Bluesmaster build

[erwin_ve]

Hi all,

Since the activity is kind of low I do a work in progress build.
It is gonna be a bluesmaster with all kind of nos resistors.
Some Dutch retiring shops and radio amateurs had some really interesting sales with nos resistors recently, way cheaper than new resistors btw.
I'm curious how this works out.

Erwin

[dcribbs1412]

Looking good Erwin
BM is one of my fav D style amps.
Great balance from clean to OD.
Is your tone stack 47k/.022/.022?
One cap looks smaller.

D

[rootz]

Subscribed Erwin. Curious to hear what your sources for the NOS parts are, if you want to share.

[erwin_ve]

Looking good Erwin
BM is one of my fav D style amps.
Great balance from clean to OD.
Is your tone stack 47k/.022/.022?
One cap looks smaller.

D

Hi D.
Tonestack is 47k/.022/.022; I might try 68k which I liked more in a past build. Both caps are .022. One is a 716p the other a 715P. I ordered a extra 715P to replace the 716P in case it doesn't work out.

Erwin

[erwin_ve]

Subscribed Erwin. Curious to hear what your sources for the NOS parts are, if you want to share.

Ill PM you, marktplaats is not a common thing at TAG

[lovetone]

i'm really interested in this amplifier, i've not built one so looking forward to see how this comes out.

[rootz]

Thanks for the pm Erwin! Marktplaats (or marketplace, kind of eBay) is not really my thing either, but I'll sure have a closer look over there. Thanks again bud.

[norburybrook]

Ah...... Erwin, you've definitely got the bug Looking forward to your build.

I've build 3 bluesmasters now, great amps

I've just built a new computer for the studio so that's taken care of my building 'itch'


Combo, head?



M

[talbany]

Looking good Erwin
BM is one of my fav D style amps.
Great balance from clean to OD.
Is your tone stack 47k/.022/.022?
One cap looks smaller.

D

Hi D.
Tonestack is 47k/.022/.022; I might try 68k which I liked more in a past build. Both caps are .022. One is a 716p the other a 715P. I ordered a extra 715P to replace the 716P in case it doesn't work out.

Erwin

The 716 is a pressed cap (w/copper leads) excellent temp stability adding to it's performance in high frequency, high pulse current applications. IMO it's a pretty bright sounding cap and some would go so far as to say "sterile" sounding. I am assuming your using a 715/716 as the mid cap? or in other spots like the PI couplers? and the rest 6PS's
The 715 is a "round" cap (like the P.S Series) and is IMO not quite as fast and a little softer in the Mids and the 800V spec ones are even softer than the 600V ones. Try them in both directions (mid cap)as this may alter the texture of the mids.(I reverse mine) So far I see Phiers (or are those Roe's) Phillips, Roederstien MK 2's the new Dales (are the tan ones in the PI? Draloric's?)

BTW. The blue ones on the PI grids what are those Corning's? and why did you decide to go MF there? and CF on the rest? ..Just wondering? Also what are you using for the grids on V1 and V2?
Looks good! so far

Resistor Mafia

[erwin_ve]

Ah...... Erwin, you've definitely got the bug Looking forward to your build.

I've build 3 bluesmasters now, great amps

I've just built a new computer for the studio so that's taken care of my building 'itch'


Combo, head?



M

Yeah over the years gaining some building insights make me wanna try a bluesmaster again.
100w in a head for sure.
Building a computer is a piece of cake; the software is a daunting task

Erwin

[erwin_ve]

Looking good Erwin
BM is one of my fav D style amps.
Great balance from clean to OD.
Is your tone stack 47k/.022/.022?
One cap looks smaller.

D

Hi D.
Tonestack is 47k/.022/.022; I might try 68k which I liked more in a past build. Both caps are .022. One is a 716p the other a 715P. I ordered a extra 715P to replace the 716P in case it doesn't work out.

Erwin

The 716 is a pressed cap (w/copper leads) excellent temp stability adding to it's performance in high frequency, high pulse current applications. IMO it's a pretty bright sounding cap and some would go so far as to say "sterile" sounding. I am assuming your using a 715/716 as the mid cap? or in other spots like the PI couplers? and the rest 6PS's
The 715 is a "round" cap (like the P.S Series) and is IMO not quite as fast and a little softer in the Mids and the 800V spec ones are even softer than the 600V ones. Try them in both directions (mid cap)as this may alter the texture of the mids.(I reverse mine) So far I see Phiers (or are those Roe's) Phillips, Roederstien MK 2's the new Dales (are the tan ones in the PI? Draloric's?)

BTW. The blue ones on the PI grids what are those Corning's? and why did you decide to go MF there? and CF on the rest? ..Just wondering? Also what are you using for the grids on V1 and V2?
Looks good! so far

Resistor Mafia

Tony,

The 716 is only on the bass position, the 715P is on the mid cap and PI. The other od's are 6PS.
I like the reverse mid in my previous build for sure doing that again,
The tan carbon films are likely Roederstein or Draloric not sure. The previous owner could't tell...
The dark carbon film are Beyschlag.
The metal film on the bias split are Draloric.
Ive a order to replace some of the plates with Roederstein MK3 but not all values were available. I could use either Draloric or Dale MF for those.
The blue ones PI grids: they are metal film vtm 411( vitrohm ) not made anymore, any resistor to ground or virtual ground that is above 1M I like to use MF for noise rejection.
Grids v1 and v2; Beyschlag/ Roederstein.
Funny thing is I've got resistors enough for at least 25 Bluesmaster build and these NOS cost me less than 25 euro. That's a good deal isnt it?

Erwin

[talbany]

Hi D.
Tonestack is 47k/.022/.022; I might try 68k which I liked more in a past build. Both caps are .022. One is a 716p the other a 715P. I ordered a extra 715P to replace the 716P in case it doesn't work out.

Erwin

The 716 is a pressed cap (w/copper leads) excellent temp stability adding to it's performance in high frequency, high pulse current applications. IMO it's a pretty bright sounding cap and some would go so far as to say "sterile" sounding. I am assuming your using a 715/716 as the mid cap? or in other spots like the PI couplers? and the rest 6PS's
The 715 is a "round" cap (like the P.S Series) and is IMO not quite as fast and a little softer in the Mids and the 800V spec ones are even softer than the 600V ones. Try them in both directions (mid cap)as this may alter the texture of the mids.(I reverse mine) So far I see Phiers (or are those Roe's) Phillips, Roederstien MK 2's the new Dales (are the tan ones in the PI? Draloric's?)

BTW. The blue ones on the PI grids what are those Corning's? and why did you decide to go MF there? and CF on the rest? ..Just wondering? Also what are you using for the grids on V1 and V2?
Looks good! so far

Resistor Mafia

Tony,

The 716 is only on the bass position, the 715P is on the mid cap and PI. The other od's are 6PS.
I like the reverse mid in my previous build for sure doing that again,
The tan carbon films are likely Roederstein or Draloric not sure. The previous owner could't tell...
The dark carbon film are Beyschlag.
The metal film on the bias split are Draloric.
Ive a order to replace some of the plates with Roederstein MK3 but not all values were available. I could use either Draloric or Dale MF for those.
The blue ones PI grids: they are metal film vtm 411( vitrohm ) not made anymore, any resistor to ground or virtual ground that is above 1M I like to use MF for noise rejection.
Grids v1 and v2; Beyschlag/ Roederstein.
Funny thing is I've got resistors enough for at least 25 Bluesmaster build and these NOS cost me less than 25 euro. That's a good deal isnt it?

Erwin

Oh Man! Good score . The Beyschlag's and Phiers have a very similar sound IMO interchangeable.
Bias feeders are the same color as the MK'2's but I see the end caps now are a dead give away
The 716 on the bass will help keep the low-end nice and tight (hopefully not too stiff) so let me know how that works out for you. So it sounds like your going for a slightly smoother more scooped version of a BM (without the bite) based on your parts selection. All those carbons will also loosen the low end a bit vs the real ones so hopefully, the 716 will help with that. On my MM I went back and forth on a MK'3 and an Iskra on the slope so if you want to forward the mids a touch and tighten the low end a bit a MK'3 there is a great way to do it IMO
BTW. The Dales you have in there are a brighter sounding plate.The MK'3's have a flatter top end so it will be less aggressive and smoother if you go there. I would recommend the MK'3's however this is my personal taste!
BTW#2 If you want a more old school vintage Bassman kind of vibe to the OD you can throw in a 220P in the OD (Old Di-film) Paper cap to add some texture and thicken the OD is a great way to do it. Just a suggestion

Build away
Tony

[erwin_ve]

I got my hands on a few Roederstein mk3 that I put in.
Changed tonestack to Nichicon for mid and bass.
Almost all boards are loaded, relay boards are next.

[talbany]

I got my hands on a few Roederstein mk3 that I put in.
Changed tonestack to Nichicon for mid and bass.
Almost all boards are loaded, relay boards are next.

Now your talkin!. This will no doubt get you much closer to the sound and feel of an original BM IMO based on the parts selection. Lookin forward to how this amp sounds!

Good Luck!

Tony

[erwin_ve]

Thanks Tony!

Slowly working: doing some buss bar, pot and switch wiring.