Shock Brothers My addiction and builds 2022

[Jerry garrcia]

So this has been a crazy year.
A year ago I didn’t know jack about amps. Had my old Peavey classic 30 since ~30 years after a career in post rock, punk, lofi and dub.
The 17 y/o son played a lot of trad jazz and the Peavey was too loud for the apartment. Got me an attenuator but had to bring it to a tech due to the speaker wires was soldered to the speaker.

Then he didn’t like the tone it produced after the attenuator and was about to spend all his savings to buy a new Champ. Crazy expensive with listing price $1500 in Sweden.
That’s when it all went down hill…
So I bought a 5F1 kit from a great seller in Sweden, Nordström audio.
Built that but not my bag to just put something together.
So asked the boy what his dram amp would be. He couldn’t decide between a GA-20/30/40 or a 5E3. Started to look at the prices. Posted a thread on shock brothers if it was possible to build a combined 6SJ7 amp and a 5E3. A lot of laughs and impossible comments.
Then @printer2 came a long, and changed my life, with a draft and do to my total lack of knowledge in electronics (an anaesthetist and ICU physician). I got help with the layout and started to build. @andrewRneumann got in touch since he noticed a layout problem and both Andrew and Printer guided me through the build to a great amp.

Then I got hooked on the octal tubes and thought that the son needed a bedroom amp. So @printer2 once again helped me with a schematic (could hardly understand 10% of it) for a 5C1/5F1 amp with reverb. The son only played the pentode channel.

Deeper in the rabbit hole I went.
I had some spare 6SC7 tubes (used as paraphrase PI in the 6SJ7 + 5B3 deluxe). Why not build a two channel 5W amp with one triode channel and one pentode and add a tone stack and a common gain stage??? Built that.

But they were still a bit to loud. So found @robrob micro champ. Since I’m an octal guy I made that with 6SL7+6SN7.

But wait Charlie Christian had such an amazing tone and an early guitar god. Had to build me an EH-185. Once again @printer2 dragged me deeper in the hole. Why not use a 6SC7 instead of two 6SQ7’s, and add a reverb. Well did that and it’s probably my least liked amp. It lacks an oumph and to quiet in the instrument channel. Mic ok but so and so over all. Maybe better with a field coil.

There is something special about Class A amps I think but wouldn’t it be better if one could make them louder to be able to gig with them at a small venue? So built me an octal Class A with a 6L6. Still modding it since the 6SK7 that @mountainhick or @NTC tricked me into use as a driver. Now a 6SQ7 in that position and will hopefully try it today. Can never say no if there is something different. Got an enormous amount of help from @2L man who also guided me into the load line area.

Built a two scrap build 5F1’s as Christmas gifts to some friends out of wine boxes and old radios.

Needed to learn PTP so just built a scratch build GA-5 Les Paul.

Amp wise this has been a really productive year. Also built a T-style and a 6 string cigar box guitar.
Probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Started to reevaluate my life and changed jobs to get more spare time and will attend a welding course in a couple of weeks.
Our apartment basement is stuffed with old transformers, PA heads, speakers and old projectors for future builds.
My wife ain’t so happy since all my previous books by the bed have all been changed to books about electronic and data sheets.

So that’s 2022 for me. Will soon post a gallery of this year’s builds, pictures, schematics and movies with sound clips from all the amps.

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t start with heads instead of combos. In retrospect, due to my obsession, it would have been a much better way. Will have to build (tough job if one lives in an apartment in the city) and tolex a 10”, 12” and a 15” cab and a couple of heads that will fit the builds.
So we’ll se what 2023 brings? Have enough stuff for 10-15 amps. Might have to sell a few.
Another fun thing is that men are now allowed in synchronised swimming in the Olympics in Paris 2024 so hopefully you’ll see me

 

[radiocaster]

I find your octal builds very interesting, and I'm also into building amps for curiosity, although I'm much more of a procrastinator.

Also a fan of octals, I eventually got adapters to run in my Ramparte, and modded it a little to be darker. It is the sound I was looking for.

Curious about that 5E3/GA hybrid, particularly as the 5E3 is as far from Gibson amps as possible for being in the same decade. Does your son use the 5E3 side at all? Sorry, I haven't read everything in those threads.

 

[Jerry garrcia]

Hi and thanks for the interest. The tone between the two circuits is quite different and I actually modded it a bit yesterday to make the 6SJ7 side more pedal friendly by adding a grid leak/cathode bias switch.

He uses the 12ax7 channel mostly for when he is using pedals since it much more pedal friendly than the 6SJ7 channel.
Need to reed up on a rampart. Never heard about it.
This amp thing is a true addiction. Best of three world: Theory, practical and making music.

 

[mountainhick]

So this has been a crazy year.
A year ago I didn’t know jack about amps. Had my old Peavey classic 30 since ~30 years after a career in post rock, punk, lofi and dub.
The 17 y/o son played a lot of trad jazz and the Peavey was too loud for the apartment. Got me an attenuator but had to bring it to a tech due to the speaker wires was soldered to the speaker.

Then he didn’t like the tone it produced after the attenuator and was about to spend all his savings to buy a new Champ. Crazy expensive with listing price $1500 in Sweden.
That’s when it all went down hill…
So I bought a 5F1 kit from a great seller in Sweden, Nordström audio.
Built that but not my bag to just put something together.
So asked the boy what his dram amp would be. He couldn’t decide between a GA-20/30/40 or a 5E3. Started to look at the prices. Posted a thread on shock brothers if it was possible to build a combined 6SJ7 amp and a 5E3. A lot of laughs and impossible comments.
Then @printer2 came a long, and changed my life, with a draft and do to my total lack of knowledge in electronics (an anaesthetist and ICU physician). I got help with the layout and started to build. @andrewRneumann got in touch since he noticed a layout problem and both Andrew and Printer guided me through the build to a great amp.

Then I got hooked on the octal tubes and thought that the son needed a bedroom amp. So @printer2 once again helped me with a schematic (could hardly understand 10% of it) for a 5C1/5F1 amp with reverb. The son only played the pentode channel.

Deeper in the rabbit hole I went.
I had some spare 6SC7 tubes (used as paraphrase PI in the 6SJ7 + 5B3 deluxe). Why not build a two channel 5W amp with one triode channel and one pentode and add a tone stack and a common gain stage??? Built that.

But they were still a bit to loud. So found @robrob micro champ. Since I’m an octal guy I made that with 6SL7+6SN7.

But wait Charlie Christian had such an amazing tone and an early guitar god. Had to build me an EH-185. Once again @printer2 dragged me deeper in the hole. Why not use a 6SC7 instead of two 6SQ7’s, and add a reverb. Well did that and it’s probably my least liked amp. It lacks an oumph and to quiet in the instrument channel. Mic ok but so and so over all. Maybe better with a field coil.

There is something special about Class A amps I think but wouldn’t it be better if one could make them louder to be able to gig with them at a small venue? So built me an octal Class A with a 6L6. Still modding it since the 6SK7 that @mountainhick or @NTC tricked me into use as a driver. Now a 6SQ7 in that position and will hopefully try it today. Can never say no if there is something different. Got an enormous amount of help from @2L man who also guided me into the load line area.

Built a two scrap build 5F1’s as Christmas gifts to some friends out of wine boxes and old radios.

Needed to learn PTP so just built a scratch build GA-5 Les Paul.

Amp wise this has been a really productive year. Also built a T-style and a 6 string cigar box guitar.
Probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Started to reevaluate my life and changed jobs to get more spare time and will attend a welding course in a couple of weeks.
Our apartment basement is stuffed with old transformers, PA heads, speakers and old projectors for future builds.
My wife ain’t so happy since all my previous books by the bed have all been changed to books about electronic and data sheets.

So that’s 2022 for me. Will soon post a gallery of this year’s builds, pictures, schematics and movies with sound clips from all the amps.

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t start with heads instead of combos. In retrospect, due to my obsession, it would have been a much better way. Will have to build (tough job if one lives in an apartment in the city) and tolex a 10”, 12” and a 15” cab and a couple of heads that will fit the builds.
So we’ll se what 2023 brings? Have enough stuff for 10-15 amps. Might have to sell a few.
Another fun thing is that men are now allowed in synchronised swimming in the Olympics in Paris 2024 so hopefully you’ll see me

It's been great to see your progress, and I appreciate your contributions. I too am much more interested in using what's on hand mixing and matching and coming up with unique circuits than doing cookie cutter copies or kits! I've bogged down, I am out of useful chassis*, and have the steel to build a sheet metal brake, but it is dead of winter (9'F this morning) and the metal working gear and welder are in an unheated outbuilding. Turned my efforts to guitars for a while.

*Hmm, Out of sight, out of mind, I actually may have a couple 1940's radios with chassis to be repurposed...

 

[printer2]

Dragged you down the rabbit hole? More like a ferret on a leash dragging me down after you. As much fun it was I did not have the time to spend on the projects and I was glad Andrew and 2Lman picked up the rope and kept you going in the right direction. We do need to get you going with some woodworking tools to build the cabinets though....

 

[Mr Ridesglide]

Now THIS stuff here - is bona fide, real life, no doubt about it - REAL SHOCK BROTHERS stuff -

 

[Jerry garrcia]

*Hmm, Out of sight, out of mind, I actually may have a couple 1940's radios with chassis to be repurposed...

Just use them. Why not an all in Loctal build? I am interested in that. SE amp.
7C7 - gain - 1/2 7N7 - tone stack - MV - 2/2 7N7 - 7C5 or 7B5. A parallel 7C5 would be my choice but then you can’t use the OT from the radio and have to spend some extra cash in this uncertain time.
It would probably be better with diode rectifier but more fun with a 7Z4 tube rectifier.
I think it would suit a radio chassis perfectly and you have an amp that could be used in a rollercoaster

 

[hopdybob]

So this has been a crazy year.
A year ago I didn’t know jack about amps. Had my old Peavey classic 30 since ~30 years after a career in post rock, punk, lofi and dub.
The 17 y/o son played a lot of trad jazz and the Peavey was too loud for the apartment. Got me an attenuator but had to bring it to a tech due to the speaker wires was soldered to the speaker.

Then he didn’t like the tone it produced after the attenuator and was about to spend all his savings to buy a new Champ. Crazy expensive with listing price $1500 in Sweden.
That’s when it all went down hill…
So I bought a 5F1 kit from a great seller in Sweden, Nordström audio.
Built that but not my bag to just put something together.
So asked the boy what his dram amp would be. He couldn’t decide between a GA-20/30/40 or a 5E3. Started to look at the prices. Posted a thread on shock brothers if it was possible to build a combined 6SJ7 amp and a 5E3. A lot of laughs and impossible comments.
Then @printer2 came a long, and changed my life, with a draft and do to my total lack of knowledge in electronics (an anaesthetist and ICU physician). I got help with the layout and started to build. @andrewRneumann got in touch since he noticed a layout problem and both Andrew and Printer guided me through the build to a great amp.

Then I got hooked on the octal tubes and thought that the son needed a bedroom amp. So @printer2 once again helped me with a schematic (could hardly understand 10% of it) for a 5C1/5F1 amp with reverb. The son only played the pentode channel.

Deeper in the rabbit hole I went.
I had some spare 6SC7 tubes (used as paraphrase PI in the 6SJ7 + 5B3 deluxe). Why not build a two channel 5W amp with one triode channel and one pentode and add a tone stack and a common gain stage??? Built that.

But they were still a bit to loud. So found @robrob micro champ. Since I’m an octal guy I made that with 6SL7+6SN7.

But wait Charlie Christian had such an amazing tone and an early guitar god. Had to build me an EH-185. Once again @printer2 dragged me deeper in the hole. Why not use a 6SC7 instead of two 6SQ7’s, and add a reverb. Well did that and it’s probably my least liked amp. It lacks an oumph and to quiet in the instrument channel. Mic ok but so and so over all. Maybe better with a field coil.

There is something special about Class A amps I think but wouldn’t it be better if one could make them louder to be able to gig with them at a small venue? So built me an octal Class A with a 6L6. Still modding it since the 6SK7 that @mountainhick or @NTC tricked me into use as a driver. Now a 6SQ7 in that position and will hopefully try it today. Can never say no if there is something different. Got an enormous amount of help from @2L man who also guided me into the load line area.

Built a two scrap build 5F1’s as Christmas gifts to some friends out of wine boxes and old radios.

Needed to learn PTP so just built a scratch build GA-5 Les Paul.

Amp wise this has been a really productive year. Also built a T-style and a 6 string cigar box guitar.
Probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Started to reevaluate my life and changed jobs to get more spare time and will attend a welding course in a couple of weeks.
Our apartment basement is stuffed with old transformers, PA heads, speakers and old projectors for future builds.
My wife ain’t so happy since all my previous books by the bed have all been changed to books about electronic and data sheets.

So that’s 2022 for me. Will soon post a gallery of this year’s builds, pictures, schematics and movies with sound clips from all the amps.

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t start with heads instead of combos. In retrospect, due to my obsession, it would have been a much better way. Will have to build (tough job if one lives in an apartment in the city) and tolex a 10”, 12” and a 15” cab and a couple of heads that will fit the builds.
So we’ll se what 2023 brings? Have enough stuff for 10-15 amps. Might have to sell a few.
Another fun thing is that men are now allowed in synchronised swimming in the Olympics in Paris 2024 so hopefully you’ll see me

nothing more positive in life that having something to look out for, something that draws you out of bed when awake and ready for a new adventure!

 

[mountainhick]

Just use them. Why not an all in Loctal build? I am interested in that. SE amp.
7C7 - gain - 1/2 7N7 - tone stack - MV - 2/2 7N7 - 7C5 or 7B5. A parallel 7C5 would be my choice but then you can’t use the OT from the radio and have to spend some extra cash in this uncertain time.
It would probably be better with diode rectifier but more fun with a 7Z4 tube rectifier.
I think it would suit a radio chassis perfectly and you have an amp that could be used in a rollercoaster

Huh? I have no loctals or 7V tubes whatsoever.

I already have plans for them. They are octals with a range of RF/preamp/PI tubes and 6F6 and 6V6, one with a field coil speaker etc.

I just forgot, as they are stored away. They are also large console cabinets. I will have to reduce their size as combos. I don't have room for them in the house.

 

[Jeru]

So that’s 2022 for me. Will soon post a gallery of this year’s builds, pictures, schematics and movies with sound clips from all the amps.

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t start with heads instead of combos. In retrospect, due to my obsession, it would have been a much better way. Will have to build (tough job if one lives in an apartment in the city) and tolex a 10”, 12” and a 15” cab and a couple of heads that will fit the builds.
So we’ll se what 2023 brings? Have enough stuff for 10-15 amps. Might have to sell a few.

You're doing great, and also I understand your plight. I started four tube amp projects in 2022.
Had I started less projects at once then I probably would have finished at least one by now.

In my own defense, I'm cutting down on the cabinet-building work by design. I bought a cab for
one, two will be ~heads and one is the guts of an old radio (shout-out to @mountainhick) so it
won't need a cab.

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive new year..!

 

[mountainhick]

You're doing great, and also I understand your plight. I started four tube amp projects in 2022.
Had I started less projects at once then I probably would have finished at least one by now.

In my own defense, I'm cutting down on the cabinet-building work by design. I bought a cab for
one, two will be ~heads and one is the guts of an old radio (shout-out to @mountainhick) so it
won't need a cab.

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive new year..!


View attachment 1071973 View attachment 1071972 View attachment 1071975 View attachment 1071976

Your stuff is so much more organized than mine! Nary a stray part!

I am just getting back to working on amps again. Right now working on/almost done making a sheet metal brake for making chassis. Bent the first a couple days ago with the brake in only partly finished shape... the result is OK, not perfect, so working out a couple bugs with the brake...

I got a heap of sheet metal in the form of the walls of an IBM server cabinet inherited from a friend. I'll be set for 18 chassis for the $45 it cost for the steel for the brake.

Getting ready to do the chassis layout and start drilling!

 

[Jeru]

Good on you learning to DIY your own chassis / repurposing old metal.
Depending on the application, nobody need know that your chassis is
not quite perfect but you (realizing fully that that's one person too many).
Cheers / keep at it.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Wow. You certainly did have a productive year! But what caught my attention Was the last sentence about the synchronized swimming. Do you know Lars Kumlin? (Kumla) I was an exchange student in Sweden many, many years ago and was in school with him and played on the same soccer team. he was part of the first group of men doing synchronized swimming in Stockholm. A number of years ago I was watching a documentary on it (here in the USA) and I shouted out to my wife, "Hey, I know that guy! That's Kumla." Small world.

 

[Jerry garrcia]

Wow. You certainly did have a productive year! But what caught my attention Was the last sentence about the synchronized swimming. Do you know Lars Kumlin? (Kumla) I was an exchange student in Sweden many, many years ago and was in school with him and played on the same soccer team. he was part of the first group of men doing synchronized swimming in Stockholm. A number of years ago I was watching a documentary on it (here in the USA) and I shouted out to my wife, "Hey, I know that guy! That's Kumla." Small world.

Hahah. Yep. That’s the same team and I still swim with Lars. He I sort of the creative leader and writes all music.
I’ll say hallo to him from you tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll see us in Paris 2024

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Hahah. Yep. That’s the same team and I still swim with Lars. He I sort of the creative leader and writes all music.
I’ll say hallo to him from you tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll see us in Paris 2024

Trevlig! Jag heter Robert (Robban) Cummings. Inte en överraskning att han sköter musiken. Han var/är väldigt musikalisk. Ett stort Bowie-fan. Ja jag kan svenska. Jag har hållit kontakten med min svenska familj och har varit tillbaka på besök många gånger.