Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
In the "New Year amp plans" thread, someone made the comment "we need more builds documented with sound clips". So, in the spirit of that, I'll share what I'm currently working on.
This is my most ambitious build to date, and I'm building this one for myself. It's pretty over the top, IMO, and part of it is just to challenge myself to see if I can make it all work.
Here's a list of features:
- Three channels: Clean, Drive and Lead
- Clean channel preamp is Rocket inspired
- Drive Channel preamp is Marshall JMP/JCM inspired
- Lead Channel is SLO100 inspired
- Power Amp is SLO100 inspired, with Depth and Presence, It's a 4-holer so I can run 4x6V6 or two big bottles, fixed bias so it will be in the neighborhood of 40-50W
- I'm using the Soldano power supply, relays for switching.
- standard Fender style Reverb, 12AT7 buffer and 1/2 of an AX7 for recovery
- Bias vary Tremolo from Fender design, I forget exactly what model
- Parallel Tube driven FX Loop
I've currently got the chassis bent, drilled and loaded, with the faceplates installed, seen in the attached picture. Next I'll be cutting, drilling and staking the G10 for turret boards.
The following dropbox folder has some more in-progress build pix, if you're interested:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uz1s3cc7matq35t/SBx2iTd3e5
This is my most ambitious build to date, and I'm building this one for myself. It's pretty over the top, IMO, and part of it is just to challenge myself to see if I can make it all work.
Here's a list of features:
- Three channels: Clean, Drive and Lead
- Clean channel preamp is Rocket inspired
- Drive Channel preamp is Marshall JMP/JCM inspired
- Lead Channel is SLO100 inspired
- Power Amp is SLO100 inspired, with Depth and Presence, It's a 4-holer so I can run 4x6V6 or two big bottles, fixed bias so it will be in the neighborhood of 40-50W
- I'm using the Soldano power supply, relays for switching.
- standard Fender style Reverb, 12AT7 buffer and 1/2 of an AX7 for recovery
- Bias vary Tremolo from Fender design, I forget exactly what model
- Parallel Tube driven FX Loop
I've currently got the chassis bent, drilled and loaded, with the faceplates installed, seen in the attached picture. Next I'll be cutting, drilling and staking the G10 for turret boards.
The following dropbox folder has some more in-progress build pix, if you're interested:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uz1s3cc7matq35t/SBx2iTd3e5
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Cool that's pretty ambitious to say the least.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
WOW! A super job so far. Lots of pots too.
Which Edcor xformers did you choose?
Which Edcor xformers did you choose?
In theory, theory is the same as practice. In practice it's different.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Yeah, I'm definitely going to be building and debugging this in stages - building/debugging the power supply before moving on to the power amp. Then get the power amp running properly before attacking the preamp channels, etc. I took this approach with the last complex amp I built and it went very smoothly.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Thanks!JoeCon wrote:WOW! A super job so far. Lots of pots too.
Which Edcor xformers did you choose?
PT: Edcor XPWR178 - 330-0-330@200mA
OT: Edcor CXPP60-MS-4K - 4K primary into 4/8/16 secondary
I also ordered a big 10H choke from Edcor, but the first "gotcha" for this amp came when I received it and realized I used incorrect measurements when I made the layout. The chassis was already drilled and there was no way this choke would fit. So I subbed in a Marshall style choke I had on the shelf and will have to make due with that.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Hi! It is nice to see also other brave men building real 3-channel p-to-p-amp projects. We have already done several that kind of amps by now. We have a modular architecture so that customer can choose almost any preamp module he wants including modified SLO100 lead channel. Poweramp is also modular. You can choose any octals in pairs or even 4x6V6GT version with a half power switch. If you are interested in to see our version, go here http://www.bluetone.fi/eng/bluetone-crossroad-head/ Harry
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
You gentlemen are making me feel lazy with only Vol, Trbl, Bass, and Cut controls on my amps. So many nice features in one amp.
See that's a problem...with all those sounds the Mrs. would want me to sell all my other amps!!
Superb workmanship guys....
See that's a problem...with all those sounds the Mrs. would want me to sell all my other amps!!
Superb workmanship guys....
In theory, theory is the same as practice. In practice it's different.
- Milkmansound
- Posts: 470
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Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Wow Harry, I should have just posted "I'm building a Bluetone Crossroad clone". Many similarities. Nice looking site, thanks for the vote of confidence.harryk wrote: Hi! It is nice to see also other brave men building real 3-channel p-to-p-amp projects. We have already done several that kind of amps by now. We have a modular architecture so that customer can choose almost any preamp module he wants including modified SLO100 lead channel. Poweramp is also modular. You can choose any octals in pairs or even 4x6V6GT version with a half power switch. If you are interested in to see our version, go here http://www.bluetone.fi/eng/bluetone-crossroad-head/ Harry
One other feature I forgot to mention is dual footswitchable PPIMVs - the LarMar type. I've never been real happy with any half-power switch I've tried, but I do like VVR in some amps.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
No 10! Because they're cheaper if you buy ten!Milkmansound wrote:Only 8 preamp tubes?
You probably didn't count the two behind the reverb transformer, for the reverb and FX loop.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Man, that is a lot of pots!
Is the chassis stainless steel?
The labeling looks very good.
What did you use for the faceplates?
Is the chassis stainless steel?
The labeling looks very good.
What did you use for the faceplates?
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Our way to do half power switching is such that we do not lift one pair of power tube cathodes from ground. We do it in a way which does not alter sound at all. I also prefer PPIMV master volumes, but found out that VVR is not the best tool in fixed bias amps. Technically it works, but to my mind it seems to stiffen power supply too much. Harryjhaas wrote:Wow Harry, I should have just posted "I'm building a Bluetone Crossroad clone". Many similarities. Nice looking site, thanks for the vote of confidence.harryk wrote: Hi! It is nice to see also other brave men building real 3-channel p-to-p-amp projects. We have already done several that kind of amps by now. We have a modular architecture so that customer can choose almost any preamp module he wants including modified SLO100 lead channel. Poweramp is also modular. You can choose any octals in pairs or even 4x6V6GT version with a half power switch. If you are interested in to see our version, go here http://www.bluetone.fi/eng/bluetone-crossroad-head/ Harry
One other feature I forgot to mention is dual footswitchable PPIMVs - the LarMar type. I've never been real happy with any half-power switch I've tried, but I do like VVR in some amps.
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
The chassis is polished aluminum. I polished it myself using my bench grinder with polishing wheels. I can get a real nice polish on small chassis, but this one was just to big and unwieldy to get a perfect finish, but it looks "ok" close up.Structo wrote:Man, that is a lot of pots!
Is the chassis stainless steel?
The labeling looks very good.
What did you use for the faceplates?
The faceplates are very inexpensive, but a bit labor intensive compared to ordering a laser cut one. It's a high-quality printout I get from the local printing shop (UPS store) sandwiched behind a piece of clear acrylic I get from the local home center (Lowes).
Here's a faceplate closeup of another amp with the same type faceplate:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/38s6bcsfntwuy ... Resize.jpg
for that amp, here's the acrylic with the drilling template I made, also used to drill the chassis:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ddsfyyrpovyc ... plates.jpg
and here's the drilled acrylic with the printout
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ck63p9i5ij8x5 ... 0Shown.jpg
If you ever decide to try this, I strongly recommend using a stepped bit to drill the acrylic.
-John
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Harry: great schematics/layouts on your site! Thanks for sharing!
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
Re: Latest Build - Three-Channel Maq Daddy 50W Head
Just like that but in a 1 12 combo. [/img]