Killa_Hertz
276 posts
Jan 17, 2016
8:55 AM
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I was wondering if anyone knows a good lil tube amp for practicing. Like 1 watt or so.
I was also wondering about the Tube Cricket for harp. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Or is there another Tube Build anyone knows about? I'm really not trying to drop too much coin on another amp, but I could build one for a reasonable price. I already have a modded special 6. So i really just want something small that i can get the warm tube drive/crunch sound out of. Ive heard this brought up quite a few times, but no one really comes up with a great answer.
I use a Danelectro Dirty Thirty,
Honeytone, or my 386 build for practice now, but it just doesnt quite do it for me some times. I would really like to be able to get a relatively low volume tube OD. Even a 1/2amp might be better to really Drive it. IDK.
Thoughts?
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
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Barley Nectar
1055 posts
Jan 17, 2016
9:06 AM
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You can use a 12AT7/12AU7 as power tubes. Either PP or SE. A Fender reverb driver transformer can be used as an OT. Take a look at the AX84 forum. Tons of info there. I considered the "Octal Fatness" project. The problem with low watt build is cost. They cost about the same to build as larger amps such as Champ/Princeton...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Jan 17, 2016 9:57 AM
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Killa_Hertz
279 posts
Jan 17, 2016
10:00 AM
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Well what if i build something like the tube cricket into a small box with a good lil 6" speaker?
I don't want to buy a kit or anything. I'm going to do it myself. Parts are relatively cheap. Atleast for my other build, but it was just a lil 386. I know the tubes parts cost a bit more, but hopefully it's not that much
If it is just as costly to make a low power amp, I'm wondering if it is a good idea to maybe make an amp with mutli voltage options.
But as you were saying champ/princton etc. I don't want anything that big at all. Actually I want something very small and compact.
Thanks for the info on the site.
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
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Barley Nectar
1057 posts
Jan 17, 2016
10:13 AM
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Weber VST sells a good 6" speaker...BN
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ME.HarpDoc
91 posts
Jan 17, 2016
10:35 AM
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I remember reading about an amp that has different voltages, something like 15W, 5 and 1. But I think it was solid state.
I don't know if the Memphis Mini (5w) would give you good crunch at low volume but my Harp Train 10 (8w) gives me great OD at low volume with the Balls circuit turned up and using a hot mic (JT30 with Shure CM element).
Last Edited by ME.HarpDoc on Jan 17, 2016 10:36 AM
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Killa_Hertz
280 posts
Jan 17, 2016
12:44 PM
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Good to know BN thanks.
HarpDoc I believe your talking about the vt20+. It's got afunny tube/SS setup, but it's still too big. I actually almost got that amp before getting the vht. Maybe should have. Idk.
I was Thinkin somethin along the lines of this.
Biyang VT-1H. All Tube 1 Watt Micro Amp
Anybody tried anything similar. This looks basically like an all tube version of the Tube Cricket. Probably could tweak with the circuitry to make it better for harp.
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 17, 2016 12:47 PM
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Barley Nectar
1058 posts
Jan 17, 2016
1:27 PM
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Well, I doubt you could build one for that money. Don't know if it is mod-able.
http://www.amazon.com/BIYANG-VT-1H-MICRO-COMPACT-POWERFUL/dp/B00RLH5ZGO
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LSB
176 posts
Jan 17, 2016
1:36 PM
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Is it low volume overdriven sound you are primarily after, or another amp? If it's just the ability to play at low volume with break-up/crunch, then the cheapest way to go is a good used pedal with your VHT. I can use a pedal, like the Harp Attack, with my Special 6 and get more than enough OD before I can even hear the amp over the acoustic sound of the harp.
Building or buying any sort of small amp that gets equal or better sound at low volume will cost more than a pedal.
Now if you just want a new, little amp, that's cool, but you don't necessarily need that if you just want good low volume OD sound. A pedal will get you there quicker and cheaper.
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Barley Nectar
1059 posts
Jan 17, 2016
1:38 PM
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I doubt you can build one that cheap. Consider this, many speakers are rated at 95+ dB at 1W at 1 meter. That is still loud in a quiet room. Why not just stick a pedal in front of your VJ and cut V on amp. I know, you want to build something.
http://www.amazon.com/BIYANG-VT-1H-MICRO-COMPACT-POWERFUL/dp/B00RLH5ZGO
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Killa_Hertz
284 posts
Jan 17, 2016
5:36 PM
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Nah ive already built amps and I've got plenty of other stuff to build. So i don't Need to build somethin. I dont have a "build it bug" or anything.
I do have a few pedals that will give me an OD sound, but don't get that tube break up sound. Does the harp attack really sound that good? Ive heard lots about em. And seen videos. But until you hear it in the same room, you just don't know.
I would totally go that route. It would definitely be cheaper. And a more verstile option. Probably get more milage out of a pedal.
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 17, 2016 5:49 PM
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LSB
177 posts
Jan 18, 2016
3:59 PM
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The Harp Attack does use a real tube, but I can't say for certain whether or not you'll dig the sound, since that is such a personal thing.
That said, it will give you plenty of break-up/crunch at lowest volumes you can hear on the special 6.
Set the VHT to low power mode, with the gain boost OFF, so the amp is running clean. Then set the Harp Attack Volume to full on, and the drive to 50% or more, depending on your mic. For me, 50% drive is plenty with a strong shure CM or CR. For something cleaner, like a shure 545 or 57/58, 75-90% on the drive control gets about the same sound.
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Killa_Hertz
292 posts
Jan 18, 2016
6:10 PM
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I ve really been looking harder at it since it was brought up by BN. I think i may go that route
Thanks
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
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