Chinaski
172 posts
Feb 27, 2011
6:55 AM
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I recently had this upgrade installed in my SJ Cruncher, and got to gig with it last night - sounded better than ever.
If any Cruncher owners are on the fence about the mod, I can fully recommend it (I'm in the UK, so had the necessary parts shipped over) - more projection, cut and volume without sacrificing any of the amp's original tone.
I always loved the sound of the original amp, but it would just occasionally get lost if I didn't mic up depending on the size of room. However, this mod remedies that, giving you some 25 per cent more overall volume. Bottom line is, it really does significantly improve the amp.
Cruncher owners should seriously consider the upgrade. (Thanks also to Greg Heumann for his advice on the mod) No affliation etc with company, just a happy customer.
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Myspace
Last Edited by on Feb 27, 2011 6:56 AM
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AirMojo
118 posts
Feb 27, 2011
9:50 AM
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Can the amp owner do the modifications, or is an amp tech needed ?
Just wondering what's involved...
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Chinaski
173 posts
Feb 27, 2011
11:12 AM
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I had a tech do mine just to be sure, but you could do it yourself if you're tech-inclined anyway. Not a vast amount of change - main thing is the new output transformer which requires bit of drilling etc, then repostitioning of speakers and a rectifier swap..
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Myspace
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Greg Heumann
1063 posts
Feb 27, 2011
11:06 PM
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I did mine. If you're comfortable around amps, OK - but you have to drill through chassis steel which is tough stuff; if you let the drill punch in too far on break-through you could damage components. The wires leading from the new tranny back to where they go pass through grommets, and then into an area behind an eyelet board you don't want to have to remove - so it takes some patience, and decent soldering skills to do well.
I didn't change rectifiers on mine. Chinaski - what did you change from and change to? I like the 5U4 and don't like the copper can, personally.
I sure do like the upgrade though. Makes a great amp even better.
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/Greg
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toddg
16 posts
Feb 28, 2011
12:20 AM
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Greg so your saying .If I bring the amp to a basic amp repair guy that just fixes amps he could damage the amp if he lets the drill punch in too far or breaks through ?
Last Edited by on Feb 28, 2011 1:04 PM
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Chinaski
174 posts
Feb 28, 2011
12:35 AM
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Greg - I changed from the 5U4 to the copper can as part of the mod. I was actually intending to try the 5U4 for comparison's sake as long as it is safe for the amp - how do you find it differs and what do you prefer about the overall tone?
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Myspace
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Greg Heumann
1066 posts
Feb 28, 2011
9:02 AM
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@Todd - any decent amp guy should be able to handle this. I was more talking about the DIY approach - if what I said makes you uncomfortable maybe the job isn't for you. If you use a hand-held electric drill you have to press pretty hard to cut through steel and when the bit breaks through the back side you can plunge all the way up to the drill's chuck if you're not really careful. I used a drill press when I did mine which gives you much better control.
Don't sell it - super-C it!!! It is worth it.
@Chainaski - I found the breakup to sound harsher with the copper can. I know it isn't supposed to make such a difference but I could plainly hear it. Tried it in my Super Sonny once too and came to the same conclusion.
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/Greg
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toddg
17 posts
Feb 28, 2011
1:08 PM
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Ok Thanks Greg ! I'm bringing the amp to a guy today so he can look at it ,he says they have a bench press
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Cisco
177 posts
Feb 28, 2011
2:31 PM
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You don't need a bench press to drill the holes properly. I watched my tech perform the upgrade with a hand drill and he had the whole thing swapped out in 40 minutes.
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Greg Heumann
1067 posts
Feb 28, 2011
5:24 PM
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You're right, you just need to be careful!
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/Greg
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strawwoodclaw
211 posts
Mar 02, 2011
7:59 AM
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I put a Weber copper rectifier in my Meteor I noticed that it made the tone more edgy sounding
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NiteCrawler .
114 posts
Mar 02, 2011
8:50 AM
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SWC ,Just curious,By edgy sounding,are you talking more distorted/dirtier?Explain if at all possible,I have a Meteor and I,m always into experimentation.(since the 70,sand 80,s have long past,I,m into less damaging ways to experiment)Thanks
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AirMojo
121 posts
Mar 02, 2011
11:27 AM
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Is there a change in the Cruncher's speakers or setup ?
Mine currently has Weber 12A125, 8A100T on top, 8A125 on bottom.
I know there have been some changes since it first came out, as mine originally had 12A125, 8A125 on top, 8A150 on bottom. Then I bought the 8A100T to replace the 8A150, moving the 8A100T to the top position and the 8A125 to the bottom (Sonny Jr recommended).
I switched to the copper rectifier when Sonny Jr recommended them (still have the original), and bought a bias meter to re-bias the amp.
I'm sure I can handle the drilling and soldering... I'm not sure I can find an "amp tech" out where I live.
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Cisco
178 posts
Mar 02, 2011
12:38 PM
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The larger 8" speaker gets moved to the top and the smaller 8" speaker moves to the bottom position.
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strawwoodclaw
213 posts
Mar 03, 2011
2:33 PM
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@ NiteCrawler . I thought it made it sound a little bit harsher crunchier more egde & a bit more bite I thought with my glass RCA 5ar4 it sounded a bit warmer. It is only a subtle difference it sounds good either way.
with my RCA 5ar4 the hum is much more noticeable .
with the original gz34 & the copper rectifier you can hardly hear any hum . Mine is the mini model with a 15" Weber ceramic It's a good amp I like it :)
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