Pedal Steel/4X6l6 amp recommendations?

[Tsquared]

Hi,

A friend wants me to build him a tube pedal steel amp with effects loop, channel switching and a volume pedal setup like the Peavey Nashville (looks like the volume pedal works like an effects loop or insert, somehow.) He also wants it to have a hotter channel tuned for his Les Paul. My first thought was a modded Twin... even a newer ultralinear one would probably nail it.

He's kind of excited about the Weber Heather Kit: https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_weber.htm#Heather
This kit already has most of the features he's looking for. I'm figuring with 4 6l6GC's(rather than EL34's) it could get a pretty clean Fendery tone. I could use a 12AT7 for the 1st channel if the steel is too hot and tweek for tone and headroom, and keep the second channel a high gain, more Marshally setup.

Has anybody ever built the Heather?  I've kicked around other ideas, like dual KT88s, 200 watt Hiwatt KT88-trio clones, etc. I know the trend for steel is solid state, high power, loads of headroom.

Still, he'd like to try tubes. He's just found two old Standell cabs loaded with JBL D130's, so with those, 100 watts would probably kill any of the smaller to medium rooms he usually plays.

We're still in the investigation stage, so if anybody has any suggestions or observations, please let them fly!

Thanks,

Tod

[Willabe]

Here's a couple of post started by Loose Change on a steel amp he built for a client of his. Might be of some help to you.


                    Brad      

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11503.0

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11796.0

[Tsquared]

Thanks, Brad!

Very helpful. I've got a bunch of NOS 6SN7s and 6SL7's. KT88's could be way cool, too, if I can find the right iron.

Tod

[Willabe]

IIRC, LC ordered custom iron from Merc. Mag. for the steel amp.

But our host Doug has very good iron that many guys here and on other forums have used with great results.


                Brad       

[HotBluePlates]

... He's just found two old Standell cabs loaded with JBL D130's, so with those, 100 watts would probably kill any of the smaller to medium rooms he usually plays. ...

How many speakers total in those cabs?

The D-130 is rated for 25w. I know I've bought one with an original cone for a Standel project. I got a great deal, but they're typically not cheap ($$$). Recone kits are available, but will run ~$100 plus whatever you have to pay to get the work done (unless you do it yourself).

I'd like more than 4 of them myself to be sure the speakers are safe with a 100w amp. You might feel only 4 are necessary.

[DummyLoad]

JBL D130 is rated at 75W. two of them are more than enough for 100W amp.

fender offered the option of 2 x D120F in the twin reverb. the D120F is a D123 sold to fender - they are rated at 50W.

JBL specs attached.

--DL

[Willabe]

Didn't Leo go to JBL to get a higher power speaker for the dual Showman? IIRC that lefty surf guitarst kept blowing up the Jensens.

They've got to have a higher raiting than 25w?    


                              Brad      

[HotBluePlates]

JBL D130 is rated at 75W. two of them are more than enough for 100W amp.

I see what you mean, based on the attachment. Of course, they cite "thermally-limited Power" which I hope doesn't mean "power rating where the coil melts."

So JBL 2010 numbers say 75w. However, 50's-60's JBL spec sheets say the D130 is a 25w speaker. See attached.