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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Tech Talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tech Talk. Show all posts

Friday, June 24, 2011

Tech Talk - Gibson GA-40 (1957)


Surprisingly, the GA-40 wasn’t Gibson’s most powerful amp of the time, contrary to the kind of firepower that you might think the powerful Les Paul Standard demanded. But remember, the Les Paul wasn’t designed to be the blues-rock and heavy-rock monster that it would prove itself to be in the mid ’60s and beyond. It was originally designed as a solidbody alternative for jazz and pop players, guitarists much like its namesake, and for this market, Gibson deemed a pair of lower-powered 6V6 output tubes and a conservative 14 to 16-watt rating absolutely adequate. Don’t believe for one second, however, that this diminutive rating means a GA-40 can’t roar when you want it to: these are real fire breathers, truly scorching when you crank them up, and a lot louder, too, than that output rating might imply.
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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Tech Talk - Fender Super-Amp (1957)



Model No:
5F4 (56-60)

Config:
Combo

Control Panel:
Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12

Conrol Layout:
Ground Sw, Fuse (3A), Power Sw, Standby Sw, Pilot Lamp, Presense, Bass, Treb, Vol, Mic Vol, In, In, Mic In, Mic In

Knobs:
Black pointer

Cabinet:
Narrow panel, 18½" x 22" x 10½" (47 x 55.9 x 26.7 cm)

Cab Covering:
Diagonal tweed

Cab Hardware:
Leather Handle, glides

Grille:
brown grille cloth

Logo:
Cabinet mounted, Script "Fender" on rectangular tag

Weight:
?

Speakers/Load:
2 x 10"/? ohms

Speaker Model:
Jensen P10R or Jensen P10Q

Effects:
None

Output:


Preamp:
5F4: Mic: ½ 12AY7, Inst: ½ 12AY7, 12AX7 and ½ 12AX7 shared by both channels

Power:
5F4: 2 x 6L6G


Bias:
5F4: Fixed bias, nonadjustable

Rectifier:
5F4: 5U4G


Phase Inverter:
5F4: ½ 12AX7 (split load)

Comments:


A speaker and ex. speaker jack were located under the chassis.
A selenium rectifier was used in the bias circuit for model 5F4.
The spearkers were mounted off center in the lower left and upper right corners of the baffle.



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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Tech Talk - Fender Pro-Amp (1959)




Model:
Pro

Model No:
5E5-A (56-60)

Config:
Combo

Control Panel:
Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12

Conrol Layout:
5E5: Ground Sw, Fuse (3A), Power Sw, Standby Sw, Pilot Lamp, Tone, Vol, Mic Vol, In, In, Mic In, Mic In
5E5-A: Ground Sw, Fuse (3A), Power Sw, Standby Sw, Pilot Lamp, Presence, Bass, Treb, Vol, Mic Vol, In, In, Mic In, Mic In

Knobs:
Black pointer

Cabinet:
Narrow panel, 20" x 22" x 10" (50.8 x 55.9 x 25.4 cm)

Cab Covering:
Diagonal tweed

Cab Hardware:
Leather Handle, glides

Grille:
brown grille cloth

Logo:
Cabinet mounted, Script "Fender Pro-Amp" on rectangular tag

Weight:
?

Speakers/Load:
1 x 15"/8 ohms

Speaker Model:
Jensen P15N

Effects:
None

Output:
18-25 Watts (5E5) or ? (5E5-A)

Preamp:

5E5-A: Mic: ½ 12AY7, Instrument: ½ 12AY7, 12AY7 and ½ 12AX7 shared by both channels

Power:
2 x 6L6GB or 5881 (58-60)

Bias:
5E5-A: Fixed bias, nonadjustable

Rectifier:
5U4GA

Phase Inverter:
½ 12AX7 (split load)

Comments:


Model 5E5-A returned the negative feedback loop with the addition of the Presense control.
A selenium rectifier is used in model 5E5-A's bias circuit.



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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Tech Talk - Meteor Mini Meat (2007)


20 watts two 6V6 or 6L6 power tubes
three 12AY7 pre amp tubes
5AR4 rectifier
one 10" and two 8" weber speakers
mini "meat" control
25" tall x 22-1/2" wide x 8-1/2" deep tapering down to 11" deep at the bottom
50 pounds
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Monday, June 20, 2011

Tech Talk - Danelectro Commando (1956)


The Danelectro Commando is a combo guitar amplifier manufactured by Danelectro in 1954–1960. There is some evidence that it is one of the amplifiers used by Little Walter.

The circuitry of this 30-watt amplifier is typical of its day, with a 5Y3 rectifier tube, one 12AX7 preamp tube, one 12AX7 for phase inversion, a 6SN7 additional gain stage, four 6V6 power tubes, and a 6SJ7 (original version) or a 6AU6 (very last models) for the built-in vibrato unit. What makes it special is the cabinet. Employing a "suitcase" design, it contains eight 8-inch Rola 10610 alnicos speakers wired series / parallel in two arrays one in either side of the suitcase, with the amplifier and controls located at the top and bottom of one side. The suitcase opens out so that both sides face forwards.

When closed, the amplifier is 22" × 22" x 10". It weighs 38 lbs, relatively lightweight for a valve combo amplifier.

The same amplifier was made by Danelectro under the following names:Danelectro Commando Model 88, Silvertone 1337, Montgomery Ward 35 JDR 8419, Montgomery Ward 55 JDR 8437, Montgomery Ward GDR 8517a


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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Tech Talk - Premier 50 (1963)


In the Amp Mythos it is said that Linc Ray, used Premier Amps and used the model 90 reverb unit. When Leo Fender wanted to make an amp for Ray, he put a Hammond organ reverb tank in the bottom of a Fender Super and Ray switched to the new Super Reverb amp. If Premiers had combined reverb with their amps all you guitar players would be using Premier ampsIt has the 12AX7 tube and a 6V6 with a 5Y3 rectifier tube. 5-10 watts 1x8"speaker
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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Tech Talk - Meteor Harp Amp (2006)


Kim Wilson shown with his Meteor.

This is it folks. You've found the home of the only REAL harp amp. The Meteor amp is a pure tone monster with 50 watts of pure useable tube tone. The four 6V6's produce a sound that is warm and overdriven like a harp amp is supposed to be. The note definition of the Meteor is crystal clear and never lost even when the amp is set up to be over compressed.

Every Meteor is made of the highest quality American made parts available one at a time. The circuit board is cut from sheet, all eyelet holes are individually drilled and staked one at a time. The boards are then laced with Mallory 150 series cap's, carbon comp resistors, Sprague "atom" electrolytics and finished off with vintage style cloth wire. The custom laser cut aluminum chassis is then assembled using custom wound Heyboer transformers, stainless steel fasteners and the attention to detail that every amp deserves. The chassis is bottom mounted into a solid pine cabinet with all dovetail joints for years of rock solid durability. The control's of the meteor are top mounted up front where the player is in a custom laser cut stainless steel control panel. The control panel is an integral part of the speaker baffle on the meteor which is covered in a cain grille cloth which accents the brown tweed perfectly.
Specs
50 watts
four 6V6 power tubes
three 12AY7 pre amp tubes

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”

Friday, June 17, 2011

Tech Talk - Fender "Pro Junior" (2003)


The Pro Junior™ is a simple, uncluttered 15-Watt tone machine, a great grab & go tube amp for stage or studio. It's got the fat mid tones characteristic of EL-84 output tubes, a dual 12AX7 tube preamp, and a 10-inch Fender Special Design speaker with vintage cone. These ingredients add up to incredibly touch-sensitive dynamic response that experienced players prefer.Other features include a unique clean-to-drive volume control, and external speaker capability. The new Pro Junior IIalso includes these upgrades: Easier reading black control panel with front reading text; New badge; Vintage Fender "dog bone" handle; Vintage sized jewel light; Lower-noise shielding; Rattle reducing shock absorbers for EL-84 tubes; Heavy duty set screw "chicken head" knobs. Fender Hot Rod Series Pro Junior 15W 1x10 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Features: All tube preamp and 15-watt power section Volume and tone controls 1 - 10" special design Eminence® speaker Extension speaker jack

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Tech Talk - Marble Max Amp (2006)

input, volume & tone
1x8 MARBLE Bluetone C8H25 speaker
poweroutput: 7,5 watts (6W RMS at 8 Ohm)
dimensions: 34 x 29 x 20 cm, weight: 7 kg



pre-amp: 1x 6SL7GT or 12AT7NOS
power-amp: 1x 6V6GT or 5881
rectifier: 1x 5Y3GT
The circuitry is based on the tweed Champ designs with a single ended class A output section. Special transformers are developed to accept a 6V6 as well as a 6L6 powertube. The 6V6 is sweeter and rounder, the 6L6 will give better low end and can be used in combination with a 5AR4 rectifier to produce more than 10Watts. The pre-amp operates with an old style 6SL7GT tube but can be modified to a more conventional 12AT7NOS.

AJ: "The 6SL7GT’s have a nice round and warm tone for clean as well as overdriven sounds. The 12AT7 has a stronger more detailed midrange focus, and has the advantage of being interchangable with the 12AX7 for maximum gain or the 12AY7 for more vintage tone".

The powersection uses a 5Y3GT rectifier tube for the right amount of compression and nice detailed upper harmonics when pushed. The MAX is equipped with a special design "Marble Bluetone" 8 inch speaker. We added a special powersoak / line out circuitry that enables the amp to operate without any speaker load. In this way, the amp can be used as a preamp only or can be hooked up to a larger guitar amp or PA to produce a big sound when required.

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Tech Talk - Di Mambro Harp Amp (2008)


Di Mambro Harp Amp(2008)
1x10"Jensen reissue speaker
6v6gt, 12ax7, 5y3gt tubes

Questo amplificatore nasce dalo studio degli amplificatori usati dal Re dell'Armonica , Little Walter...e da qui viene il nome "Little Walter Style".

E' un amplificatore per armonica da 20 watt completamente artigianale. Ha 4 ingressi e due volumi per ogni canale ma un unico controllo di tono. Valvole: 5U4, 2 x 6L6 in push pull , una 12au7 e una 12ax7. Trasformatori: Avvolti a mano con carta olio. Altoparlante: n.2 Jensen AL.NI.CO P10R. Circuito: point to point su cartone dielettrico. Il cabinet è in multistrato di betulla.

Tutti i componenti elettronici sono di ottima qualità (utilizzati per il restauro del vintage).

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tech Talk - Magnatone 415 Clio Bass-Amp (1962)


The 415 has a 6EU7 for the preamp and tone circuits. After 1st preamp section, a 12AU7 for the phase inverter,and twin 6973 miniature beam power tubes. The rectifier tube is a 6CA4. Powerful 5 tube unit with 4 large custom built 8" extended range speakers (AlNiCo # 25-1011). 1 channel, 2 inputs (high & low gain) Volume and Tone controls, jewel pilot light, hum phase switch and AC line switch. Dimensions: 23 1/8" long. 19 1/4" high. 10 1/2" deep. Wt. 46 lbs.

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Tech Talk - Custom Kraft "Electra Bass Amp" (1964)


35WattRMS, 1xC15N Jensen speaker

Custom Kraft (Lectrolab) Amplifiers are cheaply made tube amps from the 1950s and 1960s. They were made by Sound Projects Co. Cicero, Ill., which might suggest that they had something to do with Valco. Once source tells me that Sound Projects was a subsidiary of Bell Labs. Gibson, Valco, Epiphone, Kalamazoo and Lectrolab were all made within 50 miles of each other. The Chicago area built some of the great guitar amps. Workers moved from factory to factory and some set out on their own to start their own factories.

Lectrolab amps are the great tube amp in the cheapest box that could be made. The cabinets for these amps are made of pressboard. No shortcuts were left untaken in their manufacture. As a result, there are not that many of these around.

On the plus side, off the shelf electronic components were of fairly good quality in the late 1950s, and the amps that have survived have great tone and are a good inexpensive alternative to expensive collectable amps.
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Sunday, June 12, 2011

Tech Talk - Harper Amplifiers "Alligator" (2007)


# 30 Watt RMS
Tubes: GZ34, 4 x EL84, 1 x 12AX7A, 1 x 12AT7
16 "Accutronics spring reverb
6 x 8 "Ceramic Speaker C8R Jensen
Blonde Tolex cabinet fabric
"Oxblood" Speaker reference
Bias (fixed/Cathode) Switchable bias (fixed / cathode) Speaker phase switch


Chicken Head Knobs
100% hand crafted small lot - Swiss made!


Dimensions: (HWD) 620 x 640 x 270cm
Weight: approx 31 kg
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Saturday, June 11, 2011

Tech Talk - Marble Harpmaster (2006)


Harpmaster 6x8

The Marble Harpmaster is our top of the line Harp amp. It is tuned for true harp power and fat blues tone with no compromise.

* bullet & low-Z inputs, input-switch, input-volume, input-tone, treble, middle, bass, master-volume & master-presence
* speakers: 6 Special Design Marble Bluetone C8H25
* poweroutput: 60Watts (55W RMS at 2 Ohm)
* Dimensions 61 x 59 x 27, weight 24 kg

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Friday, June 10, 2011

Tech Talk - Silvertone 1481 (1966)


The 1471 & 1481 amps were the 'Champs' of the Silvertone line for a number of years. 5 watts of power into an 8" speaker. The 1471/81 was a sweet little amp, with simple volume and tone controls and two inputs.

Introduced:
Fall/Winter 1961 at $37.95
as the 57G1471C

Through its career, it was 57K1471C
57H1471C
It became the
57K1481L in Spring/Summer '63
57H1481L
57A1481L

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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tech Talk - Supro "Big Star" (1966)


Circa 1966 Supro S6651 Big Star

Preamp tubes: four 12AX7, one 6973 reverb driver.

Output tubes: four 6L6GC.

Rectifier: solidstate

Controls: Volume and Tone on each of two channels, Reverb, Tremolo Intensity and Tremolo Speed on Reverb-Tremolo Channel.

Speakers: two Jensen C12N ceramic speakers.
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Output: approximately 30 watts RMS.
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tech Talk - Kalamazoo Model 2 (1966)


Controls:

Volume
Tremolo Frequency (with on/off switch)
Tone (with on/off switch)
Two inputs, one channel

Tubes:

6X4 full wave rectifier
12AX7/ECC83/7025 (dual triode) preamp
6BQ5/EL84 output tube
12AX7/ECC83/7025 (dual triode) tremolo oscillator

Output Transformer:

Woodward-Schumacher TF500-0-606-528, 4K input, 8 ohm output

Speaker:

one CTS 10", 8 ohms (amp's serial number sticker is on magnet assembly)

Miscellaneous:

schematic and tube layout chart pasted inside amp
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tech Talk - Masco MAP-15 (1946)

Masco MAP-15 (1946)
15 Watts 1x12" Jensen speaker
volume: 6 tone: 3



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Monday, June 6, 2011

Tech Talk - Fender Champion "600" (2007)

Model Name: Champion™ 600
Series: Vintage Modified Amps
Amplifier Type: Tube
Color / MSRP* / Part # :

Two Tone
$239.99
233-0100-000

Electronics
Inputs: Two (1/4" Instrument and 1/4" Instrument / XLR Microphone)
Extension Speaker Jack: External Speaker Output
Channels: One channel
Power Handling: 5 watts
Rectifier: Diode Rectifier
Controls: Volume
Hardware
Cabinet Material: Brown and Blonde Vinyl Covering; Vintage-Correct 1950 "Two-Tone" Cosmetics
Pilot Light Jewel: Red Amp Jewel
Handle: Leather Strap Handle
Front Panel: Chrome Front Panel
Input Impedance: 1 M Input Impedance
Sensitivity: 25 mV (volume at maximum for full power)
Amplifier Length: 7.5" (19 cm)
Amplifier Width: 12" (31 cm)
Amplifier Height: 11" (27.9 cm)
Amplifier Weight: 15 lbs (6.80 kg)
Speakers
Speaker: One 6", 4-Ohm Special Design driver with ceramic magnet (0073904000)
Speaker Impedance: 4 Ohm
Tubes
Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Tube Preamp and Tube Power Amp (One 12AX7 tube; One 6V6 tube). 5 watts Into a 6" Special Design Speaker. High-Gain and Low-Gain Inputs; Hotter Preamp Circuit than the 1950 Original for Warm Natural Overdrive when Turned Up. Single Volume Control. External Speaker Output. Brown and Blonde Vinyl Covering; Vintage-Correct 1950 "Two-Tone" Cosmetics. Leather Strap Handle. Red Jeweled Pilot Light.


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Saturday, June 4, 2011

Tech Talk - VOX V15 (1980)


The V15 was a compact five valve (tube) 15 watt amplifier that featured two ECC83, one ECC81, and and two EL-84 tubes. It was produced by the Dallas Industries manufacturing plant in Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, Essex England
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