Mark,

I actually dont know the specifics you mention. But you are right I just built a 30 watt amp as you know that is too damn loud for my useage. After building 4 amps total so far, I can honestly say I am not part of the prebuilt amp buying demographic and probably never will be again.

If/when I build another it would be cool to do something with built in reverb so that is probably what intrigues me the most.

I would also like to see this information shared throughout the builders. The only person that should care whether this info is shared is HAD himself IMO.

Todd

Hey Chris

I like the red knobs too, but as soon as my wife saw them her face melted. Guess she doesn't. I think the cab I will get for this will be Marshall Green so the red knobs might have to go on another amp anyways

Not sure about that cap it almost looks NOS or something ( probably not ). I got this old frequency generator that uses caps like that throughout.

It's probably the camera or the flash that makes that blue wire look translucent. its just standard blue wire that was attached to pre-amp bd when shipped.

Its actually evrything other than the boards that are non-standard. Ie FET input simulator resistor. All wire that was not already attached to bd's is PVC 20awg solid ( the kind that melts really easy if your not careful ). Switchcraft jacks, radio shack mini toggles, ceramic output tube sockets, and MC iron.

Thanks


Todd

Can you take pics of your amps guts and post them. Just so if there are any obvious causes they could be found. Most other issues will require putting a meter on the amp to trace though.

Todd

Hey Mark

In the SSS section he mentions somewhere between 1700-2000 for these amps.
If your serious probably best to email Nik direct though


Todd

One more

Heres some gut shots

+ Got a few more hours playtime on this thing and I am really starting to like the way it plays alot

Todd

Pretty cool man

I will need something like that if I want to keep this Express.

Is that based off the airbrake?


Todd

OK fixed my wiring screw up and got to play the HRM MK2 for a couple hours yesterday. Spent most of the time tweaking the internal trimmers to get the OD and Clean tones to mesh. Once I was happy with the settings I tied in my C-lator and played for a little while. So far I really like it. Compared to my FM it has a tad bit more hair on both the clean and OD, which is probably due to the EL-34. The OD is crunchier and a little more compressed than the FM's ( not for better or worse just different which is good ). On my FM I have the OD trim set pretty low because I find it a little fizzy when set to high. On the MK2 the OD trim adds more dirt but doesn't get too fizzy which so far I like, kinda Marshally but different.
Right now the amp is a little stiff, but I am using pretty crappy tubes and also think it will need some breaking in so Im sure it will only get better.
So thats my 1st impression. I will leave a better review once I get some more play time with it.

Todd

Hey McInku

Did you ever use yours with an attenuator of some kind like an airbrake?
If so how did that work out? Did it kill the tone?

Todd

Hey Chris

I need a 12 step programn or something. My next build might be an attenuator though.
So fun to build these things, either that or Im addicted to huffing solder

Got to crank the amp today and it is a rock monster. This thing is not meant to be a practice amp. It is meant to be the loudest F'ing thing on the stage apparently.

Todd

Hey McInku

This was a busy weekend, actually powered up 2 amps, TW checked out perfect but the HRM MK2 had some voltage issues that I have found the problem to, just gotta swap 2 wires once I get home after work! Started the HRM a while before the TW but then broke my hand and was in a cast for 6 weeks. Got my cast off a week and 1/2 ago and burned though both builds really fast. Wasnt gonna touch the TW build this weekend but then when I had problems with the HRM I put it on the shelf and decided to finish Sharlene.
I got the chassis from Brian at amp-chassis.com completely blank. Drilled all the holes at home and used my old Greenlee KO set to do the tube sockets. 1/2'' and 3/4'' EMT KO's that is. Once done had to ream the output tube holes a little more with a rattail file since the 3/4'' KO is actually 1 1/16 and the tube sockets are 1 1/8.
Used Dremel with cutting wheel to cut IEC socket square which turned out good except where I let it slip and scuffed the chassis. It is rewarding to do a complete scratch build but if I was to do it again I would try to get predrilled chassis. That was quite a PITA.

 As you said , very rewarding

Todd

Hey yall

Been a busy bee this last weekend, finished up 2 builds I had on my workbench. A HRM MK2 and a TW express. This express named ( Sharlene ) was put together using the Ceriatone layout but all parts were sourced elsewhere except the blank ckt boards were from Nik. Price for amp as is was under $450 not including tubes, faceplate or cab. I already had tubes and the faceplate and cab will come later.
Got most components from Mouser, then the few things that mouser doesnt carry such as tube sockets, heavy duty imp.switch etc I got from hoffman.
Once built did final voltage checks on all the tubes and everything was near perfect when compared to the voltage chart Nik supplied
So far not much play time, but the little time I had to play it i can say this is one loud mutha. Will report further on tone once I get to know her better!

Todd

Well I got the HRM MK2 built and fired her up, biased it and played for about 10 minutes of pure D-style bliss, wow it sounded good. Then I decided hey I better check all the voltages and make sure everything is in spec. Found my B+ was way high 511Vdc and after a few emails between Nik and I ( Again Nik is so helpful ) I pulled the HT ckt and metered it and found my PT was unbalanced and reading 304-0-410 ( should be 340-0-340 ). The PT is a Magnetic components PT so I have emailed them to get a return/replace authorization, they should get back to me today hopefully.
So I am just hoping this thing sounds that good when I get a good PT in it, but now it may be a while.
Will report back

EDIT: With a little help from TAG I may have found my problem and will be fixing it this afternoon. 2 wires for the bias ckt are swapped apparently. Hope thats it

Todd

2 more pics + another tip, use Loctite blue threadlocker on all nuts and bolts to keep everything tight for the long run.

Todd

Guitar hack is correct regarding those OT primaries, seems you have a 50% chance of getting them backwards.

Here are a couple pics of my build progress just before I put the preamp board in. It is an HRM MK2 so a little different but method is the same.

Another thing I just relearned the hard way is to put/insert the relay in the board directly below the deep/mid boost switch before installing the switches. There is not much clearance there.

Anyways keep us informed if you have any more questions.

Todd