High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

[Soulcrusher_X]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

I usually use O'netics as they are really exceptional transformers.

In this build however I am using some custom wound transformers from an Italian winder.

The heater wiring is an interesting topic. I've had people criticise me for doing it this way rather than the traditional way of using twisted pairs all along as it is quieter.

When in fact There is little to no difference at all it's just more time consuming to do it all twisted and you end up using a lot more wire rather than doing it twisted up to the socket then bus bar straight down either side.

Actually, if you look inside a lot of Soldano amps, he uses buss wire for heaters and bridging the tone controls. I wish I had taken pics of my SLO build, but I did the same thing. I was going to go with the twisted pair, but when I saw a gutshot of an actual SLO, it has the buss wire for the heaters, too. I did the same thing, and I didnt notice any heater hum. I got my chassis from C3 as well. I wanted a 100w with two KT88s, and he has chassis puched for two power tubes. Next time, Id like to have a chrome chassis. I like shiny stuff.

I used the Weber trannies and it sounded great. I hear good things about the Onetics, so if they really sound that much better, then it will be worth the extra money.

 

[Soulcrusher_X]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Yeah. Some people make out like it's an absolutely massive amount but its really very small unless you run the clean channels master considerably higher than the lead channels.

It adds a bit of character into the sound that some people describe as being 3d. I just say it sounds better with it.

Less stiff is also what I noticed.

Good build, dude. I appreciate your OCD attention to detail. Looks wicked sweet.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Actually, if you look inside a lot of Soldano amps, he uses buss wire for heaters and bridging the tone controls. I wish I had taken pics of my SLO build, but I did the same thing. I was going to go with the twisted pair, but when I saw a gutshot of an actual SLO, it has the buss wire for the heaters, too. I did the same thing, and I didnt notice any heater hum. I got my chassis from C3 as well. I wanted a 100w with two KT88s, and he has chassis puched for two power tubes. Next time, Id like to have a chrome chassis. I like shiny stuff.

I used the Weber trannies and it sounded great. I hear good things about the Onetics, so if they really sound that much better, then it will be worth the extra money.

Oh yeah i know how soldano do it. Ill have the pots etc up soon which will be done in the same fashion. It's just so much tidier and more convenient than using seperate bits of wire.

From the various transformers i've tried the Onetics have come out on top above stuff like hammond and dagnall and even heyboer.

Hopefully these custom ones should match up.

I also believe that C3 may be doing some alternative Chassis around september time as it's something that we've discussed.

 

[Soulcrusher_X]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

What kinds of chassis ideas? If you dont mind sharing of course. Something vintagey would be cool, like a 50's Fender tweed-style headshell/chassis combo.

As far as other trannies, Im thinking about trying some of the stuff from Edcor. They are relatively inexpensive, and have gotten good reviews from lots of smaller amp build websites. The blue color looks curiously similar to the blue color from the trannies I have seen in the Jet City gut shots. I dont know if it's coincidence or not, but the JCA stuff is Soldano-designed. Maybe the same?

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

What kinds of chassis ideas? If you dont mind sharing of course. Something vintagey would be cool, like a 50's Fender tweed-style headshell/chassis combo.

As far as other trannies, Im thinking about trying some of the stuff from Edcor. They are relatively inexpensive, and have gotten good reviews from lots of smaller amp build websites. The blue color looks curiously similar to the blue color from the trannies I have seen in the Jet City gut shots. I dont know if it's coincidence or not, but the JCA stuff is Soldano-designed. Maybe the same?

From what we've discussed theres going to be a mark series amp some marshall stuff and a hiwatt. He hasn't mentioned anything else though. But this is something that we've been discussing/planning for about a year now but it's slowly coming to fruition.

As for the Edcors. I've got a friend who uses them exclusively in trainwreck and marshall style builds and they are very solid.

As for the Jet City stuff I wouldn't think the trannies would be that high quality but i could be mistaken.

 

[Brow]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

That looks awesome mate.

Hopefully I'll get chance to play it

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

That looks awesome mate.

Hopefully I'll get chance to play it

Hopefully you'll be able to buy it too

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Again i've updated the original post with just one picture this time.

Tomorrow shall yield a fully built amp!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

It's looking great, dude. I hope it sounds awesome.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

It's looking great, dude. I hope it sounds awesome.

Thanks It shouldn't be long now. I just have to get the preamp soldered in (all the wires are in place) and to wire up the effects loop but those are both pretty quick jobs.

I've added a few more pictures to the first post again.

 

[Soulcrusher_X]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

From what we've discussed theres going to be a mark series amp some marshall stuff and a hiwatt. He hasn't mentioned anything else though. But this is something that we've been discussing/planning for about a year now but it's slowly coming to fruition.

As for the Edcors. I've got a friend who uses them exclusively in trainwreck and marshall style builds and they are very solid.

As for the Jet City stuff I wouldn't think the trannies would be that high quality but i could be mistaken.

Awesome. A Mark series build would be totally up my alley.

So your bud has used the Edcors? They are very reasonably priced, so if they really are that solid, I'll have to give them a shot.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

yeah Edcors are all that he uses and they seem really decent.

I've considered them a few times but for single units in the UK its pretty pricey.

he gets a dealer discount on them as he works at wienbrock amps who used to use them before switching over to BLS

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Right guys.

I've updated the original post with what will be the final pictures for a few days.

The amp itself is complete. Fully working and insanely quiet. If I turn the volume knob down on my guitar there is virtually no thermal hiss on the lead channel with high gain settings.

I made a few changes as When I first powered it up I wasn't too fond of the amount of saturation as it was ridiculously high so I lowered that.

As you can see from the photos it's fairly messy currently as a few wires need shortening & tie wrapping but all my builds end up like this initially as I learnt my mistake from making everything pristine then having a problem and having to destroy it all and fix the issue.

So there will be a few more photos in a few days when I have rearranged some of the wiring. And of course there should be some clips tomorrow.

Does anyone have any requests? Just a riff or something as I can never think of anything to play when it comes to recording samples.

 

[ErikH]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Wow. Just wow. Can't wait to hear the clips. Rip up some RATT in the clips...LOL.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

I'll see what I can do!

 

[Brow]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

That looks awesome mate, as always! :friday:

Hopefully I'll get to try it before you move it on.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Tony, this looks really great. I hope you hang around long enough for me to want to do this for myself. Thanks for documenting the build.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

That looks awesome mate, as always! :friday:

Hopefully I'll get to try it before you move it on.

Well you know where I am!

This one has turned out quieter than mine even though its still a bit messy. I'm going to tidy it up after doing the RATT clips and then put it up for sale.

Tonally it's pretty much the exact same other than the mods to make the bass controls more usable and fine tuning the output section which made it a touch punchier but not by a massive margin the core tone itself is pretty much exact.

I know you'll like it...

 

[Brow]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Well you know where I am!

This one has turned out quieter than mine even though its still a bit messy. I'm going to tidy it up after doing the RATT clips and then put it up for sale.

Tonally it's pretty much the exact same other than the mods to make the bass controls more usable and fine tuning the output section which made it a touch punchier but not by a massive margin the core tone itself is pretty much exact.

I know you'll like it...

Well, I loved the white 1 you built for yourself. The ONLY amp I've played since getting my Splawn that's made me even think about something else

We'll have to sort out another trip northbound mate, you're only about 40 miles away :friday:

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: High Gain SLO Influenced Amplifier Build Log For misterwhizzy

Tony, this looks really great. I hope you hang around long enough for me to want to do this for myself. Thanks for documenting the build.

Thanks! And don't worry i'll be sticking around! As I said if you need any help with the build or even sourcing parts feel free to ask.

I may be doing something for c3amps at some point over the summer. More of a build guide kinda like the BYOC instructions.