Three Amplifiers vs One Man. My DIY quest

Maxime Bousquet said:
Thanks for the article!
Your selection of parts is very good, it reminds me of my years of study in electronics..
I wanted to do this job just to design and repair the tube amps but it was at the time a low paid job lol! and the miniaturization of the components are hard to repair so I did well to have chosen to be an electrician!😅

however your project makes me want to build a!!🤪 You're good, it's normal to have some problems but you'll have it for sure!
Click to expand...

If I could redo my career, I would choose Electronic Engineering as one of my top picks.

Prina said:
Great pics of the build in progress. Love the 25W resistors!
Click to expand...

Thank you. The vintage AC30 had 12W resistors in this position. However, I opted to use 25W resistors because I could securely bolt them in place and use them as hardware to mount the screen and bias capacitors. Additionally, they look pretty cool!

I am currently working a series of shifts, so I haven't had the opportunity to make any progress. My next day off is on the 7th, but I will be sleeping off the night shift. If I find a spare moment, I plan on reviewing the component layout again to ensure that I haven't missed anything. I anticipate making more progress on the project in the middle of the month.
 
Simon Says said:
The vintage AC30 had 12W resistors in this position. However, I opted to use 25W resistors because I could securely bolt them in place and use them as hardware to mount the screen and bias capacitors. Additionally, they look pretty cool!
Click to expand...
Absolutely. The single 25W in the Archon 25 Combo has one too and is one of the parts that stands out.

prs-archon-25-gutshot.jpg
 
Okay, so I made some progress with my project last night. Since I'm switching to night shifts, I figured I might as well stay up all night and work on it.

I managed to fix the issues I mentioned earlier. I decided to drill new holes for the preamp valve bases and ordered new tagboard mounting screws that are low profile so I could keep the same hole locations. This doesn't affect the two sides of the chassis that are joined together, so it's a win. I also mounted the TB filtering capacitor, which is a dual section 32/32uF, though only one side will be used.

I realized that building three amplifiers is an unrealistic idea. It's just not feasible for me to spend so much on this project, especially with some life changes coming up that will cause me to lose my man cave for a year or longer. I already have an issue with storing my rig and all the stuff I've accumulated over the years. However, I'll focus on this build for now and perhaps modify it in the future. Once I build it, I'll let it settle for a while, but I've always wanted to see how the Trainwreck or Matchless mods would sound like.

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit down about the whole situation, but this week brought some good news too. I talked to my dear friend Brook from Pigeon FX about my project. He is selling vintage-style PC boards for classic pedals as well as decent Dallas Rangemaster treble booster replicas. Next thing I knew, I had one in the post. The AC30 and the Rangemaster are like Peanut Butter & Jelly. I just wanted to give a shoutout and thank you to Brook for being an amazing friend for the past 17 years! Grab one while they last https://pigeonfx.com/products/rangemaster-treble-boost-pedal-oc44

Progress pictures


 
Simon Says said:
If I could redo my career, I would choose Electronic Engineering as one of my top picks.
Click to expand...
As you're building an amp for fun, you probably would have had a blast in EE.

I did a detour, a masters in EE with lots of computer science, between medical school and residency. Amazingly cool stuff though out of my half dozen EE buddies, only one did hardware engineering. All the others did software.

The AC30's looking good!
 
Prina said:
As you're building an amp for fun, you probably would have had a blast in EE.

I did a detour, a masters in EE with lots of computer science, between medical school and residency. Amazingly cool stuff though out of my half dozen EE buddies, only one did hardware engineering. All the others did software.

The AC30's looking good!
Click to expand...

I cannot blame them for going software. I would probably do the same thing. The potential of Atmel and Arduino has always fascinated me, and I believe I could easily adopt this technology to produce high-quality guitar-related products. When it comes to amplifiers, the technology has not advanced much since the 1950s. Leo's Tweed line was the last significant innovation, with everything afterwards being a continuation of the Bassman with additional gain stages, channels, and FX loops. If you look around, you'll notice that everything is just a rehash of the Bassman/JTM, AB763, and AC30. Although I understand that Electronic Engineering is more than just music equipment, I doubt I would ever deviate from this field if I had the opportunity.

Lately, I've been thinking about the cabinet. I'm not sure who will build it, but I know it won't be me. I was considering Zilla, but I'm open to suggestions. The maker has to be based in the UK, though. Zilla is only a couple of hours' drive from me, so taking the chassis there for a match fit wouldn't be an issue. I could also inquire with Modulus if they could build one for me.

Additionally, I've been considering the tolex. The black colour of the 64/65 era has always been classic, but I'm considering fawn as well. The new fawn looks unimpressive, but I love how it ages and yellows over time. I figure I could mimic years of cigarette fumes exposure by aging it with some shellac. I stopped smoking five years ago, so I can't expose it to real cigarette smoke over time, haha. I'm still considering black tolex, though. Custom colours aren't really my thing. What do you think?

EDIT; naturally aged fawn on 1962 AC30/6. It looks fire!!! (photo credit; Motorik @TGP)

 
I have also made a decision on the speaker load. Historically, the AC30 was powering two 8ohm Alnico speakers in series, which resulted in a 16ohm total to a 16ohm feed from the OT. Instead, I will use two 15ohm Alnico Gold speakers in parallel for a total of 8ohm (7.5ohm) to the 8ohm tap on the OT. The reason for this is simple - I'd like to use this cab occasionally with my Fillmore. Also, if I'm fortunate enough to get my mancave back and have a wall of amps, I'd like them all to be 8ohm. This way, if I plug them into the Ampete, there will be no impedance mismatch. Many people say that the 16ohm load and series speaker wiring is a part of the AC30's sound, but I found it difficult to to find the answer why. Therefore, I am going with the 8ohm load, sue me AC30 conventionalists!
 
Simon Says said:
I cannot blame them for going software. I would probably do the same thing. The potential of Atmel and Arduino has always fascinated me, and I believe I could easily adopt this technology to produce high-quality guitar-related products. When it comes to amplifiers, the technology has not advanced much since the 1950s. Leo's Tweed line was the last significant innovation, with everything afterwards being a continuation of the Bassman with additional gain stages, channels, and FX loops. If you look around, you'll notice that everything is just a rehash of the Bassman/JTM, AB763, and AC30. Although I understand that Electronic Engineering is more than just music equipment, I doubt I would ever deviate from this field if I had the opportunity.

Lately, I've been thinking about the cabinet. I'm not sure who will build it, but I know it won't be me. I was considering Zilla, but I'm open to suggestions. The maker has to be based in the UK, though. Zilla is only a couple of hours' drive from me, so taking the chassis there for a match fit wouldn't be an issue. I could also inquire with Modulus if they could build one for me.

Additionally, I've been considering the tolex. The black colour of the 64/65 era has always been classic, but I'm considering fawn as well. The new fawn looks unimpressive, but I love how it ages and yellows over time. I figure I could mimic years of cigarette fumes exposure by aging it with some shellac. I stopped smoking five years ago, so I can't expose it to real cigarette smoke over time, haha. I'm still considering black tolex, though. Custom colours aren't really my thing. What do you think?

EDIT; naturally aged fawn on 1962 AC30/6. It looks fire!!! (photo credit; Motorik @TGP)

Click to expand...
Black
 
Simon Says said:
I cannot blame them for going software. I would probably do the same thing. The potential of Atmel and Arduino has always fascinated me, and I believe I could easily adopt this technology to produce high-quality guitar-related products. When it comes to amplifiers, the technology has not advanced much since the 1950s. Leo's Tweed line was the last significant innovation, with everything afterwards being a continuation of the Bassman with additional gain stages, channels, and FX loops. If you look around, you'll notice that everything is just a rehash of the Bassman/JTM, AB763, and AC30. Although I understand that Electronic Engineering is more than just music equipment, I doubt I would ever deviate from this field if I had the opportunity.

Lately, I've been thinking about the cabinet. I'm not sure who will build it, but I know it won't be me. I was considering Zilla, but I'm open to suggestions. The maker has to be based in the UK, though. Zilla is only a couple of hours' drive from me, so taking the chassis there for a match fit wouldn't be an issue. I could also inquire with Modulus if they could build one for me.

Additionally, I've been considering the tolex. The black colour of the 64/65 era has always been classic, but I'm considering fawn as well. The new fawn looks unimpressive, but I love how it ages and yellows over time. I figure I could mimic years of cigarette fumes exposure by aging it with some shellac. I stopped smoking five years ago, so I can't expose it to real cigarette smoke over time, haha. I'm still considering black tolex, though. Custom colours aren't really my thing. What do you think?

EDIT; naturally aged fawn on 1962 AC30/6. It looks fire!!! (photo credit; Motorik @TGP)

Click to expand...
I dig the Fawn, and how it ages. Some brand new stuff with a coffee bath for the aged look?
 
Simon Says said:
I have also made a decision on the speaker load. Historically, the AC30 was powering two 8ohm Alnico speakers in series, which resulted in a 16ohm total to a 16ohm feed from the OT. Instead, I will use two 15ohm Alnico Gold speakers in parallel for a total of 8ohm (7.5ohm) to the 8ohm tap on the OT. The reason for this is simple - I'd like to use this cab occasionally with my Fillmore. Also, if I'm fortunate enough to get my mancave back and have a wall of amps, I'd like them all to be 8ohm. This way, if I plug them into the Ampete, there will be no impedance mismatch. Many people say that the 16ohm load and series speaker wiring is a part of the AC30's sound, but I found it difficult to to find the answer why. Therefore, I am going with the 8ohm load, sue me AC30 conventionalists!
Click to expand...
I Have Learned In Life That Some Things Just Are The Way They Are And We Never Know Why Nor Can We Measure Or Explain Them. On The Other Hand, If You Can Measure Something And That Measurement Comes Out To Your Liking That Is Never A Bad Thing. To Me, Knowing Is Always Better Than Not Knowing. :)
 
Bogner said:
Black
Click to expand...
bodia said:
I dig the Fawn, and how it ages. Some brand new stuff with a coffee bath for the aged look?
Click to expand...

These are the options I get if I go with Zilla: https://www.zillacabs.com/tolex. The new Fawn is different from the aged one. Coffee could be an option, but shellac works wonders with tweed. However, I don't know how well it would stick to plastic. Choosing a new colour may be a better approach. Take a look at Rough Blonde or Rough Brown as potential options.
 
Bogner said:
I Have Learned In Life That Some Things Just Are The Way They Are And We Never Know Why Nor Can We Measure Or Explain Them. On The Other Hand, If You Can Measure Something And That Measurement Comes Out To Your Liking That Is Never A Bad Thing. To Me, Knowing Is Always Better Than Not Knowing. :)
Click to expand...
It wont explode. I mean, it still may explode; it's AC30, but I don't think I will blame the speaker load for it
 
bodia said:
I dig the Fawn, and how it ages. Some brand new stuff with a coffee bath for the aged look?
Click to expand...
Does That Work On Tolex? If So, Don't Stop There! Go Big Or Go Home...Whiskey, Tequila, Cigars, Sex, Wait...We Are Talking Tolex Right?...;)

I Do Like The Aged Look But Black Is Classic And Works. My Personal Fear Would Be Getting The Fawn And Trying To Age It And Not Having It Turn Out Right Or Be Balanced Throughout, Etc. If It Could Work Out Right, I Don't Dislike The Fawn. I Just Picked Black To Be Safe. :)
 
Simon Says said:
These are the options I get if I go with Zilla: https://www.zillacabs.com/tolex. The new Fawn is different from the aged one. Coffee could be an option, but shellac works wonders with tweed. However, I don't know how well it would stick to plastic. Choosing a new colour may be a better approach. Take a look at Rough Blonde or Rough Brown as potential options.
Click to expand...
Rough Blonde Has A Nice Ring To It Though I Prefer The Dirty Brunette. Either Way You Go, You Can't Make A Bad Decision. Heck, I Even Liked The Silver Sparkle And The Slate As Well. That Fawn Is Nice Though... :)
 
Simon Says said:
These are the options I get if I go with Zilla: https://www.zillacabs.com/tolex. The new Fawn is different from the aged one. Coffee could be an option, but shellac works wonders with tweed. However, I don't know how well it would stick to plastic. Choosing a new colour may be a better approach. Take a look at Rough Blonde or Rough Brown as potential options.
Click to expand...
Those two browns look great.
 
Bogner said:
Does That Work On Tolex? If So, Don't Stop There! Go Big Or Go Home...Whiskey, Tequila, Cigars, Sex, Wait...We Are Talking Tolex Right?...;)

I Do Like The Aged Look But Black Is Classic And Works. My Personal Fear Would Be Getting The Fawn And Trying To Age It And Not Having It Turn Out Right Or Be Balanced Throughout, Etc. If It Could Work Out Right, I Don't Dislike The Fawn. I Just Picked Black To Be Safe. :)
Click to expand...
Not sure if it would work on Tolex. I did it to age some pick up rings and knobs for my KL-33. It worked like a charm.
 
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