EF86 tone stack ideas...

[dehughes]

Hello yet again,

I'm finding it difficult to settle on a tone stack setup for my EF86 AC30/4 recreation. I'm using a 500k pot and a .0022uf cap to ground as my tone stack at present (see http://www.schematicheaven.com/newamps/ ... royale.pdf but with different values on Channel I), but with an EF86 this setup is perfect with a Tele yet too dark with an SG. I'm contemplating either modifying this setup or just going with a 6-position swtich a la the DC30.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Maybe something like the Dr. Z Stangray?

THANKS!

[jaysg]

This is the current state of my 18Watt normal channel. I think it works fine with HB and single coils.

[dehughes]

Very nice! What is the affect on the tone of things when the tone knob is turned up/down? That is, is it a brightness thing, or a midrange point thing....?

[jaysg]

Very nice! What is the affect on the tone of things when the tone knob is turned up/down? That is, is it a brightness thing, or a midrange point thing....?

It's a one knob tone control as opposed to a treble cut. It was years between one knob tone controls for me, and I kept thinking this has to blow, but it's really just fine. I think Plexi likes to use the tweed deluxe one-knob on 18Watters. It's a little different.

[dehughes]

Very cool. What amps use tone controls similar to yours? I'm asking so I can dig up a tonal frame of reference for how it works...

One other question: Where would one find a 6-position rotary switch, if desired? I'm having a hard time locating one...

Thanks!

[dehughes]

Jaysg, I changed my preamp over to one like yours (except I kept the .01uf cap of EF86 plate...) and so far I actually like it. You know, that is almost identical to a schematic I have for a Matchless "Lightening" EF86 channel, but that one uses .01uf off the plate also.

I'm not sure about that being a true Matchless Lightening schematic I have, as I don't recall them making a Matchless with an EF86 preamp, but...anyway, it works out pretty well so far. Strong midrange characteristics, but pretty nice overall...

Thanks man!

[jaysg]

Glad it's working out. They are pretty easy to wire up instead of wondering. I can't find the Grayhill DP6P rotaries I've used in the past. They're cheap plastic. mouser has a bunch of rotary switches from Alpha and others.

[dehughes]

Glad it's working out. They are pretty easy to wire up instead of wondering. I can't find the Grayhill DP6P rotaries I've used in the past. They're cheap plastic. mouser has a bunch of rotary switches from Alpha and others.

Very cool. If you stumble across some nice 6-way rotary switches, post back here and let me know where you found them. I'll check the HUGE Mouser catalog that arrived here yesterday...

Many thanks, man.

[DiademRoyale]

One other question: Where would one find a 6-position rotary switch, if desired? I'm having a hard time locating one...

Just a tip for that switch-- Try Allparts at allparts.com..... If you are a bona fide business they will sell to you at 1/2 the listed retail price. PM me if you need a hand with it.. I have some othersources for those 4 pole/ 6 position switches in a nice ceramic... Really nice switches but more $ than those from Allparts..... Hope this helps. The one knob tone setup Jaysg has shown you will sound very similar to a vox AC15with the b control set about twelve o'clock, an d using the t to set the sound you are after--- it is very versatile, as was the AC15 ..... MDW....... DiademRoyale

[dehughes]

One other question: Where would one find a 6-position rotary switch, if desired? I'm having a hard time locating one...

Just a tip for that switch-- Try Allparts at allparts.com..... If you are a bona fide business they will sell to you at 1/2 the listed retail price. PM me if you need a hand with it.. I have some othersources for those 4 pole/ 6 position switches in a nice ceramic... Really nice switches but more $ than those from Allparts..... Hope this helps. The one knob tone setup Jaysg has shown you will sound very similar to a vox AC15with the b control set about twelve o'clock, an d using the t to set the sound you are after--- it is very versatile, as was the AC15 ..... MDW....... DiademRoyale

Thanks! I'll PM you right now...

[dehughes]

What type of rotary switch would be desireable for a DC30-ish tone knob? 2 pole? 4 pole?

[CSB]

1 or 2 pole 6 position with "make-before-break" or shorting contacts. You can get the Alpha ones from Mouser for a few bucks. The shorting contacts will reduce some of the "pops" when switching between the coupling caps.

CSB

[jimipage]

www.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply) has 'em on sale right now for $1.35, part# P-H392.

[dehughes]

www.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply) has 'em on sale right now for $1.35, part# P-H392.

Thanks. I was actually going to grab P-H393, as it is the non-shorting model. I'll grab this one and do some experimenting, and if I like what I'm achieving then I'll probably look into some of the nicer, NOS rotary switch options that some of you have been kind enough to turn me on to. I'm new to the rotary switch world of plate cap swapping, so we'll see how it goes.