Need help with Vox AC4 top boost ideas

[camerongrieve]

Hey fellow Aussie,
I use evatco.com.au and ebay for specialist parts.
And futurlec.com.au for general parts (resistors, caps) at cheap prices if you can wait a week or two. For transformers ... If you find a good, cheap option, please let me know!

[dorrisant]

Yeah you're probably right.

Not to be smart but he is absolutely right... I would build the basic amp, confirm that it works properly and then add some things to it. The effects loop may take something from the tone and you may not like it that way... maybe not. At least you will know if you build it simple first. Just my $.02.

I have not played on the Greenback "10 either... just been able to find a few youtube samples (always compressed and different than live) and several a-b comparison type reviews. I too WILL bite the bullet and order one to try... The reviews are pretty good and it is a Celestion so I feel reasonably comfortable spending the cash.

You asked where to source parts... I use CE Distribution, sister company to Antique Electronic Supply, Tube Depot, rjguitars. These are my favorites for different reasons, ymmv.

Tony

[Tillydog]

...does anyone have any experience with the Celestion Greenback G10M? I like the idea that its a 10" and a Celestion (as at the moment I'm still thinking of this as a high class (recording quality hopefully) practice amp).

I have one in a little 1 x 10 combo. I have compared it to a Jensen C10Q. The G10M has a much fuller bass, while the Jensen sounds much tighter with a more prominent top end. I like the G10M , as I prefer a more 'rounded', almost jazz tone. I have also used it with my TW style amp and it sounds really good with it - it seems to take the edge off the treble a little and smooth things out. As a point of reference, I really didn't care for the V30 that I had in a 1 x 12 cabinet.

Andy

[Colossal]

I've always wanted to try a 10" Greenback with a 10" Gold

[a_whichello]

Hey fellow Aussie,
I use evatco.com.au and ebay for specialist parts.
And futurlec.com.au for general parts (resistors, caps) at cheap prices if you can wait a week or two. For transformers ... If you find a good, cheap option, please let me know!

I just can't bring myself to buy from evatco its so much more expensive then ordering from America. But the other ones are ok if you dont want "brand" parts (I'm not even convinced that that really matters).

For trannies I'd look at Antique electronic or the tube depot, but its not cheap by any strech. If you can find old valve bits and bobs then you can salvage

Have you checked out this http://www.ozvalveamps.org/ava100/ava106lamington2.htm I'm pretty tempted to build a cheap dumble off this idea (blaspheme though it may be)

Is CE Distribution any cheaper than antique electronic?

[tugboat]

Any updates to this amp? I'm a newbie around here and am kinda interested in building a top boost AC4 for home with a Celestion blue. This version uses two 12AX7's I assume?

[a_whichello]

there will be updates coming in the next couple of months. I had a few financial setbacks (doesn't it just seem like that's always the story) that kind of put this build on hold for about 6 months.

One update I do have is that I have a Celestion Greenback 10" that was bought for me - gotta say I'm really impressed with the tone of the speaker, it sounds so much like a 12" but the efficiency is not great, so I'm thinking of upping the power amp to an AC15 power section and putting in a phase inverter to let me play with a drummer if I feel like it. Which does make the build less novel but maybe more useful.

Yeah its a 2 valve setup that I had the idea for and, to be honest, Colossal really designed or fixed all my mistakes in. There's a schematic on page one but I can repost the most recent one if you like.

[tugboat]

Interesting. You might as well just do an AC15 in that case. Probably more useful for you. I'm just looking for something to mess around with at home. Is the last schematic and layout you posted the final version of your AC4 amp, aside from tweaking the value of the Cathode caps?

[tugboat]

Also, dumb question. Where is the rectifier on the schematic and layout? I can only find the EL84 and two 12AX7's.

[NickC]

Also, dumb question. Where is the rectifier on the schematic and layout? I can only find the EL84 and two 12AX7's.

Rectifier circuit is solid state diodes on schematic.

[tugboat]

Got it. Never seen a schematic without a tube rectifier. Thanks!