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FDP Forum / Amp Mods, Repairs, and Projects / building the two stroke amp in Dave Hunter's book
(This message was last edited by Ralph Kramden at 07:18 AM, Oct 23rd, 2006)
(This message was last edited by TeleThom at 08:32 AM, Oct 24th, 2006)
(This message was last edited by PaulBacon at 11:40 AM, Oct 24th, 2006)
(This message was last edited by TeleThom at 06:57 PM, Oct 27th, 2006)
(This message was last edited by TeleThom at 03:51 PM, Nov 1st, 2006)
FDP Forum / Amp Mods, Repairs, and Projects / building the two stroke amp in Dave Hunter's book
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Ralph Kramden
St. PaulOct 23rd, 2006 07:07 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Has anyone built the amp in chapter nine of Dave Hunter's "The Guitar Amp Handbook"? Any build advice or glowing reports?
I've ordered the components individually and I'm a little nervous about the build without the information supplement that comes with the kit.
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILOct 23rd, 2006 07:52 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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As I reported to you earlier, Ralph, if you email Dave Hunter, he'll email you the updated instrux pronto. He has no problem with folks sole-sourcing the parts )as I did) for the amp as opposed to buying it thru him. They're not a major departure from the book. Things like the impedance taps for the Weber OT (that replaces the Hammond tranny) and so forth. If you run into a problem, let me know, but I doubt you will. Dave's a great guy and very responsive to questions.
The Two-Stroke is now my main practice amp. You'll love it. Pretty straight-forward, easy first build.
PaulBacon
U.S. New HampshireOct 24th, 2006 06:16 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Hope this isn't hijacking too much...I, too, have ordered the Dave Hunter Two Stroke. Yes, he does seem like a really great guy.
TeleThom, what are you using for a speaker, just out of curiosity?
I'm hoping that with all the variations of switching and tubing, I'll find a variety of clean sounds and overdrive sounds. You think this will be the case? I'd also thought I'd use this amp as a spring board for circuit modification experiments as I learn more...
Paul
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILOct 24th, 2006 08:27 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Paul, you're not hijacking in the least. I'm using an open back extension cab with a single 12" Weber AlNiCo Signature most of the time, although I'll also run it thru my Fender 4X12 cab for some nice tight bottom end.
The amp does cleans superbly. To drive it to overdrive/breakup, it's *really* loud even with a single 6K6GT, so I've finally purchased a Weber attenuator when I'm after some real crunch without the neighbors calling the police.
The amp lends itself very well to mods, IMO. I did a tubes-up, head version to allow myself a little more room to work in and to try different speakers. It's a fun little amp.
Edit: Welcome to the FDP Ralph and Paul. Lurk no more! Time to fire up the soldering iron!
PaulBacon
U.S. New HampshireOct 24th, 2006 11:37 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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That sounds wonderful, TeleT... particularly re: clean sounds. Can't wait to start on it.
I have a Marshall Brake for an attenuator, and it comes in handy. Don't think it works as well as the Weber attenuator--from what I understand.
A while ago I built in an isolation cabinet in another room so I could record a speaker cab via a SM57 through my mixer(great sound, easy on the ears). These days I mostly play using that route. I've been using the 12" EV speaker that I removed from my Mesa Boogie. I can run different amps to that remote speaker. I have had my eye set on the alnico you mention. Again, I'm so looking foward to the Two Stroke. Thanks for your input... and the welcome.
Ralph Kramden
St. PaulOct 24th, 2006 09:10 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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How would you describe the sound? Does it tend to give more of a Fenderish or Voxy driven sound? Does the boost switch cover a lot of range of tone?
Speaking of circuit mods,what would be some interesting changes to do with this amp? Adjusting the circuitry having to do with the 3 paths to the the boost switch is one; adjusting the values to extremes to see what happens (hopefully not goodbye preamp tube). Or, as Dave suggested in the book, eliminate the tone and volume controls completely. Then use an attenuator to adjust sound level? I have a weber mini mass I'm so confident I'll exclusively use with this amp I've considered taking the speaker motor, etc. out of the weber box and putting it in the chassis with the two stroke amp.
Paul: no worries of a hijack. This thread actually started a few days ago when I found TeleThom on a completely irrelevant thread and I guess actually did hijack it.
After I read Dave Hunter's book I dug into my silverface vibro champ and did some changes. I could easily see this being addictive.
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILOct 27th, 2006 06:48 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Sorry, been busy.
"How would you describe the sound? Does it tend to give more of a Fenderish or Voxy driven sound? Does the boost switch cover a lot of range of tone?"
I don't write for a guitar magazine and have a tin ear, so... ;p... it sounds really good. I have 2 Fender solid state amps, 1 Vox SS, my tube Epi and my homebrew. It sounds great. It's an easy build. Just do it and you decide. If you want to get into amp building, you won't be disappointed with the "tone." It WILL reveal the "tone" of your guitars like few other amps. For example, my Schecter has really hot, true Seymour Duncan humbuckers. They sound WAY different and hotter than my JV Strat. The 3-way switch lends itself to mods, but I'm not an EE.
Just do it. You *will* get addicted to amp building. I haven't even started modding yet. Need to bone up on electronics.
...my 6M18TMB awaits. Later.
JUST DO IT. It's fun.
Edit: Didn't mean to come off all smart alecky. I asked a lot of similar questions on my first build as are evidenced somewhere here. The advice was about the same. Just do it. Really. You've got to try this. It's really fun. Did I mention addictive? As in, you'll start building bigger, more complicated amps that you maybe don't *need*, but have to build, just 'cuz? You've been warned.
Ralph Kramden
St. PaulOct 30th, 2006 01:46 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Tele:
I'm welding a chassis for this (way too heavy I know, but this is a furniture project as well as an amp project) and I can't remember, but there are some things (like some tube and some transformer) that should be as far from each other as possible. Do you know what these are?
Thanks
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILOct 30th, 2006 03:27 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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You're gonna want to have your tube sockets ideally at least 2" apart on-center (minimum). More space is better if you can swing it. Questions. What chasis dimensions are you looking at? Is this going to be a head unit or "Champ" type design with tubes upside down? Are you going with 1 or 2 power tubes?
The design you see in my pics is my own. If done again, I'd orient the PT 90 degrees from where it is now and prop the OT a little closer at 90 degrees to the PT.
FWIW, I bought Kevin O'Connor's "The Ultimate Tone, Vol. 3, *after* I built my amp. ALL of the questions you have are answered in great detail therein. A worthwhile addition to the library for sure. Hope this helps.
Edit to correct faulty geometry
Ralph Kramden
St. PaulOct 30th, 2006 05:07 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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TeleThom:
The chassis is 3" deep, 5 1/2" high, 14 1/2" wide. The OT, PT and tubes will all hang upside down from the 3" by 14 1/2" bottom. Switches, pots and input will be on top.
Thanks a lot for your feedback. This is great information.
Ralph Kramden
St. PaulNov 2nd, 2006 07:30 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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TeleThom:
I noticed that pins 1 and 6 are missing on my 6L6, but the schmatic has a ground coming from pin 1 and something coming from pin 6. Is this how your tubes are configured?
I made the chassis and set it up loosely based on the layout of a vibro champ.
cllvt
USANov 2nd, 2006 09:06 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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TeleThom,
If I were to undertake building an amp from scratch, would you recommend Kevin O'Connor's "The Ultimate Tone (I guess #1)? That would seem the most suited from desriptions. It would be great to look through them all, but not an option. To buy the series is outside my budget now. What do you think?
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILNov 2nd, 2006 09:26 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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There really aren't any books out there that teaches one how to build an amp from scratch that I'm aware of aside from Hunter's. Can't speak for the whole TUT series as I only own #3. What's your background? Know any electronics? Can you solder and de-solder well? If not, then a kit with complete directions might be the place to start.
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILNov 2nd, 2006 09:37 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Ralph, check the link. I don't have the schematic handy right now.
cllvt
USANov 2nd, 2006 09:52 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I have a little electronics background. I have done a cap job and a few mods on my (SFVC) little Fender. Soldering skill good. I was thinking a kit at one point, but I think it would be more fun to start from scratch.
I think what I am looking for would be a book about component layout, etc. I have a few books, but the Tone series sounded interesting (but not available locally for browsing before buying).
Maybe I will start with a chassis/board kit, and build the cab, etc.
TeleThom
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Chicago, ILNov 2nd, 2006 10:43 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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In that case, you should definitely check out Ted Weber's line of kits. They come with no directions of any kind. The layouts and schematics for each amp are at his site. If you feel comfortablw with that, I suggest you check them out. Community support for his amps is very good.
If scratch is what you really want, then I'd do the two-stroke. Also, do as much reading as you can here, at Ted's site and all of the links you'll find along the way. aikenamps.com and paulrubyamps.com are two very good sites loaded with good links. Read, read, read. Ask questions. You have some of the brightest minds and most experienced amp builders in the world, right here.
Unfortunately, there are no courses in this amp building thing, so it's kind of up to you to "pay your dues and get you hands dirty." :)
cllvt
USANov 2nd, 2006 12:03 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Thanks! That sounds like a reasonable plan.
Ralph Kramden
St. PaulNov 2nd, 2006 05:06 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Thanks, Tele. The link confirms all is well.
guitarson
USANov 4th, 2006 11:27 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I am thinking about building the two-stroke amp in Dave Hunter's guitar amp book. My son seems to be under the impression that some tube amps do not work well with pedals. Has anyone tried any pedals with this amp? After the amp is built for 6L6s is it possible to switch them out for EL34s without changing the sockets?
Brockville
Contributing Member
CanadaNov 13th, 2006 08:30 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Below is a link to a blog by a guy who built the two stroke amp.
There's a lot of good information here including very clear build photos, some sound files (under the date "Saturday, May 13, 2006") and Dave Hunter's updated build Instructions (about midway down the page under the date "Friday, April 21, 2006")
I don't think the site can handle a lot of traffic so if the link doesn't work for you try again later.
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