Black-flip

[CraigB]

Just wanted to share - for those who own a Blackheart 5w and wanted to do "something else" with it.  Used the trannies, chassis and a few bits and pieces off the Blackheart (IEC power jack/fuseholder, power switch) and I think about $50 worth of parts from Doug.

This one is based on the Marshall 5w.  Sounds awesome for low volume clean, nice natural compression even at lower volumes, and of course it growls very nicely when pushed.  The trannies only get warm, so no issues adding another 12AX7.  The preamp tubes have a DC supply for the filaments.  I utilized the unused 5v tap for the pilot light.  I have the schematic and would be willing to make a layout in ExpressSchem if there's interest.  Maybe there's already a layout floating around out there I don't know about 




The faceplates are an anodized aluminum door kickplate from HD, I made a set of waterslide decals for it, and sprayed Polycrylic over it to finish.









I'm going to make a combo cab with a single 10" speaker for it.    I hope you're all having a great summertime!  Cheers!

Craig

[fdesalvo]

Helluva rescue, Craig!

[stingray_65]

great build!

[Tyrannocaster]

I'm curious as to what you mean by "based on the Marshall 5w", as I have a Class 5 and have been considering the mods that are mentioned in this thread: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk-box/123816-some-mods-marshall-class-5-a.html Lyle's criticisms of the Class 5 are right in line with mine so I suspect I would probably like the results of his mods. However, the thread is now up to 25 pages!

Anyway, I like the way your build turned out and I hope you post some sound clips so we can hear it as well as see it. So many people build amps but many of them remain a mystery.

[CraigB]

I'm curious as to what you mean by "based on the Marshall 5w", as I have a Class 5 and have been considering the mods that are mentioned in this thread: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk-box/123816-some-mods-marshall-class-5-a.html Lyle's criticisms of the Class 5 are right in line with mine so I suspect I would probably like the results of his mods. However, the thread is now up to 25 pages!

Anyway, I like the way your build turned out and I hope you post some sound clips so we can hear it as well as see it. So many people build amps but many of them remain a mystery.

I only mentioned "based on" for three small reasons.  One, the rectifier is a FW instead of bridge.  Two, I didn't want to try and source 220K and 20K pots for the treble and mid controls.  Three, there's no low power switch or headphone out.  I may have subbed "close enough" values on some other things, but that would be like a 500pF as opposed to 470pF cap, or something like that.  And obviously, I'm using different iron.  I have no idea what those differences might be as far as PT voltage and OT primary.  Other than those small things, it's pretty much a straight ripoff.

I'll have to check out that thread you linked.  Thanks for that, I'd like to see what other people's impressions are of the real thing.  All I can say is the Blackheart just didn't do it for me...at all.   So I wanted to try this, and I'm glad I did.  It was a fun project.

I do plan to record with it, I'll eventually post something on the Mixcraft site.  Just need to get around to doing it!  Nothing really special or mysterious about it, just a medium gain TMB preamp in front of a SE EL84.

[mresistor]

That turned out really cool! 

[Willabe]

Very nice work CraigB. Looks great. Face plates too.   


                   Brad     

[phsyconoodler]

Nice!

 I hand-wired a marshall 5 combo recently.I used a trainwreck circuit.It kicks the marshall 5's ass!

[jojokeo]

Looks great Craig as your builds always do however I look forward to hearing your playing more than the amp.

BTW, I just ordered some waterslide paper and have heard mixed info on printing with it (w/out melting issues) - for laserjet type that is. Is that what you used or inkjet? Also, what graphics program are you using...Adobe, Gimp, Inkscape...? I've been reading up on which to d/l and use but don't know for sure yet.

[tubenit]

Impressive job!  Very nicely done.

With respect, Tubenit

[Tyrannocaster]

Nice!

 I hand-wired a marshall 5 combo recently.I used a trainwreck circuit.It kicks the marshall 5's ass!

Hey, post some photos (in another thread - I don't want to hijack this one!). I'd like to see that. And some sound clips, too.

[CraigB]

Nice!

 I hand-wired a marshall 5 combo recently.I used a trainwreck circuit.It kicks the marshall 5's ass!

I heard one somewhere, I doubt it was yours as this was awhile back.  It DID in fact kick ass, and I did kick the idea around of flipping the BH-5 into a mini 'Wreck, but I've already got my little P/P 6AK6 version, so I opted to go Marshally!

THanks for all the nice comments everyone.  I'll have to dust off the ProTools computer and get something together.

jojokeo, I have not had any issues running laserjet paper through my HP printer.  BTW, I get my paper from MicroMark.  I use a free trial version of Serif software.  I need to learn how to use Inkscape, I have that too!

Cheers - Craig

[Platefire]

Got my attention! Salute! 

[CraigB]

Lyle's criticisms of the Class 5 are right in line with mine so I suspect I would probably like the results of his mods. However, the thread is now up to 25 pages!

T-Caster,  I had a look at Lyle's comments.  He obviously is more knowledgeable than I, although these are all tweaks I've done and know how to do in order to get the desired result.  Not a very complicated circuit by any means   

Anyways, I happened to like the Class 5 I played (which by the way I demoed with a $500 Tele) which is why I built one as close to stock as I had parts available for.  There is no honeymoon period involved here.  It won't cost me anything to do any of these mods, and I may just do some, who knows, maybe all, or use different values from what Lyle suggested, etc.  But I won't do anything more with it till I get it into the cab I'm building for it and try some different speakers I have.

So anyways, a big "thank you" to you for the link.  A little guidance/reference material never hurts! 

[Tyrannocaster]

If you're using a Fender with it it sounds like the very least thing would be changing that input resistor to 1 meg, which you probably already did. The stock Class 5 just doesn't do very well with single coil Fenders IMO. I'm debating whether to do the mods or just get rid of my Class 5; I have too many amps and I could use an acoustic guitar...

[DummyLoad]

nice! very neat wiring.

--DL

[CraigB]

If you're using a Fender with it it sounds like the very least thing would be changing that input resistor to 1 meg, which you probably already did. The stock Class 5 just doesn't do very well with single coil Fenders IMO. I'm debating whether to do the mods or just get rid of my Class 5; I have too many amps and I could use an acoustic guitar...

Off topic, but I just got a Taylor dread with the Expression System electronics - damn fine guitar.  Sell the 5 if you don't like it and put some other cash together and get a Taylor, you won't be sorry.  I have been playing more acoustic than ever before since I got it.  Speaking of which, the 10's on my electrics are starting to feel a little like spaghetti.  Time to set at least one of them up with 11's.

Or, if you don't have a 'Wreck style amp, do what phsyconoodler did and flip that thing into a handwired job 

[TIMBO]

Nice job CraigB, .I like when known amp manufactures over design there amps. I bought a Epi VJ for little BUCKS and was able to convert it to a HOTROD (added extra tube for reverb)without it overloading the PT and added some tweaks. It still has the original PCB in it as i was going to replace it after the tweaks were done but there was not any issues with the PCB so i lift it as is.
The VJ is a combo that was in great nick, no cab or faceplates to be made. 

On the FACEPLATE thing, I too have been using the waterslide decal with success (inkjet type) but i did some a while back and when i printed it out, the ink was patchy and it turned out to be the moisture/oil off my hands that contaminated the paper surface,so be careful when handling the paper.

Do you make a decal that covers the whole faceplate or just the lettering/pictures individually.Thanks

[Tyrannocaster]

Off topic, but I just got a Taylor dread with the Expression System electronics - damn fine guitar.  Sell the 5 if you don't like it and put some other cash together and get a Taylor, you won't be sorry.  I have been playing more acoustic than ever before since I got it. 

Yeah, I put the Class 5 on CL as a "Trade For Acoustic" ad and I have a guy bringing a Martin 000x1 over today. I've nver played one of these but I read about them. We'll see...All the acousitics I've owned in the past were dreads but I've always liked 000s.

Also off topic, but were you the guy behind that Cragar Atlas Tweed? I will admit that I've come quite close to building one of those on a couple of occasions.

[CraigB]

Do you make a decal that covers the whole faceplate or just the lettering/pictures individually.Thanks

Hey Thanks TIMBO!  I just make individual decals.

[CraigB]

All the acousitics I've owned in the past were dreads but I've always liked 000s.

Also off topic, but were you the guy behind that Cragar Atlas Tweed? I will admit that I've come quite close to building one of those on a couple of occasions.

Cool, I hope that trade works out!

Yes, the Atlas Tweed was one of my concoctions that a few people around here built.  The original one is still floating around town.  I've run across it on a couple of occasions, last time a couple yrs ago in a local guitar shop a kid was playing it and wound up buying it on the spot while I was there, which was kind of cool.  It still sounds pretty good, but it's apparent that my tolexing skills back then left a lot to be desired 

[Tyrannocaster]

So, no more Class 5 in the house, as he liked the Marshall and I liked the Martin. Don't want to hijack your thread though, and anyway I figure there isn't enough interest in this trade to do that. But the guitar seems to be what I had read it is - an attempt to create a rock bottom price Martin that still plays and sounds good. It will never win any awards for appearance, but it is a sweet parlor guitar and I was pleasantly surprised by the playability and tone.

And now, I may just have to make my own Class 5, keeping in mind the criticisms in that thread. I think Marshall could have released a real winner with the Class 5 but I think they also focus-grouped the amp and made a product as a result of that, not with the goal of making the best sounding amp they could. It certainly was a pretty thing to look at, though. And my Tolex skils have to be the worst in the friggin' world.

[jojokeo]

The Mini Marshalls got a great write up in the GP June Mag even garnering the oh so coveted Editor's Pick awards for all three. I haven't played or heard one live yet.

[CraigB]

got the cabinet done, I'm using a weber 10F125.  Ready to have beer spilled on it 





I'll try to get some recording going on soon with it as-is before making any mods.

[Tyrannocaster]

Very sweet! I sure wish I had your ability with cabinets. My amps look like shit, inside AND out.

[Tyrannocaster]

Here's the schematic for the Class 5.

[jojokeo]

There's three versions of the class 5 amps. Do you have the other two?

[CraigB]

There's three versions of the class 5 amps. Do you have the other two?

No, sorry, I wasn't aware of that, but that was the only one I found online.  I'd like to see the other versions.

Lately I've been running a JJ EL844 in it, as opposed to EL84/6BQ5.  Very cool tube to try in SE EL84 amps, IMO.  Not a whole lot less headroom, just a lot more touch sensitive.  Besides that I haven't changed anything, not even the 470K input resistor.  I am mostly using it with a tele, which seems to fly in the face of the most obvious/easy recommended mod.

Sorry, swamped at work, but I do plan to use it to record some new stuff I've been working for my mixcraft page.

[DummyLoad]

Ready to have beer spilled on it 

ain't complete until you let a ciggie burn down on it... 

[jojokeo]

Lately I've been running a JJ EL844 in it, as opposed to EL84/6BQ5.  Very cool tube to try in SE EL84 amps, IMO.  Not a whole lot less headroom, just a lot more touch sensitive.

Hmmm, I've had a couple laying around by my desk for months waiting for "one of these days I'll check 'em out" moments. Thanks.

[jojokeo]

No, sorry, I wasn't aware of that, but that was the only one I found online.  I'd like to see the other versions.

I forgot I had this photo from NAMM earlier this year...here they are.

[CraigB]

Finally had a chance to read the entire thread that Lyle started.  Being that the bottom-line consensus is that all we are accomplishing with his mods is to give more useable range to the EQ, trim a little fat off the bass frequencies, and unleash a slight bit more gain, I figured I'd set out to make a change or two at a time.  I mean, what the heck, I reckon it's easier for me to mod this thing than one of Marshall's PCBs, right? 

Here's what I came up with:

1)  Changed input (R20) to 1M, no RF blocking cap.

2)  Installed a switch to toggle between (C8) .68uF and 4.7uF cathode cap biased with 1.8K (R18) - much better with the .68uF, and the switch gives the option to fatten it back up a little.

3)  Changed 220K (R7) to 470K, removed .022 (C13) on vol wiper, and removed 1M (R9) voltage divider.  (No real noticeable difference that I could tell after making this change.)

4) Added 120pF bright cap to volume pot (I may remove this later - I find that upper ranges of the treble pot is just too spiky with the tele, but haven't tried humbuckers with it yet, so the jury's out on this)

5) In tonestack changed slope resistor (R28) to 47K and changed .047 (C20) to .022 (now this REALLY helped bring out a wider range on the tonestack and may be all that's necessary for someone to do to their Marshall 5.)

6) 68pF fizz cap across 470K (R26) at EL84 grid.

Before I made these changes, I did have a chance to record with it.  I got some really nice tracks with a moderately crunchy rock tone, so I'll do some more recording with it hopefully today or tomorrow and see how these tracks sit together.