The 1967 "assman" Rebuild Thread

[JDJ]

Well, I took the plunge and took her apart. This will be my second full-blown amp project (Here's a link to the first: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=467468). No better way to learn than to just do it. :)

I picked up this beat-to-hell 1967 Bassman with the "B" missing. Ergo, the "assman" amp. :D

Here's what I have to work with:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02540.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02541.jpg

Yes, it has been painted brown... except for the bottom. Yes, someone added a knob over the "B". :puh :facepalm

And so I decide to do a frame-off and start over. I plan on making it into a combo amp. :drool

:munch

And so I start out by building a stand for the chassis:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02665.jpg

And then I disconnect, label, and pull out the transformers:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02646.jpg

And then I start disconnecting pots, jacks, and tube sockets from wires:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02648.jpg

And then I end up with a box chock full of parts (you can see that this faceplate will not do :barf):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02666.jpg

And then I clean and polish the chassis, and then clean some more. The result:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02663.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02664.jpg

Well, that's it for the time being. I have to order some parts and decide what to do next. Please check in for the next installment next time. :)

[chaz]

Maybe that was a bullet hole somebody filled in? :D

[JDJ]

I sincerely believe that the heinous act of drilling the faceplate in the first place was accompanied by the premediated debauchery of taking out the "B".

Well, I'm trying to source a new faceplate to say the least. :)

BTW, what wattage of soldering iron will I need to remove, clean-up, and solder to the chassis? All I have is a 60 watt iron at the moment.

[dtube]

For chassis grounds, you need an iron with more surface area than high-wattage, generally speaking. A big, honkin' chisel-tip on a medium watt iron is handy thing for chassis grounds. I have a Weller Marksman 80w with a chisel tip that works wonderfully (el linko to Mouser bee-low). Good luck on the restoration! :dude
-Darren


http://www.cooperhandtools.com/_cache/0ff99ba5c033093a0b4bbd6565882d49.jpg

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvzaWvWjU0hlTsKubsp 8LP2OZmFlXhiaRY%3d

[mark norwine]

Is it just me, or does the complete & total disassembly of this amp seem a bit extreme?

[Baxtercat]

Ah well, it's fun.
Here's the other [lazy man] extreme: I just finished and have been playing out with a rusted freebie Showman I salvaged. Now I'm wishing I had put more energy in to the inside. I used maybe 50% new parts but kept a lot of fugly working stuff, inc. the old black fiberboard. Works really good but I'd be embarassed to show inside pics as it is!

http://www.surfrock.org/guitar-bob-how-many-amps-do-you-need-babe-just-one-more.html

[TweeDLX]

Is it just me, or does the complete & total disassembly of this amp seem a bit extreme?
Maybe a bit, but my first impression of that warped fiberboard raised some concern about moisture. I'm sure that removing the trannies made polishing that chassis a lot easier!http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon10.gif

Mike

[JDJ]

dtube -- thanks for the link. :)

Mark Norwine: Is it just me, or does the complete & total disassembly of this amp seem a bit extreme?

Well, for me, it is a learning experience, and I'm quite excited about it. I've ordered a new faceplate, some switches and jacks, wire, and some electrolytic caps. I've also hit up my amp-builder friend for a whole set of NOS Allen-Bradley resistors and NOS tube sockets.

I too was thinking about the fiber boards. Any way to test to see if they are conductive? Can I bake them lightly in the oven to remove moisture?

Bob, I checked out your link... pretty cool! Still got that BF Deluxe Reverb? :drool

[zzmoore]

Is it just me, or does the complete & total disassembly of this amp seem a bit extreme?

I don't think it's extreme. These amps are 40 years old. They have served their purpose with pride and dignity. Time to take it apart, clean it up, install a new board, new parts jacks pots; and this amp will be ready to do another 40 years with a new generation of musicians. IMO this type of work should be done more often, but it takes a lot of effort. That is the beauty of being able to work on your own amps, guns, muscle cars, antique furniture, etc. etc.
Good Luck

[Baxtercat]

Yes JDJ...the DelRev was a lucky score [maybe not as lucky as yours!] It didn't work: hummed really bad, so I got it in a swap for a boring gun-metal blue '80s Strat. One $.50 bias cap. and it was fixed. [Once again, it pays to read all these Weber, Torres, Thunderfunk VG articles and books, eh?]

You can clean the black wax boards, or slip a plastic liner between it and the other insulator underneath. It's rust, moisture, bad solder connex usually. Sure, you can dry it out if it needs by warming it up w/ a hair dryer or something. Or just order and/or make a nice new board. I remember they were a little warped when we took 'em right out of the boxes.

Y' gotta love a Bassman head...just the most thumpin' straightforward amp.

[croto5000]

i'm anxiously awaiting the outcome of this. i remember seeing the first build you linked to and your woodworking skills are above and beyond. keep the pictures coming!

[DownByLaw]

Really wish you would keep it labeled as "assman".

Patrick

[hasserl]

Is it just me, or does the complete & total disassembly of this amp seem a bit extreme?

That was my initial reaction, kind of WTF??

The chassis may show it's age, but as long as it's in good working order it's fine with me. No need to try to make a show piece out of it.

[JDJ]

Y' gotta love a Bassman head...just the most thumpin' straightforward amp.

I've never owned a Bassman... I did hook it up to my Pro Reverb b/4 the tear-down, and it sounded pretty good so long as you didn't turn any knobs. :(

No need to try to make a show piece out of it.

Wait until you see the hardwood cabinet I'm gonna build!! :)

:munch

Any other mod suggestions other than adopting the AA864 bias circuit and dumping the pair of 220K off the power tubes?

[JDJ]

I have a bad diode in the bias circuit. What do I replace it with?

And what do you like for replacement pots? Thank you.

[Baxtercat]

I don't remember what the 220Ks are. Is that part of the pseudo cathode bias, a/la early SF era?
About all I ever do is .022s or .033s in the tone zone and 5mfs in the preamp cathodes, just to tone down the extra bass frequencies...and maybe a silver mica here and there for treble and bright.
Sounds like a good 'catch' finding the bad diode. I don't know offhand; aren't any old IN-4007s good enough there? Or/and put all new ones in [cheap]:-)

[jay42]

A 1N4007 or UF4007 is just fine.

The AB165 circuit has a pair of 220K from the output tube plates, back to the PI plates. Assuming you're not going to actually play Bass through this amp, I'd dump 'em.

[Baxtercat]

[double post]

[JDJ]

The AB165 circuit has a pair of 220K from the output tube plates, back to the PI plates. Assuming you're not going to actually play Bass through this amp, I'd dump 'em.

Yes, the pair of 220K resistors will not be going in my rebuild.

I hope parts will be arriving for some build-time this weekend. At this point, I am just disassembling the circuits a bit at a time. I disconnected and cleaned all of the pots yesterday. The bass pots seem kind of stiff, and one volume pot has a pretty loose shaft.

I'm aiming to have the rebuild completed over the next two weekends if possible. And then it is off to the sawmill to pick out some hardwood lumber for a combo cab.

I'm leaning toward a 1 x 12" configuration with a Weber California at this time. Feel free to chime in with suggestions, though. However, I am set on a combo. After that is built, I may take a shot at re-tolexing the head. I've never done that before.

[double post]

:D

Hey, I used to live in the Bay Area. I miss visiting Monterey and Santa Cruz. :)

[JDJ]

Time to de-populate the main circuit board. Here's a before shot of both sides:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02675.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02680.jpg

You can see it as it comes apart:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02690.jpg

And then I clean up the eyelets by heating them up and banging the liquid solder out. And then I use some desoldering wick to get the remnants. Leftover wire:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02692.jpg

A cup o' parts:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02693.jpg

Here is the board now:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02691.jpg

I plan on using the original board and the blue Mallory caps. I will use new wire, NOS Allen-Bradley resistors (if I can get them), and then whatever else I can scrounge up. That's it for tonight.

:drink

[Baxtercat]

Re. Weber Calis: I had two nice 10-inchers in a Vibrolux Reverb. They're great but they have a slightly low frequency cutoff IMO. Even EVs reproduce more treble. These are paper center dome so I can't speak for the aluminum dome versions.
[Just an FYI, though. Sometimes you want a nice creamy sound.]

I think a 1-12 combo w/ this *assman head will be b*tchin!

[JDJ]

I've got a 1966 Vibrolux Reverb with a pair of Weber 10F150s in it and I love it

I don't want to cut the treble, as that is what I love about BF Fenders. Perhaps I need to think of a different speaker than the Cali... :confused:

[zzmoore]

I rebuilt our 1968. I ordered a new board from turret boards, and it was a pleasure to work with compared to the old seasick eyelet wafers.

[JDJ]

Yeah, I've thought about doing that. What was the material of the new board?

[donnyjaguar]

I bet that faceplate can be repaired. Know a good bodyman?

[zzmoore]

Yeah, I've thought about doing that. What was the material of the new board?

This is a quote from their website. A link to the website follows.




CIRCUIT BOARD TYPES
& TERMINAL OPTIONS

A close-up look at different circuit board materials that I use including, board, mounting hardware and solder terminal types including eyelets, and tubular turrets.

All of my board material is electrical grade fiberglass or fiberglass laminate. Blue, black, tan and natural are made from G10 and are the most durable type of board. G10 has a smooth finish and is very dense. Red swirl is made of GPO3 and has a slight flex and a light texture. The brown board is grade xx. It is phenolic board covered with a smooth thin laminate. The brown board does have a tendency to get small chips on the bottom side when it is drilled. No one ever sees the underside of your board so this is usually not an issue.

http://www.turretboards.com/

[mr coffee]

not even a sf plate.. I've had success doing repairs on plates by epoxing in the "extra" hole after putting a piece of tape on the back side of the plate.
after it dries flat I sharpy the epoxy to match the plate.

[JDJ]

I appreciate the lab check. :)

However, I have a repro plate from an amp parts supplier coming tomorrow. With Fender enforcing its trademarks, the purchase of these things has become difficult. :tapedshut

Some CTS pots arrived today, as did some diodes. I'm expecting some knobs, jacks, caps, etc. tomorrow. The tube sockets and NOS Allen-Bradley resistors should be here Monday.

Today, I de-populated the bias circuit board. :)

[JDJ]

Some parts came in, and so I put some of them in/on.

I put in new CTS pots and added new repro knobs. I also put in new Carling switches. And, finally, I put in the repro faceplate! :banana

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02716.jpg

[TimmyP]

You likely know this, but: Be sure you don't connect the ground switch, and that you use a three-wire mains lead so you can ground chassis.

[schmidlin]

So are you going to change the name of the thread??

[JDJ]

So are you going to change the name of the thread??

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Kramer%27s_ASSMAN_plates.jpg

http://gregdooley.com/images/assman.gif

[gayler]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Kramer%27s_ASSMAN_plates.jpg

http://gregdooley.com/images/assman.gif
I have that same Kramer picture! I tried to sell it on E-Bay, but didn't get even one bid!

[JDJ]

I've been chewing on the PI / negative feedback conversion back to AA864. The schematics are hard to read, and so I drew part of it out (I didn't draw the change of the .022 caps to .1 or .047). Please tell me if this looks correct.

BEFORE

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02749.jpg

PROPOSED PI / NEG. FEEDBACK MOD

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02750.jpg

What I'm unsure of (among other things :D) is what to do with the under-the-board connection between the 1M resistor and the changed-to .001 cap (they tie in to pin 2 of V4).

Here's where I got this from: http://acruhl.freeshell.org/mga/main/AA864_vs_AB165.html

Power amp - Change the coupling cap to the phase inverter to a .001. Make the feedback loop look like the AA864 by using an 820 ohm resistor and connecting it to the high side of a 100 ohm resistor like a standard blackface amp has. Change the .022 caps to .1. I actually use .047's here because I think it tightens up the bass a little bit. Don't forget to reverse the speaker side of the output transformer by connecting the green to positive and the black to ground.

What do you think?

[davemccarthy707]

I have a bad diode in the bias circuit. What do I replace it with?

And what do you like for replacement pots? Thank you.

For a diode a 1n4007 will do. I like to use the UF400X series as they are ultra-fast recovery. Marsh amps has all the replacement pots. I have had good experience with those. Nice resto btw. :JAM Here is my 65 bassman resto. I traded it to my buddy since then. But I know where it is if I wanna take her for a spin! http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa29/davemccarthy707/IMG_8852.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa29/davemccarthy707/IMG_8856.jpg

[JDJ]

Okay, here's another question:

Looking at the Tone Lizard Bassman Mod page, is he just removing the 470K local feedback resistor on V2 and otherwise leaving the connecting wire? Or is he removing the resistor and the connecting wire altogether? Here's his schmatic:

http://tone-lizard.com/images/moddedAB165.gif

[hasserl]

My advice is to just leave the nfb circuit alone it works just fine as it is. What do you hope to gain by changing it? (note, you will have to swap the primary wires at the power tubes if you do mod it so that the feed back remains negative and not positive).

Also better take Tone Lizard advice with a grain of salt. The dude's got some wacky ideas. Rather than eliminate the 470k local nfb resistor at the 3rd gain stage, temporarily wire up a decade box here (if you don't have a decade box you can use a 500k pot as a variable resistor) and experiment with different settings, some nfb here is a good thing in my opinion. Just be careful, this is connected to the high tension string at the plate. After experimentation I found the 470k resistor to give the best results and I left it alone. Removing it will result in some pretty harsh overdriven tone. The amp will still have plenty of gain on tap.

[JDJ]

Grain of salt taken. :D Thanks for the advice -- that's exactly what I am looking for.

What I propose to mod at the moment is to adopt the AA864 bias circuit and to ditch the pair of 220K resistors off the plates of the power tubes at pin 3. I think I'll leave the rest alone for the time being.

Although I'm still certainly open to other ideas. :)

[JDJ]

Some parts came in, and so I started to do a little building. :)

I put in some new tube sockets:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02761.jpg

I began to populate the bias cap / diode board:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02762.jpg

What the heck, I'll try some soldering here:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02763.jpg

(My technique needs work. :o Better to practice on the small board first. :D)

I screw it into place... voila!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02767.jpg

I did make one boo-boo here. The yellow lead to the bias pot is supposed to connect to the eyelet with the negative end of the bias cap. I connected it to the eyelet above where the bias cap and diode meet. :( Electronically, it seems okay. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Here's my bias pot (10K - L) with the resistor (15K ohms) to ground. Do you like my yellow wire? I tried to be neat. :)

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02766.jpg

And then I decided to work on the power tube sockets a bit:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02768.jpg

And that's it! Time for a drink. :drink

[JDJ]

I decided to work on the main circuit board:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02771.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02772.jpg

:)

[Rosewood]

Who makes the aluminum repo face plates? That is alumium isn't it?

[JDJ]

Who makes the aluminum repo face plates? That is alumium isn't it?

I don't know who makes them, but it is aluminum. I bought mine from a parts dealer.

[Rosewood]

I don't know who makes them, but it is aluminum. I bought mine from a parts dealer.
That was really my question, who sells them?

[JDJ]

I sent you a pm, Rosewood.

Did some more soldering -- it's slow work but fun:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/011.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/012.jpg
:)

[zzmoore]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02763.jpg

You might want to get some opinions on using something other than 1/2 watt carbon comps for the bias resistor. I have been using 2 watt metal film in that position. It would be interesting to hear what some of the techs like to use in that spot.

[JDJ]

I'm open to suggestions. That's a 1 watt resistor, though. The 100-100 cap makes it look small. :D

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to look over my work. I kinda fear firing this thing up.

[hasserl]

There's very little current thru the bias circuit, I think 1W should be plenty for that. Measure the voltage drop across it and divide by the value to get the current, multiply that by the voltage to get the wattage, I'm betting it's safely below .5 watts.

I do prefer metal film in all positions, I'm not a supporter of mojo thru instability, so I'm not a fan of carbon comp resistors.

[JDJ]

Here's today's progress:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02788.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02789.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02790.jpg

Bass channel pots:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02792.jpg

Normal channel pots:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02793.jpg

Am I correct that the Deep Bass switch, when set in the "up and on" position, sends the signal to ground?

Have a beer on me. :drink

[JDJ]

I wired up the inputs:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02794.jpg

And then I finished up the power supply caps:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02795.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02798.jpg

The underside:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02796.jpg

I mounted the board and up through the chassis came the wire:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02797.jpg

I then laid the main circuit board in the chassis and started by connections:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02803.jpg

Here's what I ended up with:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02804.jpg

Some close-ups:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02805.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02806.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02807.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02808.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02809.jpg

That's it for today! :)

[davemccarthy707]

Awesome work!

[JDJ]

Well, I finished the wiring last night, here's a few photos:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02816.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02817.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02818.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02819.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02820.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02821.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02810.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02811.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02812.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02823.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02825.jpg

I fire her up, set the bias, and played some guitar....
.... it sounded fine except it sounded very quiet. I tried reversing the output transformer wires. Same thing. :( And so I went to bed.

Today, I'll be going over the circuit with a fine-toothed comb. If you have any suggestions, please chime in. It sounds quiet on both channels. The circuit is stock except for the bias circuit and the removal of the pair of 220K ohm resistors from the output tube plates. The only other symptoms is that the voltages on the preamp tubes seem low and the bias pot has to be cranked all the way to the left (from the top) to get to an acceptable bias range. Thanks. :)

[davemccarthy707]

Where did you get the period correct wire?

[JDJ]

I have a friend who builds amps for a living, and I got the wire from him. :)

[JDJ]

Here's the stock AB165 circuit:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/bassman_ab165_layout1.gif

Here's what I built:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/bm_ab165_layout.gif

And here's a close-up of that area:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02829.jpg

You can see that I dumped the hum-balance bias circuit for a true bias circuit. And I ditched the pair of 220K ohm resistors coming off of the plates.

I am getting the following voltage readings:

V1 -- 7025
Pin 1 -- 147v
Pin 3 -- 1.04v
Pin 6 -- 155v
Pin 8 -- 1.04v

V2 -- 7025
Pin 6 -- 181v
Pin 8 -- 1.3v

V3 -- 7025
Pin 1 -- 147v
Pin 3 -- 1.05v
Pin 6 -- 173v
Pin 8 -- 1.4v

V4 -- 12AT7
Pin 1 -- 446v
Pin 3 -- 17v
Pin 6 -- 449v
Pin 8 -- 17v

V5
Pin 1 -- -48v
Pin 3 -- 455v
Pin 4 -- 455v
Pin 6 -- 455v

V6
Pin 1 -- -48v
Pin 3 -- 455v
Pin 4 -- 455v
Pin 6 -- 455v

The obvious delimma is that -- on the phase inverter (V4) -- pins 1 and 6 are supposed to read about 220 to 225 volts, and they are quite high (446 and 449 volts). Also, pins 3 and 8 are supposed to read about 100 volts, and they are quite low (17 volts).

The resistors check out there.

[shuffles off]

[comes back]

I found the problem... I had the wrong value resistor on the phase invertor. I have a 470K instead of a 470. And I couldn't see it b/c of the big honkin' .01 orange drop caps.

All is well. :) Time to order a speaker and build a cab.

[davemccarthy707]

:bender

[JDJ]

I put some Tung-Sol reissues in there which, as far as modern tubes go, I like a lot. I put an Amperex/Mullard in the PI, and some Realistic (Made in West Germany) tubes in V1 and V2. I'm not sure what manufacturer was in West Germany. And a GE 12 AX7A in V3. All sound pretty good.

I set the thing on top of my '66 Vibrolux Reverb and borrowed the 2 x 10 Webers in it (10F150s). Lot's of clean punch. I'm playing a Tele. Here's some pics:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02830.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02831.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02832.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02833.jpg

And don't forget the "before" picture of the "assman" amp prior to the transformation:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02540.jpg

:RoCkIn:BEER:glen

[JDJ]

Okay, now for some serious discussion -- what speaker and what to build the cab out of. I would consider some reclaimed, 100-year-old pine. Other than that, I'd be more likely to go with mahogany or maple or something of that nature.

I'm thinking about trying out a Weber California 1 x 12 with the aluminum dust cover. I love 10F150s and 12F150s, but I got those already. I play a Tele. Any suggestions? And why?

:)

[JDJ]

BTW, dtube, I picked up the soldering iron you recommended:

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/_cache/0ff99ba5c033093a0b4bbd6565882d49.jpg

... and it worked great!! Thanks, dude. :)

This place is just down the road from me: http://www.appalachianantiquehardwoods.com/

They have all kinds of old lumber. I'm gonna go over there this week and look fer some board-feet of reclaimed pine or something along those lines. I'm looking for light and dry from years of weathering.

I'm still leaning toward a 1x12, although a 4x10 would be very tempting! :D

[fullertone]

I found the brown Kramer version to be somewhat charming, but then I love derelict, mongrel guitars, too. Your work is astounding. I'm sure that many who have posted here have similar skills, while I'm someone who isn't entirely sure I know a resistor from a capacitor. I've learned intense respect for amp techs and for those of you who do it for themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.

I'm not a luthier either, but Derelict Mongrel Guitars has a ring for a brand name!

[JDJ]

I found the brown Kramer version to be somewhat charming, but then I love derelict, mongrel guitars, too. Your work is astounding. I'm sure that many who have posted here have similar skills, while I'm someone who isn't entirely sure I know a resistor from a capacitor. I've learned intense respect for amp techs and for those of you who do it for themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.

I'm not a luthier either, but Derelict Mongrel Guitars has a ring for a brand name!

Thank you, but I am merely an amatuer. I enjoying sharing the process with my Gear Page brethern as much as I like doing the work. Right now, I've got several design issues for a cab circling in my head. I'm tempted to do a hardwood cab, but it would be God-awful heavy. That's why I'm leaning toward reclaimed pine and a 1x12. We'll all know which way I'm heading soon enough. :)

[dtube]

BTW, dtube, I picked up the soldering iron you recommended:

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/_cache/0ff99ba5c033093a0b4bbd6565882d49.jpg

... and it worked great!! Thanks, dude. :)


You are most welcome. Mine was one of the best purchases I ever made. Good luck with the cabinet - can't wait to see the results :dude
-Darren

[slider313]

Nice work Jeff. Very neat and just the right lengths of wire. If it were my amp I would go with a pine cabinet. I, personally, would go with a baffle with a 10" and a 12".

[JDJ]

I had trouble with the heater wiring. I thought about re-doing it, but I don't have enough green wire left over. I feel that it should stand up a bit taller above the sockets. Oh well.

I ordered the Weber Cali 12" w/ alum dome today. I'm going to try to pick out some old pine this week if possible. We've had nothing but rain for days.

[hasserl]

Heater wires look good to me. I have to tell you, that is the one part of amp building I don't like. It's just tedious and difficult and it makes me procrastinate the beginning of an amp build. Once I get past that part the rest is fun, but that heater wiring, I just don't enjoy that part.

[Structo]

A little late to the party here but I did post over at Vintage Amps about it.

A good thing to do to the old fish paper boards is to put them in a warm oven for an hour or so.

Then take it out and spray lacquer over it. This will seal it and prevent it from absorbing moisture in the future.
Perhaps a poly based lacquer would be best since nitro lacquer is more flammable.

I don't think there was any thing wrong in rebuilding this amp.
It was not in very good condition considering the mods and that pot installed in the faceplate.

You will have a great amp now that should last for years and years.

[JDJ]

I didn't know the old boards were made of fish paper... gives new meaning to that old amp smell. :D

I love the way this amp sounds... tremendous! :)

[big mike]

Great job!! Man that's cool.
I'd love to turn something like that into a grab and go combo.

Nicely done!

[louderock]

I turned my 65 BF Bassman into a 1-12 grab-n-go. JD Newell cab with a Celestion Gold. I LOVE that speaker with that amp!! My main gigging amp. And I have a lot of amps.

[dougk]

Okay, now for some serious discussion -- what speaker and what to build the cab out of. I would consider some reclaimed, 100-year-old pine. Other than that, I'd be more likely to go with mahogany or maple or something of that nature.

I'm thinking about trying out a Weber California 1 x 12 with the aluminum dust cover. I love 10F150s and 12F150s, but I got those already. I play a Tele. Any suggestions? And why?

:)

Whatever you decide, build something nice looking!
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/105240566.jpg

:D :D :D

(Im running mine with a WGS ET65 right now and I LOVE this combo)

[JDJ]

Actually, I have thought of using your BM as a model. I have a question: did you make the finger joints and then cut the slanted front? Of did you cut the slanted front and then make the finger joints?

I'm contemplating doing dovetails, but I will have to think about it a lot beforehand.

[dougk]

Actually, I have thought of using your BM as a model. I have a question: did you make the finger joints and then cut the slanted front? Of did you cut the slanted front and then make the finger joints?

I'm contemplating doing dovetails, but I will have to think about it a lot beforehand.

Im stretching my memory but pretty sure I did the angled sides then box jointed it. I cut the last bevel after it was assembled though (the faceplate angle).

Good luck, you did a great job so far!

[JDJ]

Wait a minute! So the sides are angled in order to allow the speaker to tilt back a bit? And the the sides are further angled to account for the faceplate angle?

Thanks! :)

I just got back from the wood farm... will post photos later tonight. :D

[Scott Auld]

What a really great project!

[JDJ]

Field trip!!!

I went lookin' fer some wood today. Come along!

First, I went to the river -- it was angry!!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02862.jpg

And then I came to a fork in the road:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02863.jpg

Not to be deterred, I asked a few locals for directions (which I wouldn't have done had the wife been with me :D). I had the bad feeling that they were bullsh*%ng me:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02864.jpg

They said to go under the railroad tracks (past the meth lab :worried):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02880.jpg

And by the silo on teh ridge:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02865.jpg

But it only ended up by this old, outdoor sawmill :(:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02873.jpg

Crap! (Please see next post.)

[JDJ]

And so I went back to the stopsign and took a left, and circled around the lake:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02881.jpg

And past the Ole Confederacy Capital Building on Rebellion Hillhttp://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j244/BRAZEN06GTO/Smilies%20ect/rebelsmilie.gif(I can use this smiley with impunity b/c I am a Southerner by birth! And yeah, we lost the war, but at least we have warm winters! :D)

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02884.jpg

And right at the rabbit in the hollow (...this is not a trick -- look closely for the bunny rabbit :)):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02888.jpg

I finally found the place!!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02859.jpg

Here's the office behind the barn:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02867.jpg

I bought some old pine -- it's 8-quarters thick, 6 inches wide, and 11.5 feet long. Rustic!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02890.jpg

You can see that it goes from quartersawn to riftsawn -- good stuff -- very, very light!!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02891.jpg

I took the shortcut home:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02868.jpg

The end! :)

[big mike]

That should make a sexy cab.

[dougk]

Wait a minute! So the sides are angled in order to allow the speaker to tilt back a bit? And the the sides are further angled to account for the faceplate angle?

Thanks! :)

I just got back from the wood farm... will post photos later tonight. :D

Yep, just like most fender cabs. I'll measure it up and make a sketch for you tonight.

Looks like a great piece of pine you picked up there :D

[JDJ]

Thanks! :)

[Baxtercat]

Look at that old wood.
You are having too much fun there...

[mr coffee]

nice.. did the rabbit taste like chicken?

[JDJ]

did the rabbit taste like chicken?

Hey, are you makin' fun of my slice of Americana!? :D

Actually, the time I had rabbit was in San Francisco, and it was gamier than chicken.

[JDJ]

Well, I went up to the wood shop to contemplate some woodworkin'. I had a test piece, and so I decided to cut it up. First, I ran it through the planer. It turned out to be oak:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02929.jpg

Here's a closeup:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02930.jpg

I resawed it:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02932.jpg

See:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02933.jpg

I then cut a strip of mahogany:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02934.jpg

Time for some glue:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02935.jpg

I clamped it up:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02936.jpg

The whole reason for the above test piece is that I have thought about gluing up different species of woods for visual effect. The concern I have had, however, is if I can keep a perfectly centered stripe staying in perfect alignment around a dovetailed corner. If I proceed with the test, then you will see what I mean.
And then I decided to plan some of the old pine down to see what I've got:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02937.jpg

Another shot:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02938.jpg

And then I resawed and planed again. Here is a bookmatched shot:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC02939.jpg

I can't decide if I like it. It has knots, nail holes, and the like. What do you think?
Part of me can't decide whether to use the pine, use some nice, clean hardwoods, or just order a 1x12 combo cab from Newell or Rodgers. I may just go down more than one path.

[fullertone]

I love the character of the pine, but then I loved the butchered faceplate of the original "Kramer" amp. You may want a more polished look.

[JDJ]

I love the character of the pine, but then I loved the butchered faceplate of the original "Kramer" amp. You may want a more polished look.

You're very astute. :)

[r9player]

I'm thinking .. build a Tele with that stuff!

[Scott Auld]

Rabbit is okay but Gator Tail is way better.

[Scott Auld]

I'm thinking .. build a Tele with that stuff!

I wanted to write that when I first saw the wood, after Mike said it would be a nice cab, but I restrained myself. :D

[JDJ]

I actually had the same thought about a pine tele. I've never made a guitar before. Perhaps I should.

[VacuumVoodoo]

That's a fine example of restoration work. Congratulations!
Not to spoil your joy but there's some room for touch up work on the solder joints.
I've taken the liberty to mark a good, poor and a bad joint on one your photos to illustrate what I mean.
Make all solder joints look like the one marked "good" and this will become a grade 10 restoration.
With a new cab you're building it'll be a great piece of gear to show off :RoCkIn

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/VacuumVoodoo/Miscelanea/JOINTS.jpg

[dougk]

My 2 cents about a pine cab:

If your going to tolex / tweed it then go for it. That being said, if you want to leave it clear, it will get banged up rather quickly under gigging use.

Cool bookmatch though!

[smolder]

I've taken the liberty to mark a good, poor and a bad joint on one your photos to illustrate what I mean.
Make all solder joints look like the one marked "good" and this will become a grade 10 restoration.


Voodoo... this is very helpful!

[JDJ]

Thank you for the photo tips. What I tried to do with most of the joints was to apply the heat from the back and let the solder fill the eyelet.

The eyelet you marked as "good" was filled from the top b/c I had the board mounted and the connections to the tube sockets already installed.

Would you suggest re-flowing the eyelets that look bad? I thought about that, but the solder will likely drop down onto the lower fiber board. My other choice would be to wick up the existing solder and re-apply fresh solder from the top.

[JDJ]

BTW, I decided to order a blonde 1x12 cab from Newell for the time being. Now, I'm contemplating using the pine for a tele body, but I would have to source the templates and a neck. I also thought that I could make a tele into a communal guitar... having others add spare parts, put it together, and then pass it around for folks to try for a while -- a TGP pine tele, so to speak.

Just a thought. :)

[Scott Auld]

Voodoo, thanks for the soldering advice, lots of people will benefit from that, not just JDJ

J - if it was me I would wick that stuff out and re-do.

[VacuumVoodoo]

Would you suggest re-flowing the eyelets that look bad? I thought about that, but the solder will likely drop down onto the lower fiber board. My other choice would be to wick up the existing solder and re-apply fresh solder from the top.

I would apply a small drop of solder flux and reflow. I don't see too much excessive solder so it shouldn't flow out on the underside. Just don't leave blobs of solder, solder in the eyelets should have form of a small concave lens and not bulge up so using a wick to remove some is a good idea if you really want to go the whole mile. Myself, I'm sort of anal when it comes to soldering cosmetics ;-)

[VacuumVoodoo]

Voodoo, thanks for the soldering advice, lots of people will benefit from that, not just JDJ

J - if it was me I would wick that stuff out and re-do.

Just glad to be able to help raise soldering cosmetics awareness :AOK

[fullertone]

TGP pine tele

Cool idea, although if it sounds good, the passing around might be the hard part!

[JDJ]

Well, I built this small part of an amp cab to see if I could get the mahogany strip of wood to go around the dovetailed corner:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03022.jpg

And it does:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03023.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03024.jpg

[big mike]

Nice!

Build the cab yourself mang!

[JDJ]

Well, I have ordered a Newell cab for this amp, but I didn't want to disappoint Big Mike and the other kiddies. :D

I kicked around the wood shop and found this ash laying around:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03025.jpg

I cut it into rough lengths:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03026.jpg

And then I planed it. You can see how the big sides are smooth and the edges need work:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03027.jpg

I used my jig to square up the edges:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03028.jpg

And then I stumbled upon some walnut and made some strips:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03029.jpg

Nice contrast! And then I found some mahogany and made a pattern:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03030.jpg

I glued them up -- two sides at a time:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03032.jpg

Here be the other two sides:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03033.jpg

Then I routed me some dovetails:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03034.jpg

And then I used my other jig to angle the front of the sides:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03035.jpg

Then I added a little glue in the dovetails:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03037.jpg

And then I pounded the thing together:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03038.jpg

Man, that's funny looking! Here's a closeup of the dovetails:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03039.jpg

And then I angled the front and used a 3/4" round-over router bit to relieve the edges:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03040.jpg

The other side:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03041.jpg

And then I set the chassis in the cab and took the photo upside down:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03042.jpg

What do you think? I may still use the Newell -- I don't know. Time for a beer!! :drink

[JDJ]

Okay, one more... :drink

:bender

[smolder]

pretty sick dude. the tolex is very bummed.

[croto5000]

your woodworking skills actually make me mad, lol. your execution makes it look so easy. let us know which one you go with, and post the pictures!

[big mike]

I love it! maybe stain it with a bit of amber and clear it.

[r9player]

dude that looks awesome!

[fullertone]

I love the cab that you made. I bet that three people on this thread would buy it if you go with the Newell.

[stratman_el84]

Man, that's beautiful work! :AOK

To heck with the Newell, I'd use that cab and find a vintage JBL D120 or D130 and throw in it. :drool

That amp could then officially be considered a lethal weapon in at least 42 states! :cool:


Strat

[Baxtercat]

Keep those pix comin!
Man, I'd like to have 1/2 those tools, or 1/4 your patience and skills.

[Scott Auld]

Amazing.

[Scott Auld]

It's a bummer to come back in the morning and there's nothing new :(

:D

[JDJ]

Please accept my overt apologies. :D

[Scott Auld]

covertly accepted ;)

[jcs]

you have to build that old pine tele now!

[JDJ]

Well, the Newell cab and Weber speaker both showed up today. I don't mind building my own cab but, for the price, the Newell has the best bang for the buck!! Here's some photos:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03106.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03107.jpg

Mid knob:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03110.jpg

Big, honkin' Weber:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03112.jpg

Other angle:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03117.jpg

Tone report:

I play a Tele with Mare low-output p'ups. What I first notice with this amp is that the tonal ranges with the treble, mid & bass knobs really does go from one spectrum to the other -- lots of range to dial in your sound with.

At 5 on the volume knob, hair appears. At 6, it grows. At 7, it jumps. At 8, it begins to strangle you.

Once up in the 7-and-up range, it is best to back off the bass a bit. The mids really fatten it up, too.

I imagine that humbuckers would really push the overdrive off the cliff.

The speaker has a fairly neutral-sounding cone, IMO. Not as sparkle-ly as the usual Weber 10F150 or 12F150, but still lots of treble (the Tele helps that along, too).

Total weight comes to 46.2 pounds. Not a lightweight but certainly not overly heavy. Dimensions are 22" in length by 18" tall by 10.5" wide at the bottom.

Tonewise, it departs some from the usual BF tone -- more mids. The mid knob I put in has an audio taper, and, on about 9, it reads about 7K ohms (the replaced resistor is spec'd at 6.8K ohms). Turn it to 10, and it gets to 8.4K ohms, which, oddly, seems like more than enough. Turn it down, and the tone seems to enter BF land. Still, not quite as much sparkle, but certainly close enough to cop the tone.

This was a fun project -- next I'm thinkin' tweed Pro. Dunno. :)

[big mike]

I like it!

[JDJ]

Thank you. For kicks, I weighed my 1966 Vibrolux Reverb (the tone of teh gods amp), and it came in at 48.8 pounds -- 2.6 pounds more than the assman amp.

:banana:beer

Let's take a vote: should I screw on the original blackface "Fender" logo OR go commando?

:munch

[slider313]

Go with the logo!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b376/slider313/DR.jpg

[JDJ]

BTW, I had Newell move the speaker hole 2 inches to the preamp side, and the amp is balanced perfectly when carried by the handle. :)

And also BTW, Mike (not Big Mike but slider) you have yet again astounded me with yet another old Fender amp.

[big mike]

Go with the logo.

Now I need to find a bassman head...DAMN.

[JDJ]

Now I need to find a bassman head...DAMN.

Stick around... I'm *famous* for flippin' gear like flapjacks. :D

I just spent the last half hour A/B'n the amp through the Cali and then through the Vibrolux speakers (10F150s), and the difference is quite pronounced.

The Cali has a kind of mid-emphasis thing with not as much sparkle. The 10F150s bring me straight back to the blackface magic -- scooped mids with sparkle-ly highs and a thumpy low. They sound more hifi, believe it or not. The Cali almost has a British flavor. I'd bet the Cali prefers humbuckers, but, alas, I am without humbuckers.

Food for thought. :)

[fullertone]

Are you going to finish the wood cab? It was looking great?

Beautiful job with this amp.

[JDJ]

I may finish it one day. It is a bit taller and would easily take a pair of 10s and maybe even a 15.

[dayn]

This is one of the coolest threads I have read on TGP (along with the link to the Camp). Seriously made my day! Thanks!

[JDJ]

Thank you. :)

[FuzzyAce]

This is one of the coolest threads I have read on TGP (along with the link to the Camp). Seriously made my day! Thanks!
I would agree.

JDJ, you really do great work. Its cool you take the time to post pics and explain the process. Its inspiring for me, as I'm looking at building my own also. You're a class act. Thanks.

-mike

p.s. I'm kinda bummed this thread has slowed down. I feel like the guy from Caddy Shack- "Well, we're waiting..." ha, ha!

[JDJ]

Ooookay, I decided to mod the bass channel 'cause it was suckin' wind. I happen to have a 1965 Bandmaster hangin' around, and I really like its normal channel. And so I decided to rework my bass channel like the Bandmaster normal channel.

First thing I did was break open this solder joint (see the heat sinks?):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03475.jpg

Here's the result:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03476.jpg

And then I broke the joint where the .01 and 330pf ceramic disk caps tie into the plate resistor/pin 1 on V1:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03477.jpg

See, I took those components out (including the blue molded .1 cap):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03478.jpg

And then I put in a 250pf cap like on the Bandmaster schematic (it goes to the treble pot), along with a blue molded .047 cap (I stole that cap from the power switch -- it was the **death cap** :D):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03479.jpg

And then I decided to make the "deep" switch into a bright switch. I took a "before" photo for reference (except I already took out the wire to the .1 blue molded cap that was to the far right):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03480.jpg

And here is the "after" photo. You can see that the reference to ground is disconnected, and that I put a 120pf cap in and re-worked the wires a bit:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03481.jpg

And here's a final photo of the board in that area:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03482.jpg

Tone Report -- Wow, what a difference! It is a bit mid-heavy (due to the 8.2K resistor on the bass pot), and it is a bit louder than the normal channel. Definitely has more gain and a very useable tone. And I'm only using a Tele w/ low output p'ups. P-90s or HBs would blow the doors off! :D

Recall that I had put in a mid pot on the normal channel. All the way up, and the two channels sound pretty close with the bass channel having more gain. Turn the mid down, and I have Marshally tones on the bass channel and BF tones on the normal channel.

Pretty cool! Any other ideas? Some folks suggest replacing the cathode bypass cap with a .68uf and a 2700 resistor (or something like that).

[JDJ]

BTW, here's Titus (aka, Amp Dog) (on the right) sharing a moment with a friend at the waterfall. They are discussing their preference for diodes over tube rectifiers in some applications.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/j616129/1967%20Bassman/DSC03462.jpg

[r9player]

Cool Mid heavy isn't too bad with a Tele!