'3 Monkeys Orangutan' amp

[RobBozic]

Hi guys,

I was internet browsing & saw this amp from '3 monkeys amps' (http://www.3monkeysamps.com) called the 'Orangutan' and on the website there's a gut shot of the amp & a description. To me it looks like an early 70's Orange clone. The amp sounds killer.

The topology looks to be Gain stage - James TS - Gain stage - 6 Position rotary switch - Gain stage - AC Cathodyne PI - 4 x 6V6 Fixed bias (No NFB), with reverb in parallel with rotary switch.

I was wondering if anyone has built a clone or owned an early '70's Orange amp. If so, do they have any comparisons with typical Fender or Marshall amps.

I'm thinking of building a clone without reverb.

Thanks
Rob

[jjasilli]

Orangutan = Orange!  However, the "clean" Fender guitars, strat & tele, do not sound clean to me.  I guess for clean tone, I'm a Fender guy.

[rzenc]

I was wondering if anyone has built a clone or owned an early '70's Orange amp.

I built both versions, A.C. coupled cathodyne and D.C. coupled cathodyne. Both amps are very nice. A.C. coupled reminds me of some tweedish tones... if you excuse the comparison it might be a big bad 5E3 -  D.C. coupled has more humpf. Changed from EL34 to 6L6 then to 6550 to deal with headroom. Both versions are really touch sensitive. I had not tested them with Celestion GreenBacks - AFAICT, Orange/Matamp used them inside 4x12" cabinets.
I think they are fine rock'n'roll tone machines, but not really for clean stuff, IMHO.
Final version:
I dropped the cathodyne P.I. and installed a LTP; Inserted a post EQ drive section; minor tweaks. Fooled around with pentode/triode switch; cathode bias/fixed bias switch.
Here is a pic off of an amp I built based on these concepts RZC Reaper 80.

With Respect
Best Regards

Rzenc

[RobBozic]

Hey 'Rzenc' is there any particular schematic you followed, or is there a schematic you tweaked yourself?

Also was the DC cathodyne PI smoother than the AC Coupled?

[rzenc]

Hey 'Rzenc' is there any particular schematic you followed, or is there a schematic you tweaked yourself?

See attached schem. It's a 4x6L6GC output power section. Preamp is basically ORANGE GRAPHIC MKII (1972), dropped rotary switch and installed a 'shape'. Also changed split load P.I. to LTP. Beefed up power supply. It's the schem of the amp I posted the above pic.

Also was the DC cathodyne PI smoother than the AC Coupled?

I would not say smoother, but rather more agressive - too much for what I was looking for -.A.C. reminded me of a bigbad 5E3. Both sounded very nice. LTP made it happen to me. 
If you don't mind my saying so, AC would be more of classic rock/blues tones. DC sounded more like a hot rodded marshall....

Hope this helps
With Respect
Best Regards

Rzenc

[theleftfoot]

hey Rzenc

is this an eagle file? i can't open it!

can you upload it again? or maybe pdf?

thanks in advance

raffa

[Geezer]

hey Rzenc

is this an eagle file? i can't open it!

can you upload it again? or maybe pdf?

thanks in advance

raffa

It's an "express schematic" file.....you need a specific (free) program to view & edit.

Download here> http://www.expresspcb.com/expresspcbhtm/Download.htm

In the meantime, pdf copy attached

[theleftfoot]

thank you very much for the clarification!

@Rzenc; the amp looks awesome!

what kind of transformer did you use? 470V for the first stage is very high!

did you have sound sampler or vid?

would be interesting to use it with el84...

thanks for the answer

cheers raffa

[rzenc]

Hi Raffa,

This amp was a Laney GH100L. I used the irons and chassis and cabinet to build it... stripped it down, painted the chassis white, new function layout, took the front cab cover sub for Imbuia - maybe something close to walnut to you??? -

 
Long story short: the owner is a long time friend and believer of my work  and helped me with the development of this amp.. he plays 4-5 times week on very big arenas - with one of Brazil's biggest shots on pop/country scene...he took the original amp to the road and it endured around 2-3 years of road abuse...the only bad thing that happened was a broken glass on one of the 6550's. P.A. man loved the amp and talked to my friend to never let it go.. well he decided to change the insides of the laney as well as cosmetics too. 


The amp has gone thru some minor mods now - which I need to update on the schem... changed from fixed to cathode bias, made some changes on the P.I. and preamp too.

Sorry, no videos yet...but I have some samples which I can send to you... pm me...

Althought I haven't build it using EL84, I don't know how 84's will stand the voltages. P.I. is able to kick 6550 to full tilt and some.. I believe 84's might have a bad time with much drive from P.I. 

Best regards

Rzenc

[theleftfoot]

cool story,

must be diamond of a amp! 

yeah I'm interested in the soundfiles...send you a pm

would be great if can update the schema...think will clone you !

thanks mate raffa

[rzenc]

cool story,

must be diamond of a amp! 

yeah I'm interested in the soundfiles...send you a pm

would be great if can update the schema...think will clone you !

thanks mate raffa

Thanks man!

If you are interested in building it, I can update them schem for the 6550 version, which is up and running for about 5 years. It has a couple of other stuff too, pentode/triode, fixed/cathode switches and to my liking sounds 'better' than the 6L6 version.
Be advised that it's a loud, heavy beast 

Best Regards
Rzenc

[theleftfoot]

jaman Rzenc,

do this! update the schematic please!

i have my workplace ready!

raffa

[theleftfoot]

hey Rzenc

i'm still waiting for your updates? 

any news ?

still very impressed...

raffa

[TubeGeek]

This is all very interesting to me as I am about to clone a series 2000 MATAMP. 

I am not an informed person on orange/matamp/green/electric circuitry but I am excited because it's different than the norm of fender, vox, marshall etc.  I've built many of those and I want something different to do.  I need a challenge.

I'll be watching this thread as your project begins and hopefully comes together.

[BarryW]

I'm interested in this one as well - if anybody plays with this design, please report back!

[rzenc]

I'm working on a new version of this amp...probably will be firing it up on december/january...

PM me whether you want updates on schems or soundclips.

Best Regards
R.

[Tone Junkie]

Both, Im more interested with some soundclips but its differant I like looking at differant schematics also. My next couple builds will be dumblish style, havn't been chugging them out like used to.
 My music room is getting full just added a 6v6 bluesreck .
Thanks Bill

[Tone Junkie]

What  I would really like to see is a some schematics with a DC cathodyne and AC cathodyne PI any suggestion on schematics.
Thanks Bill

[rzenc]

What  I would really like to see is a some schematics with a DC cathodyne and AC cathodyne PI any suggestion on schematics.
Thanks Bill

Check EL34world schem library under Orange MK197x series of amps.

AC cathodyne

http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/orange/orange_mkii1972.pdf

DC cathodyne

http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/orange/orange_mkii1974.pdf

Hope this helps.
Best Regards.

R.

[Tone Junkie]

Thanks man I will give those a look.
Bill                                                                   

[rzenc]

Thanks man I will give those a look.
Bill                                                                   

You are welcome!

Best regards

R.