Canada Amp Project

[TubeGeek]

Project theme: Canada


No idea of what circuit to build here yet.


I am looking for inspiration.


 



I have the Fender, Marshall, Vox, Hiwatt, Supro, Silvertone amps covered.  Time for something different.


Matchless, Orange, Matamp, Soldano, Dumble….

[jjasilli]

Great cab.  If its Canada then I think the amp GOT to be based on Garnet or Traynor.

[TubeGeek]

Great cab.  If its Canada then I think the amp GOT to be based on Garnet or Traynor.

Thanks! The cab was lots of fun to do.  I have some cool ideas for the head cab too.


Yeah this has crossed my mind too.  I ordered a book on Garnet amps last week to explore options.


Garnet seems like a first option but I have no idea which one I would build.  Anyone out there experienced with Garnet's?


I have a couple Garnet's in the shop for repair, maybe I will have to scoot them up to the front of the line just so I can play around with them!

[HotBluePlates]

The only catch is the iconic Garnet sounds that we know (in the U.S. anyway) were born of a Champ-like amp being cranked and fed into a bigger rig to fill the stadium. I'm thinking the Herzog and American Woman.


Of course, you could take the approach that Canada is akin to hockey, and hockey akin to fighting, so an amp tone that will punch the audience in the mouth... Dumble perhaps?

[TubeGeek]

The only catch is the iconic Garnet sounds that we know (in the U.S. anyway) were born of a Champ-like amp being cranked and fed into a bigger rig to fill the stadium. I'm thinking the Herzog and American Woman.


Of course, you could take the approach that Canada is akin to hockey, and hockey akin to fighting, so an amp tone that will punch the audience in the mouth... Dumble perhaps?

Hockey??? What's that…oh yeah it is a religion where I am from


Dumble is certainly a good choice.  I wonder if I could make it fit in this marshall chassis though.  There is a lot going on inside the dumble.


I have a ceriatone overdrive special in the shop right now and it sounds awesome.


I really like the idea of something high gain as I am lacking that kind of amp in my collection.  Ok so that part is for sure, higher gain circuit is the plan.


Didn't Tubenit or DaGeezer design something dumblish?  Maybe I could build something along those lines.

[tubenit]

Didn't Tubenit or DaGeezer design something dumblish?

Tweed BluezMeister

Tweed Overdrive Special

D'Mars Overdrive Special

Doug has boards available for those and there is ALOT of documentation on the builds.  They're all cathode biased and somewhat lower
wattage than a Dumblish clone.   Schematics and layouts in the SCH Library of Information

I think they sound best with either a D'Lator or on board active FX loop. 

With respect, Tubenit

[SILVERGUN]

If you're ok with just having the cosmetics be the tribute, and you're open to any nationality of amp builder, I couldn't agree more about the Dumble stuff...
I hear he is a hockey fan 

I know it's been beaten to death on other forums, and there is plenty of info out there,,,,tubenit has done an incredible job of condensing a lot of this info into his designs....

I remember reading recently where you tried to order a D'lite kit from BrownNote....between the literature that is out there, and what "the Normster" has made available,,,this should be an easy, scaled down build that will fit into that chassis:
http://thenormster.com/DumbleLite/BuildersGuide/D-Lite%20Assembly%20Guide.htm
http://thenormster.com/DumbleLite/

[Willabe]

Garnet.


           Brad     

[SILVERGUN]

Here's a cool little video that explains why Willabe, HBP and jjasilli are all right...

I wish I would have watched it before I posted my post 

Sound by Garnet - The Gar Gillies Story

Man, I'm glad I came here and read this....the Herzog is something different that I would probably never have thought of...and can't wait to try 

How cool would it be to build it into another amp?,,,so you've got the Herzog driving a Plexi (let's say), in one package 

[TubeGeek]

OK I am getting chills thinking of keeping on with the Canada theme by building a Garnet based project.


I plugged in the two Garnet's I have in for repair last night and they don't work so I need to get them repaired ASAP.


I do want to build a Dumble circuit but this may not be the right project for that.  I have another head cabinet (spalted maple) and hiwatt chassis I will use for that project down the road. 


That settles it.


I am staying with the Canadian theme.  Now I just have to study up on the Garnet's and see what ideas come of it.  The book I ordered cannot come soon enough now!


My original plan was to unveil this amp by July 1st which is Canada day.


The video clip of Gordie Johnson playing really did it for me.  I love his Grady stuff.  I'm gonna listen to my Grady albums while studying the circuits.  It just might add mojo to the project.


I hope you all will join in on this journey, something cool is about to happen.

[SILVERGUN]

I hope you all will join in on this journey, something cool is about to happen.

I'm real excited for you....
Until an hour ago I had never heard of Garnet, and now I'm sitting here trying to figure out what it's gonna take to hack my homebrewed Champ into a HerZog......not a lot !!

I've got a touch of tube fever, so I won't be able to let this sit for too long...something cool IS about to happen!

I think the HerZog would make an awesome addition to your studio tool as an ultimate throwback, sustaining lead tone 

Thanks to all of you guys for the inspiration!

[TubeGeek]

I am thinking of a 20W marshall circuit (http://ceriatone.com/images/layoutPic/marshallLayout/20WCeriatoneLayout.jpg) with the herzog built in.


I wonder what Gordie is doing in that video.  All I see is the herzog.  It must be plugged into another amp???


I want minimum 20W.


Hmmm this is gonna be fun. 


Although this is not going to happen overnight for me.  I have time to really plan it out.

[SILVERGUN]

That sounds cool....you can probably even get simpler with the "main" amp circuit.....maybe Garnet?

I'm gonna start messing with the Herzog!

I started a new thread here so as not to hijack yours, and I'll be converting a Champ (got the idea from HBP's post):
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=16934.0

FUN is right!

[TubeGeek]

That sounds cool....you can probably even get simpler with the "main" amp circuit.....maybe Garnet?

I'm gonna start messing with the Herzog!

I started a new thread here so as not to hijack yours, and I'll be converting a Champ (got the idea from HBP's post):
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=16934.0

FUN is right!

I look forward to watching your thread and learning from it too.

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks TG.....I know our buddy Tubenit is counting on us for a little innovative thought! 

Let's see where it goes.........................................

[SILVERGUN]

I've looked at it for a couple minutes today, and to simplify the idea,,,it's just a 2 gain stage SE amp, run into an attenuator circuit,,,with an adjustable line out...
No real permanent modification necessary for me, other than adding the attenuator circuit, with a pot and an output jack...

So, I'm thinking you could use "any" small amp design into an attenuator and 'viola"----Herzog

Not very innovative of me, but still, pretty cool idea 

[clyde]

I am thinking of a 20W marshall circuit (http://ceriatone.com/images/layoutPic/marshallLayout/20WCeriatoneLayout.jpg) with the herzog built in.


I wonder what Gordie is doing in that video.  All I see is the herzog.  It must be plugged into another amp???

An SVT.

[PRR]

I plugged in the two Garnet's I have in for repair last night and they don't work so....

Yes, fix them already. They are historic.

> The book I ordered cannot come soon enough now!

Gar's book (I ordered mine a few days before he passed) is a small random sample of an old man's bench-notes and stray thoughts. It won't give you "The Garnet Secret".

Garnets are "special" for two reasons:

No import tax,
Many were custom-voiced for the buyer.

The latter reason is probably why there is no over-arching "Garnet philosophy". Each musician is different and Gar liked to work with them. He would steal and modify anything to get the best sound for that customer.

OTOH....

If you are doing Traynor you have to drop the amp out of the upstairs window to the parking lot, then gig with it. For this cab, that would be a shame.

Traynor built a couple or three of everything. Again there is no deep philosophy. The standouts are the BassMates (too small for this case) and the 200 Watt monsters (too big).

It would not be unpatriotic to build a 40 Watt Twin plus an on-board Herzog. The Twin is more-or-less the go-to for musicians on both sides of the tax-line. Given handy ample 400V, the Herzog is 2 tubes a small OT and 2 knobs.

[TubeGeek]

I plugged in the two Garnet's I have in for repair last night and they don't work so....

Yes, fix them already. They are historic.

> The book I ordered cannot come soon enough now!

Gar's book (I ordered mine a few days before he passed) is a small random sample of an old man's bench-notes and stray thoughts. It won't give you "The Garnet Secret".

Garnets are "special" for two reasons:

No import tax,
Many were custom-voiced for the buyer.

The latter reason is probably why there is no over-arching "Garnet philosophy". Each musician is different and Gar liked to work with them. He would steal and modify anything to get the best sound for that customer.

OTOH....

If you are doing Traynor you have to drop the amp out of the upstairs window to the parking lot, then gig with it. For this cab, that would be a shame.

Traynor built a couple or three of everything. Again there is no deep philosophy. The standouts are the BassMates (too small for this case) and the 200 Watt monsters (too big).

It would not be unpatriotic to build a 40 Watt Twin plus an on-board Herzog. The Twin is more-or-less the go-to for musicians on both sides of the tax-line. Given handy ample 400V, the Herzog is 2 tubes a small OT and 2 knobs.

I ordered the book to read up on Garnet, not to discover the magic secret.  I figured it be another good source of reference material to have around.


Traynor's are built well.  I have a yba-3 for my bass rig. Huge iron.  I converted it to use 6550's!  Love that thing matched up with an 8x10 svt cabinet :)


You hit the nail on the head with what I am considering…20/40W circuit with the herzog idea built in.

[SILVERGUN]

You hit the nail on the head with what I am considering…20/40W circuit with the herzog idea built in.

You know,,,relatively speaking,,,New Jersey is almost in Canada 

How bout a Trainwreck type?,,,and then push it with a Herzog .....hmmmmmm???
Talk about a sustaaaaaaaaaaaain machine!

If you don't,, I just might......this is your chance to beat me to it. 

Seriously, I think your on the right track with Garnet.....I went back and read an article about Gar, and was moved by it....the "Winnipeg Sound" (I never knew there was one)

[TubeGeek]

Over the past week or two I have been mulling over which circuit to build and I am 99% sure I am going to go with a Garnet Pro.  I have been studying and testing the circuit these past couple of weeks.


This model has the stinger circuit and tremolo. 


The one I just repaired is still with me and now that the bugs are fixed in it, I have had a chance to tinker with it.


The first thing I realized is this amp is voiced for a Gibson type guitar.  Strats and tele's sound ok but Gibson's and the Garnet are made for each other in my opinion.


The stinger is cool...real messy, sloppy, thick, compressed, buzzy, fat, noisy, out of control, over the top in a good way.  It may not be everybody's ticket but it makes me play differently and I do enjoy the extreme fuzz it produces.


Without the stinger activated the amp has a unique crunch to it.  Footswitch in the stinger and it gets interesting.  Check out Jack White's new music for a hint of what this amp sort of sounds like:


Jack White - "Lazaretto" (Audio)


Jack White - "High Ball Stepper" (Lazaretto Album Track)


I probably won't include the tremolo in my version, we will see. I will also more than likely experiment with the stinger circuit and dial it in to exactly what I want to hear.


I have asked my fellow canuck friends for any Garnet's to study.  Hopefully I will hear back from a few buddies and possibly be able to try a few out before I order transformers etc.


I'll be putting this project in my calendar for June.  Stay tuned for more updates around the middle of May.

[TIMBO]

Hey TubeGeek, I think the amp itself is great and I don't think you can go two wrong with the circuit. The tremolo is cool, so don't over look it.

There are three switches, I think they are marked "ROCK" these I would do as a trail and error as they may or may not be to your liking.

I did a couple of version a LOWATT and a Rebel as I did not have transformers for 6L6/EL34.

The "STINGER" I changed the point of input as I found the first preamp triode did overdrive the pentode into a MESSY fit, so you could experiment. My vote for a modern version of the PRO with EL34s. Thanks

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks for the update TG,
Sounds like you're on the right track...
Let us know how it goes, when you get there.


Nice work on those schematics TIMBO 

[TIMBO]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... Whats happin'n.....

[EL34]

And we have 35 Garnet schematics in the library
http://el34world.com/charts/Schematics1.php


If you find any new ones, I'll upload them

[TubeGeek]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... Whats happin'n.....

About 12 amps in line for repair and building myself a tweed pro....


I am looking into options for building the Canada amp as a d'lite 22 circuit instead of the garnet. I am hoping I can use a set of hammond transformers that were donated to me on a hacked up traynor amplifier chassis.  The model is a YRM-1 (reverb master).  I'll measure the B+ voltage and see if it'll work for the d'lite.  I have all the other parts for this build, just need the iron.

The thrill of the garnet died down after i serviced a few of them.

[jjasilli]

The thrill of the garnet died down after i serviced a few of them.

Please elaborate.

[TubeGeek]

Partly because of laziness   lack of interest I suppose.  I don't really want to take the time to copy the Garnet as it was point to point wiring inside.  Since the dumble type tone has been on my to do list, I want to scratch that one of off my list first. 


I had the pro for a couple weeks and spent hours playing it and trying out the stinger.  The stinger was cool at first but after a while it lost its appeal to me.  It was rather difficult to find the sweet spot.  It was very noisy and extremely bright.  It seemed no matter what I did I was rolling off almost all the high end to find a good sound.  I can get that fuzz easily with a pedal or booster.


I have another garnet in for repair (jammer) so I am still learning them.  I am not saying never...but for now I don't think I need the garnet in my collection.

[Tom_Hull]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... Whats happin'n.....

About 12 amps in line for repair and building myself a tweed pro....


I am looking into options for building the Canada amp as a d'lite 22 circuit instead of the garnet. I am hoping I can use a set of hammond transformers that were donated to me on a hacked up traynor amplifier chassis.  The model is a YRM-1 (reverb master).  I'll measure the B+ voltage and see if it'll work for the d'lite.  I have all the other parts for this build, just need the iron.

The thrill of the garnet died down after i serviced a few of them.

hi


i am just converting a ampeg m 12 ,, preamp section to a dumble .it has  6sl7 tubes but no matter,,, pushing 6l6 gb . i ended up using


 the Deluxe - umble  reverb draft . posted in the D mars project  as the pre amp. i think  . . for me it is  much nicer... depends on what you what . others may mention the sound difference better then me .


Tom


nice cab ..by the way..