First post from a less than novice wanna be amp builder, putting on my flame suit...
I'm thinking of buying back my old Fender PA 100 from the guy I sold it to a couple of years ago. At first I was thinking of just tinkering with the preamp but now I'm considering gutting it, keeping the transformers and reverb and starting anew.
Considering the specs; Power Transformer putting out 640V CT @ 450ma with a 60V bias, 6.6v @5.5A and a 2k 100 watt output transformer at 4ohms would this be a good candidate for an 80 watt Trainwreck Express build like in this thread:
Reading through some of the posts here it looks like the transformers won't be able to handle el34s and/or the impedance will be off if I go with just a pair. Is this right? If I stay with 6l6s will that be compatiblel with the Trainwreck Express tone stack?
Did I post this in the right forum?
Tone is in the instruments. Technique in the hands. Do what you will.
Don't bother with the PA100, it is too big and bulky and Fender transformers aren't right for an Express. Instead, spend the money on a set of transformers and a fresh trainwreck sized chassis.
I bought a PA135 a while back with high hopes, but I found that the only rel value is the transformers and the old pots. In the end, I didn't want an amp that huge.
my first question for you before anything on the technical side is this.
Have you ever played thru a even a 50 watt amp flat out and gauged its volume level and do you need a amp that will be pretty much that same (the 100 watter) but with twice the amount of clean head room before the output stage clips?
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!
Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
mhartman wrote:Don't bother with the PA100, it is too big and bulky and Fender transformers aren't right for an Express. Instead, spend the money on a set of transformers and a fresh trainwreck sized chassis.
Truth be told my favorite tones I ever got from an amp was a JCM 800 4104 dimed on the low input. Maybe I'll pass on the PA 100 and go back to looking at that JTM 50 kit.
Tone is in the instruments. Technique in the hands. Do what you will.
You could do a nice 100w. SSS with it. 6 preamp tubes plus room for one more sets it up nicely. Still, unless it is really cheap, do a fresh build instead of a conversion.
