Amp Tinkering Journey

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:17 am

Hi all just a couple of pics off what I've done and currently up 2.
Boomshanka

Tiny Terror with replaced resistors and caps in the signal chain and an
MM output transformer

5watt SE build with random parts and
Hammond trafos.

5E3 build. Procrastinating like hell.

Great fun.

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:34 am

And an Ampeg B15 build. Ryan's been a great help. Need to get a few bits and bobs from him still.

And the 5e3

aliasceiza · Post by **aliasceiza** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:58 am

How's that tiny terror sound? Always liked them amps!

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:09 pm

aliasceiza wrote:How's that tiny terror sound? Always liked them amps!

They sound great. Even better now with the changes. Got it going into a Celestion Blue. Lots more options in the amp world now.
Not a versatile amp at all but does what it does well.

aliasceiza · Post by **aliasceiza** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:54 pm

Gonzbull wrote:
aliasceiza wrote:How's that tiny terror sound? Always liked them amps!
They sound great. Even better now with the changes. Got it going into a Celestion Blue. Lots more options in the amp world now.
Not a versatile amp at all but does what it does well.

Yeah, I ment after the changes, I've played one many times, what sort of improvement did the upgrades make?

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 1:08 pm

Off course. Lots more headroom especially at higher volumes. Distortion is much less fizzy and harsh. Better tone overall. Slightly bit more noise when you crank it but that's carbon comps I guess. Amp is just more alive and articulate. Sounds like an Orange supposed to!

I got the cap and resistor kit off EBay awhile back. Alnicomagnet he's called.

Eruera · Post by **Eruera** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 1:47 pm

What model B15 is it? Did you find a turret layout somewhere?

jeremyb · Post by **jeremyb** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:15 pm

Mmmm 5E3!

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:51 am

Eruera wrote:What model B15 is it? Did you find a turret layout somewhere?

I'm using this site as a guide CTG Electronics B15. He's done 2 versions I'm doing the older version. 1964, cathode bias. Not a lot of info of the build but there's a layout, BOM etc.

http://ctgelectronics.weebly.com/custom ... -51-b.html

Aquila Rossa · Post by **Aquila Rossa** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:37 am

Interesting mods and stuff you have going on there.

I have a thing for trying out different coupling caps. i was wondering if you have tried any those surplus Soviet era PIO coupling caps in amps or guitars yet? They are military spec and far more available than those bourgeois mustard caps or bumble bees etc, so might be an option that works. I'd be surprised if they don't work well. They look good too.

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:40 am

Aquila Rosso wrote:Interesting mods and stuff you have going on there.

I have a thing for trying out different coupling caps. i was wondering if you have tried any those surplus Soviet era PIO coupling caps in amps or guitars yet? They are military spec and far more available than those bourgeois mustard caps or bumble bees etc, so might be an option that works. I'd be surprised if they don't work well. They look good too.

Hi,
Yup I have used those caps once in a tube mic preamp restoration. I'd definitely recommend them. I think there's maybe a subtle if any difference in these and the crazy priced boutique stuff especially in guitar amps. Not worth the dollars( unless you have them)
Especially if you compare with the same capacitance value. I've got bumblebees in my Les Paul but only because I found them for cheap. Would chuck the Russian PIOs in guitars no problem.

Aquila Rossa · Post by **Aquila Rossa** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:53 pm

Yeah. I am imagining a red turret board populated with Soviet era components. Would probably sound like a MIG 50 if the transformers were similar. Ebay has the soviet caps in packs of 20 or so

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:59 am

^^^ That sounds like a great amp in the making. Go the Russian PIOs they're excellent. I went with polyester or Mylar in my 5e3 but I'll see how it sounds when it's done.

Aquila Rossa · Post by **Aquila Rossa** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 6:08 pm

"Go the Russian PIOs they're excellent."

Soviet! i am a one of those communist hardliners

Lots of those parts were made in parts of the Union other than the Russian SSL. Soviet components had a reputation for being unreliable, but I am not sure if that is deserved, or if it is just 'made in the USA' snobbery etc.

I have wanted to make a turret board for my JCM 800 for ages (1987 circuit 4 holer with no MV). I have two guitar projects to finish first. I also want to build an iso box for it's cab, so I can actually use it here. One day

Gonzbull · Post by **Gonzbull** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 6:31 pm

Aquila Rosso wrote:"Go the Russian PIOs they're excellent."

Soviet! i am a one of those communist hardliners

Lots of those parts were made in parts of the Union other than the Russian SSL. Soviet components had a reputation for being unreliable, but I am not sure if that is deserved, or if it is just 'made in the USA' snobbery etc.

I have wanted to make a turret board for my JCM 800 for ages (1987 circuit 4 holer with no MV). I have two guitar projects to finish first. I also want to build an iso box for it's cab, so I can actually use it here. One day

Ha I can imagine there's a few of these caps floating in space. They Soviets did crash a few rockets though. Maybe bad caps?
I suppose you can do better but boutique caps are crazily priced. The price of NOS caps like mustards is a joke as it's just what builders had around at the time and were able to get in bulk cheaply. What to do eh?

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