#102 Build started

[Ang3lus]

This will take me at least 6 months if not more to finish, i've sourced alot of NOS parts for this build (no particular reason, i just like Carbon comps in a tube amp).

gonna also use mustard caps for values up to 100nf, and 100nf and above gonna use wima Durolit PIO caps.

just got the chassis and wrote the parts down on the turret board (so in future reference it will be easy to fix/replace).

here is pic #1:

[img:800:600]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8660 ... b927_c.jpg[/img]

any tips of order to build ?

1. gonna populate all the boards with all the parts (Precision power supply, bias etc)

what should i do after ?

[bluesfendermanblues]

IME you need Mallory Orange Drop 716p for a Dumble clone, although you can get away with replacements in the PI.

[Colossal]

Mallory Orange Drop 716p for a Dumble

Does not compute....

[cbass]

IME you need Mallory Orange Drop 716p for a Dumble clone, although you can get away with replacements in the PI.

I thought 6PS caps were the ones for dumbles.

[Ang3lus]

i know they are, but i tried them in a marshall build and didn't like how they sound at all compared to the mustards.

i'm building an inspired by circuit

not a clone per se

[Structo]

So are you not wanting the "Dumble Tone"?

What do you want it to sound and play like?

It may not be the amp for you if you are expecting something else.

[rogb]

102 does not sound like a Marshall, which loves Mallory/Sozo caps.
102 loves and needs 6PS.
It's simple really

If you alter the components too much, it won't be a 102 build. I have found this circuit is very fussy. It prefers the Classic PS, it loves NOS carbon and metal films and really likes NOS preamp tubes.

You will probably need a Dlator to get the best out of 102 as well.

IMO 102 doesn't like Strats, even with mods and pup swapping.
I bought a cheap Epi 339 and that is the bomb with 102. I am upgrading the 339 and every new tweak and part yields more and more super tones from 102.

You have to fight to get that with a Strat.

I run mine alongside a 2204 and they are as different as night and day.
One thing I have done is run the OD trim externally. I need to use it all the time with different guitars.

Have fun

[bluesfendermanblues]

IME you need Mallory Orange Drop 716p for a Dumble clone, although you can get away with replacements in the PI.

I thought 6PS caps were the ones for dumbles.

My bad. Yes, 6PS.

[ayan]

Rob,

With regards to Dumbles and Strats, I shared your view for many years, mate. However, I have come to change my mind about that. In my most modest opinion, the key to get a Strat to sound right with any Dumble type of amp is... correct orientation of the coupling caps, setting of the PI trimmer, and amp settings being more of a distant third. While the Classic configuration/preamp is the easiest to dial in with the Strat, a 102 can be dialed in as well. And while humbuckers can sound decent even if the coupling caps are backwards and the PI trimmer not set right, they will sound a great deal better once those two details are addressed.

The very brief clip I'm attaching was recorded during a rehearsal with a handheld recorder. It was intended to show the smoothness and sustain achieved using a Strat on the lead channel with definitely not a lot of distortion dialed in. I shared it with a couple of board members about a year ago after I finished turning one of my amps into a 102 circuit. And while I'm discussing distortion, I found that if the coupling caps are oriented properly, you can dial in the overdrive a lot higher and the amp will not sound so much "distorted" as it will "sustainy." I have discussed this with several people and we've all arrived at this same finding.

In terms of amp settings, I think the key to getting a good sound with a Strat with any Skyliner type amp is to keep the bass dialed low and the preamp volume high.

Cheers,

Gil

102 does not sound like a Marshall, which loves Mallory/Sozo caps.
102 loves and needs 6PS.
It's simple really

If you alter the components too much, it won't be a 102 build. I have found this circuit is very fussy. It prefers the Classic PS, it loves NOS carbon and metal films and really likes NOS preamp tubes.

You will probably need a Dlator to get the best out of 102 as well.

IMO 102 doesn't like Strats, even with mods and pup swapping.
I bought a cheap Epi 339 and that is the bomb with 102. I am upgrading the 339 and every new tweak and part yields more and more super tones from 102.

You have to fight to get that with a Strat.

I run mine alongside a 2204 and they are as different as night and day.
One thing I have done is run the OD trim externally. I need to use it all the time with different guitars.

Have fun

[Colossal]

Great clip Gil. By 'caps oriented correctly' I'm assuming you are referring to the outer foils pointing towards the lowest impedance?

Thanks,
Dave

[rogb]

Gil I appreciate your thoughts and vast experience.
My caps direction and PI are both spot on, I must have spent hours nudging the PI trim, rolling tubes with the Strat.

Plug in a good rocky Tele ( Broadcaster bridge is ideal...) or a decent humbucker axe and away 102 goes. Bloom, feedback and sustain are there and all easily controlled in a musical way. If you need less, then it is easy to turn down but not easy to get going with a guitar the amp does not like.

The Strat example does sound good but I needed a little more as I play different types of music with a variety of other musicians.
I needed 102 to be a little more versatile and with the Tele and 339 I have got a good palette of tones. If I need to up the game I have the 2204 which is just crazy with gain and character.

The Strat does sound good but through the clean side.

But I have an AB763 that excels at that anyway and the Strat sounds great with that warm and spongy tube recto baby.

[ayan]

The Strat example does sound good but I needed a little more as I play different types of music with a variety of other musicians.

I wonder "more" of what. Could you please fill in the blanks? "I needed a little more ______." Possible answers: volume, sustain, chime, etc.

Gil

[ayan]

Great clip Gil. By 'caps oriented correctly' I'm assuming you are referring to the outer foils pointing towards the lowest impedance?

Thanks,
Dave

Yes, with the understanding that the orientation of the middle and bass caps is debatable since the lower impedance side depends on the pot values and settings. Crucial ones, after checking -- and correcting as needed -- many amps are: treble cap, V1B, V2A and V2B (which doesn't exist for HRMs).

Cheers,

Gil

[rogb]

The Strat example does sound good but I needed a little more as I play different types of music with a variety of other musicians.

I wonder "more" of what. Could you please fill in the blanks? "I needed a little more ______." Possible answers: volume, sustain, chime, etc.

Gil

Volume -no - plenty of that.
Sustain - yes, hence the OD trim and 2204 on tap if needed
Chime - always handy for Britpop

The one amp is not enough for most occasions, hence the 2204 on an ABY.
I don't use pedals, only a TS9 if needed.

Musically as house guitarist in a number of jams I get calls for gentle bossa nova accompaniment to full on Thin Lizzy to more jazz rock improv (where 102 should be good) to all manner of bluesy stuff to country style pedal steel licks. You name it I get to play it. None of it very well, I might add, but at least I'm versatile

[Ang3lus]

side with the lowest impedance being towards ground ?

is there a sure-fire way to test for the outside foil ?