Heyboer Princeton Reverb tranny set. What to do?

[circuitcrafter]

I've been in the "build" mode for a while. I have a brand new Princeton Heyboer set that I purchased for
my SFPR, but it works just fine. I've been researching tons of schematics and possible ideas of a different amp to build them into, however I don't want to put all that work into something I'll rip apart and do something else with.
 Does anyone have a really cool sounding amp based on what this iron will handle? I don't mind a complex circuit, but not too over the top. I am really liking the small footprint micro-monster type amps.
 I have gathered a whole slew of matched 6v6's when I slightly modded my Princeton, and also built AX84's October club. Both of these are great sounding amps. Anyone have any suggestions?
 

[John]

This is an amp I built using the 18 watt Heyboer set I got from Doug. I've used 6V6's and also 5881's in it. I like the 5881 better, just seems a bit "fatter". It's nothing special or tricky circuit-wise, but I really, really like it a lot. If I was going to change anything I'd put in a James tone stack (which I've used before and really liked) instead of the 1-knobber that I've got. I like using the 6SL7s instead of the 9-pins (partly because the sockets are easier to wire)    But I do like the way they sound.


It takes pedals well, and the passive effects loop works well. One my next amp, I want to incorporate the Belton Brick for reverb on board. Right now I'm using a Behringer pedal (cuz I'm cheap like that) through the loop. 

[circuitcrafter]

Looks like a neat amp! And I think I may have most of the components already!

I like the effects loop, as opposed to running all pedals straight to the input, there are things I'd like to try later in the signal chain rather than everything straight in.

Cool! I just may give it a go. 

Thanks John!

[jojokeo]

I didn't see what John posted but you can do a heck of a lot - whatever your imagination can think of or your heart desires. One question & initial suggestion to you is have you played any pentode amps before such as an EF86 or 5879 or other? It would be something to consider. Also, if you'd like to stick to triodes, then something you can either parallel or cascade depending on your mood or situation. Just throwing out generalities first then you can narrow things down more. Also, consider your total output power and/or power tubes you might like to try such as 6BM8 or 6AQ5 or something else? Just because you have a certain capacity amount doesn't mean you have to use the entire amount. Lastly, do you have an amp with a ppimv or VVR? Broaden your building and take on additional challenges while growing your abilities all at the same time.
Keo-

[circuitcrafter]

 I haven't tried any pentode amps, and is an interest I would like to try. What I may try, since I have several large blank chassis laying around, I may see if I can come up with a way to make sort of an amp "breadboard", or so to speak, and pre-mount tube sockets on universal
plates that will bolt in just about anywhere, and same with transformers. I'll keep the stock wires long, and solder them to terminal strips. Kind of like an "erector set" chassis. Something easy to swap components and trannies in and out without ruining anything.
I know I may get wire length and lead dress issues, but if I can come up with something that really works, I have more identical chassis to make a hard copy if I come up with something special.
I originally bought this Princeton tranny set to install in a '73 silverface, but the amp works great. I was looking for ideas like the Prince O Wails amp, and also a 6v6 Hiwatt variation, but I'm in a dilemma of making up my mind. Those amps have been done before, and I am still reading and researching something possibly of my own. (Lots of learning in the process too!) This forum is a HUGE help, and many thanks!

[sluckey]

This would be worth considering...

     http://mhuss.com/Plexi6V6/index.html

[Willabe]

Take a look at these for bread board ideas.

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=15445.msg148808#msg148808

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=16551.0

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=16714.0


                  Brad     

[circuitcrafter]

I've considered the Plexi 6V6..., and also the MarWatt.  I've spent many hours on Huff's site... very cool indeed....! I've built AX84's October Club, and I love the sound of that, also this Silverface Princeton and 5 stompboxes are what I've been making noise with lately. Other than that, I have all rack gear. Rocktron Prophesy, an ADA MP1, and a PODxt, through a Peavey 50/50 tube poweramp. Yes I can model just about anything, however the amps they emulate only "slightly" resemble the tones of the real ones. Sometimes not too inspiring.

I did have a revelation one night, I was fooling with the Prophesy, and changed out the single Sovtek 12ax7 to an NOS RCA, and it amazingly
changed the overall vibe. I was blown away.

Those amp breadboards are awesome!! I could get into serious trouble with the wife building one of those on the bench...(however, I just might!!)

I haven't started building anything yet, I need to purchase a few things, and of course, the more research, the more I want to build something else on top of my first several ideas. 

[jojokeo]

Yes, tubes can make all the difference in an amp to discerning ears and fingers especially when you're in the tweaking & final voicing stage, not to mention speaker(s) and cabs auditioning...

I've built a variation of the Huss Plexi and it took some time getting things just right but it is crazy good when you do. It's all similar just a lot of small things/changes add up to major differences. Mine is a jack of all trades though where it cascades the stages (or not) in a similar fashion to the JCM but with sort of Plexi values w/ a stage that can be bypassed for extra gain if wanted, the bright caps were removed as they were a bit too much, I shelved some high end along with some gain too in places, put a fat switch similar to his on the CF driver stage, used a different tone stack, can run pentode or triode, and either fixed or cathode biased, etc. Those are some of the changes so all in all it's just like his...NOT! 

As you see, this is where the fun lies, doing what YOU want. Enjoy and learn as you go and be respectful to the wifey even though they have a hard time understanding most of the time and you'll be alright. 

[tubenit]

I'll throw this in the mix.  5879 pentode V1 is a remarkably touch sensitive tube.

With respect, Tubenit

[jojokeo]

Good suggestion tubenit. As for the plate load cap - have you ever experienced any unwanted noise from having this added? I say this because I have. Even when the volume was really low or perhaps even while on zero (trying hard to remember exactly). But it was there for sure. I tried a couple different caps but got the same result. So I left it out and the amp / tube has been great (normal) ever since. I have a hard time wrapping my head around it as to why but I never use a cap here for pentode anyway. They can always be used later in the circuit if necessary and may be more useful that way too?

[tubenit]

As for the plate load cap - have you ever experienced any unwanted noise from having this added?

I am not sure I am understanding the question?   IF you mean the "smoothing" cap across the 5879 plate resistor, then the answer is no.  Never been a problem for me.  I've used Mallory 150, Xicon and OD caps in that position of the .001 value.

With respect, Tubenit

[lego4040]

For the reverb you should check out 1776's Rub a Dub. It is one if the most basic and sweetest sounding brick reverbs.