Weber Copper Cap

JohnS · November 23rd, 2003, 01:24 PM

Who here is using a Weber Copper Cap? Does it sound / act like a tube rectifier? Is it a "sounds like a strong testing Mullard?" Any problems? Thanks.

Mitch Roberts · November 23rd, 2003, 01:36 PM

I think you'll find a broad consensus, among most techs and players, that the copper cap lives up to its billing. I have two now, and they sound great. What I REALLY like is that they make the amp run way cooler. I think it's due to a combination of not drawing the 5v for the rectifier tube heater, as well as the missing heat coming off the rectifier tube. For me, they have made tube rectifiers obsolete.

Rob DiStefano · November 23rd, 2003, 01:58 PM

I can only echo what Mitch just posted - Copper Caps are the way to go. I read that Ted's coming working on a CC that'll allow for adjusting the B+ volatge which can be good for experimenting in cathode biased amps.

jumpnblues · November 23rd, 2003, 02:24 PM

I recently had a chance to see, hear, and sit in with Anson Funderburgh and thought his MAZ 38 (Yes, I know it's an Invasion. I had one before too but now have a Sr.) had better bottom end than mine and maybe a little more headroom. I asked Mike Zaite (Dr.Z) about this and he said he had recently installed a Weber Copper Cap Rectifier in Anson's MAZ 38 and recommended I try the same. I did and IT did just what Mike said it would do...better and tighter bottom end, more headroom. VERY noticeable improvement. I'm sold. 8)

Ben Harmless · November 23rd, 2003, 10:02 PM

Are the CCs a plug-in unit designed to fit in the recto socket, or are they something else completely? I ask because I'm curious about using one on an amp that already has a solid-state rectifier. Would I essentially be modding for a tube rectifier, and then switching to solid-state, or is it less drastic than that?

Rob DiStefano · November 23rd, 2003, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Harmless

Are the CCs a plug-in unit designed to fit in the recto socket, or are they something else completely? I ask because I'm curious about using one on an amp that already has a solid-state rectifier. Would I essentially be modding for a tube rectifier, and then switching to solid-state, or is it less drastic than that?

Read up about Copper Caps at the Weber website - Weber Copper Caps

Glen W · November 23rd, 2003, 11:12 PM

I put a WZ34 in my Allen Old Flame. I does everything a real glass GZ34 does, except light up. It also doesn't draw any current on the 5V PT tap, so the PT runs cooler. Any new recto "tubes" I buy will be Copper Caps.

Kinda wish they lit up though.... Ted?

DavidP · November 23rd, 2003, 11:46 PM

I would not waste $$ on NOS rectifiers--have tried both the GZ34 and 5U4 versions in both VOX and Fender amps and they are great!!

WrapAround · November 24th, 2003, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnS

Who here is using a Weber Copper Cap? Does it sound / act like a tube rectifier? Is it a "sounds like a strong testing Mullard?" Any problems? Thanks.

They work great. WZ34 (GZ34/5AR4 sub) does not sound like a Mullard. WZ68 may sound more like "a strong Mullard 5AR4."

eryque · November 24th, 2003, 02:26 PM

Ben, it's solid state but behaves mostly like a tube and plugs into a normal tube socket. So if your amp requires any re-wiring for a tube rectifier, you'll have to rewire to use a copper cap.

I've got one in my Pro Reverb and it sounds great. Eventually one will go in the Princeton as well.

November 23rd, 2003, 01:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnS Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 59 Posts: 312 12 Photos	Weber Copper Cap Who here is using a Weber Copper Cap? Does it sound / act like a tube rectifier? Is it a "sounds like a strong testing Mullard?" Any problems? Thanks.

November 23rd, 2003, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mitch Roberts Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 449	Copper C ap I think you'll find a broad consensus, among most techs and players, that the copper cap lives up to its billing. I have two now, and they sound great. What I REALLY like is that they make the amp run way cooler. I think it's due to a combination of not drawing the 5v for the rectifier tube heater, as well as the missing heat coming off the rectifier tube. For me, they have made tube rectifiers obsolete. __________________ I think, therefore I jam.

November 23rd, 2003, 02:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
jumpnblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midwest Age: 59 Posts: 1,679	Weber Copper Cap Rectifiers I recently had a chance to see, hear, and sit in with Anson Funderburgh and thought his MAZ 38 (Yes, I know it's an Invasion. I had one before too but now have a Sr.) had better bottom end than mine and maybe a little more headroom. I asked Mike Zaite (Dr.Z) about this and he said he had recently installed a Weber Copper Cap Rectifier in Anson's MAZ 38 and recommended I try the same. I did and IT did just what Mike said it would do...better and tighter bottom end, more headroom. VERY noticeable improvement. I'm sold. 8) __________________ jumpnblues "Heaven St." (Original Blues Instrumental): http://www.box.net/shared/static/z96atf0zn2.mp3 http://www.myspace.com/drbluezz

November 23rd, 2003, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	Are the CCs a plug-in unit designed to fit in the recto socket, or are they something else completely? I ask because I'm curious about using one on an amp that already has a solid-state rectifier. Would I essentially be modding for a tube rectifier, and then switching to solid-state, or is it less drastic than that? __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

November 23rd, 2003, 11:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
DavidP Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 586	Ditto!! I would not waste $$ on NOS rectifiers--have tried both the GZ34 and 5U4 versions in both VOX and Fender amps and they are great!!

November 23rd, 2003, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,918	I can only echo what Mitch just posted - Copper Caps are the way to go. I read that Ted's coming working on a CC that'll allow for adjusting the B+ volatge which can be good for experimenting in cathode biased amps.

November 23rd, 2003, 11:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Glen W Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: CT Age: 60 Posts: 815 12 Photos	I put a WZ34 in my Allen Old Flame. I does everything a real glass GZ34 does, except light up. It also doesn't draw any current on the 5V PT tap, so the PT runs cooler. Any new recto "tubes" I buy will be Copper Caps. Kinda wish they lit up though.... Ted?

November 24th, 2003, 02:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,241 44 Photos	Ben, it's solid state but behaves mostly like a tube and plugs into a normal tube socket. So if your amp requires any re-wiring for a tube rectifier, you'll have to rewire to use a copper cap. I've got one in my Pro Reverb and it sounds great. Eventually one will go in the Princeton as well.