Glacier TrebleMaster

[TubeGeek]

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I built anything.  I think(hope) I've caught the bug again and here is the first little project I did recently. 

It's my version of the popular Dallas Rangemaster, built to match my Hoffman style AC30 I built a couple years ago.

Hope you enjoy!  Sound clips at the bottom of the webpage.(quicktime required for audio clips)

http://www.glacieramps.com/Glacier_Amplification/TrebleMaster.html

[FYL]

Nice.

You write on your web page: "When I received the transistors from my source, I was surprised to have a little different of an OC44, it is an equivalent part though and after testing, it sounds good to my ears so I am ok with this part.
.../...
Here is the “Mullard OC44” Germanium transistor I received.  The markings on this are CV7003/ NQ6823."

CV7003 is a British MIL reference for tighter spec'ed OC44's in a metal can. NQ6823 are the factory and date codes: NQ = Texas Instruments Bedford (UK), 6823 = manufactured in the 23rd week of 1968. These are some of the best OC44's ever manufactured.

[TubeGeek]

Sweet, Thank you for that information.  Do you mind if I edit my comments and add it to my notes on the webpage?

[FYL]

No problemo.

[smackoj]

Hi; Is there any new information regarding this Rangemaster clone? I would like to try and build one but wonder if there are any changes that Tubegeek did since 2010? Any other DIY  people out there that have attempted this cool vintage stompbox that can give an update or report?

Thanks.... Jack   

[Willabe]

Rory Gallagher used them too.

You did a great job on it!


             Brad    

[jojokeo]

Rory Gallagher used them too.

So did the holy grail of tone man of ZZ fame. Notice the key elements to his tone noted in this picture - that small grey box down on the left floor is a Dallas Arbiter Rangemaster. And my current version I haven't boxed up yet.

[smackoj]

Billy plays a mean guitar but from the looks of his 'centerfold', he better stay out of the rough hoods!  I'm glad that you found this re-tread thread Jojo. On your build it looks like you have a switch for diff. cap values?  What semi conductor are you using? I have been buying a few Ge trans. over the last few weeks. I think I'll try building a Ranger with a NPN layout first and see how it comes out.

 

[jojokeo]

I've used a bunch of diff trannies. It's a good circuit for trying out various types and get a true feel & sound from them. Many sound pretty darn good but I like the ones that are brighter & clearer sounding so I'm running a military version of a 2N1309 that's called a CV7355 currently. I've been engulfed in germs and circuits the last month or more. It's every bit as fun (for me) as trying variuos 12a_7s in different preamp areas. Germ high gain is pretty freaking awesome when designed & controlled right.

[burt_toast]

really happy with my lpb1-ish boost, but will have to try building another rangemaster. "bright and clear" is where i wanna head, jojokeo, so i'll have to find some other germs to experiment with. do you (or smackoj) experience any of that 'stopped-wah' sound in your rangemasters, or is it me (or the nte126 germ i found locally)?

dammit, i'm tellin ya, the treble-booster-thing has been an epiphany for me - i've had good amp sounds in the past (usually all with the same amp), but with the boost it's spot-on 1975! when i turn my guitar vol down to 7ish, it's chimy semi-dirty Brian May, and on 10 it's THE best early Holdsworth sound i've ever had ('velvet darkness' era)! Aaaagh!! will post audio of this setup soon.

scott

[jojokeo]

The tranny used in such a simple circuit really exposes and is totally dependant on which type is used. It's also a great circuit for "auditioning" all the various ones out there or in your personal array/stock. It allows you to categorized them by adjectives such as bright, clear, dark, subdued, shrill, buzzy, gainy, smooth, nasally, muffled, etc... which is more appropriate than by simple hFE & leakage values. Their actual measured values don't mean a whole lot as it turns out. As for your question/comment regarding the "stopped wah" I'm assuming you mean the high mid nasally/muffled type of sound? Yes, this curcuit and/or Ge trannies can tend toward this sound as it has a lot to do with source & input impedances and capacitances therefore IMHO the circuit shines best with single coils or humbuckers in parallel. Don't forget also that you can also put silicon PNP trannies into this with very good results too. They tend to be brighter/clearer and not subject to heat related biasing issues like the Ge's but have a drawback of being gainier, grittier, or buzzier and don't have the same velvety smooth natural sounding tube amp-like overdrive like the Ge's do.

[burt_toast]

thx for the info/confirmation, jojokeo.

yeah, i'm curious about messing around with more Ge transistors (need to start another RM clone), but i'm SO pleased with my Si boost (w/ nte123ap), i should pour epoxy into it so i CAN'T mess it up

fun fun fun

scott