trinityamps.com

Trinity Amps Guitar Amp Forum
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 11:07 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 46 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Cascaded 18 Watt Plexi
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:28 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
We're building a custom 18 watt plexi that cascades the Normal channel into the TMB channel.

Cascade will be foot switchable along with the TMB chanel boost. When off, it behaves like our standard 18 watt plexi. When on , it's cascades for more gain and some more overdrive.

Amp also has a VRM (Level) control on a front and a custom panel to boot.

You'll note that we're using a TRIWATT power switch to save space for the VRM control.

Zaphod finally had a chance to play it today. I'll let him comment on it. He talked about being spoiled or something!

Image

When I get the relays installed, I'll shoot a picture of the guts.

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:01 am 
Offline
Expert
Expert
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:47 pm
Posts: 960
Location: Toronto, Canada.
Very cool. Did you have to do any reconfigurations of the voicings of the two channels for when they are cascaded?

Is that a custom faceplate there? I ask because of the "level" label.

So when cascaded you can use the Normal Channel's Volume, as well as the TMB's Vol and Gain to control the overall gain. The Level control acts as a master?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:05 am 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
Dropped the TMB bosst cap to 1uf.
It is a custom facpelate . The Level is the amp level that controls the VRM (B+ control) so it is a kind of master.

Come over & try it this weekend before it ships.

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:51 pm 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
Stephen,
don't forget the dual voicing which contains the JTM-45 voice and Plexi Lead voice :wink: :D

It's a Tone-Machine :D :D :D Just what I need!! :D

thanx for posting some pics of it 8)
What would really set it apart would be that Logo example I sent you!! :twisted:

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:50 am 
Offline
Expert
Expert
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 1:45 pm
Posts: 1254
Location: YYZ
coco wrote:
Zaphod finally had a chance to play it today. I'll let him comment on it. He talked about being spoiled or something!

Yes, I had a blast with that amp. With the cascade boost engaged, it has a very smooth, saturated distortion tone with lots of sustain. It's a fantastic heavy rock lead amp in cascade mode. :D There's also very little noise when switching between regular and cascade mode. Anyway, that amp is addictive. I tried to trick Stephen into taking away a different amp as he was leaving, but he realised just before he got to his car. :evil: :lol:

_________________
Great tones come in small glass jars!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:13 am 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
Zaphod, that really pleases me, It was that good of an amp?? :D

Would you change any tubes right now? or would you keep it as is, and play it and get to used to it, and then go for NOS-tubes later?

Or should I go for NOS-tubes right away??? :)
Do any of you have a good spare NOS rectifier-tube I can buy?

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:04 pm 
Offline
Expert
Expert

Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:18 pm
Posts: 589
Location: Da Rock
Some of us might be interested in trying this with their 18watts... :)

Details or is it currently a guarded trade secret? :wink:


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:12 pm 
Offline
Expert
Expert
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:47 pm
Posts: 960
Location: Toronto, Canada.
Emohawk wrote:
Some of us might be interested in trying this with their 18watts... :)

Details or is it currently a guarded trade secret? :wink:
I would think instead of one channel going to the PI it just goes into the input of the other channel.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:45 pm 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
Guys, I have nothing against to share the modded amp info with you, IF it is OK with Stephen :) Espesially not after all help and guidance I have received here.
It would be nice to give something back to you for all your kind advice :D
Ok I payed a premium extra to build this amp from a standard 18watt, but that was actually the fun part to go custom with the amp-build :D
So go ahead and show them Stephen If you would like to share the secrets. :wink:

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:06 pm 
Offline
Expert
Expert
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 1:45 pm
Posts: 1254
Location: YYZ
kurtlives wrote:
I would think instead of one channel going to the PI it just goes into the input of the other channel.

That's correct. Basically, like the "one-wire mod", done on many JTM-45s and Plexis. Then you ground the spare PI input. You need a DPDT switch or relay to change between modes.

LesPaul_1982 wrote:
It was that good of an amp?? :D

Oh yes! :D :D :D :D A lot of fun to play and very addictive. :D
LesPaul_1982 wrote:
Would you change any tubes right now? or would you keep it as is, and play it and get to used to it, and then go for NOS-tubes later?
Or should I go for NOS-tubes right away??? :)

Seeing the trouble and expense you've invested to get such a special 18W amp, I think you're really going to want to run it with NOS tubes right from the start. If you contact Terry Kilgore now, you should be able to get your valves arriving in time for your amplifier. :D

_________________
Great tones come in small glass jars!


Last edited by zaphod on Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:42 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
Not to worry, We'll share it all with you. Layout, schematic etc. Hold on there!!

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:42 pm 
Offline
Expert
Expert

Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:18 pm
Posts: 589
Location: Da Rock
coco wrote:
Not to worry, We'll share it all with you. Layout, schematic etc. Hold on there!!


No worries. Just had to ask! :) It's been ages since I gutted my sIII (when I converted it to a V6) & I'm itching again. This sounds like a mod I'd really dig being the gain junky I am. Nothing wrong with even more versatility in my 18w either. If this will provide a creamy more saturated gain I might be able to sell my roommate on one too... :twisted:


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:37 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
In the final version, relay control for Boost & Cascade mode were added. This is controlled by a dual footswitch.


Image

Also, I cascaded the TMB into the Normal channel instead. Note the extra coax connections to / from the TMB PI .022 cap.


Image

It was a challenge to quiet this down with all the extra wiring around V1 plus the VRM DC blocking caps. I made the relay board as compact as possible. About 1.5" X 1.5"

Note: The relay board controls the Cascade AND the TMB channel Boost so it needs two relays.

Image

Relays were powered by a 5VDC reg supply, with AC tap off the 6.3 heaters from the rectifier tube.

Image

Image

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Last edited by coco on Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:03 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
Schematic of Normal Channel Cascaded sIII 18 Watt

Just change the connections to do the same with the TMB channel if you prefer.

Note that when you cascade one channel into the other, the other channel PI input is grounded so the inputs to that channel cease to function. So pick your favourite channel.

Image

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:36 am 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
So.. did any of you guys try it over the weekend, as Stephen announced ? :wink:
Or are you stuck with your head down -modifying your amps with cascade-gain.. LOL :lol:

Btw, very nice job Stephen it's a work of art, something so much nicer than a mass-produced circuit-board based amp :o :D :D :D

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:28 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
Lbethune tried it and liked it. I changed it to cascase the TMB channel into the Normal channel. IWhen you cascade it, it sounds very rich and distorted with nice gain / feedback with a nice touch.

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:28 pm 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
Coool :D

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:31 pm 
Offline
Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Posts: 7519
Location: Canada
I figured you'd want the be playing the 18watt/JTM45 type sound on the TMB channel & then blast off from there!
:jawdrop:

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: couple questions here
PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:25 pm 
Offline
Friend
Friend

Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:32 am
Posts: 19
Location: Calgary,Alberta,Canada
Looking to add cascade mod(cascade TMB into normal channel) to the "plexi"kit I am building except not with foot switches and relays(not much room in my chassis)
1)can I control cascade function(and boost)with push pull dpdt pots mounted on front panel?(had a couple 500k push/pull dpdt on hand)
what rating does cascade switch need to be
2)what changes do I need to make to my board(board is populated as per plexi schematic/layout but not soldered yet?.I see on schematic(for cascade mod) possibly need to change cap that leads to pin 7 of PI(excuse me still just learning amp construction)from photo's of board in amp built for Rune looks like a couple changes made with caps going to and from PI(the 2 caps between PI +EL84's,not shown on schematic for this mod,what are their value?)
my build is on hold right now waiting on on/off 1 meg pot for VVR level/standby switch,would like to find out what other changes I need to make before get going again
Image
PS thanx to Rune for allowing his amp to be shared with rest of us on forum,Merry X-mass


Last edited by brwnsnd on Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:26 pm 
Offline
Friend
Friend
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Norway
Hey Guys , sorry for very late feedback :oops:

BUT, I just love this amp, it'm freaking fantastic , it's sooooo FUN to play it!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

The JCM2000 TSL-100 will be sold, that's for sure :P :twisted:
Also put in some Scumbacks speakers in the 4x12" cab Hiiihaaa :D :D
but I got to say that it was also really good with the Celestion G12-T75 speakers, I did not ecspect that LOL :o

No problem with sharing the custom amp build, you're welcome :)

but I have a feeling that I would have been just as pleased with a 18watt sIII standard with boost and VRM hehe :wink:
BTW, I now know the meaning af the wording "play the amp" :wink:


Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks for helping with the decision to choose a TONE-Machine from Stephen at Trinity-amps :D :D :D

Best regards
Rune Skjoelingstad
Norway

_________________
Regards
LesPaul_1982


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 46 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group