cloning?

[paisley_tele]

a buddy of mine has an amp . all point to point.

can i just copy everything in that chassis and it would work fine?
How do i measure the Pt and Ot .
Also if the cap aint labeled it there a way to measure them?

[Old Tele man]

1) can i just copy everything in that chassis and it would work fine?
2) How do i measure the Pt and Ot .
3) Also if the cap aint labeled it there a way to measure them?...answers:
1) Yes, if you deligently replicate the original amp
2) Buy the same parts (replacement?)
3) Many OHM-meters can now measure CAPACITANCE too.

[paisley_tele]

the pt and ot are custom made it looks . no markings

[Old Tele man]

PT is simple, just measure VAC-in and then VAC-out for each winding...also 'weigh' the PT, that'll help 'size' its power handling capacity.

OT is little harder, gotta input a small VAC signal into it and measure the signal level (preferrably on o'scope) to get the Turns-Ratio (TR) from PRIMARY to SECONDARY.

If you don't "KNOW" what the PT and OT are, you'll probably never be able to "exactly" replicate their operating characteristics...ie: interlieved windings or not, paper or plastic separators, etc.

[phsyconoodler]

What amp is it?It may have been cloned already and getting parts would be easy.Be specific and get specific answers.

[paisley_tele]

its a dr.z stangray .

[phsyconoodler]

Build an 18 watt marshall TMB.You'll be happier.If it has too much crunch,you can tone it down.They make the Dr Z sound lame.Clean or distorted.

[TheAmpNerd]

There you go.

Start with one amp that you want and people start telling
you to do this or that. Pretty soon you won't have a clue.

Even when trying to make a clone if you are just starting you
could have problems.

For example folks trying to make a simple guytronics amp
have problems....

Now multiply this ten fold for trying to make and amp
just by having one available...with no instructions,
layout, or schematic. Have fun and I wish you the
best of luck.

[paisley_tele]

thankx amp nerd. i am all over the place right now. people also say the dc30 matches to the stangray .

[phsyconoodler]

Boy,don't get bent out of shape!I'm just pointing an obvious newby to a design that not only sounds good,it has support and tons of parts,layouts and even a website dedicated to the amp.
Go to www.18watt.com (http://www.18watt.com) and see for yourself.
Trying to clone a DRZ amp is best left to experienced builders.
when starting to build your own amps,you need information,parts,resources and help.Good luck getting that with a DR Z amp.
The best way to get started in amp building is to start with a simpler design like a champ or AX84 and see if you can get those very simple amps to work first.Then move on to a more complicated design.
Read as much as you can get your hands on and try to understand tube circuits and especially the safety aspects involved.
Start googling and see what you come up with.Start with AX84 and maybe then move to 18 watt.com.You need info and lots of it.
There are lots of amps out there that sound better and are simpler than DR Z.
The stangray is a 4-EL84 based amp that has a vox like tone stack with a cut control.A lot like a 36 watt(4-EL84's)of
te 18 watt marshall.Obviously you like tele's and EL84's,so what's the big deal about directing a guy to an EL-84 based site?

[jay42]

There are a number of groups and boards that can help you with various types of amps. 18watt.com is great for those and related versions. trinityamps.com is the place if you're interested in the Matchless line and its spinoffs. ampgarage.com/forum/index.php (http://ampgarage.com/forum/index.php) is the place for Trainwrecks and Dumbles. You'll find limited Dr.Z material at all three sites. Sign up at all three and use Search a lot. hth

[paisley_tele]

i am on all three sites. finding lots of info. but i knwo what tone i want and the 18 watt site dont really have it. the trinity site is good cause is vox and matchless based.