Matchless HC30 clone mods?
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- Ledvedder5150
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Matchless HC30 clone mods?
I'm hoping you guys can help me with some mods for my HC30 clone. I'd like to reduce some bass and flubbiness in both channels, as well as increase gain just a bit. I'd still like it to clean up when rolling back the guitar volume. The reason I'm looking for these changes is because I mainly play humbucker equipped guitars and closed back cabs.
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Last edited by Ledvedder5150 on Sun Oct 02, 2022 7:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Ledvedder5150
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
Nik also shared a layout to make this more like an AC30, but it seems that these changes would make the bass even more flubby? Maybe I'm wrong about that?
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Last edited by Ledvedder5150 on Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mode?
You could try lower values for the cathode bypass caps in the preamp.
"Hey mister, turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose!"
Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
There’s some pretty severe high pass filtering available in both channels.
Maybe the issue is you just don’t get on with open loop power amps?
Maybe the issue is you just don’t get on with open loop power amps?
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- Ledvedder5150
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- Location: NJ
Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
Yeah, I'm almost wondering since I've been playing Marshall type amps for so long, that it'll just take a while to get used to this type of circuit. I'm trying to get tones similar to this video, but I just haven't found them yet.
https://youtu.be/tmXntEIrnKs
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
I just watched the first couple of minutes where he plays the Epi. The bass is loose there too, he just plays stuff that doesn't make it stand out.Ledvedder5150 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:46 pm Yeah, I'm almost wondering since I've been playing Marshall type amps for so long, that it'll just take a while to get used to this type of circuit. I'm trying to get tones similar to this video, but I just haven't found them yet.
https://youtu.be/tmXntEIrnKs
"Hey mister, turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose!"
Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
Reduce the two caps from the PI to the Master Volume dual pot from 0.1uF to 0.047uF or 0.022uF.
On the VTB channel, reduce the cap from "F" to PI pin 7 from 0.047uF to 0.022uF or 0.010uF.
On the VTB channel, reduce the cap from "F" to PI pin 7 from 0.047uF to 0.022uF or 0.010uF.
- Ledvedder5150
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
F to PI pin 7 is already 0.01uF.
The two cap from the PI to the MV were 0.047uf. I reduced them to 0.022uF. It seems to help a bit.
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
OOPs ! I was looking at the wrong layout.Ledvedder5150 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 03, 2022 11:34 pm F to PI pin 7 is already 0.01uF.
The two cap from the PI to the MV were 0.047uf. I reduced them to 0.022uF. It seems to help a bit.
To up the gain on Ch-1 there are a couple of things you could do. Try one or both. There is a 10dB attenuator just before the Effects Loop. It is the 220K and 100K resistors to ground connected to point F. Remove the 100K (or change to 1Meg) and short across the 220K. This will increase the signal level in the Effects loop to the point most Effects will distort at the input. Not a problem if you're not using Effects. If you get what's sometimes called blocking distortion at the input to the PI, go back and change the 220K to 100K or experiment until the blocking goes away.
This next part will change the way the DC coupled cathode follower sounds. Change the 56K resistor to ground from V2 pin 8 to 100K. Change the 1.5K from V2 pin 3 to ground to 820 or 750. This will also increase the signal level in the Effects loop.
- Ledvedder5150
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
Do you mean the 220k and 100k at point D?LOUDthud wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:00 pm To up the gain on Ch-1 there are a couple of things you could do. Try one or both. There is a 10dB attenuator just before the Effects Loop. It is the 220K and 100K resistors to ground connected to point F. Remove the 100K (or change to 1Meg) and short across the 220K. This will increase the signal level in the Effects loop to the point most Effects will distort at the input. Not a problem if you're not using Effects. If you get what's sometimes called blocking distortion at the input to the PI, go back and change the 220K to 100K or experiment until the blocking goes away.
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- Ledvedder5150
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
Any suggestions for upping the gain a bit on the Ef86 channel?
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- Ledvedder5150
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
I changed the PI input caps to 0.0047uF. I'm still not feeling it. There's still this woofiness about it that just isn't vibing with me. Maybe it's my guitars or cabs? Even when I turn down the gain (volume) on either channel, as it cleans up, it seems bland to me. No chime or sparkle.
Here's what I've changed so far from the stock circuit -
1. PI input caps from 0.01uF to 0.0047uF.
2. PI output caps from 0.047uF to 0.022uF.
3. 1st channel bypass cap from 25uF to 1uF.
Tungsol 12ax7's
EHX EF86
JJ EL84's
JJ GZ34
Here's what I've changed so far from the stock circuit -
1. PI input caps from 0.01uF to 0.0047uF.
2. PI output caps from 0.047uF to 0.022uF.
3. 1st channel bypass cap from 25uF to 1uF.
Tungsol 12ax7's
EHX EF86
JJ EL84's
JJ GZ34
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Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
I have zero experience with the EF86, but from the Mullard Data sheet it looks possible to increase the gain by increasing the plate current. Need to plot some load lines. The tricky part is setting the screen Voltage.Ledvedder5150 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 07, 2022 11:53 pm Any suggestions for upping the gain a bit on the Ef86 channel?
Link: http://www.tubezone.net/pdf/ef86.pdf
I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending anything without prototyping it. I have a couple of Sovtek EF86 from probably 10 years ago.
I'm surprised you find the DC30 bland because it doesn't use feedback. What are you using for speaker(s) ? What do they sound good with ?
- Ledvedder5150
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- Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:20 am
- Location: NJ
Re: Matchless HC30 clone mods?
I have a Suhr PT212 with greenback/V30, and a custom 212 with a v30/G12H-30.LOUDthud wrote: ↑Sat Oct 08, 2022 6:39 amI have zero experience with the EF86, but from the Mullard Data sheet it looks possible to increase the gain by increasing the plate current. Need to plot some load lines. The tricky part is setting the screen Voltage.Ledvedder5150 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 07, 2022 11:53 pm Any suggestions for upping the gain a bit on the Ef86 channel?
Link: http://www.tubezone.net/pdf/ef86.pdf
I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending anything without prototyping it. I have a couple of Sovtek EF86 from probably 10 years ago.
I'm surprised you find the DC30 bland because it doesn't use feedback. What are you using for speaker(s) ? What do they sound good with ?
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