that would be cool 

here is the VK schematic...

TDS worked out to $300 AUD with shipping from the States, compared to $250 AUD for the Ceriatone ones including shipping. So, more expensive yes, but not that much more. The Westlabs would've worked out at $380 AUD for me (considerably more expensive than Ceriatone).

An AB test would be great... but there are probably a bunch of other different factors to take into account as well...

I don't think it's a case of some transformers sounding better than others... but if your after the same tone as a Matchless amp, then using the same transformers that Matchless use would surely make a difference. That's not to say they sound better than Nik's.

I imagine having 50% of your signal in front of either channel is going to sound quite different to 100% in either channel. A better experiment might be to have your guitar split 100% into the fromt of both channels, and then run your stereo panning pedal in the 2 separate fx send and returns.

What do you guys think of the JJ EF86?

What other current production EF86 tubes are out there?

I like a wide range of music.

I think I gravitate towards artists rather than genres though.

Right now...
Emmylou Harris "Red Dirt Girl" (dark and mysterious country/folk thing)
Sheryl Crow "C'mon, C'mon" (fun, 70's rock/pop influenced with a few epic numbers thrown in)
John Scofield Ray Charles Tribute CD (very funky guitar and B3 playing)
Mute Math (electro-rock with fantastic melodies and uber energy)

Here is a plan I put together when building my 18 watt amp. The dimensions were supplied primarily by Mark Swanson and the helpful members of 18watt.com

I thought it might be helpful for some of you DIYers out there.

Which do you prefer and why?

yes... hmmm

hello

I am loitering here too

I imagine there would be a lot of interest in a jubilee, just due to the reputation of the amp. I recorded on one a little while back, and it was cool, but I don't think I 'got' what it is that people really like about it.

What's special about it? Is it the half power switch... the master volume? I think form my one experience, I felt that it was pretty similar sounding to a 2204 0r 2203.

nice work!

how do you do those piping channels on the corners?

Not sure if it is possible Nik, but I think the Muchle$$ amps faceplates would look cooler if they were a Matt Black rather than the reflective Gloss Black (which tends to show up finger prints).

Just wondering firstly if this is possible (Nik?), and if this is something that other people are interested in? So feel free to chime in with opinions anyone...

I'm guessing the feel will be quite different. 1987 has a solid state rectifier versus valve rectifier... so perhaps the JTM50 won't be as loud and perhaps will sag more, and have a bit more harmonic content... maybe different attack characteristics too.... I'll let you know how I go.

doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it sounds good. a black chassis like the tweed amp chassis would be fine.... if it could go in a head cab and sort of look like the Dr Z amps, I think it would be cool.

sounds like a fine idea.

I don't have any rack gear, but I think the mesa 2:90 has a been a very popular power amp in that category of product. The groove tube power amp was another interesting one. You could have one side with 6L6's and another with EL34's and switch between them I think.

The Groove tube Trio preamp was a really nice sounding preamp too.

Good enough for Setzer

I'd dig one

http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/bassman_blonde_6G6.html

anyone else?