Author Topic: Re: Pictures of my current work in progress... Happy in it's cabinet (Read 16144 times)

theundeadelvis · « **on:** July 18, 2010, 12:21:47 pm »

A couple pics of the build I'm currently working on.

rzenc · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:25:18 pm »

Nice!!!!! Pretty clean board!!! Post more when it`s complete!!
Congratsss

Best regards

Rzenc

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:36:36 pm »

Thanks rzenc! Here's a couple from today.

rzenc · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:43:49 pm »

Did you happen to design it from scratch or is it based on some known topology???
That rotary switch reminds me of orange amps, the eraly versions

Keep us posted!!!
Best Regards

Rzenc

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:52:23 pm »

Rzenc, it's a 15 watt version of the EF86 channel from a Matchless DC30. I'm following the layout from Ceriatone. Building it on a standard Lightning board using the actual Lightning transformers from TDS. It has a 3 position bight, push/pull volume for boost, 6 position tone control, bypassable master, and a pentode/triode switch (although I haven't decided whether I'll implement it or not).

bnwitt · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:38:43 pm »

That's coming together really nice Elvis. Angled wire runs make me nevous though. Everytime I do that instead of shortest run straight wires I get noise. I'm interested in hearing how your amp comes out. Of course the original Matchless amps were pretty messy inside and sounded great.

tubesornothing · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:46:48 pm »

Yeah, I have had the same experience with nice corners in my wires. Turns out it was too many wires in parallel that screwed me up.

Harry Joyce (Hiwatt) managed to do real nice straight wires without much trouble.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2010, 03:56:04 pm »

Well shoot, now you guys have me worried about my lead dress. I've done most of my amps this way, without any problems, but now I'm second guessing myself. Hmmm...

bigdaddy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2010, 04:17:32 pm »

Neatness counts.....

bnwitt · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2010, 05:21:18 pm »

Don't worry about it Elvis. As t.o.n. says its when you bundle them together that you'll have issues. I don't see that so far in your build.

bigdaddy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2010, 09:05:58 pm »

My work used to start off looking closer to that but not as neat. Once I found out how to do the wiring correctly. But after finding so many mistakes and changing so many things I could never get it too look like that again.

tubesornothing · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2010, 09:32:05 pm »

Quote from: theundeadelvis on July 18, 2010, 03:56:04 pm

Well shoot, now you guys have me worried about my lead dress. I've done most of my amps this way, without any problems, but now I'm second guessing myself. Hmmm...

Not at all! It will be fine, and looks great too.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2010, 09:43:29 pm »

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the kind words!

DummyLoad · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2010, 09:47:06 pm »

very nice work... that takes a lot of patience.

zendragon63 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2010, 11:07:19 pm »

Oh yeah, the patience of Job--neat as a pin Elvis. Kinda unfortunate that (usually) ends up in a cabinet where no ones gets a chance to admire it. Very nice. Regards

dennis

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2010, 05:31:13 pm »

Thanks again guys! It's funny, I have no patience, pretty much in any other aspect of life, but when I wire up an amp it's like a zen moment for me.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2010, 10:55:58 pm »

Finished up the wiring tonight. It fired right up. Dead quite. Haven't cranked it up yet (family is asleep), but from what I can tell, it's going to be sweet. I got real lucky with my chassis layout and wiring, but when you turn it on it makes no noise at all, dead silent, until you crank up the guitar! Here's a few more pics. I still need to wire in the indicator lamp and clean up the lead dress a bit. Not quite as clean as I wanted, but I was getting anxious towards the end. I'll try to post some video soon.

tubesornothing · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2010, 11:08:53 pm »

I gotta have you over to my shop to "straighten" out some of my work!

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2010, 11:28:55 pm »

Thanks TON!

I'm the last person you want fiddling with your work! I was surprised it fired up so well. I lost my job today (budget cuts), so I was assuming the odds were against me. Turned out to be a great relief! Can't wait to get it in a cab and get good speaker for it. I'm considering Warehouse Guitar Speakers 12" Reaper 55hz.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2010, 08:43:03 am »

Had a chance to crank it up today, and it sounds AWESOME. Definitely has that Matchless sound. I thought I might be sacrificing cleans with the EF86, but they sound great. I love this amp! Simple controls, but there's quite a few tonal possibilities. Can't wait to get it in a cab with the right speaker (using a Veteran 30 at the moment). :icon_cheers:

LooseChange · « **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2010, 11:12:59 am »

Nice work! I like simple amps.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2010, 05:31:10 pm »

Thanks LC! I love simple amps too. I love it when you get everything you need just by turning the guitar volume.

bnwitt · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2010, 05:54:50 pm »

If it is dead quiet, don't mess with the lead dress.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2010, 09:46:19 am »

Quote from: bnwitt on July 24, 2010, 05:54:50 pm

If it is dead quiet, don't mess with the lead dress.

That's probably good advice. It sounds perfect and who's gonna see the innards anyhow.

phsyconoodler · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2010, 06:29:55 pm »

I'm building basically the same amp too.Is the boost a usable feature or is it just fluff?
I'm using a 20 watt greenback speaker in mine.
Your build is immaculate!

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:01:59 pm »

Quote from: phsyconoodler on July 26, 2010, 06:29:55 pm

I'm building basically the same amp too.Is the boost a usable feature or is it just fluff?
I'm using a 20 watt greenback speaker in mine.
Your build is immaculate!

Thanks man! I actually leave the boost on almost all of the time. I like the tone better with it on. It seems more open, or bright, or something, not sure how to explain it. I absolutely love this amp though, one of my favorites.

drew · « **Reply #26 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:47:58 pm »

Quote from: theundeadelvis on July 18, 2010, 12:52:23 pm

Rzenc, it's a 15 watt version of the EF86 channel from a Matchless DC30. I'm following the layout from Ceriatone.

Is this their "Creme Brulee" amp?

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #27 on:** July 26, 2010, 08:15:57 pm »

Yep, I used the Creme Brulee layout. Got the transformers from Bob at Transformer Design & Supply (the actual Matchless transformers), and they a super nice and Bob seems to be a real good guy. I crammed it into a smaller (17.5" x 6.5") chassis, and it's going in a Blues Breaker style cab. Love this amp.

phsyconoodler · « **Reply #28 on:** July 27, 2010, 10:41:34 am »

What guitars and pickups do you use?
The reason I ask is that I just got a new guitar(a Canadian made Godin) and the pickups are way too hot and dark.I prefer lower output and brighter.
Does the amp sound good with single coils?

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #29 on:** July 27, 2010, 10:55:38 am »

I use a Highway 1 Strat (which I love). But I'm not positive the pickups are original (pawn shop guitar). I think the neck and middle might be, but I suspect the bridge might be something else. It sounds great through this amp though. I have yet to try humbuckers through it though. I do plan on trying an SG I just installed some Lollar P90s in for a friend, as soon as I can get the guitar back.

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2010, 09:29:17 pm »

Got it in a cab tonight. Cabinet was built by JD Newell (he does good work). Man this thing sounds sooooooooooooo good. I love it. I'm still trying to decide if I should install the Impedance selector. I'm afraid, because of where it would be in the cabinet, it could accidentally get switched, and you wouldn't notice since it's out of sight. Also undecided on whether to add a line out or just another speaker out. Nothing will happen right away, because I can't stop playing it.

drew · « **Reply #31 on:** July 29, 2010, 10:05:03 pm »

It turned out very nice.

Any thoughts on whether it really needs the pull-switch to take the MV completely out?

rzenc · « **Reply #32 on:** July 30, 2010, 07:27:55 am »

Congratulations man!!!!!!! looks awesome inside and out!!!!!
I have a friend who freaks over matchless designs and asked me to build one, don't remember specific model now... any chances to get sound clips???

Best Regards
With Respect,

Rzenc

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #33 on:** July 30, 2010, 08:33:28 am »

Thanks guys!

drew - It sounds much better with the Master bypassed. The sound is much fatter. To be honest the Master is only usable to knock the volume down a tad. If you go to low the sound gets way too thin. Not even really that good for bedroom levels. I actually use it more like a standby/mute switch than anything else.

rzenc - I'm going to try to get some sounds this weekend. They'll be crappy sounds recorded with a video camera's mic, but it's the best I can do.

phsyconoodler · « **Reply #34 on:** July 30, 2010, 01:45:28 pm »

I'm going to use a type I master,PPIMV probably a Larmar version.They sound killer with my 18 watt builds even at low levels.It sounds almost as good as VVR.

simonallaway · « **Reply #35 on:** July 30, 2010, 01:52:48 pm »

Quote from: theundeadelvis on July 29, 2010, 09:29:17 pm

Got it in a cab tonight. Cabinet was built by JD Newell (he does good work). Man this thing sounds sooooooooooooo good. I love it.

That looks excellent! Perhaps it was deliberate, but it matches the aesthetic of your strat quite beautifully. I like the control panel too.

I must put in my usual request for audio recordings :)

Simon

theundeadelvis · « **Reply #36 on:** July 30, 2010, 01:54:24 pm »

Quote from: phsyconoodler on July 30, 2010, 01:45:28 pm

I'm going to use a type I master,PPIMV probably a Larmar version.They sound killer with my 18 watt builds even at low levels.It sounds almost as good as VVR.

I'll have to do some research on this type of master. I like having the option, and something more effective would be welcome.

I'll hopefully have some sound samples this weekend.

Thanks again guys!

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Author Topic: Re: Pictures of my current work in progress... Happy in it's cabinet (Read 16144 times)