Funky 2 x EL84 build

Guitarslinger1 · June 8th, 2008, 08:08 PM

This is my latest build. It's basically a modified AC15, with an EF86 channel and a 12AX7 TBM channel loosely based on a Trainwreck. It's got a Brown Note power transformer, Mercury AC15 output transformer and a Celestion Blue 12.

I kind of made this one up as I went along, and did and used things that I normally wouldn't, just for fun. Glad I did. It rocks!

I didn't like the tone of the multi filter can for the plate and screen filters, so I ditched it and went to Sprague Atoms. When the .01uF Jupiter Vintage Tone caps come out, I'll be replacing those Mallory 150s with them.

There is an issue with the face plate that I'll deal with when I get around to it.

BritishBluesBoy · June 8th, 2008, 08:20 PM

Wow. That thing looks amazing... Makes my wiring look like spaghetti...!

Great job.

Scott S · June 8th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Distinctive-looking amp!

- Scott

JohnnyCrash · June 8th, 2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarslinger1

I kind of made this one up as I went along, and did and used things that I normally wouldn't, just for fun. Glad I did. It rocks!

HAHA

Man, I like it when people "make it up as they go."

Very cool. How does it sound? I've been wary of EF86 tubes (they're terrible at reliability) and have been interested in a Vox AC30 build (12AX7 top boost)... how does that sound?

I like it a lot - cool amp! :)

Guitarslinger1 · June 8th, 2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

HAHA

Man, I like it when people "make it up as they go."

Very cool. How does it sound? I've been wary of EF86 tubes (they're terrible at reliability) and have been interested in a Vox AC30 build (12AX7 top boost)... how does that sound?

I like it a lot - cool amp! :)

Thanks guys.

Same as you, I'm more a Fender amp guy, so this was going into foreign territory for me. I read up on everything I could find on these types of amps and then jumped in.

It sounds wild and very loud for 15 - 18 watts. Both channels sound very tasty, chimy and sustainy clean, and gets a cool raunchy thang when cranked.

I got three NOS EF86s, and they all three sound about the same to me. Maybe my ear is just not in tune to their tone, but I read some things that eluded that all of the old EF86s were made at the same factory or factories. The EF86 channel feeds back sometimes when cranked, but so does the 12AX7 channel. They are both pretty gainy, so I think this is to be expected to some extent in a combo amp with these circuits.

I think Brown Note, 65-Amps and these other companies use the new manufacture EF86s. I have not tried them yet.

I drilled out the screw holes for all three preamp tube sockets, and installed small rubber grommets as shock mounts. You can see it in the one chassis photo. The sockets and their screws only touch the rubber. Seems to work well, but NOS anti-vibration sockets might be better.

A 30 watt Top Boost style build would rock for certain.

winny pooh · June 9th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Its beautiful, would love to see it in my living room.

Guitarslinger1 · June 9th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winny pooh

Its beautiful, would love to see it in my living room.

Thank you.

MickM · June 10th, 2008, 11:05 PM

Oh Yea! I love me some pride in a man's workmanship. How 'bout a closer shot of the controls?

Guitarslinger1 · June 11th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickM

Oh Yea! I love me some pride in a man's workmanship. How 'bout a closer shot of the controls?

I'm not sure what you mean. Have you clicked on the photos and enlarged them to full size?

Paul in Colorado · June 11th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Looks like the perfect combination of an AC-15 and an 18 watt Marshall. Nice work! I'd love to play through it.

MickM · June 12th, 2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarslinger1

I'm not sure what you mean. Have you clicked on the photos and enlarged them to full size?

I meant that it looks like you took great pride in doing it right. Very sweet and clean looking build. As far as the pics go, Nope, my semi computer literate brain didn't notice that I could enlarge them. Thanks for the tip! Duh.

Guitarslinger1 · June 13th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickM

I meant that it looks like you took great pride in doing it right. Very sweet and clean looking build.

That part I understood. It was your asking for close up of the controls that I didn't understand. The knobs? the backs on the posts? Huge in your face photos?

Did clicking on the photos do what you wanted?

June 8th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guitarslinger1 Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 966	Funky 2 x EL84 build This is my latest build. It's basically a modified AC15, with an EF86 channel and a 12AX7 TBM channel loosely based on a Trainwreck. It's got a Brown Note power transformer, Mercury AC15 output transformer and a Celestion Blue 12. I kind of made this one up as I went along, and did and used things that I normally wouldn't, just for fun. Glad I did. It rocks! I didn't like the tone of the multi filter can for the plate and screen filters, so I ditched it and went to Sprague Atoms. When the .01uF Jupiter Vintage Tone caps come out, I'll be replacing those Mallory 150s with them. There is an issue with the face plate that I'll deal with when I get around to it. Last edited by Guitarslinger1; June 10th, 2008 at 02:40 PM.

June 8th, 2008, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
BritishBluesBoy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Age: 40 Posts: 4,423 62 Photos	Wow. That thing looks amazing... Makes my wiring look like spaghetti...! Great job. __________________ BBB.

June 9th, 2008, 06:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,611 7 Photos	Its beautiful, would love to see it in my living room. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

June 11th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,223 3 Photos	Looks like the perfect combination of an AC-15 and an 18 watt Marshall. Nice work! I'd love to play through it. __________________ www.tuatha.net

June 8th, 2008, 08:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,580	Distinctive-looking amp! - Scott

June 10th, 2008, 11:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
MickM Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hbg. PA Age: 51 Posts: 164	Oh Yea! I love me some pride in a man's workmanship. How 'bout a closer shot of the controls?