BluesMaster Build

[ijedouglas]

First attempt at a BluesMaster and I really like it. Cleans are really good and the OD was surprisingly good right off the bat. I still have a bunch of tweaking to do with the HRM board (first HRM amp for me).

PXL_20220125_220104956.jpg

PXL_20220125_220109831.MP.jpg

PXL_20220125_230117109.jpg

[Abe5150]

Wow looks good!

[bepone]

looks nice, layout is correct, lead dress is fine , i like ceramics and MK3's (from where did you get them these days, they are starting to be rare, i'm thinking to start journey with MK2's for lower voltages and signal)

if the OD is flabby and too bassy, i found that remove positive feedback from V2 or de-grupping those 3 wires my amp sounded better, not saying nothing just saying
enjoy the build and tweaking!

[erwin_ve]

Great looking build! I bet it sounds as good. Hats off Ian.

[Bombacaototal]

Amazing looking amp,.well done!!

[talbany]

Very nice Ian
Period correct parts (CTS, MK3's NTE's ceramics, 716's)and love the ROE filters nicely done lead dress wise too. Let me know if you need the various stack settings off an original

BTW. Curious to hear your opinion on the difference's in sound between the BM and the earlier 4th Generation Non-HRM's(w/period correct parts)

Tony

[ijedouglas]

Very nice Ian
Period correct parts (CTS, MK3's NTE's ceramics, 716's)and love the ROE filters nicely done lead dress wise too. Let me know if you need the various stack settings off an original

BTW. Curious to hear your opinion on the difference's in sound between the BM and the earlier 4th Generation Non-HRM's(w/period correct parts)

Tony

Thanks Tony. I'd love to get the settings. I've read a bunch of threads on it and I think I have it in a good spot but it would be great to compare.

BTW I used 715s and not 716s and the ROEs sound amazing.

So far my impression (I really need to spend more time with it though) is that it has a great clear top-end, less mids and about the same low-end as my 183. It is a little rawer sounding and has tons of gain on tap. The clean channel breaks up early (around 3-o-clock)! I expected it to be very bass heavy, based on my research, but it sounds pretty balanced to me. There is a good sing on the top-end and lots of sustain... the amp really wants to take off!

My voltages seem high on V1/V2 and low on V3 but it's sounding good so I'll leave that for now. I'l roll some tubes later and see where the voltages land.

The PI was interesting. I put some NOS tubes in V1/2/3 and set the PI. The OD sounded a little fizzy but not too bad, so I changed the PI tube(without re-doing the balance) and the whole amp came back in to focus and the fizz went away.... maybe I got lucky I'll still have to play around with that later.

I initially had the OD trim at around 25K but increasing it to 37K filled out the bottom end and balanced it better with the clean.

The PAB and OD take a little getting used to. The OD with its master vol was a bit awkward to get used to and the PAB (I think megaboost circuit) really kicks in a lot of gain. It's almost like I have 3 channels... clean with 2 drive channels

Overall, I'm really liking this circuit. It's definitely more of a rock amp!

[martin manning]

Well done, and thanks for sharing your build and impressions!

[stelligan]

The PAB and OD take a little getting used to. The OD with its master vol was a bit awkward to get used to and the PAB (I think megaboost circuit) really kicks in a lot of gain. It's almost like I have 3 channels... clean with 2 drive channels

Overall, I'm really liking this circuit. It's definitely more of a rock amp!

Yes - that megaboost really lives up to it's name! BluesMaster is by far the favorite of my personal builds. Would be even more favorite if the guts looked like yours! Extremely well done build.

[talbany]

Very nice Ian
Period correct parts (CTS, MK3's NTE's ceramics, 716's)and love the ROE filters nicely done lead dress wise too. Let me know if you need the various stack settings off an original

BTW. Curious to hear your opinion on the difference's in sound between the BM and the earlier 4th Generation Non-HRM's(w/period correct parts)

Tony

Thanks Tony. I'd love to get the settings. I've read a bunch of threads on it and I think I have it in a good spot but it would be great to compare.

BTW I used 715s and not 716s and the ROEs sound amazing.

So far my impression (I really need to spend more time with it though) is that it has a great clear top-end, less mids and about the same low-end as my 183. It is a little rawer sounding and has tons of gain on tap. The clean channel breaks up early (around 3-o-clock)! I expected it to be very bass heavy, based on my research, but it sounds pretty balanced to me. There is a good sing on the top-end and lots of sustain... the amp really wants to take off!

My voltages seem high on V1/V2 and low on V3 but it's sounding good so I'll leave that for now. I'l roll some tubes later and see where the voltages land.

The PI was interesting. I put some NOS tubes in V1/2/3 and set the PI. The OD sounded a little fizzy but not too bad, so I changed the PI tube(without re-doing the balance) and the whole amp came back in to focus and the fizz went away.... maybe I got lucky I'll still have to play around with that later.

I initially had the OD trim at around 25K but increasing it to 37K filled out the bottom end and balanced it better with the clean.

The PAB and OD take a little getting used to. The OD with its master vol was a bit awkward to get used to and the PAB (I think megaboost circuit) really kicks in a lot of gain. It's almost like I have 3 channels... clean with 2 drive channels

Overall, I'm really liking this circuit. It's definitely more of a rock amp!

Ian
Great Thanks! Your impressions are pretty inline with what I have found to be as well. Definitely a more aggressive Rock/Blues type amp which is why I think Dumble appropriately named it. From what I understand and have heard from others here who have built and owned this amp w/ Megaboost is the main stack is lifted completely and the HRM stack becomes the main stack, moved later in the gain structure (similar to a JCM-800 but without the follower). So ideally you want to adjust the HRM stack with the Mega-boost on so you have essentially changed the topology while in OD. You can also wire up your footswitch with a secondary switch so it energizes the PAB relay when you hit the OD switch. (I believe it was Martin that came up with that mod but double check me)
you can of course set it up however it suits you, but this is what I recommend.

The common complaint that I have is the OD can be fuzzy sounding at times (compared to an earlier 4th gen). I think this is in part due to the 715's(typo) those ceramics the Marshall style PI, GNFB and all the metal films you have throughout the amp although this does seem to help keep the low end tight allowing you to go heavier on bass control
I believe the added gain/breakup on the clean channel is due mainly to the hotter PI/ less NFB throughout etc.. (I could live on the clean channel) but at the same time might contribute to the Fuzz thing in the OD. I will however, say It doesn't really bother me as much on stage as sitting with it at home. For this reason I never really fought with mine (other than rolling in NOS glass) and if I wanted something smoother I have other ODS's that do that.
The controls feel a little weird at first but after you get used to it it's more controllable and therefore more versatile than the earlier Non-HRM's especially at lower volume levels.
I will dig out some old notes and pics and get back on the exact settings I have.
Welcome to the Bluesmaster!
Talk Soon!

Tony

[dbharris]

Great looking build!

-Dan

[talbany]

Ian


Here are the settings I have for an original Bluesmaster.

BM stack.jpg

Hope this helps

My current stack is set at 225K bass, 8.5K mids, 100K treble

Tony

[fred.violleau]

Wow it looks fantastic! Lead dress is quite impressive!! Have you recorded a clip so we can enjoy the sound of this beauty?

Cheers,

Fred.

[ijedouglas]

Ian


Here are the settings I have for an original Bluesmaster.
BM stack.jpg
Hope this helps

My current stack is set at 225K bass, 8.5K mids, 100K treble

Tony

Thanks Tony. I am travelling but will check as soon as I am back in the amp.