Pretty Sick

talbany · Post by **talbany** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:44 am

Don't Normally post our everyday amps.. This one is kind of unique..
The transformers are off an Ampeg V4 Output and the Power is a Partridge Hiwatt..Mercury Mags 10 Hnry choke.. 480v on the plates
Basically a NON HRM Skyliner stack 180/150 plates 5uf bypass on both V1&V2... 6L's.. I kind of threw the amp together not knowing how these tranny's would perform.. The Overdrive is real smooth, most likely from the well used OPT..I Know what's up with the Goo!! I actually like the way it changes the character of the OD..... Will post some clips in the next few days...

yeahyeah · Post by **yeahyeah** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:16 am

talbany wrote:I Know what's up with the Goo!! I actually like the way it changes the character of the OD...

Are you kidding me?

I gotta call BS

dogears · Post by **dogears** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:37 pm

Gotta love big iron!! It makes the difference.

tubedogsmith · Post by **tubedogsmith** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:58 pm

Is that a steel chassis?

Bob-I · Post by **Bob-I** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:06 pm

talbany wrote:DI Know what's up with the Goo!! I actually like the way it changes the character of the OD.....

I for one am not surprised. Components vibrate and move when the signal modulates, changing this vibration has to change how the component operates.

I've been debating gluing down the components in the preamp. Not a complete gooping though. Not to mention reducing the potential for cracking leads and solder joints with the head on top of the cab. I've been having trouble with my 4x6V6 head, it fades out then back in. I can't duplicate it on the bench, only on top of the cab. I resoldered every joint last night, took almost 3 hours, then played for an hour with no cutouts. I'm afraid to gig with it but I think I'll place 2 heads on the cab and give it a try. I can always switch.

The point is, goop is not to hide component values, but to stabalize the ckt. JMO

greiswig · Post by **greiswig** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:20 pm

I've wondered about the dampening of the goop on capacitors in particular. What about using something a little less permanent, like that tacky stuff you use to stick posters to a wall? It softens a lot with the heat, but I bet it still dampens vibrations pretty well.

talbany · Post by **talbany** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:23 pm

It's kind of hard to explain how the RTF changes the tone.. You just have to do it to understand.. I can hear the difference in the top end mostly..Plus the tube was starting to dry up so had to use it somewhere..
The 2 appealing properties bigger Iron brings to the table besides the added bandwidth.. Is Bigger Iron makes the amp harmonically richer..
2nd is the linearity..As you crank the amp everything stays right there.. the low end stays focused nothing mushes out ...The larger Iron welcomes the volume and sounds and feels better when the tubes are pushed.. To me anyway!!
The strangest thing about the amp was the OD seemed to be a little on the sloppy side .. After dickin around with it for several hours finally gave up..I had a couple old Mullard 12ax's laying around so I stuck them in and wala!!! a well defined low E string....I went ahead and filled the amp up with Mullards..
I can't really sell the amp as a new one because of the used transformers so I most likely add it to my collection or use it as a loaner.. Here try and fry this amp..You'll go deaf first LOL!!!
Ah!! Yeah you put these transformers on an aluminum chassis and stick it in the mail..This thing's gotta weigh close to 50 Lbs..

dogears · Post by **dogears** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:37 pm

You can always drive it up here for a little fest action....

talbany wrote:It's kind of hard to explain how the RTF changes the tone.. You just have to do it to understand.. I can hear the difference in the top end mostly..Plus the tube was starting to dry up so had to use it somewhere..
The 2 appealing properties bigger Iron brings to the table besides the added bandwidth.. Is Bigger Iron makes the amp harmonically richer..
2nd is the linearity..As you crank the amp everything stays right there.. the low end stays focused nothing mushes out ...The larger Iron welcomes the volume and sounds and feels better when the tubes are pushed.. To me anyway!!
The strangest thing about the amp was the OD seemed to be a little on the sloppy side .. After dickin around with it for several hours finally gave up..I had a couple old Mullard 12ax's laying around so I stuck them in and wala!!! a well defined low E string....I went ahead and filled the amp up with Mullards..
I can't really sell the amp as a new one because of the used transformers so I most likely add it to my collection or use it as a loaner.. Here try and fry this amp..You'll go deaf first LOL!!!
Ah!! Yeah you put these transformers on an aluminum chassis and stick it in the mail..This thing's gotta weigh close to 50 Lbs..

talbany · Post by **talbany** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:08 pm

Would love too..I'll try and get up sometime in the Fall.. Could be a real HOOT!!!

jaysg · Post by **jaysg** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:08 pm

Is that GE RTV630 ? Just wondering.

guitarsnguns04 · Post by **guitarsnguns04** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:43 pm

I for one am looking forward to some clips...

deiseldave · Post by **deiseldave** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:09 pm

Wow, that is a beautiful amp. I'd love to hear it.

briane · Post by **briane** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:30 pm

.I Know what's up with the Goo!!

I'd like to try this, but with approved grade goo!

What type of goo is that, where did it come from?

I've been glueing down my components for years....I can sometimes even hear the rattle and banging of wires, thus the glue came about. Then I started glueing down the caps..

Its just a small step to assume if wires can vibrate, then so do resistors and caps.

yeah, Ive heard the legends of partridge iron (somewhat like king arthur).

talbany · Post by **talbany** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:21 am

Sorry guy's RTV it's made by Pematex...
http://www.jegs.com/p/Permatex/752336/10002/-1
Fairly high dielectric content..
The Partridge Transformers are real nice though I wish I had the OPT to go with it...the only problem I found is I had to build a voltage doubler for the amps bias supply as the most I could get from it was 36v.. Fine for 34's but I wanted to run the 6L's as well...480 on the plates for me is just about right
Thanks for the compliments and will get some clips up real soon I promise..

Tony VVT..

jelle · Post by **jelle** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:23 am

Partridge is sweet. Dynacord iron from those german amps is sweet too. They don't make them like they used to....

Nice build tony! Now spill the beans...what kind of RTV ended up between those caps?

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