Finished Matchless Lightning 15 Build (sluckey's layout)

[RadioComm]

This a following up to a previous post:
https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28393.msg313023#msg313023

I finally finished my Matchless Lightning 15 using sluckey's layout and this amp is awesome.

I viewed several ML15 demos on youtube, and *really* liked this amp. But I had a certain amount of apprehension going into this project, because of sluckey not being able to "bond" with the amp. So I took a leap of faith, dreading the moment I would finish the amp and ultimately agree with sluckey. But when I finished the amp, and started playing it for the first time, it exceeded all of my expectations (and then some). What a stupendous amp! Truly this one is on the fast track to become my favorite.

Thanks again sluckey for sharing so many of your projects, and providing great project material.

When I get time (very soon hopefully), I'll post some sound clips to Doug's sound clip forum.

Attached are some pics of the build.

This forum really rocks, and thanks to all who spend so much time contributing to it.

ttfn

[RadioComm]

Some pictures of the complete build.

[Stuff4bikes]

Very nice build.....

Question.

Are the loops of your heater wires laying flat on the chassis?

[RadioComm]

Very nice build.....

Question.

Are the loops of your heater wires laying flat on the chassis?

They maybe .... Obviously not at the tube socket, but a little more so at the back of the chassis.... You know inclined....

[Stuff4bikes]

Yeah, kinda leaning towards the chassis at the ends......I read a thread one time about laying them flat on the chassis to aid in hum canceling, just curious if that's what was happening with yours.....

[sluckey]

Nice workmanship.

[zircontweezer]

Great work! That looks like a very neat build. I built a HC15 head last year and really like the Lightning channel. It has a lot of definition (just one of those amps that make you go ooh!) Looks like Hammond iron? and you've got a 5Y3 rectifier instead of the 5AR4, any reason or just like the tone of lower? voltages. I have to admit I think I went the safe route and had a 150ohm Cathode for the power tubes so a 5Y3 would probably get some more mileage from your tubes.

[RadioComm]

Yeah, kinda leaning towards the chassis at the ends......I read a thread one time about laying them flat on the chassis to aid in hum canceling, just curious if that's what was happening with yours.....

I heard it helped with hum canceling too, so just did it like that the first time. The amp is dead quiet.

[RadioComm]

Great work! That looks like a very neat build. I built a HC15 head last year and really like the Lightning channel. It has a lot of definition (just one of those amps that make you go ooh!) Looks like Hammond iron? and you've got a 5Y3 rectifier instead of the 5AR4, any reason or just like the tone of lower? voltages. I have to admit I think I went the safe route and had a 150ohm Cathode for the power tubes so a 5Y3 would probably get some more mileage from your tubes.

Thanks. No reason for the 5Y3. Just happened to be the first rectifier tube I found in my stash. So started there, with full intention of trying out the amp with a 5AR4 (I also have a couple of those lying around somewhere). I'll proceed from there, and let my ears guide the way. If I do decide to stay with the 5Y3, I'll try upping the resistance on the cathode resistor and may keep it, once again depending on how I like the sound.

[RadioComm]

Just posted a sound clip in the appropriate forum:

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28927.0

It's just a short clip, but it's a good representation of the sound. I'll post more. Unfortunately it started developing a rattle in one of  the tubes. I'll start swapping out tubes sometime next week. Almost forgot, I also pulled out the 5Y3, and plugged a 5AR4. Now I like the amp even more 

[turtle441]

Nice work.  I built a 2-channel that combined a Lightning and Spitfire into a common power section, it's been my go-to amp for years now.  I love the Lightning side's sound when set to light overdrive, then hit it with both sides of a King of Tone and it's pure heaven.

I've often contemplated whether I missed the boat with the other channel and should have gone for an EF86-based channel like the HC-15.  (Spitfire's good, and serves as my clean channel, but isn't great.)  Ah well... maybe the next amp.

[RadioComm]

Just posted a sound clip in the appropriate forum:

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28927.0

It's just a short clip, but it's a good representation of the sound. I'll post more. Unfortunately it started developing a rattle in one of  the tubes. I'll start swapping out tubes sometime next week. Almost forgot, I also pulled out the 5Y3, and plugged a 5AR4. Now I like the amp even more 

Found the rattling tubes. They were the power amp tubes (6BQ5). Once again, I just reached into the stash and pulled out the first pair that I found. They were a couple Mesa Boogies from the mid 90's. The ones that are in there now are a matched pair "Made in Germany". Can't really make out the name... Looks like the name is in English. They sound great though! I think I pulled those out from an early 70's Traynor. If you would like to hear them, I posted 5 sound clips of me noodling in various styles and settings. Once again here's a link to the thread in the 'Sound Clips' forum.

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28927.0

Take care all. ttfn.