I've been a AmpGarage lurker for quite some time now and have to say that this forum is absolutely fantastic! Thanks a lot, been learning a lot just by reading.
I'm into building a small (2W is enough) Trainwreck inspired studio amp and Hall Amplification's Lil' Devil and Chappell Amps 4-4-0 are the options I've been contemplating to get (kit is a great option). I've heard some clips of both of them and I've liked them a lot. I'm not just quite sure which way I should go. I know that differencies are possibly subtle, but obviously there are some. And I know that I'll be happy with either of them, but still, I have to decide...
What are the main differencies (soundwise) between two of them? If someone has experience on both of them, that would be great. Also, I know that there are people who can tell the differencies just by theory
I built 2 Lil Devils and can only sing praises for Dana Hall. His kit comes together beautifully and he supports his customers. No doubt 4-4-0 is a great product as well. Sonically you have to make up your own mind. Lil Devil seems to offer better value though. Both kits priced similarly but here are the variations that I picked up :
4-4-0 kit comes with :
# Eyelet circuit board and blank, un-drilled chassis.
Then you can upgrade your kit to Custom CNC chassis for another $55... Lil Devil includes a Custom CNC chassis in the standard kit price.
You can upgrade the 4-4-0 to a Turret board for $30 and Lil Devil comes with a gorgeous PCB. I know many prefer point to point wiring but for a newbie like me PCB made things simple & clear.
Last but not least, 4-4-0 offers a Custom Heyboer OT upgrade at $50. As far as I know Lil Devil comes with a Heyboer OT out the box. Might be wrong on this one.
Oh, if you wish for a cab you can get one for 4-4-0 at $300. Lil Devil cab with the pre-built option sets you back far less...
I did notice the hardware differencies and you are right, Lil' Devil is a bit better deal as it is. But for me it (possibly) matters that 4-4-0 is more "modifiable" (if there is a need) and tube swapping for (possible) tone shaping is easier - I do have a bunch of different 12A**/ECC8* tubes already.
It sounds that I might like to have 4-0-0 (blank chassis is ok), but everybody is raving so much about Lil' Devil that I'm doubting
So basically, I do like to know what kind of sonic differencies these two have in practice (or at least should have). I don't want to rely on the recorded clips because of differencies between micing, rooms, cabs, speakers, players, guitars etc.
I have never heard of the 4-4-0 amp and am not an amp builder anyway. They do use different tubes and topology though so not sure we are comparing apples to apples here other than they are both 2 watts.
I am VERY impressed with my Lil Devil after having Trainwreck clones, a Komet, and several low wattage amps. It is perfect for me for playing at home or recording.
Good luck either way you decide, but I am experientially biased towards the Lil Devil!
I prefer the turret/eyelet boards over PCB since it is modifiable. This was a plus since I modified the heater circuit to DC and other mods. I have not played the Lil Devil so I would not be able to give you a fair comparison.
However the 440 is an outstanding amp and is worth every penny. The 6SN7 power tube is nice fat sounding tube and are easily procured. I would recommend using Cliffs Heyboer custom wound output transformer for increased dynamics and bass response. I have samples that I will post.
Decko, do you think that you still would be able to send those clips you mentioned?
Anyways, as the Lil' Devil kit isn't available anymore, I'm leaning towards 440. Easy decision. But, I think I'm willing to build from the scratch and will collect the parts myself, there's a BOM, schemo and layout available and I do have some parts already.
I just have one question about the OT. Decko mentiones custom Heyboer output transformer which should be a nice addition. I do believe that and I'm into trying something else than Hammond.
I was to contact Heyboer, but there's this irritating "Error 403: Forbidden" thing going on (some else from outside US have been experiencing the same - I'm from Finland) and I'm not able to get through. And I can't find the contact address to Heyboer anywhere. Could someone be nice and provide me the address, thank you. Of course I could contact Cliff, but I'm also interested in some other Heyboer products.
OR, Is there any other good OT substitutes for Hammond 125C, that I should consider?
(Available from Europe? That would be great.)
Here are some clips. Sorry it took a while. I wanted to give you a comparision of the actual 50 watt Express as a reference point.
Clip 1 (Reference) is a Trainwreck Clone through a 4 x 12 cabinet loaded with Pre-Rola greenbacks
Clip 2 is recorded through a Celestion Gold.
Clip 3 (Dirty) was recorded with a 440 head through 2 x 12 open back cabinet loaded with a GH1230 and an Eminence Governor. We used a Shure microphone about 2 inches from the cone
Clip 4 (Clean) is the same set up as clip 3
As far as your Heyboer transformer, I'd contact Cliff. He would sell you one.
Enjoy
Decko
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