New to the forum--need help modifying a schematic/layout

[jhawk]

Hey guys! Brand new to the forum. I'm hoping to build my own amp before the year is over. I know little about circuits and such, but I am great at following directions and I'm pretty handy.

I want to take a Brownface Vibrolux/Vibroverb and make a few changes. In my mind they don't seem all that dramatic, but with my limited knowledge I'm not really sure.

Here's how I want the front panel to be, left to right:
*Two typical high/low impedance inputs
*Channel 1 controls--Mids switch, Volume, Bass, Treble, Master Volume
*Channel 2 controls--Mids switch, Volume, Bass, Treble, Master Volume
*Master reverb
*Dwell control for the reverb
*Pilot light

30-35 watts, 6L6. Switching between channels would be done via footswitch. The master reverb would also be footswitchable. The mids switch would be a 3-way slider that boosted/cut the mids (bypassed in the center position). Each channel having it's own master volume means I can get overdrive sounds in smaller venues from both channels without pedals.

Ambitious? Probably! But I think it would be a great amp. Hopefully you guys can help me out.

[passfan]

Welcome to the forum. Honestly if I take the time to design all that I'm not going to give it away. You start it and when you have a specific question we'll do our collective best to answer it, but all the work and hard stuff will be up to you.

[jhawk]

Oh no I wouldn't expect anyone to do a complete design job without compensation. My hope was that someone had done some of the modifications I'm looking for already, that's all. But I suppose I'll have to scour the forums!

[ampgeek]

Welcome Jhawk!

Ambitious....yes. However, great achievements are not made without ambition.

Passfan is right though. You will need to do the heavy lifting to start or you won't learn very much from your honorable efforts.

I suggest starting with your basic Vibroverb schematic and then finding other (hopefully Fender'ish) schematics with the options that you are looking to add. See how and where those options are implemented and look for similar locations in the basic schematic.

Present an option or two at a time (via schematic) for each add-on here and you are sure to get relevant and helpful feedback (no pun intended) from those that have either pondered or done the same before you.

And...let the learning begin!!

Good luck,
Dave O.

[gui_tarzan]

Yep, scour the forums, there is a TON of great information out there. When you consider what a byte weighs that puts it in perspective.

I used to "repair" Fenders many years ago but it was just a passing hobby at that time, now I'm actually repairing amps as a little more than just a hobby and have built two from scratch so far. Only one worked though so instead of trying to put multiple features from different schematics together (bad idea when you don't totally understand how the circuits work) I decided to start over with an existing layout and modify it to do what I want. Yes, it's extra work, but I'm learning theory while doing it so I am more than just a parts swapper.

My point is, you have to understand WHY and HOW the circuits do what they do or you won't be able to make feature X from amp Y work in amp Z without being completely frustrated and/or screwing something up.

And my gosh, make damned sure you understand where the high voltages are in the amp and practice safety as if your life depended on it - because it does!

[gui_tarzan]

dupe post

[JazzGuitarGimp]

You probably won't find the mid switch in a Fender design. You might want to look to the Ampeg VT-22 schematic for that.

[steveneddy]

If you haven't built an amp before from scratch you may want to start with some simple circuits and go up from there.

So - where are you experience wise building amps?