newbie wants to build an amp

[mikhett]

Hi My names is Mike im new to the site but am an accomplished electronics tech . I work as an ET of a govt agency. Im new to guitar playin and wouldnt new good tone from bad but im learning and listening. I currently play thru a 66 Ampeg Reverbrocket.I fixed the reverb but wanna use the amp for parts. The amp puts out about 22 watts class a/b.Could i use the pts& ots from the rr to build a TW clone? Thanks Mike

[Baltar]

Hi Mike,

basically if it's the Reverbrocket i think of (running a pair of 7591 tubes),
it may be possible to build a 6v6 tw express to fit the OT.
The PT may deliver to high voltage, but some 6v6 (eg JJ) can handle that.
I dunno if your PT has a -50v tap for bias, in case not, you'd need to
modifiy the amp to cathode bias.

but it's too bad about the ampeg. i'd keep it and go for an eg ceriatone kit.

B

[mikhett]

in it.It sounds fine. i did a 6v6 mod to it a couple of years ago. Where can i find a schematic of a TW express? Thanks Mike

[Baltar]

Hi Mike,

checkout ceriatone.com site. it's name is 'expression'
btw. i did edit my previous post while you posted

Be aware of safety precautions(those voltages can easily kill you) and

have fun

B

ps. i suggest to wary take apart the reverbrocket and do document it
(eg with fotos) in case you ever want to revert it.

pps. i'm quite sure now, your pt has no bias tap. you'd need to make the
tw cathode biased.

ppps. checkout 6v6 express builds in the forum here

[Baltar]

this thread might be extremely helpful...
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=5691

[jumpbluesdude]

Mike,
Welcome to the forum! Your amp is a vintage amp and has value beyond its parts. 8 years ago, Supros werent going for too much, but now some are worth quite a bit of money - thunderbolts were about 400 and they are about 1200 now. You may regret parting this one out later. Just a thought.

Also, as a fellow professional electronics tech, I would say be cautious with sharing your electronics knowledge and experience here. If you havent been here a long time, there are some people who like to make sport arguing. I worked on military vacuum tube gear and vacuum tube guitar amps for 20 years, but thats the internet for you. Give some people 10 minutes with a soldering iron and they will tell you what your doing wrong.

Best advice I can give you is build. Build a fender blackface copy. Build a marshall copy. These amps are considered the standard. Study the schematics. Then build a trainwreck. It will give you perspective and having those amps in your arsenal wont hurt. Thats my two cents. Good luck, have fun!

[jjman]

I’m not an expert on Ampegs but I think the Reverbrocket is one of the most currently-desirable models they had, no?

A kit would be the best approach IMHO, for any 1st build.

[RevD]

Yeah, I'd do some research and find out how much that amps worth before I'd gut it. You can probably easily get enough to buy a kit and someone else will enjoy the vintage amp. I think you'd be surprised what its worth.

Regards,

Rev. D

[briane]

yes, think long before sacrificing...cant go back.

I dunno if your PT has a -50v tap for bias, in case not, you'd need to
modifiy the amp to cathode bias.

Thats just bad info...Its wrong! You just make your own -50v off the ac (from pt HV secondary) via a 220k, a diode, and a couple of other parts. I do it all the time. Though I do believe using a PT with a centertap generally results in less humm/noise.

[M Fowler]

Mik,

Welcome to Ampgarage and enjoy. The TW layouts are here:

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewforum.php?f=3

Mark