18W'ish Marshall Style Amp Build.

[karpathion]

I kept saying, "When GV, finishes his build, I would start mine." He's pretty much done with his, minus mods. So, It's put up or shut up time, I guess.

My goofy ass started buying some things for this build a while back, but just never got around to building it. I had an idea before, but now it's kind of a, From Scratch, build. Just going to use what I have and build around that.

At the moment, my starting supplies are a Crate Stealth 50W chassis and enclosure, a Crate Stealth 50W, "but same as the 100W," Power Transformer, and Classic Tone  40-18037 Output transformer. I also have a 60's style, Marshall, TMB, Turret board, that is just gonna have to do. Things like tube sockets, resistors, caps, switches, wire, pots, and jacks, will benefit from not having to spend on what I already have. Hoping it becomes more of a Boutique style amp in the long run. Minus the chassis and enclosure. But, I'm going to see what I can do with those. May be able to fake it. 

It's looking like it's going to have to be a dual EL-84 amp, because of the OT specs. I could do a pair of EL-34's, but run them cool to around 22W, but I'm waiting for an opinion on that one. Cough, cough, GV, cough...

The whole point of this amp is to give me what my MTS will not. After I mod the Plexi module in it to a Clean style Module, I'll need my classic Marshall needs filled again. This may sound a bit strange, but I'm looking at doing a lower gain version of theJCM800 preamp. The whole little PI trick and all.

Definitely have to dive back in again and do my homework, but I'm pretty this can be done. I'd also like to have an FX loop, and a PPIMV. It may take a while, but should be a fun amp when done. We'll see.

Here are the starting resources. I have a few a other odds and ends, so I need to start on getting a parts list up, once my homework is done.




That felt has to go now!




0-18037  0-18037  

[karpathion]

And problem #1, shows it's ugly head.

The chassis enclosure is straight C grade, nasty, cheap ass, plywood. Ain't that a bitch? I was hoping for a very knotty pine at best, but at least we know where Crate, saved their money on these amps now.

Damn... That's just nasty.



I don't know... Thinking about it, I almost see an opportunity to do something slightly original, and create a pot of gold at the end of a poop colored rainbow. A diamond in the rough, if you will? At least I know for a fact the Chassis will fit perfectly inside of it. It has that going for it.

The first thing to hit my mind was, pad and tolex it, but after a minute or two, things started sloshing around in the old hat rack. 

The next thought was laying on thick coats of clear, make it as smooth and shiny as possible, and preserve the uniqueness that is that particular cabinet. 

Now, I have the idea of using news paper clippings from the the last few weeks to the next few weeks. Like all the mainstream news of right now. Do a news paper mesh all over it, then seal it all in a clear coat, real thick. I can sure up the chassis itself with ease, an it would last forever.

Anyone have any read papers from the last couple weeks? I think that's what I'm going to do. It would be awesome if they came form all over the world. IMO.

[GoldenVulture]

but I'm waiting for an opinion on that one. Cough, cough, GV, cough...

will do, a bit pressed for time right now. :old:

[Oinkus]

Good luck , you don't pick easy projects.

[GoldenVulture]

I kept saying, "When GV, finishes his build, I would start mine." He's pretty much done with his, minus mods. So, It's put up or shut up time, I guess.

My goofy ass started buying some things for this build a while back, but just never got around to building it. I had an idea before, but now it's kind of a, From Scratch, build. Just going to use what I have and build around that.

At the moment, my starting supplies are a Crate Stealth 50W chassis and enclosure, a Crate Stealth 50W, "but same as the 100W," Power Transformer, and Classic Tone  40-18037 Output transformer. I also have a 60's style, Marshall, TMB, Turret board, that is just gonna have to do. Things like tube sockets, resistors, caps, switches, wire, pots, and jacks, will benefit from not having to spend on what I already have. Hoping it becomes more of a Boutique style amp in the long run. Minus the chassis and enclosure. But, I'm going to see what I can do with those. May be able to fake it. 

It's looking like it's going to have to be a dual EL-84 amp, because of the OT specs. I could do a pair of EL-34's, but run them cool to around 22W, but I'm waiting for an opinion on that one. Cough, cough, GV, cough...

The whole point of this amp is to give me what my MTS will not. After I mod the Plexi module in it to a Clean style Module, I'll need my classic Marshall needs filled again. This may sound a bit strange, but I'm looking at doing a lower gain version of theJCM800 preamp. The whole little PI trick and all.

Definitely have to dive back in again and do my homework, but I'm pretty this can be done. I'd also like to have an FX loop, and a PPIMV. It may take a while, but should be a fun amp when done. We'll see.

Here are the starting resources. I have a few a other odds and ends, so I need to start on getting a parts list up, once my homework is done.




That felt has to go now!




0-18037  0-18037  

Have you got a circuit/circuits to work off ? :scratchch:

[karpathion]

Have you got a circuit/circuits to work off ? :scratchch:

After sitting up half of the night and digging through 18Watt.com, and trying to really think about what I need in this type of amp, I have made a slight change of plans. I'm going to start with this.



There is no point in me going all crazy custom the first time around. I'm thinking, if I can get this one working right, then I can go back and mod as needed to taste. Plus, I realized what I was wanting to do is probably just a hair above my current skill level. I mean, this is technically my first ground up build of a tube amp. I should keep it simple, as Oinkus so gracefully pointed out. He is right, I do like to jump in a little heavy sometimes. It's  probably best if I slow down a little. I have the rest of my life to build crazy amps, and this is a good start.

The layout above seems to be in the area of what I'm actually looking for, I just didn't realize it. Listening to clips, and other builders build notes, this is a perfect platform for that dirt pedal out front, 70's style, hard rock tone, that I like so much these days. Plus, later mods are super easy on this setup. It's pretty much an open book.

I'm going to start getting a parts list up sometime today, and start stripping the chassis paint. Any suggestions before I jump in? You see anything I don't?

[GoldenVulture]

After sitting up half of the night and digging through 18Watt.com, and trying to really think about what I need in this type of amp, I have made a slight change of plans. I'm going to start with this.



There is no point in me going all crazy custom the first time around. I'm thinking, if I can get this one working right, then I can go back and mod as needed to taste. Plus, I realized what I was wanting to do is probably just a hair above my current skill level. I mean, this is technically my first ground up build of a tube amp. I should keep it simple, as Oinkus so gracefully pointed out. He is right, I do like to jump in a little heavy sometimes. It's  probably best if I slow down a little. I have the rest of my life to build crazy amps, and this is a good start.

The layout above seems to be in the area of what I'm actually looking for, I just didn't realize it. Listening to clips, and other builders build notes, this is a perfect platform for that dirt pedal out front, 70's style, hard rock tone, that I like so much these days. Plus, later mods are super easy on this setup. It's pretty much an open book.

I'm going to start getting a parts list up sometime today, and start stripping the chassis paint. Any suggestions before I jump in? You see anything I don't?

Long day and a bit trashed. I need to study this a bit.
Parts lists. One always over looks things until they're needed. 

[Oinkus]

I watched Joe Gore build an 18 watt Marshall on his website go look at the specifics. https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/2...tube-depot Various info on 18 watt amps , read the comments http://tonefiend.com/?s=18+watt+marshall...mit=Search

[GoldenVulture]

Have you got the Transformer Specs for this circuit ? Does the O.T. you have suit ?

[karpathion]

Oh yeah! The OT is the Classic Tone 40-18037. It's good. The PT is a from that Crate Stealth. I have to go look in the old thread, or in my notebook for the exact specs on it, but last time it was checked it will work fine for this type of build. And honestly, if I have to, I'll buy a PT for it. Good iron can make or break a build. Still playing that one by ear.

To be quite honest, I'm stuck in the exact same spot I was stuck in last year. I just can't make up my mind on the many variants of this 18W Marshall type circuit. Once you get down to the no bullshit, it is what it is, understanding of these amps, I can really do whatever the fuck I want to. I can do a 60's circuit in many ways, a 70's circuit in many ways, or I can make many variants of an 18w power section, Plexi, 800, 900, variant. Hell, if I really wanted to, I could mix an American style preamp with an 18W British style power section. 

The options are what are killing me. I just can't make up my damn mind!  :toast: