183 build with reverb...

[hywelg]

Nice mcinku. Love that snakeskin tolex, looks real classy.

How did you manage sourcing parts? or did you have to get them from the US?

[tag101]

Must admit building this amp was quite a journey for me. I wanted this to be build from scratch and when I started I didn't know what I'm getting into... Before this one I built quite a few C-tone kits but this time I wanted to build something C-tone can't offer.

First of all I wanted to add a verb... (thanks Gary, your posts were a big help). I tried both designes 12AX7 and 6BM8 and I think I prefer 12AX7 design. I used large can with three springs and I get beautiful hall like reverb. I had to change the design a bit to make this work for me but I really like the outcome.
Next I decided to use Marshall style PT, as I had one laying around and this was opportunity to use it. Because of this decision I had to change bias network and change the dropping string resistors to get the B+ voltages in the neighbourhood. So I ended up with 1K, 12K and 2K2. For the bias network I just copied the Marshall design… which was a bit difficult to implement but I managed somehow. I used 6CA7 power tubes as I had a pair in the shop already.

So when I started I decided to design and build my own chassis as well… I had no clue how much work that was… At the end I found a company which built the 8 tube chassis for me but it took a lot of trips before they got it right. After that I had to make custom faceplates as well… and at that time I decided to come up with my own brand name. I decided to build 10 chassis and 10 faceplate sets… as it was just too much effort to end up with just one set at the end.
And to make this journey perfect I build 10 sets of boards as well. PCB for small ones and eyelet for main board.
BTW I didn’t use “of the shelf” trannies as well… my friend build those, so this really is a build from scratch amp.
In tweaking phase I changed V2a coupling cap from 0.01uF to 0.005uF. I thought there was to bit much low end in the OD sound…

Thanks everybody for contributing on this forum. This amp would never be born if this forum would not exist.

…and this is the final product.
…and man this thing sounds great.

That looks killer! LOVE the color! Any sound clips? How does she sound? Must sound great if its half as good as it looks.

[sonicmojo]

Very nice build and way to go with the custom chassis! I re-tolexed a Super60 combo for my son in that same snakeskin. It is killer looking on a Dumble. Now you just need to make a matching speaker cab!

[mcinku]

Nice mcinku. Love that snakeskin tolex, looks real classy.

How did you manage sourcing parts? or did you have to get them from the US?

From everywhere really... sourcing parts is not an easy task.
Most parts from Tube Town.
I bought PS caps here http://www.audiocap.co.uk/ps-polyester- ... s-49-c.asp
the rest from ebay.

[mcinku]

Now you just need to make a matching speaker cab!

Combination with matching speaker looks even better...

[mcinku]

Any sound clips? How does she sound? Must sound great if its half as good as it looks.

Well I recorded something right after I built the amp... even before the fine tuning. I have to make new recording when time permits.

clean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2J6Yq0joBI

OD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0oGxerbYzg

[hywelg]

Combination with matching speaker looks even better...

Looks stunning. I noticed your mic placement in that clean video, is that a 1x15? Or a 2x12 with the mic on edge?

[hywelg]

is that a 1x15?

OK got it now, saw it mentioned in the other video, its a 1x12, g12-65. Sounds good for a 1x12 open or closed back?

[mcinku]

Looks stunning. I noticed your mic placement in that video, is that a 1x15? Or a 2x12 with the mic on edge?

1x12" G12-65 in oversized cab... I really like that cab. It really fills up the room and still has a tight low and... but like I mentioned I changed V2a coupling cap from 0.01uF to 0.005uF.
Forgot to mention... it's open back cab.

[Dr d]

That sounds really great! I've not really understood the big deal with the 183 circuit, but yours sounds sweet! Well done.

[rogb]

Very good work, like the sound and especially the snakeskin, oh yes

[erwin_ve]

Great looking built Mcinku! Happy New Year!

[mcinku]

Appreciate the comments guys...

...and all the best to everyone of you in 2013