Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The little-known EL34 Vox amps from the late fifties, one of which is fixed bias. https://www.voxac30.org.uk/vox_ac2_30_1957.html. VOX AC2, 30 WATT AMPLIFIER. OS/003 (FIXED BIAS) VOX AC30, NO2. OS/007 1960 (CATHODE BIASED) EL34: individual 470 ohm cathode resistor and 50uf bypass caps. 5k output transformer
From what I can see, the only difference between the two schematics below is the 200ohm resistor after the rectifier (shown on the V-1-3 schem). There are some variations of cap values that can be ignored, such as 4n7 vs 5n etc. I think this may be similar to the AC15 schematics, where Thomas Orgain … Read more
Unknown amp from the Netherlands…. I really have no idea about this one, and I’ve had no luck searching online. I can only assume that it’s from the Netherlands based on the control labels being Dutch. I was drawn to it mostly for the look, and the fact that it had 2 x EL84s … Read more
Another simple one knob tone control, this time from the Marshall 18w amplifier, or the model 1974x, whatever you prefer… Marshall used two different tone controls in the amp. A lot of folks build the 18w lite, which is just the normal channel of the amp, and they often use the trem channel tone … Read more
This is the classic single-knob tone circuit made famous by a number of Fender amps—most notably the 5E3 Tweed Deluxe. Despite not inventing it, Leo must have thought that he nailed it when he first dropped this into a guitar amplifier: it’s simple, clever, and very musical. Despite using only a handful of parts, it … Read more
Another addition to my AWA valve PA family. I hesitated on this one at first—mainly because the power stage is a bit of a beast, and I’ve already got two from the same line. But the price was right, and apparently, I have no resistance when it comes to valve PA heads. This one’s a … Read more
Vintage big muff fonts, these are generally available for download. Please note that EHX is known to be very protective of their brand. Arnold Boecklin Devinne: sustain, volume, tone Futura: on, off and made in U.S.A Skjald: Electro Harmonix ITC Pioneer Not exact, but pretty damn close. The M needs a slight drop on one … Read more
Chicago Telephone Supply (CTS) originally built drivers for telephone network signaling and tone generation. By the late 1950s they expanded into loudspeakers, supplying the booming tube-amp market. Their speakers, often marked with the EIA code “137,” were used extensively by Fender, Ampeg, and many other amplifier companies from the 1950s through the 1970s. Early CTS … Read more
This is a 12w DIY valve guitar amplifier project published in Radio and Hobbies (December 1954), specifically designed to suit the growing popularity of electric guitars. Apparently they were right, more amplifiers would be needed in future. Looks interesting, except for the volume pot being first in the signal chain. That’s not ideal – I … Read more
From Radio, Television and Hobbies, October 1962 PLAYMASTER MODEL 102 SINGLE-CHANNEL GUITAR AMPLIFIER