Reeves Custom 50 head (EL34's)

[JeffreyC]

Just got my new Reeves Custom 50 head and I'm digging it. It's very similar to my Studio Stage MK II (4xEL84's), but there are clearly some tonal differences.

I'm wondering what suggestions you guys have for NOS EL34's that are similar to Mullards. I'm thinking of trying the Teslas from Mike - I've got Tesla EL84's in the studio stage and really like them (along with a Mullard ax7 in V1, Wurlitzer V2, and Mullard at7's in V3 and PI.

The Reeves Custom 50 came with JJ's in the power section and although it sounds great, I would like to put something in there to give the amp a bit more punch and more emphasis in the low to low-mid range.

Also, anyone bias the Custom 50 or a Hiwatt Custom 50 before? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[JeffreyC]

Here's a nice pic. I see the bias pot. If I use a bias-rite to bias I shouldn't need to poke around anywhere else - just adjust the pot correct? Sorry, I'm not an expert on this.



http://reevesamps.com/assets/amp_custom_50_chassis_large.jpg

[paulg]

Beautiful! The standard for layout and construction.

[callaway_1]

Hey Jeff. Congrats on the new amp! Yes, it should really be that easy to bias it.

Just keep one hand behind your back or somehwere away from the amp to keep your body from becoming a resistor should you accidently bump anything else inside the amp.

Call Bill if you have any problems at all!

Clayton

[JeffreyC]

Hey Jeff. Congrats on the new amp! Yes, it should really be that easy to bias it.

Just keep one hand behind your back or somehwere away from the amp to keep your body from becoming a resistor should you accidently bump anything else inside the amp.

Call Bill if you have any problems at all!

Clayton

Thanks a lot Clayton. Yeah, I think the bias rite is the way to go for me since i don't feel confident enough yet to be poking around in there with a multimeter. My Gries amp is sweet in this way as it's got the bias pot external and jacks for multimeter probes to plug in - external as well. You don't even have to go inside the amp! I didn't expect that in a Custom 50 design anyway, but it's a nice feature.

Any suggestions on EL34's? What do you think of JJ's? I'm not sure if I like them or not yet, but I'm sure that some NOS EL34's are in my future.

[callaway_1]

The only NOS EL34 tubes I have tried are Mullards..and it goes without saying that I like them.....who wouldn't right?

My new REEVES Custom Lead will be here tomorrow. It comes with GT EL34M in it, but it will be my first exposure to them.

A lot of HIWATT guys like NOS Siemens. I just put a set of JJ KT77 in a '73 DR504, and they sound good, but the jury is still out. You might start a thread in the HIWATT forum asking what tubes guys like in DR504's.

How is the Custom 50? I bet it is Great! You just can't go wrong with REEVES.

Clayton

[twangbanger]

Here's a nice pic. I see the bias pot. If I use a bias-rite to bias I shouldn't need to poke around anywhere else - just adjust the pot correct? Sorry, I'm not an expert on this.



http://reevesamps.com/assets/amp_custom_50_chassis_large.jpgbeautiful innards. looks like they forgot to put in one of the preamp tube sockets!:jo

[callaway_1]

beautiful innards. looks like they forgot to put in one of the preamp tube sockets!:jo

The same chassis is used for the CP103/CP504 which uses an additional preamp tube:AOK