What amps would you like to build in 2016?

[tubenit]

Given time & money, ............... I'd like to build the following:

1)  Dano Centurian with reverb added   (somewhat similar to a Silvertone 1482)

2)  Supro 1688TN      (after hearing Leon C.'s great YouTube of one.  Maybe my favorite amp tone on YouTube)

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aEhWqvyaiuE

3)  AB763   one channel but with post LTPI coupling caps of .047 and preamp cathode caps of 4.7uf

4)  Experiment with a 1 watt amp with a pentode power tube 6SN7

With respect, Tubenit

[sluckey]

2)  Supro 1688TN      (after hearing Leon C.'s great YouTube of one.  Maybe my favorite amp tone on YouTube)

That was a great demo! Got my attention.

[HotBluePlates]

Most likely a 1/3-1w model with a single-ended 6AU6 or push-pull 12AU7 output stage. Probably a 12AU7 and/or 6AK5 preamp of some sort.

[Mike_J]

I still have every amp I ever made starting with a 5f6a Bassman, Revibe, AB763, 5E3, Dumble 124, Dumble HRM, Dumble SSS (Mike Hartman's version) and a Sluckey inspired Plexi/800 build with OD and active FX loop.  I also have two Dumble oval back 212s and a Bogner oversized 212 cabinet and a DUmbleator clone that I made


I don't play out anywhere and I know amps don't benefit from not being played.  My goal is to go back through all these amps and make them as close to perfect as I can get and sell as many of them as I can.  Then I would have room to build some more.

My problem is I like building and planning more than I like tweaking the end product.  Once I get the hum and hiss down to a manageable level and the amp sounds decent I am off to the next amp.  Only problem I have now is I don't have much room for more amps.

[p2pAmps]

I may build a Leslie 122 from scratch, cabinet and all.  I know it crazy what what the heck

[shooter]

I don't have much room for more amps.

sounds like you will be building a bigger shop in 2016

Me, another mono block, gave the last one away at Christmas.  It's drawn up, some parts piled up, just waiting for the money tree to come outta winter hibernation
Also a fractional amp has been popping up a lot in my brain, I built a *bread boarded* triple SE 6AU6 couple years back that I may revive

[punkykatt]

What a tease.  No schematic for the 1688TN?

[Mike_J]

I would like to build a low wattage amp that has the tone of a big bottled amp.  Does anybody know of an amp that would accomplish that objective.

[Mike_J]

I don't have much room for more amps.

sounds like you will be building a bigger shop in 2016

It is far worse than that.  I build my amps on our dining room table.  Read somewhere that you need to store your amps in the same climate that you sleep in so I of course keep them in our master bedroom.  Problem is even though my wife puts up with my lunacy I am starting to feel a little guilty about taking up so much of her space with equipment and parts.


We live in south Florida so we don't have basements here and I don't have a shop.  I am planning an addition with a large air conditioned storage closet that could double as a storm shelter but it would be cheaper to get rid of the amps and start over from scratch.

[silverfox]

I've got two designs in mind. Adding an EQ and Loop to the a power amp for pedals-emulators I've completed and
the other build is a high gain model; 5 stages, that I refer to as my, "Full Circle Build", (I'll explain that in the future). But that Supro  posted above sounds great too.

silverfox.

[DummyLoad]

4 watt 10" combo based on 6/12BL7 for output tube.

--pete

[tubenit]

I would like to build a low wattage amp that has the tone of a big bottled amp.  Does anybody know of an amp that would accomplish that objective

Geezer's mini-Bassman using 6BM8's for about 7-9 watts of power does a decent job of that, IMO.  There is a soundclick of this amp somewhere and it's VERY impressive!

My So-Low Watt at 3-4 watts did a reasonable job of that using ECL84's which have a surprising amount of bass for a small tube.

I think a low watt amp into a 2 x 12" cab or 4 X10 cab or 4 X12 cab would get the job done? 

With respect, Tubenit

[sluckey]

What a tease.  No schematic for the 1688TN?

The S6688 is practically identical except it uses a 5U4 rather than a FWB rectifier. That means the PT will be different also. But the circuitry is identical except for a few minor cap values. You can find the S6688 schematic in Hoffman's schematic library or Jack Darr's "Electric Guitar Amplifier Handbook".

I've attached a red-lined schematic showing the minor differences...

[vibrolax]

Most likely a 1/3-1w model with a single-ended 6AU6 or push-pull 12AU7 output stage. Probably a 12AU7 and/or 6AK5 preamp of some sort.

I built a 6ak5 pre, 6ak6 power amp about ten years ago.  I love it.  Less than 500 ma filament current.  Documentation at www.frontiernet.net/~jff/pipsqueak_pentode/Pentode_DIY_guitar_amp.html

Modified to fix link; apparently, capitalization matters -- HBP

[guitardude57]

I'm thinking a AB763 single channel, set to run 6v6 cathode bias, for
a nice fat clean to use with a pedal board.  Made as small as physically possible.

[vibrolax]

4 watt 10" combo based on 6/12BL7 for output tube.

--pete

Here is one I built 11 years ago with a 6BL7 PP output: http://www.frontiernet.net/~jff/moonlight_bl7/Moonlight_AllOctalDoublePower.html
It used the Weber Revibe PT and a hammond 125D OT

PS: remembered the URL is case sensitive, and did it properly

[mresistor]

I'm thinking of something with EL34's    Marshall..?   It's why I've been following Platefires thread. I'd like to know how that amp sounds when it is finished. 

[punkykatt]

What a tease.  No schematic for the 1688TN?

The S6688 is practically identical except it uses a 5U4 rather than a FWB rectifier. That means the PT will be different also. But the circuitry is identical except for a few minor cap values. You can find the S6688 schematic in Hoffman's schematic library or Jack Darr's "Electric Guitar Amplifier Handbook".

I've attached a red-lined schematic showing the minor differences...

Thanks sluckey for the schematic.   Question:  V1 pin 1 plate 180v on tone pot. Should that  .02 coupling cap  marked in red .003  be upstream of the tone pot?

[alerich]

I resolve this year to finish the Soldano SLO clone that I have built and is in the debugging stage. It has been sitting since last spring and I am terrible with resolutions.

[Fresh_Start]

5E3 clone

Single-ended EL34 with Plexi-ish preamp

I'm also going to learn how to make box-jointed cabs and re-build/tweak my Tweed and Blackface Princetons.

Chip

[sluckey]

Question:  V1 pin 1 plate 180v on tone pot. Should that  .02 coupling cap  marked in red .003  be upstream of the tone pot?

There's no problem with the tone control being connected to the plate because the tone cap blocks dc current so the pot will not be scratchy. If you want to build this amp as close to the original as you can I suggest leaving it alone.

However, I don't like having high dc voltages on the pots on the front panel for other reasons. If I was to build this I'd connect the tone cap to the plate and the tone control to ground. IOW, just swap those two components. It's a simple series circuit and the behavior will be exactly the same either way. Swapping them gets the voltage off the pot and that makes me happy.

[punkykatt]

Thank you Sluckey,  no  HV dc on the pots makes me happy too.

[Ritchie200]

I was originally thinking about an AC30 for a winter project, but have changed my mind.  With the original Marshall Major thread, Tubenit did a fantastic layout of a Mini-Major with a one wire mod and master.  I think I may take this on to see how close it is to the original.  This amp is a really cool unique design.

Jim

[TubeGeek]

I want to finish an amp that I have been working on here and there for the past 8 months.  An Orange inspired project.  I keep pushing it to the side while I work on other people's equipment.  They pay me with green stuff and I don't pay myself

[TIMBO]

Hi guys, I have plenty restorations to do but this one http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=19585.0 is looking very tempting.

T, that amp has a great sound.

[Platefire]

I think to complete my current Marshall 47 watt 2204 variation that started as an idea in the last of 2015 and had bloomed into a full project in 2016. Seems I have to have something going all the time to tinker with ampwise and so this will be my go to project to satisfy my tinker excursions and hopefully end up with Kranking little hot rod amp. Platefire 

[tubenit]

I was originally thinking about an AC30 for a winter project, but have changed my mind.  With the original Marshall Major thread, Tubenit did a fantastic layout of a Mini-Major with a one wire mod and master.  I think I may take this on to see how close it is to the original.  This amp is a really cool unique design.

Jim,  AC30!!!!?????    Secretly a Beatle's fan??   

Oh wait ...................................  a mini-Major!   Ritchie Blackmore fan??!!!!       

It's OK, Jim,  all of us have brief passing moments of some warped idea or another.  Looks like your recovered pretty quickly on this one. 

Greatly looking forward to seeing you do the mini-Major build!!!!  I will be cheering you on.

with respect, Tubenit

[darkbluemurder]

I just started to convert my Club Deluxe build into a Badger - looks like that amp has a wider tonal palette. Should not be too hard.


The Tweed Overdrive Special is still on the list - got the board and all parts.


Not quite a build but I am planning to convert my HoSo56 build from EL84s to 6V6s.


And finally, the /13 CJ 11 piqued my interest since I don't have anything tweedy yet.


Cheers Stephan

[tubenit]

Not quite a build but I am planning to convert my HoSo56 build from EL84s to 6V6s.

I did the exact same thing.  Never bonded to the EL84 sound.  I did HoSo56 in EL84, 6V6, 6L6, 6AQ5 and 6BM8 which (reflecting back on those) may have ended up being my favorite and at 7-9 watts was still pretty loud to play with a loud drummer, several vocalist, bass and keyboards.  It was mic'd into the PA but I used it much as a monitor on stage.

With respect, Tubenit

[Ed_Chambley]

I have started a KT66 Push Pull with 2 5879 setup from a JTM 45 Chassis.  I am using 2 holes for cathode resistor pots.  I have a Jump Switch for both channels and a cascade.  Currently you can use the normal channel in with a Morph from triode to pentode.  Jumping makes very fat and the bright channel distorts somewhat.  Individual volumes with a cascade switch.  NFB on a locking pot and a 5V4 rectifier.
When I get it all worked out I plan to have realys.  I am fairly close now.  It sounds like an amp with big tubes.

Secondly, I have been working on a 2, 10 63 Vibroverb AGAIN!  This time the normal channel will sport a Marshall pre.

I will have my clone of the Carr Rambler completed soon.  Finally, I will finish my dual OT, 4 bottle 6V6 which will have the ability to truly 15 watts or 30 watts.  It will have Vibrato instead of tremolo and a EF86 OD section with verb.

And my normal tweaking of others.  Egnater must have begun using very poor iron as I have gotten quite a few to upgrade to Mercury Magnetics Iron as I had a buddy stop in with his Tourmaster and PT was shot.

I also just completed a oversize single 10 cabinet loaded with a Celestion Gold for a Highly modified 5C1 Champ with an additional gain stage using a 6SC7 and a KT66 Output Tube.

I have always wanted to build Tubenit's TOS, so I am looking to that as well.

I am very close the the complete restoration of my 62 Bassman.  I found the correct grill cloth for the cabinet.  The tolex cleaned up very well.  It now has tiltback legs and you can see the dust covers of the Altec 417's which is cool.

Tonight I will finish a SE, 3 EL84's, V1 is a EF86 and v2 and 3 are similar to the stout, but no tone stack, simply cap switching.  I have 340Vdc Plates and a Edcor OT 3k, multitap.

No Cathode Resistor on the EL84's, I have a nice locking wirewound pot and even select-able caps which is a waste.  I have someone waiting for this amp as the tone and harmonics simply outperform an AC30.  I got lucky on this one, but I did have to add a little NFB.

I may do a Trainwreck for a Friend, but trying to talk him out of it since they are so loud.

Oh yea, I have a 5E5 Pro that needs restoring I bought a few years ago, just have not been able to get some of the original parts reasonably and the Tweed Pro doesn't fetch enough to spend too much.

[dbishopbliss]

I'm thinking about an AC15

[Mike_J]

I would like to build a low wattage amp that has the tone of a big bottled amp.  Does anybody know of an amp that would accomplish that objective

Geezer's mini-Bassman using 6BM8's for about 7-9 watts of power does a decent job of that, IMO.  There is a soundclick of this amp somewhere and it's VERY impressive!

My So-Low Watt at 3-4 watts did a reasonable job of that using ECL84's which have a surprising amount of bass for a small tube.

I think a low watt amp into a 2 x 12" cab or 4 X10 cab or 4 X12 cab would get the job done? 

With respect, Tubenit

I read about the mini-Bassman and heard Geezer's soundtrack for the amp which was impressive. 


Do you think the reverb is worth the add?  Also, I noticed you added a switch on the 2A cathode cap to switch it in and out of the circuit I imagine to increase or decrease gain.  You also installed a PAB and a switch to switch NFB in and out.  Did you find all of these switches to be useful?  If so, did you install relays in your amp to do the switching.  Probably would make sense to be able to switch the reverb on and off too.+


Is this amp still the one you received the most favorable response from?


Thanks
Mike 

[tubenit]

Yes, I think the reverb is worth it on the mini-bassman!  I liked it.

No, the switches are really not that all that useful.  And a PAB on a tone stack off the cathode follower just doesn't sound quite right to me. 

I'd probably buildthe mini-bassman with reverb and maybe have a midboost on a mini-toggle to choose between single and humbuckers.  I'd skip the PAB.

Having said that,  I've come to like having delay a lot and have used this FX idea on my D'Mars ODS with good success.  I think this could be a very nice HoSo56 amp with great tone using the 5879 preamp and 6BM8 power amp but I haven't built this exact amp.  Maybe the cap for the mid pot should be .02 - .047 range instead of .01?   I am thinking this would have a pretty big sound using slight delay in the FX with those 6BM8 tubes and still be a low watt amp ?

I have a SCH version of the schematic and a layout here:      http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=17863.0

With respect, Tubenit

I recorded this using 6K6 tubes for maybe 7-8 watts and I think it came out sounded fairly "big" for low watts and small tubes:
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11527276&q=hi&newref=1

OK, I found a very repetitious recording of a traditional rock tune using the 56T which was my version of the HoSo56 with reverb. Playing is mediocre but I think the amp sounds like a fairly "big" amp for 7-9 watts:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=860798&content=music

I do have one decent recording of the 56T with 6BM8 tubes that I can email but don't it posted anywhere.  It's "City Lights" by Journey and the tune is a pretty accurate example of what the 6BM8 tubes sounded like, IMO.  IF you are interested in that, leave me a PM.  I think it's a better example of the 6BM8 tubes.

[Mike_J]

I'd probably buildthe mini-bassman with reverb and maybe have a midboost on a mini-toggle to choose between single and humbuckers.  I'd skip the PAB.

Having said that,  I've come to like having delay a lot and have used this FX idea on my D'Mars ODS with good success.  I think this could be a very nice HoSo56 amp with great tone using the 5879 preamp and 6BM8 power amp but I haven't built this exact amp.  Maybe the cap for the mid pot should be .02 - .047 range instead of .01?   I am thinking this would have a pretty big sound using slight delay in the FX with those 6BM8 tubes and still be a low watt amp ?

Tubenit


Thank you so much for your help and creativity.


My reason for asking all the questions is primarily because of my experience in building the Sluckey inspired Plexi/800 amp.  Added an active effects unit, an overdrive channel all kinds of switches in an amp that already had two preamps.  A lot of people were telling me to keep it simple but no I wouldn't listen so as usual I had to learn the hard way.

Your recording with the 6K6s is about as good as guitar tone can get in my opinion.  I will PM you concerning the other recording, if it is half as good as the 6K6 recording it will be great.  At this very moment I am thinking the amp that made the 6K6 tone is the one I want to build.  Do you recall which schematic you constructed that amp from?  Also, how was the clean sound?  Did it have much headroom?
 
I compared the HoSo56 schematic to the mini-Bassman.  Looked like the biggest difference was the 5879 in V1, am I right?  Could you identify two recordings to identify the tone difference?  Would probably make it easier to choose between the two.  I imagine you have been asked that question 100 times before.

Your reverb and midboost switch on a mini-toggle idea makes sense.  Would add some versatility to the amp.  I too like delay, it adds depth to the tone.  To keep things simpler I would think a passive effects loop would be good, don't you think?  Could always connect a D'lator for active FX if wanted (unless the additional gain from an active FX is what gave the great tone in the 6K6 amp. Then it is a critical addition.)


Do you think a PPIMV is needed for a low wattage amp like this?


Thanks
Mike

[tubenit]

The 6K6 tune was the original D'Mars with a 275-0-275 PT using a 5Y3GT rectifier and it did not have much headroom with 6K6's.  I think the 6K6's had about 305 volts on the plates?

Yes, while some component values differed between the mini-Bassman and the 56T (HoSo56 with reverb), the main topology difference was the 5879 in V1 so that is correct. 

I don't think I have any recordings with the mini-Bassman to compare with the 56T? 

As an FYI,  while I like the tone of the 6K6's in that tune reasonably well,  I actually like the tone of the 6BM8's on the tune I will send you even better.  I will try to remember to email that to you later this evening.

I found the PPIMV to be useful for recording and even used it before playing with a band with the 6BM8's.  But the amp was used more as a monitor and mic'd into the PA.  It's useful for "bedroom playing", IMO.  With the PPIMV turned up, it's like having the 220k resistors to ground. 7-9 watts can still get pretty loud. 

Sure if you have a D'Lator then passive effects loop would make sense to me also.

With respect, Tubenit

[Mike_J]

The 6K6 tune was the original D'Mars with a 275-0-275 PT using a 5Y3GT rectifier and it did not have much headroom with 6K6's.  I think the 6K6's had about 305 volts on the plates?     

As an FYI,  while I like the tone of the 6K6's in that tune reasonably well,  I actually like the tone of the 6BM8's on the tune I will send you even better.  I will try to remember to email that to you later this evening.

With respect, Tubenit

Tubenit


I went through all your recordings and enjoyed listening to them.  Good playing.   Two of the recordings were most in my ideal tone category.  The first was "2 Cloudy" with a D'Mars.  Had a great clean tone.  The second is the "6K6 and some change" which had 6K6 power tubes, 12AV7 preamp, 12AT7 PI and 5Y3 rectifier in the TOS.  It sounded a lot like the other tone I liked so much.

Looking forward to hearing the tone of the 6BM8.

Had an idea.  I have a couple of 212 cabinets that are wired to either 4, 16 or two amps at 8 ohms.  Do you think making two amp heads that were about 7 watts through one cabinet might work well for small venues.  One amp could be geared more towards the clean side like the D'Mars in "2 Cloudy" and the other for a more tube over driven sound like the 6K6 amp.  Kind of best of both worlds to me.

Thanks
Mike

[tubenit]

Mike,

Yikes!

Please accept my apology.  I was thinking the 6K6 & change was the D'Mars and had remembered wrong.  I forgot that  it was the Tweed Overdrive Special.  I wasn't remembering that correctly, unfortunately. The D'Mars was a more recent build and I had run 6K6's in it (& in a second D'Mars that I gave to someone also). 

What was correct was that it did have a 275-0-275 PT using a 5Y3.

On a really good day, I view my playing at mediocre at best but I do have fun with it.  Look for the 6BM8 recording to be sent later this evening.

Tubenit

[Katie 77]

for 2016? a new recording amp...2 ch tweedy bandmastery/vibroluxy....switchable 5E7+AA763 pre's and vib, w/ a cathode biased 5E7 power amp. But I don't like standard concertina PIs unless followed by triode gain stages (a la Gibson Atlas). It's in the drawing stages tho...
I threw the idea at Dan Boul for a new 65 model, but it didn't stick.

[SoundmasterG]

Wow what would I like to build in 2016?


Well considering I need to overhaul my 1968 Sunn 2000S and plan to use Solen poly caps to replace almost all of the electrolytics, modify the grounding scheme and utilize the ground switch as a ground lift switch (which means isolating all grounds and jacks from the chassis), and I have to fix a cabinet rattle on the 2000S cabinet too, I'd say I have my work cut out for me just on that one! :)


In addition to that, I want to rebuild my 1964 RCA console stereo....all tube and still works for some things but FM definitely doesn't work anymore even though the tubes are still good.


Before I start on new stuff, I also have a Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve to finish rebuilding, a Dynaco ST70 to overhaul, a Scott 299B to overhaul, an AIMS amp to overhaul, a solid state late 60's Baldwin to overhaul and sell, a SS Trace Elliot bass amp to fix, a Weber JTM 45 project amp that someone else started and gave up on to fix and finish, a 1963 B15N to overhaul and recover the cabinet with the correct blue check tolex (yes I was able to get some of the tolex before it became unobtainable), my AC100 project to finish, and my 3 amps in 1 head project to finish.


After those are done, I'd like to build a Supro Tbolt clone, a 5E3 clone so I can sell my real one, an AC30 clone head, an AC50 clone head, and come to think of it I need to finish another project for someone else that is in front of everything else.


I don't think I will get these all done in 2016 though! 


Greg

[darkbluemurder]

Since I just scored an oversized 18w chassis with room for four preamp tubes I have been thinking about building something Hiwatt-ish but with a pair of 6V6s and cascaded input stages so that the low input is almost stock DR-10X and the high input has the added gain stage.


Cheers Stephan

[Mike_J]

I would like to build a Deluxe Reverb, TOS, D'Mars and an AC15.  Great tone out of all four amps.  Good news is I have the iron for a Deluxe Reverb.  Also have an extra head cabinet that is completed.  Will use the AB763 – 1 Channel board.
The biggest dilemma I have is with the head cabinet.  It measures 29-3/4" wide X 10" deep and 10-3/4" high.  Much more room than is needed for the AB763 – 1 Channel board and power supply.  In spite of my New Year's resolution to KISS in amp building may have to add an ODS or ODS – HRM channel.  Can anyone suggest a better option?
 Do you think I could mix the ODS circuit into the AB763 board before the reverb and vibrato so each channel has the use of same?  Additionally,  the ODS uses 5K1 grid resistors on the power tubes not the 1K5 the Deluxe Reverb requires.  Would the 5K1 grid resistors negatively impact the Deluxe Reverb tone?  Also , has anyone tried to install a PPIMV in an AB763 with the 220Ks tied to the intensity pot?

[darkbluemurder]

The biggest dilemma I have is with the head cabinet.  It measures 29-3/4" wide X 10" deep and 10-3/4" high.  Much more room than is needed for the AB763 – 1 Channel board and power supply.  In spite of my New Year's resolution to KISS in amp building may have to add an ODS or ODS – HRM channel.  Can anyone suggest a better option?

If you like the ODS tone go with it. At one time I had my Deluxe II Reverb set up like that - clean channel (which would be the normal channel in an AB 763) was set up like AB763, drive channel like ODS. At another time I had both channels cascaded so that in clean mode it was AB 763 and in drive mode it was ODS HRM. I ended up removing it since I was looking for something different.

Do you think I could mix the ODS circuit into the AB763 board before the reverb and vibrato so each channel has the use of same? 

Yes - you can join the channels before reverb by moving the 220k mixer resistors before that point.

Additionally,  the ODS uses 5K1 grid resistors on the power tubes not the 1K5 the Deluxe Reverb requires.  Would the 5K1 grid resistors negatively impact the Deluxe Reverb tone?

Most likely not. Pentodes have very little input capacitance.


Cheers Stephan

[darkbluemurder]

I just started to convert my Club Deluxe build into a Badger - looks like that amp has a wider tonal palette. Should not be too hard.


The Tweed Overdrive Special is still on the list - got the board and all parts.


Not quite a build but I am planning to convert my HoSo56 build from EL84s to 6V6s.


And finally, the /13 CJ 11 piqued my interest since I don't have anything tweedy yet.

First phase of Club Deluxe to Badger conversion completed (preamp gain structure) - second phase will be the effects loop once I decided I like it enough to keep. So far so good though.


The CJ11 build has also begun - chassis is drilled and tube sockets and transformers mounted. Heater and AC wiring is up next.


Not bad for the first two weeks in the year.


Cheers Stephan

[DummyLoad]

for 2016? a new recording amp...2 ch tweedy bandmastery/vibroluxy....switchable 5E7+AA763 pre's and vib, w/ a cathode biased 5E7 power amp. But I don't like standard concertina PIs unless followed by triode gain stages (a la Gibson Atlas). It's in the drawing stages tho...
I threw the idea at Dan Boul for a new 65 model, but it didn't stick.

hmmm... sort of "a la williamson".
that reads like it may just sound really cool.


where ya been + what's up & new?


--pete

[Katie 77]

hmmm... sort of "a la williamson".
that reads like it may just sound really cool.


where ya been + what's up & new?


--pete

Hey Pete! I don't know what a 'Williamson' is but yea...if you mean gain stages post PI....that's it.
Been working n such. Doing work for 65, Friedman, Egnater, and Morgan Amps and a couple pedal cos. But just as a cad jockey...I'm still enamoured w/ my HH amps. Got a nice VS Musician for $100 and a HH MOSFET Bass Baby...stoked. PM'd you.

[shooter]

fwiw, I got this link when I asked about post PI gain stage;

http://www.clarisonus.com/Archives/Amp_Design/Williamson%201952%20The%20Williamson%20Amplifier.pdf

I don't know what a 'Williamson' is

Need deep boots to get through it all

[Katie 77]

fwiw, I got this link when I asked about post PI gain stage;

http://www.clarisonus.com/Archives/Amp_Design/Williamson%201952%20The%20Williamson%20Amplifier.pdf

I don't know what a 'Williamson' is

Need deep boots to get through it all

yea, something like that but a little more 'lo-fi'...like a Marshall Major (yet, not UL) or Gibson Atlas, but ~35W w/ a couple 6L6s
http://www.davidsonamp.com/sg/gschemATLSMDLSST.php

[Paul1453]

I would like to build a low wattage amp that has the tone of a big bottled amp.  Does anybody know of an amp that would accomplish that objective.

How low watt?

I simply love the cheap 6AQ5/6005 as an output tube.
6V6,s 7 pin, better sounding, little brother IMO.

I got a simple 12AX7 to 6AQ5 on the breadboard now.
It sounds great to me at 4.5Watts output.

Need more watts?  I've got a modified Bogen K10, which really ROCKS!
Bugleboy EZ80 rectifier, Mullard 6AU6 and 12AX7 pre, 2 6AQ5/6005 output tubes.
Check out DummyLoad's K10 thread for this little Beast!

[Paul1453]

As many amps as my ever growing pile of junk parts, and my limited supply of time and ability will allow.   

Is there ever an end state in this hobby?  Like someone saying "I've done it all, I'm finished".   

I can't see that happening for me.  As long as my body and mind will allow me to continue to do this safely.   

[tubenit]

Is there ever an end state in this hobby?