Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: pdf64 on July 05, 2023, 10:38:20 am

Title: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: pdf64 on July 05, 2023, 10:38:20 am
Dunno if this is old news, but from http://www.voxac30.org.uk/vox_ac30_vibrato_gl.html

“some years later that it was realised the shorting capacitor could be moved to the tonally thinner side of the modulator to produce the very same Tremolo effect, but now with the fuller signal allowed to remain. This modification doesn't appear to have been documented in the List of Changes but was quietly introduced in all JMI product with a Vib/Trem channel by 1964.

One can demonstrate the two different 'tones' of the Vib/Trem channel. With the footswitch in the off position, use the Vib/Trem switch with a guitar or other audio running. You will hear a change in tone as you switch from Vibrato to Tremolo setting. If you have an early amp the audio will become noticably thinner, if you have a later amp the audio you will hear a slight reduction in high frequency.“

I’ve not tried it, but it makes sense.
It’s just that there’s been a few AC15 builds here, and they might be able to sound even better.
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: sluckey on July 05, 2023, 08:17:49 pm
After reading this I drew up a simple mod to switch between fat trem, vibrato, and thin trem. Some of you guys that have recently built an AC15 may want to give this a try. Heck, there may even be some useful tones available. If my AC15 was on the bench I'd give it a try. Easy to do and undo. Just need a .1µF cap and a SPDT with center off switch. About $5 for the parts from AES.
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: pdf64 on July 07, 2023, 01:21:52 pm
Nice!
Only need one C22, inserted between the switch and circuit common  :icon_biggrin:
A couple of 10M anti pop resistors on the switch might be useful.
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: sluckey on July 07, 2023, 02:14:33 pm
10M resistors is probably a good idea, even for the original circuit. I can't recall if the original switch pops or not. I just left the switch in VIB mode because I did not like the trem. This thread probably explains why.  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: sluckey on July 07, 2023, 02:19:23 pm
Only need one C22, inserted between the switch and circuit common  :icon_biggrin:
Duh! Didn't even think about that.
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: shooter on July 07, 2023, 06:12:46 pm
 :laugh:
took me a minute, maybe 2, or 3.  got hung-up on "circuit common" so I ignored it til the bulb lite  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: AlNewman on July 07, 2023, 10:14:11 pm
That's interesting.  I've never played an ac-15, but I think as a first build I might like to try it.  Would it look more like this then, with 1 cap and the pop resistors?
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: dwinstonwood on July 08, 2023, 04:53:57 am
took me a minute, maybe 2, or 3.  got hung-up on "circuit common" so I ignored it til the bulb lite  :icon_biggrin:
It took me more than a few minutes to see that one cap between the switch and common (ground) works the same way as two between the switch and the two signal paths.  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: sluckey on July 08, 2023, 05:24:54 am
That's interesting.  I've never played an ac-15, but I think as a first build I might like to try it.  Would it look more like this then, with 1 cap and the pop resistors?
I think the resistors should be across the switch contacts.
Title: Re: AC15 & 30 - fattening up the tone in trem mode
Post by: AlNewman on July 08, 2023, 04:05:16 pm
That's interesting.  I've never played an ac-15, but I think as a first build I might like to try it.  Would it look more like this then, with 1 cap and the pop resistors?
I think the resistors should be across the switch contacts.

Ok, gotcha.  Thanks