Tweedy Bluesmeister non-HRM update questions

[guitardude57]

Hey there Geezer,

Have you done any current revisions on your amp?
Just curious... getting the bug again..... to build an amp or 2.

Which chassis size could you get away with on the Tweedy Bluesmeister non-HRM?
Smallish would be good for me.  I see that the TOS likes a 18-20 wide chassis.

Appreciate ya greatly,

Mike

[tubenit]

I built this in a 18 watt size chassis that I shortened to 18.5".  It's pretty crowded.  I had to double deck the relay over the turret board.

I would recommend an 18.5" X 8" X 2.5" chassis if possible.  or  20 x 8 x 2.5  

There are numerous changes since the original. I was wanting a "cleaner" clean channel & this is the result of that. The original design sounds fantastic also.

I circled in red the smoothing caps. I encourage you to try these caps and these values. I did ALOT of experimenting to select those final values.

The items I circled in blue are definitely a personal taste issue. IF you want a more mid-ly tone, then use them.  If you want a brighter
tone then leave those off.

I used Orange Drop PS series caps in this amp and tested for a positive and negative end to orient the caps for increased quietness. It seemed to make a difference.

With respect, Tubenit

[guitardude57]

Thanks for the info Tubenit.

Soon as I can come up with the buckos to get this project going, I'm going for it.
Your amp does sound quite nice, as well as Geezers.  If the other pickers in my 2 bands like them, I will build a couple more.

I do have an old '64 Hammond organ (m100) amp I picked up for nothing, that has the 6V6 tube set in it that may be dandy for this.  That will save me at least some money.  The economy has pinched me real hard.  I'm still trying to get my PRS out of pawn, for a few months.  Lost the Les Paul... had to sell to pay rent.  Damn.  $4800 premium plus.  Lost money big time on that deal.

Of course the Hammond chassis is pretty horrible in size and weight....  I'll get a new aluminum chassis.

I have been in rehearsal the last year, (after a 9 year absence from the music biz) with a Steely Dan 12 piece band.
We are now starting to work. 
I have been using a D type clone (high plate-non hrm) I built out of a 78 Bassman 70 head.  Close to #97 with tweaks.
It came out nice, and has worked flawlessly.  I built in the tube FX loop, since I had the extra tube there.  My only issue is the clean channel is hard to keep clean with my rack in the loop.  So I may need to change a part or 2 in the loop circuit.  With the loop switched out, it sounds real nice.  Not sure I like the Skyliner tone circuit though.... doesn't do a whole bunch....

So maybe a combo style amp would work for those gigs where it is a struggle for space on stage with 11 other people.
My 2 other rigs are pretty real estate happy.

How does the loop in the TMB work out with rack effects?  Will I need to build a D-lator?  I could use a high to low impedance balancing tranny in front of the fx if necessary.  Have a bunch of the inline 1/4 to trs's laying around.

Thoughts?

Thanks, Mike

[tubenit]

How does the loop in the TMB work out with rack effects?  Will I need to build a D-lator?

I have never owned or played thru a rack effect, so I don't know.

I did build a D-lator for mine but found I did not use it that much so rebuilt the D-lator into the SoLow Watt amp.

I am not a big effects person, so maybe I am not a good person to ask?  I use a Boss digital delay OR my MXR  carbon copy delay with the TBM passive effects loop and have been really happy with it.  Once in a while, I've used a DIY  tube screamerish effects and the amp takes that pedal just fine.  However, 98% of the time, I only use a delay pedal.

I do plan on building a compression pedal though in the next few wks.

Geezer is probably a more reliable source regarding effects than I am. 

I REALLY like the cleans on the TBM alot! And I get all the sustain I need with the OD also plus nice harmonics and some blooming effect too.

With respect, Tubenit

[guitardude57]

Thanks Tubenit,

I haven't used FX pedals per se for 20 years, since the amps I have used, (separate pre amps and power amps, an SLO100,
and the like, with FX loops or daisy chained with FX) had channel switching... all tube.  

So my clean and crunch hasn't needed boosts or distortion pedals.  I like the rack thing, set up the rack and a cab or 2, hook a cable (or turn on wireless) from the rack switcher to the guitar... ready to go quick.  Of course most rack FX have +4 / -10 selection for input, makes matching the set up easier.  

My Super Overdrive (based on #97) has a loop defeat switch on front, and switched jacks with level in and out pots.  I think that the return circuit needs a tweak.. a little weak hitting the PI even with the return pot (250k if I remember) all the way up.  Not a big deal, since I do not play the rig real loud, and mic up always.  With nothing in the loop. and switched in, I can easily balance the volume difference.  Weird, maybe a funky load... or cable in there.

The TBM you and Geezer have built, sound wunnerful......
I am excited about building some.  Small, great tone, and tweakable.  

I would probably do a tube FX loop, with level pots and parallel/series switchable and mix control.  And maybe a tube bypass, to use the stock configuration of the loop as well.

Not many more parts to do it, but may require a larger chassis.  I could even build it into a rack-able piece, to go into
my small 2 FX/tuner/powerstrip rack case (8 space) since I have 4 spaces open there.  This rack and a single 12 speaker
would have the same footprint as a combo... so this may be my ticket here.

Geezer, care to chime in?

Thanks guys,

Mike

[guitardude57]

Yep yep yep...
Thanks Brother!

[tubenit]

OK,  I drew up a paralleled turret layout board for the TBM & FX.  You can use paralleled terminal strips or create a tiny paralleled turret board for the components on the "back" side of the 12A_7  effects tube.

I also noted you're playing in a somewhat large band. Because of that, I think you will need a little brighter tone than the original TBM. This schematic (minus the FX tube) reflects what I am currently using.  Compare it to the first schematic that I posted that has additional components to add a more mid-ly tone.

When I built my D-lator,  I tried it without the LNFB in the FX and liked it better without the LNFB. So, if you eliminated that, you could make the layout even more compact.

I personally would not build it with a FX bypass switch. When I built an onboard FX, I found that I could actually use it somewhat as a boost without an effects in the loop (when in series).  I also found that I never used my D-lator in parallel even though I thought it sounded reasonably good in parallel.

With respect, Tubenit

[guitardude57]

That is real nice.  Thank you for your awesome layout!


I also see that this design uses a fixed NFB.  So, you guys have seen no need for a presence control in this amp? 
If not needed that is fine and dandy.

I like the board layout too, should be easy to make.

Thank you so much for your great work.

Mike

[tubenit]

So, you guys have seen no need for a presence control in this amp

That's a great question.  Never got around to trying it and I love the way the amp sounds already.  Maybe it would be nice to have?  So of not having it, had to do with limited space & using a 18watt/tweed style chassis.

Be sure to CHECK for errors on the schematic and layout!  If there is a discrepency, go with the schematic which is correct.

With respect, Tubenit

[guitardude57]

Here is a chassis that would work great....around 100 bucks for the 3 space version.
Just cut some grooves or holes for heat escape... maybe a slow speed fan too.
Would be easy to mount boards and trannies.
Could get the face plate screened.....

http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/chassis/chassis.htm

[guitardude57]

Tubenit,

On the drilled and turret placed TBM board shown, (post #6) on the schematic
and layout diagram section for the Tweed Bluesmeister;

I am trying to get a grip on the rows/spacing for the parts, (not real familiar with
the Hoffman masks) to add the tube FX loop components, and to have a board drilled by Doug.

I printed out the "make your own board template",the related drawings, and the finished board example
Doug did.  It seems that the middle row turret spaces # 20 and 21 are tied together, and should be #19-20.
Am I wrong?  Just trying to figure this stuff out.

I understand the layout (Hoffman) for the design (non active loop),
but which row numbers are used for this layout on the board?
I just want to space things correctly, for the additional FX tube components to be included.

Also, maybe a PI trimmer?  Useful?

Thanks, Mike

[tubenit]

Mike,

Just read your post. I honestly may not have to sit down and figure that out for you before the wkend.  My schedule is incredibly packed the next two days. Compare the Hoffman layout with the layout I drew up for you and maybe you can make sense of it. 

The FX will be right before the LTPI entrance and after the OD components.

With respect, Tubenit

[guitardude57]

Tubenit,

Yeah biz is starting to bust loose for me too... finally.

I understand where they (loop components) go, I'm just trying to grasp the hole/turret spacing on the board template...
which rows to use etc, to center the parts and allow for mounting screws.  I like the board making template... there is just a lot of holes to choose from.  Just want to get it right.

With the active loop, there should be 6-7 additional columns of turrets in the middle of the board.

Thanks, Mike