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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Re: PS Choke? Winding own transformers?

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6/18/2000 11:45 PM
Carl Z	Re: PS Choke? Winding own transformers? Nooooo, how could that be? All the reviews I've read say this is the best sounding Mesa ever made! They couldn't possibly be exagerating...could they? Carl Z

6/18/2000 5:10 AM

Re:My 2 cents

Ive been using one for about 2 years trying different configurations-one of the biggest changes in tone I noticed, was when I bought a 68 Marshall
straight front 4x12. I used to use a 1960BV but these boxes have way too much high end,the old boxes were made with much better wood, and the old 25w greenbacks sound TOTALLY different to the new ones.
Huge improvement much tighter bottom end too.
Im now using 5881s after trying EL34s again better
low end and better mids
The FX loops in these amps are kind of funny, Ive tried alot of different delay pedals (I always run delay tru the loop) with varying results. At the moment the Akai Headrush is pretty cool.Switching the loop on and off shows you how noisey sum units can be.Ive also experimented with different preamp tubes,by swapping and changing the first three.
I use the red channel for rhythm 1-2 o'clock and use a super overdrive for solos (graphic eq pedal in loop for boost) orange ch (variable hi gain) for clean/breakup. Of course silicon/bold setting
Get your bias set up so you can switch between EL34/6L6 settings for different tones-you dont have to change tubes.I hope any of these tips can help somebody.All these changes help your tone by a few percent. Also these amps sound shit soft. You have to get them pretty loud and then you get a big FAT tone.

6/19/2000 8:07 AM

about those transformers...

I've been checking out a few trannies for a DR buildup. Hammond 373BX and 373x for the power section. Any opinions or advice on which to use?
Hammond 1650R for the output.
Does anyone have a recommendation for the choke?

Something else. The Tremoverb is very similar in design to the DR but has an additional stage in the preamp. Perhaps one could use the extra half of V1 for this. Comments?

6/19/2000 1:43 PM
Ryan	Man, I've been meaning to comment on that (the extra gain stage after the tonestack)... To my ears, it sounds much better. In a side by side comparison I did with my Dual Rec and a Tremoverb (same settings), the tremoverb sounded alot nicer and smoother, IMHO. Peace, -Ryan

6/20/2000 1:26 AM

Hi,

I have built a DR and i modded it.I added the unused gain stage after the first gain stage.Take a look at the Mark drawings they wil help you a lot.Now my DR sounds like a marshall but without overloading the preamp stages.If you want i can send you an mp3.

Good luck.

P.S.:Ask me for more info.Why dont you try building the rocket preamp with an 100watt power amp?I ve buit one and sounds great.

6/20/2000 6:36 AM
Rich L.	Thanks Padelis. I will definatley check out the other schems. It sounds as if you've already done what I'm about to do. What did you do for the trannies and choke? Thanks, RL

6/19/2000 8:46 AM

Dual Rectifiers my 2 cents amended

Im sure you all knew what amp I was talking about.Anyway 5881s have more focused bottom end than 6L6s and more pronounced mids (which the amp needs)
I also had the high end reduced all round by a technician-Why are these amps SO bright?
I agree with the comments about gain level too,If you crank the gain it turns mosquito-ey. If you can handle lugging 2 quads around its a very cool tone.
Thanx ZAKK

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