Parts for Francesca clone

[Omar]

So I'm going to build my Express clone based on the pics of Francesca. I'm trying to make as exact of a clone as possible but I have a few questions about the parts in the pics.

- Coupling Caps
Which Orange Drops are they? 715, 716 or PS? 400V or 600V?

- Resistor value on filter caps
Looks like two 100k/2W(?) carbon comps in series off the large filter caps (I'm assuming 40uF from the Kelly schem). Is this correct?

- Carbon film resistors
Looking for a source for 1/2 watts. Metro carries only the 1 watt versions.

- Wire
Appears to be solid core. What guage? I'm assuming PVC?

- Knobs
Part number and/or vendor?

- Pilot Light
Any one know where to get an exact copy?

Omar

[doctord02]

Knobs are manufactured by Davies; Mouser part # 5164-1510...
Orange drop caps are Mallory PVC 10% 600volt.... Polyester Film/Foil I'm not sure these are currently available.
* edit* looks like Newark has them:
http://www.newark.com/product-details/t ... /7149.html

[HeeBGB]

You know Omar....I am looking to have another ampfest soon and I was hoping to get Nat and Francesca back for a visit. Got any plans to visit NYC?

[Omar]

You know Omar....I am looking to have another ampfest soon and I was hoping to get Nat and Francesca back for a visit. Got any plans to visit NYC?

Man, would I love to be there. But I don't think I could leave my wife for the weekend with our 3 year old and 4 month old to go check out Franchesca. She might get a jealous!

If I finish my amp in time for your ampfest, maybe I can send it to you again. Hopefully this one will get a better response than my first Trainwreck clone.

Omar

[Omar]

Knobs are manufactured by Davies; Mouser part # 5164-1510...
Orange drop caps are Mallory PVC 10% 600volt.... Polyester Film/Foil I'm not sure these are currently available.
* edit* looks like Newark has them:
http://www.newark.com/product-details/t ... /7149.html

Thanks doc! Those are the knobs I was looking at but wasn't sure if they were the same. I also found the Mallory PVC's at Mouser. Wow, they aren't cheap!

Omar

[gnugear]

Hey Omar,
I was just talking to John (soZo) about the orange drops and he said that they're the same composition as his caps (mylar) and not the same as 715/716 orange drops or Mallory 150s.

That might be cheaper than trying to find the originals.

[Omar]

gnugear
Thanks for the info buy as painful as it might be, I'm trying to duplicate everything to a T. I'm even trying to get the same color wire! I'll probably end up making a few exceptions but I wanted to at least get the components dead on.

This project may end up driving me insane ...

Omar

[HeeBGB]

What do you mean it MIGHT end up driving you insane?.........You're already there!!

[Dai H.]

the 1/2-watters on the Francesca board look like the ones from Mouser. The big filters Mallory TC series? The coupling caps maybe some of the older ones (Mallory PVC series) came in brown? I seem to recall the caps in that one set of blurry pics from some ebay auction (of another Trainwreck) also being dark brown. The forked turrets are kind of neat.

[Omar]

What do you mean it MIGHT end up driving you insane?.........You're already there!!

Insane? No, the other 3 amp builders in my head are insane. I just listen to what they tell me to build

Thanks for the replies. They have been helpful.

Any thoughts on the wire, PS resistors or pilot light?

Omar

[pbrommer]

I MAY have a lead on a place to get the Mallory PVC caps... I sent them a short email about ordering small quantities (all film caps will be about $12.00 + shipping). I will let you know what I hear. The only thing is that they don't stock a PVC612 (0.02uF), but rather a PVC6122 (0.022uF). I will get back to you some time tomorrow evening about this lead. Otherwise, we might need to have a buy-in to Mouser for the caps. (except short the 0.02uF which is non-stocked and in quantities of 10).


Oh yeah, hi guys. Been lurking awhile ever since catching a whiff of a trainwreck-like build somewhere on the internet that led here. BUT, I've never built a tube amp.... so this one is in the wings for a bit (like a year and a half or so: I have a wedding to pay for next summer!). You guys are great, and I've picked up so much from the reading.

Patrick

[Omar]

Patrick,
First of all, welcome to the board. We always enjoy having new members no matter what their experience level is in tube amp building.

I have contacted Mouser about getting the PVC's in other values and reducing the minimum order from 10 to 1. I was able to get them to change their minimum order for Mallory TC's a couple years ago and also requested they carry more values, which they do. I haven't heard back from them yet.

Let us know on your lead for the PVC's as well.

Omar

[pbrommer]

Actually, I may have found a second last night.

As far as I can tell, one place definately will sell tham (a little more at abou $15.00 for the caps), but there is a $25 minimum order. The other I will see when they reply to my email. The one that I emailed is in Ohio.
These caps are hard to find! Plus, I really don't need to be spending more money... argh.

Patrick

*edited to sound like less of a repetatively redundant moron

[BlueDragon]

How does it sounds ? Any sound samples or similar amps to compare ?

Thanks.

[pbrommer]

Hey guys--
I've just placed an order with said 2nd company. I will report back with information regarding this transaction.. I just hope my company (the school I work for) will be okay. Otherwise I'm S.O.L

Patrick