Chassis cutout for Tweed Harvard?

mojo2001 · April 15th, 2008, 08:07 PM

Thinking about whipping up a Harvard clone. Anybody know the size of the chassis cutout on the cabinet?

For that matter, has anybody built one of these? Looks like a good target design for killer mid-volume cleans.

Any info appreciated....

Scott S · April 15th, 2008, 08:56 PM

I don't know a whole lot about them, but they strike me as Fender's attempt to find the middle ground between a Champ and a Deluxe. The brown and later Princetons basically took over that job.

If you build it, keep us posted!

- Scott

mojo2001 · April 15th, 2008, 10:36 PM

Yeah, I have built numerous Champ and Princeton variations, also an all octal 5C3 Tweed Deluxe (which I long-term loaned to a friend).

The 5C3 Deluxe was super at higher than I could typically use at home volumes. Creamy and raunchy. Did not get real fantastic low level clean tones out of that amp, though it was not bad.

I'm now looking for great home level cleans and figure that the Harvard will buy me that. Don't know why. Maybe from watching this Jim Weider clip:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/19...ard/2903933413

Currently running an early 6SL7 Princeton circuit I built into a Squier amp cab some years ago. which I am getting sick of looking at, though it sounds real nice.

Anyway, I got an order in on a cabinet and figure it is Harvard time, even though I attended a rival institution for grad school.

Scott S · April 15th, 2008, 11:20 PM

Yeah, 10 watts is perfect around the house. Are you going to use 6SL7's in this build?

- Scott

mojo2001 · April 16th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Don't know how far I want to deviate from the stock schemo until I know what I'm working with first. MAYBE the original is the hot snot approach, as is so often the case.

On the whole I like octal tubes and have a decent stash. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any mu=100 octal twin triodes to sub for a 12AX7 to keep the origianl gain distribution. Closest thing I know is 7B4 Loktal which is fantastic in hi-fi preamps but never tried it in a geetar amp.

On the other hand, a 6SL7 PI might get me closer to where I want to be for a clean amp...nahh, think I'll go with the 6at6/12ax7 original and hear what that does for me.

I am a big fan of the old 6SL7 Princeton circuit. Found this in Aspen Pitt-Man's book when it first came out and built a couple over the years. Think it might be the "TV Front" Princeton circuit--looks drawn out freehand with a fountain pen. Bit looser and smoother than the 12AX7 versions.

blueteletone · August 2nd, 2008, 06:18 PM

I am looking to build a Harvard also and how is your project progressing. I did a lot looking around and found that Stevie Ray and Randy Rhodes and others have this amp and that seems the clincher for me for the amp. I like the idea of a vintage super tone in a 10 watter which is roughly double the early princeton's and you hardly ever see one of these amps come up for sale. I was thinking of using a princetone chassis for the two knob volume tone arrangement and going with the mercury magnetic tranny's since the have the actual tranny's copied. I would appreciate any ideas as to finding parts. Thanks

mojo2001 · August 2nd, 2008, 07:01 PM

I ended up using a Marsh 5F2 chassis, cutting the extra two tube socket holes by hand with a step drill and Greenlee punches.

Harvard turret board from turretboard.com.

Seems like everything will work out as soon as I get the time. Need one or two loose parts and a couple hours unmolested so I can get the sucker done.

Bought a bigger Champ cab(the 12" Champ cab)from ampcabco.com and had it cut for the 5F2 Princeton chassis. Had to do a touch of woodwork to get it to fit but it squeezes in. Still waiting for Mike to send me a baffle for a 10" to fit the cab, which may or may not occur.

If I were doing it again, I'd get a straight up Princeton cab with a 10" baffle. The modified 5F2 chassis would slide right in and the extra cab size could only be a sonic plus.

A power trans that would work is the Champ trans from Triode Electronics, which has a bias tap. I'm using a vintage NOS trans and will have to do a bias takeoff off one leg of the HV secondary like the Brown Princeton.

In short, I'd say the modified Tweed Princeton chassis and cab is the way to go.

I'll get some pics up when I get it back on the bench.

April 15th, 2008, 08:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
mojo2001 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colonial Virginia Age: 49 Posts: 313	Chassis cutout for Tweed Harvard? Thinking about whipping up a Harvard clone. Anybody know the size of the chassis cutout on the cabinet? For that matter, has anybody built one of these? Looks like a good target design for killer mid-volume cleans. Any info appreciated....

April 15th, 2008, 08:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,922	I don't know a whole lot about them, but they strike me as Fender's attempt to find the middle ground between a Champ and a Deluxe. The brown and later Princetons basically took over that job. If you build it, keep us posted! - Scott

April 15th, 2008, 10:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
mojo2001 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colonial Virginia Age: 49 Posts: 313	Yeah, I have built numerous Champ and Princeton variations, also an all octal 5C3 Tweed Deluxe (which I long-term loaned to a friend). The 5C3 Deluxe was super at higher than I could typically use at home volumes. Creamy and raunchy. Did not get real fantastic low level clean tones out of that amp, though it was not bad. I'm now looking for great home level cleans and figure that the Harvard will buy me that. Don't know why. Maybe from watching this Jim Weider clip: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/19...ard/2903933413 Currently running an early 6SL7 Princeton circuit I built into a Squier amp cab some years ago. which I am getting sick of looking at, though it sounds real nice. Anyway, I got an order in on a cabinet and figure it is Harvard time, even though I attended a rival institution for grad school.

April 15th, 2008, 11:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,922	Yeah, 10 watts is perfect around the house. Are you going to use 6SL7's in this build? - Scott

April 16th, 2008, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
mojo2001 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colonial Virginia Age: 49 Posts: 313	Don't know how far I want to deviate from the stock schemo until I know what I'm working with first. MAYBE the original is the hot snot approach, as is so often the case. On the whole I like octal tubes and have a decent stash. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any mu=100 octal twin triodes to sub for a 12AX7 to keep the origianl gain distribution. Closest thing I know is 7B4 Loktal which is fantastic in hi-fi preamps but never tried it in a geetar amp. On the other hand, a 6SL7 PI might get me closer to where I want to be for a clean amp...nahh, think I'll go with the 6at6/12ax7 original and hear what that does for me. I am a big fan of the old 6SL7 Princeton circuit. Found this in Aspen Pitt-Man's book when it first came out and built a couple over the years. Think it might be the "TV Front" Princeton circuit--looks drawn out freehand with a fountain pen. Bit looser and smoother than the 12AX7 versions.

August 2nd, 2008, 06:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
blueteletone NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: boise idaho Posts: 1	I am looking to build a Harvard also and how is your project progressing. I did a lot looking around and found that Stevie Ray and Randy Rhodes and others have this amp and that seems the clincher for me for the amp. I like the idea of a vintage super tone in a 10 watter which is roughly double the early princeton's and you hardly ever see one of these amps come up for sale. I was thinking of using a princetone chassis for the two knob volume tone arrangement and going with the mercury magnetic tranny's since the have the actual tranny's copied. I would appreciate any ideas as to finding parts. Thanks

August 2nd, 2008, 07:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
mojo2001 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colonial Virginia Age: 49 Posts: 313	I ended up using a Marsh 5F2 chassis, cutting the extra two tube socket holes by hand with a step drill and Greenlee punches. Harvard turret board from turretboard.com. Seems like everything will work out as soon as I get the time. Need one or two loose parts and a couple hours unmolested so I can get the sucker done. Bought a bigger Champ cab(the 12" Champ cab)from ampcabco.com and had it cut for the 5F2 Princeton chassis. Had to do a touch of woodwork to get it to fit but it squeezes in. Still waiting for Mike to send me a baffle for a 10" to fit the cab, which may or may not occur. If I were doing it again, I'd get a straight up Princeton cab with a 10" baffle. The modified 5F2 chassis would slide right in and the extra cab size could only be a sonic plus. A power trans that would work is the Champ trans from Triode Electronics, which has a bias tap. I'm using a vintage NOS trans and will have to do a bias takeoff off one leg of the HV secondary like the Brown Princeton. In short, I'd say the modified Tweed Princeton chassis and cab is the way to go. I'll get some pics up when I get it back on the bench.