Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Hi folks, thought I'd share this. I built this a little while ago but thought I'd wait till it'd given good service before I shared it with the world. It's based on a hiwatt dr201, has 4xkt88 power valves, partridge transformers, and Ecc83 and ecc81 pre amp valves. Also has individual bias adjustment for each power valve. The chassis is a 19"rack case which makes it compatible with most cabs. Sound is huge, infinite lows even with a five string, plus very tight mids and clear highs. Have been gigging it for the last year with no problems except for one bad power valve. In all I'm very happy with it and it was very much worth all the work. I will add some inside pics soon. I Quote
Beer of the Bass Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 That's very cool. Transformers for a 200 watter can't have been cheap! Quote
Dad3353 Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Excellent choice of model, if I may say so (yes, we use a Hiwatt DR205; very similar...). I would expect the weight to be as high as the sound quality, of course..! Highly commended; well done. Thinking of going into production..? [size=4] [/size] Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 Would be happy to build if people really want them. Yes it is heavy, but the sound definitely comes from those massive transformers, huge power supply, 700v ht, and plenty of iron in the output transformer ensures huge low end. Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 Would be happy to build if people really want them. Yes it is heavy, but the sound definitely comes from those massive transformers, huge power supply, 700v ht, and plenty of iron in the output transformer ensures huge low end. Quote
Dad3353 Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Were these Partridges cannibalised from a dead amp, or are they new ones from Surrey (or another source..?)..? Just curious... Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 They were taken out of a carlsbro PA200 which was very similar in terms of power supply and output. Not too difficult to get new transformers to order. I've got another carlsbro to gut to build another and also want to mod the pre amp on this one, mid shift, fat switch etc. I've owned a Hartke ha3500 for years and it's a great amp but the valve head blows it away on every level. Quote
JapanAxe Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Wow! What is the control setup? I can't quite make out the lettering in the pics. And where can we see and hear you gigging this? Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) Controls are the same as the Hiwatt, normal gain, bright gain, bass, mid, treble, presence and master vol. It's actually quite flexible though I'm researching some parametric circuits for a pre amp design at the mo. Will mean lots of valves but will be nice to nail a frequency. My band plays around Bristol, wilts ,weston super mare. Www.quichetheband.com. it's all covers. Nearest to Swindon is gonna be trowbridge Sept 13. Edited July 30, 2014 by Subthumper Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 Just to add, these transformers came courtesy of Mr Foxen, any production models would utilise brand new ones. Quote
3below Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 What do estimate the cost will be? Two suggestions: DI output and speakons. Looks the business, am sure it will sound the business - why did I sell my DR203 many years ago, I have no idea now. Quote
Subthumper Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 All good suggestions and noted. I'll work out a cost. Anyone seriously interested Pm me. Quote
deanovw Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 pm'd I like pretty much everything about this. Quote
JapanAxe Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 [quote name='Subthumper' timestamp='1406757922' post='2514563'] Here's the inside pics. [/quote] Tidy work Mr Subthumper! Quote
Beer of the Bass Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 That's a very tidy job, quite Burman-esque with the tagboards and neat lead-dress. Neater than the guitar amp I did for myself (which was in Fender style on eyelets), so I can appreciate the work that went into that. Quote
Grissle Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 Is it just me or are those KT88's just so cool looking? Congrats, and well done. Quote
paul_5 Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 [quote name='Grissle' timestamp='1406802484' post='2514797'] Is it just me or are those KT88's just so cool looking? Congrats, and well done. [/quote] Nope, they look awesome! Quote
Subthumper Posted August 1, 2014 Author Posted August 1, 2014 Some great feedback guy's, thank you. I'll get on the case of working out a cost, might take week or so, plus I'll factor in the suggestions and additions like DI out and speakons. The other option I can offer is to rework an old amp like a sound city with all new innards and hot rod paint job to your spec. I'll post up some pics of the carlsbro tc60 I did for my bands guitarist. As long as the transformers are good its a goer plus I'll recycle as many original bits of hardware like sockets and knobs as possible. If this option is of interest let me know. Quote
MoonBassAlpha Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 Neat work, nice. One thing though - aren't the power and output transformers usually oriented at right angles to each other? Quote
KiOgon Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 Very nice I'd like to have a build of one myself - but I think it would blow me out of my little music room Quote
Subthumper Posted August 1, 2014 Author Posted August 1, 2014 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1406888475' post='2515588'] Neat work, nice. One thing though - aren't the power and output transformers usually oriented at right angles to each other? [/quote] Yes bit of a mistake but hasn't been a problem. Orange do the same on the ad200. Quote
barkin Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 [quote name='Subthumper' timestamp='1406887587' post='2515576'] I'll post up some pics of the carlsbro tc60 I did for my bands guitarist. [/quote] I'd like to see that. I've got one that could do with a little TLC. Quote
Subthumper Posted August 1, 2014 Author Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Here's pics of the carlsbro hot rod before and after. Circuit based on the hiwatt but modified for split channel with cascaded gain and individual bias. Edited August 1, 2014 by Subthumper Quote
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