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Posted: 5/30/2022 9:15:35 PM EDT
Just a hobbyist "paint by numbers" amp assembler here. My only other amp project was a Hoffman BF Deluxe Reverb. Progress may be slow, but if there is interest I'll post pics along the way....
I went with the Valvestorm kit with the Royal Mustard caps. I got an extra order of the wire as well so I don't have to worry about running out or keeping things short. For transformers I got Heyboer USA - (power) (output) Here's the layout -  Parts -  I didn't feel like doing finger joints this time so I found that old blasting powder case on ebay in just the right size. |
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Posted: 5/30/2022 10:05:48 PM EDT
[#1]
So far I made a stand (really wish I had done this last time) and sorted out the resistors. I also picked up a QuadHands (USA) which should help a good bit. Tomorrow I'll start mounting the hardware and see how far I get.
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Posted: 5/30/2022 11:33:00 PM EDT
[#2]
That is a cool project. I really look forward to seeing the progress.
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Posted: 5/31/2022 2:15:38 PM EDT
[#3]
That's gonna have some mojo with the blasting cap crate.
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Posted: 6/1/2022 12:06:35 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That is a cool project. I really look forward to seeing the progress.    
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Posted: 6/1/2022 12:24:31 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That is a cool project. I really look forward to seeing the progress.  Left some hardware off the back to run the heater wires (hopefully tomorrow).     |
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Posted: 6/2/2022 1:13:52 PM EDT
[#6]
Cool
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Posted: 6/2/2022 2:40:31 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks. Busy day so I figured I'd at least just get the chassis cleaned up. Couldn't stop there though so I sorted out some parts. It all made sense after I found one of the little bags out of a dozen (other than the self explanatory fuses) was labeled (PT) https://i.imgur.com/qPxOHH4.jpg Left some hardware off the back to run the heater wires (hopefully tomorrow). https://i.imgur.com/HPA8TyZ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VsUL5dq.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vGkn7Bi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DxMfWTM.jpg Nice progress on the build. That is going to look and sound killer. |
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Posted: 6/2/2022 4:10:41 PM EDT
[#8]
My soldering looks like someone threw the Tin Man into a wood chipper so I'm always impressed by these amp and pedal builds...
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Posted: 6/2/2022 10:00:58 PM EDT
[#9]
Thanks everybody :)
Progress on the power section today - Power transformer, big capacitor, & rectifier socket is about done, output transformer primaries, and heater wires.    ETA - Power transformer from link was color coded the same as the layout. |
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Posted: 6/3/2022 9:57:32 PM EDT
[#10]
Ready for the board. Input jacks are all done (bit cramped even without the board - glad I got them done first this time).
  
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Posted: 6/12/2022 9:15:56 PM EDT
[#11]
Finally got some free time today.
Ground buss, controls and front end hookups all done.   Sorted out the power transformer wiring (they sent a schematic) and it turned out to be the same wire colors as the layout in the OP. Second pic is the power tube sockets (bottom right in first pic) all done now.   V2 socket is also done   ETA -weird I have no idea why Imgur deleted these. I had come back to this to point out a mistake with the shielded ground buss swooping across which should have been on lug #4 not #3. |
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Posted: 6/13/2022 11:01:15 PM EDT
[#12]
Way easier to push the wires through the board, strip and attach them at the point, sort out the lead dress, then attach them at the board where you have room to strip them and attach them easily. Did this backwards from last time basically - saved a lot of time not to install the board after all the wires were attached to it. Also it takes way more heat to do the hook ups so do the components on top of the board last. This is 100% hooked up now and the components will be easy and fast comparatively. The hard parts are all done.
V1 & V3 - preamp tubes done.  V1& V2  V3  Impedance selector, Outputs & footswitch   ETA - the shielded buss running across the board on the top right in the last pic should have ended on lug #4 from the top right not #3. |
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Posted: 6/14/2022 9:50:45 AM EDT
[#13]
I wish I had the patience to do stuff like this… very cool build!
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Posted: 6/14/2022 10:01:20 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I wish I had the patience to do stuff like this very cool build! It gets overwhelming when you look at all you have to do on the layout or someone's finished pic. I just have to step back and take it one thing at a time. Will say I got a bit drunk to celebrate getting to this point though. |
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Posted: 6/15/2022 10:02:55 PM EDT
[#15]
Weird that imgur deleted a post worth of pictures - wanted to point out I had to move the black shielded ground buss from the top right turret #3 to #4 (correct in pic below). Mounted all the components so now all I have to do is solder the tops of the turrets.
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Posted: 6/16/2022 11:29:40 PM EDT
[#16]
Nice work
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Posted: 6/17/2022 11:10:24 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice work Thanks
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Posted: 6/17/2022 11:12:01 AM EDT
[#18]
Finished soldering the board, and everything else for that matter. I think it is ready to plug in but will look it over while I work up the nerve.
  
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Posted: 6/17/2022 11:27:31 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Finished soldering the board, and everything else for that matter. I think it is ready to plug in but will look it over while I work up the nerve. https://i.imgur.com/TIWDm5h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ljsp49l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LgLb59e.jpg Looking good. I'm sure you already know but be careful when you energize the amp. A lot of exposed points on the board that will cause you to have a very bad day. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful glow of tubes and hearing the sweet Marshall distortion. 
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Posted: 6/17/2022 9:30:07 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Looking good. I'm sure you already know but be careful when you energize the amp. A lot of exposed points on the board that will cause you to have a very bad day. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful glow of tubes and hearing the sweet Marshall distortion. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Finished soldering the board, and everything else for that matter. I think it is ready to plug in but will look it over while I work up the nerve. https://i.imgur.com/TIWDm5h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ljsp49l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LgLb59e.jpg Looking good. I'm sure you already know but be careful when you energize the amp. A lot of exposed points on the board that will cause you to have a very bad day. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful glow of tubes and hearing the sweet Marshall distortion. And yeah good looking out - can never be too careful. |
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Posted: 6/20/2022 11:10:13 PM EDT
[#21]
Did the amp startup today. Works. Really quiet. Didn't "play" it but it makes (nice) sound from both channels and everything is working. All in all I'm psyched.
However, the cathode resistor which biases the power tubes was rated 180ohms but now that I've tested it, it is 130ohms (the white blocky one near the power end of the board). New resistors ordered and if that doesn't get it in line I'll get a higher value. It is expected to have to possibly adjust this value (but sucks that the one I got was so far off). Sad thing was that as a result this ended up being shortly before blowing at least one nice old Amperex EL84 while trying to figure out what was going on with the voltmeter. It was running at 150% of max tube dissipation   |
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Posted: 6/24/2022 10:33:35 PM EDT
[#22]
Got it down to 91.7% dissipation with a 220R cathode bias resistor and it is alive and well. I'll probably swap in a 250R and try to get down to ~85% but I played it for several hours and the tubes held up fine.
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Posted: 6/24/2022 11:12:14 PM EDT
[#23]
Nice work!
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Posted: 6/24/2022 11:28:44 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Got it down to 91.7% dissipation with a 220R cathode bias resistor and it is alive and well. I'll probably swap in a 250R and try to get down to ~85% but I played it for several hours and the tubes held up fine. https://i.imgur.com/eRCqv9v.jpg  Attached File |
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Posted: 6/25/2022 9:07:58 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Got it down to 91.7% dissipation with a 220R cathode bias resistor and it is alive and well. I'll probably swap in a 250R and try to get down to ~85% but I played it for several hours and the tubes held up fine. https://i.imgur.com/eRCqv9v.jpg Beautiful job on your amp. Clean and organized... I don't want to make you nervous or second guess yourself, but you may wish to double check your voltages. It's not surprising the kit was shipped with a 130R cathode resistor as that was the OEM value. What is surprising is that you had to go to 220R. Most folks IIRC are using a 150R to 180R to bias it with modern wall voltages. Unfortunately, I can't remember my login at 18Watt.com so I can't check and see if the board is still alive. If you are not a member of 18Watt and it is still alive, I'd recommend you join and ask the question there. 10 or 15 years ago they were the gurus on that specific amp and it was a who's who of the most knowledgeable folks in the amateur amp building community. I've only built fixed bias push-pull amps so I can't give you much more than vague recollections from my former studies on your cathode bias amp. I feel you pain on the Amperex tube. I once had a Mullard EL-34 XF1 fail with an internal short that took out a good portion of my power supply. The Mullard was found in old equipment so I got it for free. But if you want to see why a grown man can cry, Google the going rate for an XF1 Mullard EL-34. 
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Posted: 6/26/2022 2:59:32 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Beautiful job on your amp. Clean and organized... I don't want to make you nervous or second guess yourself, but you may wish to double check your voltages. It's not surprising the kit was shipped with a 130R cathode resistor as that was the OEM value. What is surprising is that you had to go to 220R. Most folks IIRC are using a 150R to 180R to bias it with modern wall voltages. Unfortunately, I can't remember my login at 18Watt.com so I can't check and see if the board is still alive. If you are not a member of 18Watt and it is still alive, I'd recommend you join and ask the question there. 10 or 15 years ago they were the gurus on that specific amp and it was a who's who of the most knowledgeable folks in the amateur amp building community. I've only built fixed bias push-pull amps so I can't give you much more than vague recollections from my former studies on your cathode bias amp. I feel you pain on the Amperex tube. I once had a Mullard EL-34 XF1 fail with an internal short that took out a good portion of my power supply. The Mullard was found in old equipment so I got it for free. But if you want to see why a grown man can cry, Google the going rate for an XF1 Mullard EL-34. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Got it down to 91.7% dissipation with a 220R cathode bias resistor and it is alive and well. I'll probably swap in a 250R and try to get down to ~85% but I played it for several hours and the tubes held up fine. https://i.imgur.com/eRCqv9v.jpg Beautiful job on your amp. Clean and organized... I don't want to make you nervous or second guess yourself, but you may wish to double check your voltages. It's not surprising the kit was shipped with a 130R cathode resistor as that was the OEM value. What is surprising is that you had to go to 220R. Most folks IIRC are using a 150R to 180R to bias it with modern wall voltages. Unfortunately, I can't remember my login at 18Watt.com so I can't check and see if the board is still alive. If you are not a member of 18Watt and it is still alive, I'd recommend you join and ask the question there. 10 or 15 years ago they were the gurus on that specific amp and it was a who's who of the most knowledgeable folks in the amateur amp building community. I've only built fixed bias push-pull amps so I can't give you much more than vague recollections from my former studies on your cathode bias amp. I feel you pain on the Amperex tube. I once had a Mullard EL-34 XF1 fail with an internal short that took out a good portion of my power supply. The Mullard was found in old equipment so I got it for free. But if you want to see why a grown man can cry, Google the going rate for an XF1 Mullard EL-34. That really sucks about the tube and power supply! I have some very expensive 6v6s especially. I'm really psyched that the el84s are relatively less sought after. Looking back I only had $20 in the Amperex and was able to find some Blackburn Mullards for $35 ea.
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Posted: 6/26/2022 3:00:27 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuote HistoryQuoted: Nice work!
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Posted: 6/26/2022 10:33:44 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks guys - I'll post a short demo when I have a chance to get out a good mic. Good to hear your bias resistor is in the normal range for today. My next question was going to be if you could provide a clip. I'm looking forward to hearing it. |
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Posted: 7/3/2022 12:36:08 PM EDT
[#29]
All done with the case (will still get to a demo soon).
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Posted: 7/3/2022 12:44:40 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: All done with the case (will still get to a demo soon). https://i.imgur.com/PptQs9W.jpg https://i.imgur.com/w6F5do0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3AGkDZ4.jpg That looks great. I can't wait to hear it. This thread rekindled my want to try building amps and I'm planning on build over Winter. Thank you for sharing your project. |
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Posted: 7/3/2022 1:35:32 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That looks great. I can't wait to hear it. This thread rekindled my want to try building amps and I'm planning on build over Winter. Thank you for sharing your project. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: All done with the case (will still get to a demo soon). https://i.imgur.com/PptQs9W.jpg https://i.imgur.com/w6F5do0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3AGkDZ4.jpg That looks great. I can't wait to hear it. This thread rekindled my want to try building amps and I'm planning on build over Winter. Thank you for sharing your project.  Have you picked out what you want to build (I may have some advise on suppliers / layouts)? |
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Posted: 7/3/2022 1:52:33 PM EDT
[#32]
Nice clean work!
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Posted: 7/3/2022 2:36:35 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks for following along and glad to hear it motivated you Have you picked out what you want to build (I may have some advise on suppliers / layouts)? I was going to try one of the Trinity Amp kits and was leaning toward their Triwatt (Hiwatt) one but looks like they don't have kits anymore. I may just cut my teeth on a Fender clone kit now. I have a couple of Marshall's and Mesa Boogies so I was going to try something a little different. I'm not sure anymore. I'm very open to suggestions. |
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Posted: 7/3/2022 4:22:47 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice clean work! Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice clean work! Thanks Quoted: I was going to try one of the Trinity Amp kits and was leaning toward their Triwatt (Hiwatt) one but looks like they don't have kits anymore. I may just cut my teeth on a Fender clone kit now. I have a couple of Marshall's and Mesa Boogies so I was going to try something a little different. I'm not sure anymore. I'm very open to suggestions. My other (first) build was a BFDR layout with the earlier (brown face) bias vary tremolo from Hoffman. It sounds amazing and both the tremolo and the reverb are super well dialed in. I think he plays surf or something. I can't stand the later tremolos fender used (the real swoopy optio style) but this one is subtle and pretty much always on. Very complicated but there are a wide range of simpler ones to start off on if you want. Obviously I didn't take that advise myself. He doesn't have "kits" like others but has a full parts list with good prices. Not a step-by-step but his layouts are really complete and detailed and really dialed in and there are hookup notes. The website is a bit clunky but just keep clicking until you find what you want. Once you open the parts list you can use it as a guide and swap other components that are linked from his store (e.g. if you want carbon comp. vs. metal, higher end caps, etc.) or leave some out if you want to source them elsewhere. Transformers and tubes will have to be sourced outside last I checked. https://hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=PartsListIndex.htm&ORDER_ID= The project links on the right have the layouts and notes and the parts lists are obviously on the left. |
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Posted: 7/4/2022 10:39:06 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks My other (first) build was a BFDR layout with the earlier (brown face) bias vary tremolo from Hoffman. It sounds amazing and both the tremolo and the reverb are super well dialed in. I think he plays surf or something. I can't stand the later tremolos fender used (the real swoopy optio style) but this one is subtle and pretty much always on. Very complicated but there are a wide range of simpler ones to start off on if you want. Obviously I didn't take that advise myself. He doesn't have "kits" like others but has a full parts list with good prices. Not a step-by-step but his layouts are really complete and detailed and really dialed in and there are hookup notes. The website is a bit clunky but just keep clicking until you find what you want. Once you open the parts list you can use it as a guide and swap other components that are linked from his store (e.g. if you want carbon comp. vs. metal, higher end caps, etc.) or leave some out if you want to source them elsewhere. Transformers and tubes will have to be sourced outside last I checked. https://hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=PartsListIndex.htm&ORDER_ID= The project links on the right have the layouts and notes and the parts lists are obviously on the left. Thank you for the info. I'll dig through the site and see what looks like fun for a project. |
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Posted: 7/6/2022 9:22:18 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I was going to try one of the Trinity Amp kits and was leaning toward their Triwatt (Hiwatt) one but looks like they don't have kits anymore. I may just cut my teeth on a Fender clone kit now. I have a couple of Marshall's and Mesa Boogies so I was going to try something a little different. I'm not sure anymore. I'm very open to suggestions. I'm actually in the process of building a Trinity Triwatt. I build from scratch so the lack of kits didn't stop me. There is a good enough BOM and enough info on the Trinty site that if you are motivated you could build it w/o the kit by sourcing the parts yourself. That said, some of the Fenders are easy amps to put together and sound great. |
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Posted: 7/7/2022 10:45:14 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm actually in the process of building a Trinity Triwatt. I build from scratch so the lack of kits didn't stop me. There is a good enough BOM and enough info on the Trinty site that if you are motivated you could build it w/o the kit by sourcing the parts yourself. That said, some of the Fenders are easy amps to put together and sound great. Well I guess I'll start compiling a list and see about sourcing some parts. I need to order some more pedal components soon anyway so whats a few more trinkets here and there.
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Posted: 8/4/2022 12:24:37 PM EDT
[#38]
Did you get a chance to crank the amp and get the tubes cooking? Get to grab any sound clips from the amp that can be shared?
The bad influences here pushed me over the edge and I started ordering parts. So far a few turret boards and some small parts to start with. One will be based on the Marshall 1959 Super lead circuit another a Vox AC15 and then a Hiwatt DR504. I think this should keep me busy through Winter. |
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Posted: 8/4/2022 3:24:05 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Did you get a chance to crank the amp and get the tubes cooking? Get to grab any sound clips from the amp that can be shared? The bad influences here pushed me over the edge and I started ordering parts. So far a few turret boards and some small parts to start with. One will be based on the Marshall 1959 Super lead circuit another a Vox AC15 and then a Hiwatt DR504. I think this should keep me busy through Winter. So I got the mic out and then work happened. I'll get a sound clip up this weekend for sure. |
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Posted: 8/4/2022 10:02:57 PM EDT
[#40]
With so much room in the head have you thought about putting an attenuator and a couple smaller speakers in that enclosure for low volume practicing?
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Posted: 8/5/2022 8:46:54 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: With so much room in the head have you thought about putting an attenuator and a couple smaller speakers in that enclosure for low volume practicing? The 18W is not actually as loud as I expected though (which is great for me) even though it is biased fairly hot still. I.e. I can crank it in the front room (50x20, includes the kitchen...) and my wife doesn't flinch. If I do that with the 6v6 deluxe reverb she can't be in the room. That's a little uncontrolled though because I was using both speakers with the DR up until building this. I haven't done an actual A/B yet because one side of the cab they are sharing is a Tone Tubby and the other is a WGS alnico. |
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Posted: 8/7/2022 3:15:55 PM EDT
[#42]
Hate watching myself play when I'm way out of practice like now....
Straight in with an A/B pedal and Tremolo switch - starts with the normal channel on 5 and then switches to the tremolo side on 10 then same side with tremolo off.  18W Tremolo Demo |
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Posted: 8/7/2022 5:14:51 PM EDT
[#43]
Dat normal channel...
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Posted: 8/7/2022 7:31:56 PM EDT
[#44]
The amp sounds really good. I'm not generally a tremolo guy but what you had dialed in was nice and usable. The normal channel sounded really nice and full. Thanks for posting up the thread and sharing the build here.
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Posted: 8/7/2022 8:30:13 PM EDT
[#45]
Thanks guys.
I was always used to the optio- style tremolo that came with Fenders (everything after the brownface era) etc. and never found it useful at all. It chops in and out instead of swooping. Blech. This one and the Hoffman BFDR use bias vary tremolo which is actually shifting the bias on the power tubes and causing it to get louder and softer naturally. I went from never on to on at a low level (this recording was on 5 intensity just to hear it better - I generally dial it back further). It is a little harder on the tubes. Also a bit unfair comparison between the tremolo channel fully blasted out with unsupported single notes vs. the normal channel with chords. IMO the tremolo channel does everything better and if I'm using one that's it. I should do another one with the pedal board the way I would normally use it - some awesome lead tones out of there with appropriate supplementation. |
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