Trem-O-Nator advice needed

[Esquirefreak]

Sluckey! I need your help!

I just finished a 5E2-based build. Everything according to the original schematic exept for an added 470R screen resistor.

I added your T.O.N. circuit and ran into some trouble. The oscillator works fine and I get a pretty serious wobble (in a good way). However, now the intensity pot act as a second volume pot.

When adding resistance to the output of the INT pot the guitar signal remain unaffected by the INT pot. But then the trem effect is lost in the process. I'm using a RA50K pot.

My crrent insertion point of the trem is at the grid of the 6v6 (circled in red).

Would it be a better idea to insert the trem between the first and second gain stage? At the volume pot for example? Or is a RA250K pot be what the doctor ordered?

Best regards,
Max

[sluckey]

A bit of experimentation is usually needed. Try disconnecting the 220K grid resistor from ground. Then connect the TON to the bottom side of that 220K. Any joy?

If no joy use a 250K INT pot.

[Latole]

Very interesting tremolo circuit.

Can we have more information abut it ?
Complete schematic ?

[sluckey]

http://sluckeyamps.com/trem/trem.htm

[Latole]

http://sluckeyamps.com/trem/trem.htm

Thank you very much !

[Esquirefreak]

Update:

Tried lifting the 6v6 grid leak R from ground and inserting the trem at that point. Veeery faint tremolo effect.

Moved insertion point to between v1a/v1b - MUCH better.

And after decreasing the LFO tube (6AV6) Ra from 470k to 100k there' more than enought wobble.

BUT - now the INT pot is in parallell to the A1M volume pot only giving me 50kΩ measured from the pot wiper to ground. So I'm losing muchos gain.

I only had B250k pots in my drawer (no RA250K), so I might try one of those. But on the other hand, would it make sense to use a 1M pot so the VOL and INT pots have the same value?

When all is figured out I'll draw a schematic if anyone ever want to build something like this.

/Max

[sluckey]

I only had B250k pots in my drawer (no RA250K), so I might try one of those. But on the other hand, would it make sense to use a 1M pot so the VOL and INT pots have the same value?

experiment.

[Esquirefreak]

Will do, boss! 

[Esquirefreak]

Been experimenting with B1M, B250k pots. Both work but the higher the value, the more narrow the range of adjustment gets. Tried elevating the INT pot 220k from ground to get the effect earlier on the dial. And although it made the range more useable I still lose quite a bit of gain with this setup.

Maybe I should look at it as 2 channels and use a couple of mixing resistors before the v1b grid? Like the common 220k resistors used in most 2 ch Fenders?

I don't suppose this circuit could be adapted to shunt/modulate a cathode rather than the signal?

/Max

[Esquirefreak]

I think I solved it. I moved the connection to the other side of the VOL pot (TONE pot wiper).

[sluckey]

Let us know what your final circuit looks like when you are totally satisfied.

[Latole]

Let us know what your final circuit looks like when you are totally satisfied.

This is what I understand

[Esquirefreak]

A little teaser.

There's also a 22μF cap in series with a pot working as a fat boost at the v1b K.

Chassis is a Mesa style (taller than Fender style chassis) from Tubetown.

I wanted a smaller amp and and since I have a LOT of heptode tubes, my idea was to incorporate your TON.

Initially I was planning to build a combo, but since I have 5 different speaker cabs, I might make a head cabinet to begin with.

Thanks a bunch for sharing ideas!

/Max

[Esquirefreak]

Let us know what your final circuit looks like when you are totally satisfied.

This is what I understand

Exactly

[Latole]

A little teaser.

There's also a 22μF cap in series with a pot working as a fat boost at the v1b K.

Chassis is a Mesa style (taller than Fender style chassis) from Tubetown.

I wanted a smaller amp and and since I have a LOT of heptode tubes, my idea was to incorporate your TON.

Initially I was planning to build a combo, but since I have 5 different speaker cabs, I might make a head cabinet to begin with.

Thanks a bunch for sharing ideas!

/Max

You do a nice job, nice amp, thank you to share with us.

[Esquirefreak]

So here's a hand drawn schematic. Ther's probably one or two misstakes here and there.

I'm gonna play this amp for a few days and see if I want to tweak it further, like a bright cap and in/decrease the NFB resistor value.

EDIT: The tremolo intensity pot is wired backwards. Sorry

[Latole]

Nice sketch, thank's

[Esquirefreak]

Been playing this little amp for some time now and I think I can call it finished.

I swapped out the VOL pot for a linear one to get the grind a little earlier on the dial. I play a lot with the guitars volume, so it makes sense to me.

I also re-did the v1B boost pot (labeled "shape" on the schematic). Connecting the 22k/1k5 junction to the pot wiper and two caps at each end of the pot. That makes for a low cut/low boost control. Turned out to be quite useful.

A 100k 3W bleeder resistor is added at the B+2 junction for safety.

I gotta say - I'm really pleased with how this sounds. Woody/buttery and fat sound with some added bottom end thanks to the slightly larger OT. Currently playing trough an open back pine 2*10 with Veteran 10s.

If anyone want to make a prettier drawing for themselfs, feel free to use my sketches.

Wishing a nice weekend to you all!


/Max

[Esquirefreak]

Board sketch