The Amp Garage

I couldn't disagree with you more. Resistors make a huge difference in the tone. My first Dumble type build used cheepy metal films and it couldn't have sounded worse, almost like an SS fuzz tone. I swapped out the plate loads for Vishay-Dale RN65, cathodes and grids with Xicon 1watt CF and it was ...

It looks like you only have 4 power supply filter caps. Thats not enough for an SE amp with 2 preamp tubes. It looks like you're missing a 100 to 200 ohm resistor and a 47uf cap following the diodes. If you eliminate that filter node, you will get some hum. I know this first hand because I tried it....

The Z-price sheet states $3699 for head and matching cabinet. The 212 open back Stang cabinet costs $699 with two blues so that makes this head at $3000 mark. So not all that bad as originally it was slated to be at the $4200 mark. Not bad at $3699? I wish I had your money! :lol: Even if it sounded...

You did that correctly. Many people,(myself included) like to "oversize" the resistor by 100%. My R25 is dropping 16 volts so I'm dissipating 2.6 watts at idle,not 3.6 watts as I stated earlier. It was a typo :oops: . Remember,different tubes draw different amounts of current. And the current increa...

That amp sounds real good with the volume up. I did not like the reverb at all.. Should have Glen demo it. He'd really make it sing.

Resistor R25 in the PS. What is the rationale and math that it is 25 watt? Thanks. I used a 10 watt in mine. It does get rather warm but that's normal in a power supply. I measured R25 and it dissipates 3.6 watts at idle and 4 watts at full volume while slamming bar chords. Based on my figures a 6 ...

Richie wrote:

Maybe it has built in slap back echo and reverb.

I didn't like that. Hard to tell what it REALLY sounds like.

Just going by the clip,it's not a "keeper" to me.

M Fowler wrote:I removed the brite switch as well changed over to the 5K2 primary lots more bass and will be adding a LarMar MV and cut control.

This is a Ceriatone built by Nik not my two other Express amps.

Funny you mentioned a 5K2 OT. I'm using an Edcor 30 watt 5K OT in my Express.

I removed the bright caps and use the switch as a "fat switch". When using my Tele, I switch a .01uf cap in parallel with the .002 coupling cap. It gives the Tele some Balls. When using my SG, I switch the .01uf cap out. My amp is at its best with Humbuckers,though. I just modded the bright switch s...

Cliff Schecht wrote: Keep in mind that I'm not set on building a dead clone, just a good sounding amp that will endure the abuses of stage/studio use..

Over the years I've used 1,000's of 1/2 watt CF resistors from Tube Depot in all of my builds without any problems. I have no idea who the manufacturer is though.

Very elegant with just a clear Tung oil finish. The poor pic doesn't show how nice this 18 watt really looks. About 3.00 per foot for 1x8 and 3.75 for 1x10. You just need to be patient and wait for a good batch to come in. I have about 4 Home Depot stores within 10 miles of my home so it's never a p...

I have not used the Edcor in an Express but did in the Rocket and Rocket Reverb 80watt and there is a tonal difference with the Edcor. I think a more rich high, mids and deep bass. But what do I know :roll: I used a stock Edcor CXPP30-MS-5K in my Express. Sounds killer to me! Since it's a Hi-Fi ot,...

I don't understand why you would do this. Unless you were troubleshooting a low volume or tone problem.

Geoff, I think you're beating a dead horse as SE doesn't sag. Perhaps it's time for you to build an Express?

You know,an amp doesn't have to sound like a Trainwreck to have excellent tone, but it helps!

Ok,now I understand. You want high gain(distortion),at a lower volume. I don't think you can do that at the guitar. An MV will allow you to do that. Or,use a distortion pedal. Another easy mod is to use a diode clipper built on a push-pull pot. It's attached right after the last .022 coupling cap. T...