Next Build Coming Up - 183 50w

[dbharris]

Looking good! Will be interested to hear your thoughts on how this sounds different.

-Dan

[Raoul Duke]

Thanks Dan, as is yours! Love the vintage and NOS construction. One day I’ll try to put something like that together; either a “94” or low plate skyline maybe…

Never got above 42 degrees today, so I “worked” indoors.

Got the FET sorted out. I’m at 9.9 at the top and 5.0 at the bottom. It sounds great clean and OD’d - so that’s that.

Also used Martin’s oscilloscope method for balancing the PI and after a little tinkering around with the settings - got everything worked out and the PI balanced. I don’t use my oscilloscope enough and it always takes me a little time to re-familiarize myself with it. It’s a Hantek DSO2D10 and I find it a little complicated to use because of the digital “layers” of settings. I always have an eye out for a cheap and simpler analog scope - but I’m slowly finding my way around this one.

Everything is working as it should, voltages are stable, and it’s nice and quiet. It sounds to me like a great combination of Dumble and Marshall in one amp. Set the OD at the 22k above ground and that’s plenty of OD! I haven’t A-B’ed it with my BM yet, but my initial impression is that the BM is smoother and more balanced in tone and this 183 favors the Marshall mid grind but with noticeably more bottom end range there if you want it.

Got to get the cab done…

[Raoul Duke]

Got the cab ready for covering over the past couple of days. I’ve noticed that even this part is coming together quicker and easier. Also had the thought that even HADs cabs were pretty elaborate compared to the average. The cross bar, front cut-out in the top, and aluminum trim probably add an extra hour or two for me. Granted - I sneak up on the cross bar fit so that it’s snug but not bowing the sides and I have a jig set-up that I use for the top cut out which takes a little time to get perfect; plus I work pretty slow because I like to get it perfect the first time. The aluminum is easy enough, just time consuming. Haven’t found a countersink bit that works well and lasts - so that slows me down.

Then the covering with the top cut is always a little stressful. I still don’t have a system for that - I do it slightly different every time depending on the material and how it moves. Got an idea for a different way this time, hopefully I don’t “f” it up. Speaking of material, I got the gray pig suede all cut up today as well. Not as dark a I’d hoped - but it’ll work out.

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[martin manning]

Nicely done!. You wouldn't expect HAD to settle for anything less than a top notch cabinet with carefully selected hardware and some personal touches, would you?

I see your voltages are very close to the layout drawing, which I think suggests you are getting something very close to the original 183's sound.

[Raoul Duke]

Thanks very much Martin! I agree with your assessment of HADs cabinet standards, lol.
I was pretty happy with the voltages and really am enjoying the sound. The stiff filtering also gives the amp a different feel as well. I was concerned about using somewhat non-traditional iron; but it seems to have worked just fine.

Got everything on the cab done today except the aluminum trim - got to run to Lowe’s tomorrow for a long piece since I have plenty of short pieces for the side trim. Here’s the cab sitting on my BM:

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[Guy77]

Looks beautiful.
A little trick you can try next time is if you use a heat gun on the suede or the tolex you can get it to wrap around the beveled curves on the front top for a seamless look.

Otherwise congrats!

Cheers
Guy

[dbharris]

Looking very classy!

-Dan

[Raoul Duke]

Looks beautiful.
A little trick you can try next time is if you use a heat gun on the suede or the tolex you can get it to wrap around the beveled curves on the front top for a seamless look.

Otherwise congrats!

Cheers
Guy

I will definitely try that Guy; thanks for the tip and thanks for the compliment!

[Raoul Duke]

Looking very classy!

-Dan

Thanks Dan!

[Raoul Duke]

Ok, wrap up time I guess. Got the cab done today, painted the foot switch with Chevy orange engine block enamel, and installed the chassis after a final voltage check. Here it is with my ‘72 LPC:

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Thanks to the TAG community for the technical help, encouraging words, and compliments! I really couldn’t do these things without everything I’ve learned here and greatly appreciate the generous assistance and camaraderie that you all contribute! I appreciate it