Hand-Wiring AC15?

The New Steve H · Post by **The New Steve H** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:59 pm

Friend of mine has a Vox AC15. He is thinking about getting rid of the existing PCB and replacing it with a hand-wired turret board with good components.

I have not looked at the amp. I know people do this to the PCB Bassman reissues. Sound like a difficult project? I would expect it to be a whole lot easier than building an amp from nothing.

Gibsonman63 · Post by **Gibsonman63** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:24 pm

It's do-able. Guys do it all the time with the BFDR-RI amps. The rub is knowing where to draw the line. The transformers, speakers and cabinet all add to tone. If you take it that far, you've pretty much replaced everything except for the chassis, but have only one amplifier, that's not worth near what you put into it. Figure out how far you want to take it, then decide if you want to mod the amp he has, or sell it to buy parts to really do it right. A new build may end up being less work as well.

Zippy · Post by **Zippy** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:24 pm

The New Steve H wrote:Friend of mine has a Vox AC15. He is thinking about getting rid of the existing PCB and replacing it with a hand-wired turret board with good components.

The first question to ask is "Why?" Is it not working well? A good PCB is fine.

The New Steve H wrote:I have not looked at the amp. I know people do this to the PCB Bassman reissues. Sound like a difficult project? I would expect it to be a whole lot easier than building an amp from nothing.

"Easier" will depend on how the chassis is arranged, how the sockets are mounted, what kind of pots are in it, etc.

Share a gut shot and we can give more insight to the challenges.

The New Steve H · Post by **The New Steve H** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:25 pm

I'm wondering if this thing has irritating things like ribbon connectors in it, to make rebuilding a pain. Guess I'll find out if we open it up.

The New Steve H · Post by **The New Steve H** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:28 pm

If we go forward I'll post photos.

Gibsonman63 · Post by **Gibsonman63** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:53 pm

I would be very surprised if the pots were not mounted on the PC board. I would imagine that you are going to have to strip it down to almost a bare chassis. You may have to re-drill the holes to accept decent pots.

If you are only replacing the PC board with a turrent board, then there are probably other things you can do to get more bang for the buck, considering the amount of labor involved.

NickC · Post by **NickC** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:09 pm

Gibsonman63 wrote:I would be very surprised if the pots were not mounted on the PC board. I would imagine that you are going to have to strip it down to almost a bare chassis. You may have to re-drill the holes to accept decent pots.

If you are only replacing the PC board with a turrent board, then there are probably other things you can do to get more bang for the buck, considering the amount of labor involved.

I agree 100%.

I rebuilt a Sovtek MIG50. Replaced the PCB (with PCB mounted pots) with a DIY turret board and chassis mounted pots (no layout diagram existed, had to DIY) and much milling of the chassis. It was a lot more work and expense than I predicted. Afterward I felt like the poster child for the saying "Fools rush in where heroes fear to tread." Granted, I learned a lot ..... but there are probably better (and cheaper) paths to learning than that.

The New Steve H · Post by **The New Steve H** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:20 pm

I am not eager to take on another impossible quest at the moment. Two in a row were plenty.

YouTube · Post by **xtian** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:30 pm

And after all that work, you'll finally power it up, and it will sound...basically the same.

tubeswell · Post by **tubeswell** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:10 pm

But on the other hand (as all sick tube amp junkies know

), converting a PCB to PTP is not about the end product, its about the journey.

So if you feel inclined, go for it. More to learn along the way. And more practice (with your layout technique etc).

kg6epv · Post by **kg6epv** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:18 pm

Let me know if you want to put in a set of custom transformers, I can help. Have fun with your build! All the best, Bob, Transformer Design and Supply

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:43 pm

Bob,

Where the hell have you been!

The custom Marshall 18w set sound great!

Mark

kg6epv · Post by **kg6epv** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:34 pm

Hi Mark, I have been around, just staying busy... Thank you for the compliment! We really try to keep our customers happy... and my Dad is a genius when it comes to transformer design... 50 years of experience helps a lot! Bill and I have been building them for 40+ years too, since we were boys, and that helps. All of our crew have been there for more than 20 years, and they deserve much of the credit. It really helps when you work with people who take their job seriously and do their best, day in, day out. They are like family. We have built several of the 18W sets and everyone loves them, but I never get tired of hearing it!!! That is why I love my job, I get to make people happy! I have personally offered a money back, total satisfaction guarantee for many years, and I have still never had to make good on it!
We have a bunch of new models too, we are doing many of the popular classic amps transformers, we wanted to start covering them because a lot of folks asked for them, seems there are not many choices for the folks who want top of the line transformers for their amps, unless they want to spend a small fortune... we have not skimped on these, we never do that, but we tried to keep the cost down so people could afford them. If I can help you with any other models you want to build, let me know, if we don't build it we will design it if folks want them...
It is good to hear from you, Mark! And I am glad you are enjoying your amp, I will tell Bill you said so, he loves to hear it too. We are all taking Friday off, we worked longer days all week so we can have a long weekend. We usually stay busy, and we have my Aunt Jane and cousins visiting from back east now too, plus the other day my cats got into something here at the house- I don't know what it was- so I had to take them to the vet yesterday- OWWW! I don't know which hurt worse- watching them suffer, or paying the vet bill! Yeow! I hope they get better soon, even though they like to step on my keyboard, never thought I would miss that!
I am pretty sure I have the pics of your amp build on my slideshow on my computer, there are a bunch of them on there, it reminds me of why I love my job. All of us at TDS like to help out amp builders, I know it makes me feel I am contributing to making great music- I am sure not doing it with my guitar playing, LOL!!!
But my Dad designed Paul McCartney's transformers for his new bass amp- and that was really, really cool. We were fighting over who got to assemble them. Not often people fight over who gets to do the most work...
i had better get back to my paperwork. You can reach me anytime by email, and we still have our modest website, we don't want pay someone to put up a fancy one, we would have to raise the transformer prices to pay for it, so I will have to build a better website myself. I am at kg6epv @ yahoo.com and our website is at www.transformerdesignandsupply.com

Good to hear from you again Mark, drop a line anytime, I always have email with me on my phone, and i love to talk transformers!

Weathered · Post by **Weathered** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:20 pm

Bob - you've got an e-mail.

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:30 pm

Bob take care and thanks for the update in your world

Mark

Tube Amp Archive

Hand-Wiring AC15?

Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

AC15

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Cool!

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?

Re: Hand-Wiring AC15?