cab?
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: John on January 01, 2016, 09:23:34 am
Nice!
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on January 01, 2016, 10:43:45 am
Looks great!  :icon_biggrin:

Where did you get the chassis and cab?

It's a mojotone kit that I have customized.  I had the faceplate and backplate laser engraved locally where I am.  Here is a pic of the backplate:
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: Willabe on January 01, 2016, 10:46:47 am
Huh, ok, thanks.   :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: ratgon on February 10, 2016, 11:52:39 pm
Beautiful. Really nice work on the design of the cab and plates
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: eleventeen on February 11, 2016, 12:24:23 am
Very classy looking! Congrats!
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TIMBO on February 11, 2016, 03:18:24 am
Hey TubeGeek, Great work as usual.
Is the face plate a black plastic with a thin cream veneer that the laser cuts through the cream to show the black???

Love the font, reminds me of a led zeplin lp cover, cool.   
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on February 11, 2016, 05:54:18 am
Hey TubeGeek, Great work as usual.
Is the face plate a black plastic with a thin cream veneer that the laser cuts through the cream to show the black???

Love the font, reminds me of a led zeplin lp cover, cool.

Thanks for the compliments.

Yes the faceplate is a lasermark plastic that when lasered, leaves black font.  It is available in all sorts of colours.
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: avspecialist on February 11, 2016, 06:35:45 am
That is an excellent job. I built quite a few mojo kits. can you tell me more about the Vvr circuit you used, was it a London.  I have an 18 watt I built for a customer and would like to control the loudness better. can you post pictures of the install and tell us how you wired it in. I would really appreciate it, thanks Bob
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 11, 2016, 09:01:32 am
Hey TubeGeek, Great work as usual.

Love the font, reminds me of a led zeplin lp cover, cool.
+1
 
Timbo, google "Led Zeppelin font"...here's one result: http://ledzeppelin.alexreisner.com/fonts.html (http://ledzeppelin.alexreisner.com/fonts.html)
 
avspecialist,
Here's a link to an archived topic on VVR:
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6899.0 (http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6899.0)
 
 
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on February 11, 2016, 09:59:00 pm
That is an excellent job. I built quite a few mojo kits. can you tell me more about the Vvr circuit you used, was it a London.  I have an 18 watt I built for a customer and would like to control the loudness better. can you post pictures of the install and tell us how you wired it in. I would really appreciate it, thanks Bob


I got the cathode bias VVR idea from the link that silvergun posted.  All I did was build it using a terminal strip and installed it where I had room in the amp, in between the preamp board and PT. 


I had to use a 3 position switch for off/standby/on.  Then i used what used to be the standby switch hole in the chassis for the VVR which I just called MASTER on the new faceplate.


Pretty simple install overall and it worked nicely.


If you look closely you will notice I inverted the faceplate from mojo's.  This way when you walk up to the amp, the text is facing toward you instead of away.
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on February 11, 2016, 10:00:32 pm
Hey TubeGeek, Great work as usual.

Love the font, reminds me of a led zeplin lp cover, cool.
+1
 
Timbo, google "Led Zeppelin font"...here's one result: http://ledzeppelin.alexreisner.com/fonts.html (http://ledzeppelin.alexreisner.com/fonts.html)
 
avspecialist,
Here's a link to an archived topic on VVR:
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6899.0 (http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6899.0)


I sat down with the owner and we looked through the fonts I have on my mac.  We selected 3 fonts and when I was at the laser guy's place, this font seemed to work the best so I went with it.  It is a common font found in Pages or Word called "Eccentric Std".
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: sluckey on February 11, 2016, 10:11:16 pm
Your work sure looks good James. I really like seeing young folks enjoy this stuff as much as you do. Don't ever stop!
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on February 11, 2016, 10:14:01 pm
Your work sure looks good James. I really like seeing young folks enjoy this stuff as much as you do. Don't ever stop!


It keeps me out of trouble  :icon_biggrin:


It has got to the point where I should learn to turn it down a notch or two.  I have tendency to take on too much work for my own good because I enjoy it so much.  Oh well, it beats watching tv.

Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TIMBO on February 11, 2016, 11:21:36 pm
WHAT, He's a young bloke, he must be 50 then.
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: sluckey on February 12, 2016, 04:45:03 am
I just assumed he was young. He runs with way too much energy and enthusiasm for an old fart. I don't think his soldering station has cooled down since that Vibro-Champ! Well, maybe once when he moved back to Canada.

Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: DummyLoad on February 12, 2016, 06:48:00 am
nice work. very nice.


--pete
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TubeGeek on February 12, 2016, 11:38:45 am
I just assumed he was young. He runs with way too much energy and enthusiasm for an old fart. I don't think his soldering station has cooled down since that Vibro-Champ! Well, maybe once when he moved back to Canada.


Haha you still remember that eh!  I remember doing a face palm when I realized I used conductive esd rubber mat as an under the board insulator. :l2: Good times.


I'm 37, so not too young and not too old.  I feel like I am 50 though.
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: TIMBO on February 12, 2016, 02:24:35 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Latest build pics "Cream 18W Project"
Post by: shooter on February 12, 2016, 02:54:08 pm
Quote
I feel like I am 50 though
when you hit 50, you may want to edit this post :icon_biggrin: