Magnatone Twilighter clone in a Vox AD15VT cab

[sophoni]

To elaborate,

I've always wanted to build my own tube amp, but I know I wouldn't want to build my own cab. I have a Vox AD15VT that is irreparable due to the board being completely fried, and so I thought about using that as the enclosure for my DIY amp.

I've been really sweet on the Magnatone Twilighter amps, and was wondering if it was possible to a) clone it, and b) if it would fit into the Vox.

I have ZERO experience but I am handy, built my own tables and lamps, and I'm not a stranger to research and trial and error. I will open the Vox to get chassis dimensions but aside from that, I'm stumped.

Any and all help appreciated!!

Very excited to start this project :D

[sophoni]

Here are some images for reference:

[sophoni]

Here is info on the twilighter!

[sophoni]

More twilighter images!

[sluckey]

Where's the Twilighter schematic? No way will that Twilighter fit that AD15VT cab.

[kagliostro]

Dimensions AD15VT (W x D x H) : 428 x 224 x 395 (mm)/16.85" x 8.82" x 15.55" (inches)

may be there you can build the AC15 Lite with reverb that our friend Sluckey posted few time ago

using the Accutronics Type 8 - http://www.accutronicsreverb.com/main/?skin=sub01_03.html

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=25468.msg276099#msg276099

http://sluckeyamps.com/misc/AC-15R_Lite.pdf

Franco

[sophoni]

Where's the Twilighter schematic? No way will that Twilighter fit that AD15VT cab.

got a lead on it, waiting for someone to get back to me with it.
I think the first picture I posted of the twilighter was the stereo one which is much much bigger.
The new twilighter which I like (https://www.magnatoneusa.com/twilighter) is a combo and smaller.

[sophoni]

Here's what I have so far, waiting on the schematic still.
Might have to call Magnatone just like that other guy did.

[bmccowan]

I have ZERO experience but I am handy, built my own tables and lamps, and I'm not a stranger to research and trial and error. I will open the Vox to get chassis dimensions but aside from that, I'm stumped.

Likely not what you want to hear, but my suggestion is to first build a simple amp. It will prep you for building the Magnatone and you'll have two nice amps in the end. Starting out on a complex amp can be frustrating. I know because many years ago I started out on a Princeton Reverb. After I built a simpler amp, I was able to go back to the PR and get it to work and sound the way it should. All worked out, but I could have taken a smarter path.

[sophoni]

I respect your point!
At the end of the day, I just want to know if it's possible in the first place.

[sluckey]

I don't think its possible to put the Maggie in that tiny Vox cab.

[SILVERGUN]

I respect your point!
At the end of the day, I just want to know if it's possible in the first place.

See all the circuitry that is jammed onto the 2 PC boards in the Magnatone pic.
That will take up at least 3X the real estate when you try to hand wire it. That would require at least 3X the chassis size of the little chassis you have on hand.
Do yourself a favor and either start out with a simpler amp or buy a proper sized chassis for the Maggie project.

[sophoni]

Got it!

What would the best size be then in your opinion, like what style of amp? That way I can start looking while I focus on a smaller build.
I DO have a sunn sl260 but I don't know if I want to kill that as it's my main amp right now. Would that be a better example for the proper size?

[sluckey]

I would get the chassis dimensions of that new production Twilighter. Then you can look for a more fitting donor cabinet. But none of this matters if you can't locate a schematic.

And have you found a source for the varistors? And at what price? This could be a real deal breaker.

You seem to be fixated on the Twilighter. But if you are open to putting a smaller amp in that tiny Vox cab, there are plenty to choose from. I've got three amps built into a similar sized Vox Pathfinder cab. One of them is a Magnatone M2, not in the same league as the Twilighter, but it does have the vibrato circuit. Another is a Dual Lite (Vox AC-15 plus Marshall 18W). The third is a 18W Plexi amp.

It would be helpful to know what your skill level is. Can you take a schematic and develop a working layout on paper? Then actually build this layout into a chassis? Can you modify the cabinet so your chassis can fit securely?

[SILVERGUN]

I just saw sluckey's post before I posted this. He is right for asking you how you are going to put the horse before the cart.

And then...
The smallest I would try to squeeze that into would be a Blackface Princeton Reverb chassis...and even then you are one 9-pin hole short.

But because you are a new builder, I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a Deluxe Reverb chassis.
If you are gonna build the cabinet too and don't want to deal with angles this guy offers a squared off DR chassis that I have used and liked for a custom build.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Square-Angle-Deluxe-Reverb-Style-Chassis-w-cutouts/323522581886?hash=item4b5372d57e:g:ss0AAOSwXbFb1gnd

[sophoni]

@ sluckey

to be honest your M2 build is what led me here and inspired me to figure this out!
I might just do that first before gearing up for the twilighter (schematics willing)

my skill level is near 0 but my brother has experience, and I am a pretty good learner. as far as cabinets yes, I can work on those to make sure the chassis fits.

@ silvergun

thank you! and yes I know how I can sound, I get fixated on the goal and worry about the rest later. this isn't a brag, just insight into the kind of person I am but, I taught myself how to draw just so that I could release a series of graphic novels (ignoring every recommendation to start with short comics) and the first 200 page volume is being published this year :p

[SILVERGUN]

And have you found a source for the varistors? And at what price? This could be a real deal breaker.

Here's a common source...these have gone up, up
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quad-of-Magnatone-Estey-RARE-NOS-VARISTORS-Buy-One-Get-One-Free/174156141501?hash=item288c83d3bd:g:LyAAAOSwlXddsKJg

Do some more research and try to find out which old circuit the Twilighter is most like and then you'll at least have a leg to stand on.

[kagliostro]

The price of old varistor is quite high

many people investigated the matter and as far as I can know the best results were reached from Martin Manning (Amp Garage member)

To download the .pdf files you must register and login at Amp Garage

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23839

obviously is something that is very near the original component but isn't a 100% fit

---

BTW:

Twilighter

COMBO DIMENSIONS: 22.5" x 10" x 19.5"

COMBO WEIGHT:38 lbs

and, as someone told measures enlarges if you use Turret or Eyelet Board

Franco

[sophoni]

The price of old varistor is quite high

many people investigated the matter and as far as I can know the best results were reached from Martin Manning (Amp Garage member)

To download the .pdf files you must register and login at Amp Garage

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23839

obviously is something that is very near the original component but isn't a 100% fit

---

BTW:

Twilighter

COMBO DIMENSIONS: 22.5" x 10" x 19.5"

COMBO WEIGHT:38 lbs

and, as someone told measures enlarges if you use Turret or Eyelet Board

Franco

Wow thank you!!!
Already a member and grabbed that PDF

Also got the schematics from the great people at magnatone ^_____^

[kagliostro]

There is more than a .pdf file there

my council is to download all the files and read all the stuff

Franco

[Willabe]

Where's the Twilighter schematic?

got a lead on it, waiting for someone to get back to me with it.

Did your lead get back to you with the schematic? 

[sophoni]

Yes! I'm actually in talks with a friend of mine who knows more about this topic and we might be collaborating on a build.
Unfortunately though I was asked to not share the schems and I gave them my word.

[Willabe]

Yes! I'm actually in talks with a friend of mine who knows more about this topic and we might be collaborating on a build.
Unfortunately though I was asked to not share the schems and I gave them my word.

What/which 'schems'?

The 'collaborating on a build' between the 2 of you?

Or, the actual new Magnatone Twilighter schematic? 

I would just like to see actual new Magnatone Twilighter schematic.

[wsscott]

I saw your thread and was curious whatever happened with your project.  Did you get the Twilighter Schematics from Magnatone and start your build.  Sluckey helped me out on my project Magnatone Vibrato/Reverb build Project that is on this site.  Was a lot of work, but turned out great.  Let us know what developed. Thanks.

[sluckey]

I doubt you'll get a reply. This person joined the forum in January of 2020, hung out for 8 days and hasn't been back since.