gmacleod15
197 posts
Jan 23, 2013
10:25 AM
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This is an older post...see later posts to see how the project ended.
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I am looking for some advice and thoughts on an amp project that I think I will start.
The path that I plan to take is to have an amp tech make the electronics and I will make the cabinet. The closest amp tech is a 2 hour drive away however and I can do only limited electronic work. I have the tools and experience for wood working so I am not limited on that respect but I have never made an amp cabinet before.
I am taking this path because cool vintage gear is nearly impossible to find locally and I like the idea of new electronics, I also like the idea that I will make the cabinet and that I can make it look like anything I want.
So I have two requirements: 1) It has to be a good harp amp…for me 5 to 10 watt, able to get dirty 2) it has to look unique and have wife approval for permanent residence in our living room as most of the use will be here.
From all the amp pictures people have posted on the forum I like the Premier Twin 8 look the best (the one that has the “V” shape separating the speakers).
My questions to the forum are:
1.Besides being pretty, is the Premier Twin 8 cabinet a good choice for my needs?
2.What is the best cabinet material? I will assume some sort of solid wood but are some species better than others. Maybe high end cabinet grade plywood is better?
3.What should the electronics be? The amp tech I spoke to suggested a Champ style circuitry with some mods for harp. Would you add features other than volume and tone?
4.What else should be added…maybe a line-out, standby, other.
Also I have not committed to an amp tech so if there are techs reading this and think they would like to help please contact me. Note that I am in Nova Scotia Canada if that matters.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Nov 30, 2013 11:10 AM
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Kingley
2244 posts
Jan 23, 2013
10:57 AM
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1. Yes if you like that cabinet style then why not..
2. It's the first choice of most of the boutique amp makers. Plywood is fine too.
3. The Fender 5F2 circuit would be a good choice. That's a Tweed Princeton circuit, which is superb for harp. The Fender 5F1 Champ circuit is also a very good choice for harp. I would just stick to a volume and a tone control on those circuits, you don't need anything more.
4. Yes a line-out would be a very useful feature to have. You don't need a standby with those circuits or anything else.
Personally if it was me building it, I'd go with the 5F2 circuit and have a single 10" speaker in a tweed covered pine cabinet. Team that amp with a good bullet mic or a 545 and you'll have a killer little harp rig, which could be lined out to the PA when needed.
Last Edited by on Jan 23, 2013 11:00 AM
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SmokeJS
53 posts
Jan 23, 2013
11:20 AM
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There's a 6L6SE amp project that can be found on the Lone Wolf website. Uncomplicated. Great sound at lower volume levels.
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puri
17 posts
Jan 23, 2013
12:09 PM
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Good luck man, I had fun with my first project last year. A tweed princeton size cabinet with dovetail and I probably still have cabinet plans somewhere if you want.
Last Edited by on Jan 23, 2013 12:10 PM
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Rick Davis
1199 posts
Jan 23, 2013
12:15 PM
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I would suggest the 5F2H amp kit from Weber. It is a pretty simple build and sounds great. I gigged one for at least a year and loved it.
And... here is a photo of my Premier Twin 8 ;-)
I agree it is a cool lookin' bugger...
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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5F6H
1513 posts
Jan 23, 2013
12:17 PM
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All good advice so far, 5F2A is a great circuit for a harp amp, the only real change I would definitely make is to remove the 500pf bright cap between vol & tone controls, it can be made switchable in/out very easily.
The only concern I have is that you mention it residing in your living room, I trust you have no adjoining neighbours and that your wife won't object to a loud amp being played whilst she is in other parts of the house? If so, all well & good, but 5W is fairly loud for home use...an attenuator or line out & load box may also be desirable.
The 5F1 champ/5F2A Princeton circuit can be adapted to take an octal 6SN7 twin triode preamp tube, used as a power tube, with both triodes wired in parallel, for about half the volume. If you can source a PT that runs 300-335vdc (260-0-260VAC B+ winding Mercury Mag 125P1A, though if deciding on very low power option ONLY I'd suggest 190-0-190VAC and ~270vdc, with a 270ohm cathode resistor) you can use all the parts that the Fender would use, just leaving out the 6V6 tube and screen supply node in the power supply. This change however will not let you drop in the 6V6, maybe something to bear in mind if the complaints start, though.
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gmacleod15
198 posts
Jan 23, 2013
3:05 PM
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Thanks to all who responded...I feel like I know you as I have read many of your posts. I will have some questions but I am off to a Pink Floyd tribute band but I think that belongs in a different thread.
Love your amp Rick
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Scoltx
86 posts
Feb 12, 2013
5:50 AM
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@gmacleod15 - Great suggestions so far, I'm currently building a Lone Wolf 6L6SE and nearing completion of the electronics, the Weber 5F2H looks interesting, you could order the kit minus the cab. I'm using Weber transformers in my 6L6SE build (recommended by Randy at Lone Wolf). NS is awesome, my Mom's family is from there, I was an army brat born in NB. So a Maritimer at heart, but living in Ontario. :)
@Rick Davis - is that faux woodgrain or real wood on the Premier Twin 8? It almost looks like the old woodgrain Mac Tac.
@puri - do you have the Tweed Princeton cabinet plans in a pdf that could be uploaded or emailed? Your cab looks good and just what I'm looking for for my 6L6SE
Scoltx
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puri
27 posts
Feb 12, 2013
7:53 AM
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I think I used the 5f1 cab plan as a guideline and changed the dimensions to tweed princeton size. You can either go to weber site or ampwares.com for rough dimensions.
Link to 5f1 cab plan
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Rick Davis
1298 posts
Feb 12, 2013
8:01 AM
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Scoltx, that is original Premier faux woodgrain contact paper on the that amp, like 1950's moms used to line their cupboards.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Greg Heumann
1997 posts
Feb 12, 2013
8:44 AM
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I have a Kalamazoo chassis - 5-8W depending on who you talk to and tone for days. Contact me by email greg at blowsmeaway dot com for more info.
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/Greg
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Willspear
284 posts
Feb 12, 2013
8:57 AM
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Just chiming in for Greg's offer
A Kalamazoo transplant into a nice cab is a kickass amp. They have great tone.
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HawkeyeKane
1470 posts
Feb 12, 2013
9:50 AM
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Also to chime in on Greg's offer....
If you can get your hands on an original Kalamazoo CTS alnico, then nab it. You won't be sorry. But if you can't, then an Eminence Lil Buddy would be a good choice. Darn good speakers for harp. A lot of guys I know with Bassman reissues swap one or more of their speakers for a Lil Buddy.
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Hawkeye Kane
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MJ
567 posts
Feb 12, 2013
11:37 AM
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I would also recommend the Kalamazoo amp as a good choice. The first three amps I built were Kalamazoo Model 1 and Model 2. I learned a ton and ended up with some nice little amps. The model 1 I built on a gutted chassis from a Silvertone Model 1451. I still use that one every week at an open mic I play at in a small restaurant that needs low volume. If you choose the Kalamazoo as a project I would recommend that you stick with the specified Output transformer on the bill of materials which can be found at The Kalamazoo Field Guide page. I think the OT is a main reason for the great tone of the Zoos. Whichever you decide, have fun, be safe, and enjoy.
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Scoltx
87 posts
Feb 13, 2013
5:46 AM
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@puri - thanks for the link, I had already found that plan, also another for a tweed deluxe cab. I can make the adjustments. I was also looking through the other images on Photobucket, nice details to show my buddy who's going to be making my cab. What circuit is your amp based on?
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puri
28 posts
Feb 13, 2013
8:00 AM
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@Scoltx, it's Mark Burness aka 5f6h's design. I had a thread about it and lots of info on it here
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gmacleod15
199 posts
Feb 13, 2013
8:08 AM
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Thanks for the comments
I am still in the planning stage and have looked at lots of styles. Some of you have mentioned kits but I am not sure that is for me as electronic skills are minimal. I can solder and read instructions but not really a schematic.
Greg I have sent you an email regarding the Kalamazoo.
I have a 12" Weber alnico 12A100 available...how do you thing that might suit the Kalamazoo electronics?
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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HawkeyeKane
1473 posts
Feb 13, 2013
8:33 AM
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"I have a 12" Weber alnico 12A100 available...how do you thing that might suit the Kalamazoo electronics?"
As long as it's 8 ohms, should work just fine. I've never heard a Weber in a 'Zoo before, but the wattage rating for the 12A100 is more than enough for a Kalamazoo, and I'd imagine it'd sound alright. One thing I do know about that particular Weber though is that it tends to break up fairly early. You'll only know if you like it once you try it.
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Hawkeye Kane
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gmacleod15
218 posts
Nov 30, 2013
10:59 AM
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Well it took almost a year! Here is the result of my project. Thanks to forum members for the advice.
I made the cabinet. The wood is lacewood and maple.
There is a 10" Celestion speaker.
The amp is a fender 5f2a circuit as suggest by 5F6H above. It sounds great!
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Nov 30, 2013 11:08 AM
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Rick Davis
2736 posts
Nov 30, 2013
11:13 AM
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Nice! I want to hear it!
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Kingley
3298 posts
Nov 30, 2013
12:10 PM
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The amp looks superb! I agree with Rick, we need to hear it in action now. You should be very proud of that build. It looks very professional indeed and I love the art deco look you've given it. If it were mine i think I'd be looking for some cream chicken head knobs to finish it off. They would blend perfectly with the stripes and add to the overall retro look of it.
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5F6H
1703 posts
Nov 30, 2013
12:20 PM
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Beautiful!
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www.myspace.com/markburness
http://www.facebook.com/markburness
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SuperBee
1557 posts
Nov 30, 2013
12:41 PM
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I see you used 10" celestion. Did you try the 12" weber?
Very attractive cabinet. Furniture!
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gmacleod15
220 posts
Nov 30, 2013
12:48 PM
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Thanks guys for the nice comments. Kingley, I agree the chicken head knobs would probably be a better match. F56H...you helped!
I will give a sound sample at some point, however my wood working skills are better than my harp playing so I may not do this thing justice.
Here is a cabinet I just finished also. A jam friend asked me to make one so I made a second at the same time for me. The grill cloth is actually oxblood red but doesn't show well in the photo.
SuperBee I have tried the weber through this cabinet and my opinion at the moment is it doesn't sound as good as the Celestion tube 10
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Nov 30, 2013 12:52 PM
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Barley Nectar
197 posts
Nov 30, 2013
3:03 PM
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WOW, I have built a few cabs and looked at about a million of them. Your's may well be the sharpest cab I'v ever seen. Really Sweet. Get that baby out and show it off...BN
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cliffy
62 posts
Nov 30, 2013
3:56 PM
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Gmacleod, your amp is stunning. Truly beautiful work. I assume you have done hobby woodworking before?
Please be sure to post a sound sample when you can. Thanks, and congratulations on a really well-done project.
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markdc70
136 posts
Nov 30, 2013
7:24 PM
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Wow, your amp is really stunning! If your wife decides she doesn't like it, shoot me an email. ;)
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Jehosaphat
628 posts
Nov 30, 2013
8:15 PM
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I have just taken down my poster of Elle Macpherson from my Man Cave wall and replaced it with your amp.
Beautiful piece of cabinetry work.Awesome!
(My wife is worried);-)
In the words of the Tom Waits song.."what Does he do down there all day.."
Last Edited by Jehosaphat on Nov 30, 2013 8:17 PM
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easyreeder
442 posts
Nov 30, 2013
9:58 PM
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Mama!
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arnenym
236 posts
Dec 01, 2013
3:23 AM
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Beautiful.
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Greg Heumann
2485 posts
Dec 01, 2013
8:50 AM
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Absolutely beautiful work!
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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gmacleod15
221 posts
Dec 01, 2013
4:42 PM
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Thanks...that's some pretty high praise!
It's nice to have a couple of hobbies that over-lap.
Yes cliffy, that wasn't my first woodworking project but it was my first amp. A lot of measure twice and cut once in this one....the lacewood is the most exotic that I have used. My wife helped choose this, helps with it being front and center in our living room.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Dec 02, 2013 4:11 AM
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Mojokane
743 posts
Dec 01, 2013
7:05 PM
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wow!.....unbelievable wood grain, and craftsmanship. You really got something special there, pal.
And soooo nice to look at...I bet it sounds real good, too. Who cares....lets all just look at it, and drool for awhile.
Verry nice job. One of a kind. Something you'll never EVER sell. Cab cover next.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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