I think that would look better if it were wider, maybe in a 2x12 or 1x12 +1x10 cab.

Looking to get this amp in the future. Trying hard not to look at Nik's site. ack.

Thanks, very insightful.

Maybe this version will take to a 12" speaker better than the originals were. As I read on tdpri that many reverted back to 10s after they tried on 12s.

I don't think you can turn the face plates around to make it mount either way, the words would be inverted right?

I actually prefer it to top mount on a combo cause you can then detach the power cord.

Crap happens and ripping into a speaker cone is something I don't want happening.

I'm actually still thinking how I am going get things set up, if I were to buy a 2x12 cab from nik, it's gonna cost a bomb to get it shipped to me. And I'm local. Pretty cruddy to live in south east asia, to be honest, in respect to guitar gear.

Wow, thanks.

The graph does say a lot about the difference.

With regards to your own build (I see you couldn't wait to get your hands on it) :
1) What speakers do you plan on using this with?
2) Did you order a head or combo version? Not sure if there are any differences with the chassis, but in some of Nik's pictures there are differences between the two.
3) How does the chassis mount? Like Nik's tweed twin (From top)? Or the tweed deluxe (from bottom)?

I'm very interested in this amp, but since it does seem to be different from the non-verb BFPs, then... listening to online clips isn't really going to give me a good idea now.

Thanks wyatt, actually I forgot to mention by 'live setting', for me it doesn't include anything except a digital piano, sorry about that.

Thanks for the insignt on the differences between the versions. I did read on TDPRI before posting here actually.

It's been mentioned there that an efficient speaker with late breakup will help with clean headroom as well.

I noticed it a few days ago, and after reading the writeup that is on the website.

I am not too sure what it means by

"In Brownface mode, the tone controls are defeated, giving much more gain. -> Point 1

Our PrinzeTone does have more gain than the stock originals, you can even get some British style crunch when overdriven." -> point 2

From my understanding, point 1 = The amp distorts much earlier in browface mode as compared to blackface mode.

And point 2, is that this amp in blackface mode distorts earlier than the original non-verb '66 princeton?

But what if I need clean volume that is loud enough to be used in a live setting? Or does gain not matter?
In that distortion occurs at the same volume just at different numbers on the dial?

The corners are not that big of a deal, but the back plate near the tubes and the underside seam is peeling apart.

I've tried to reglue the tolex using CA glue that nik recommended but after a few months they started peeling again.

The marshall type cabs seem to hold up better regarding tolex shrinking and peeling, probably because of the piping.

Any suggestions on what I should do? The bottom seam has shrunk to a point where the 2 sides of the seam don't join up and the underlying wood is about 3-4mm visible.

I know this is a bit late, but did you order it to fit 6550s?

I would like to get an 86 with KT88s, and since KT88s and 6550s are swappable, i wonder if you've done it.

As for the questions, for

3) Removing the tonestack will give the amp more gain as I've read through the forums. Especially on AX84, where they mentioned the tonestack sucks a lot of gain from the circuit. Ditto with the OTS, the preamp tonestack bypass will boost it quite a bit.

As for external bias, its very useful, no need to remove the chassis and everything to test and adjust the bias.

I actually already have 3 amps from Nik.

The JTM45, DC30 and 18TMB.

I've visited Nik before, exceptional guy and his staff are v friendly and helpful.
His builds are reliable and very well done. I couldn't be happier with the amps from him.

I wouldn't consider anyone else to get amps from because he provides so much value for the money.

But his website has so many great sounding amps its difficult to choose, an easy solution would be to buy everything, but as with everything, $$$... lol.

Have you compared it to the JTM45?

Have you considered less efficient speakers?

Something in the 97db sensitivity range. The G12H Heritage are 100db sensitivity.

If volume was an issue, I'd go with less efficient speakers.

I see, thanks seeker.

I guess next to look for is what hired hand has recommended, to increase the value of the filter caps.
Have you discussed with Nik the possible recommendations on his part?

They didn't scrape off where the pots and everything else grounded should be.
Yikes... although I might order the fully built version, it's good to know they're no longer powder coated.

I haven't built an amp before, only effects pedals. And if I do start, it'd be something simple I guess. The 5F4 looks to be of a more advanced build.

Is the size of this chassis the same as the JTM45 chassis?

I read that the 5F4, 5E5, 5E7 had the same circuit, except for R34, which was assumed to compensate for the different speaker combination of these amps. Are you going to follow the same values as in Nik's layout? Or will you be trying something different to go with a 12" speaker?

The max plate voltage that the shuguangs can take is 500V , from the data sheet.
So I'm not sure, I guess the only way we can find out is to actually take a measurement on the plates itself.

If Nik made the amps run at 500V, then its a tad too hot. If I'm not wrong the shuguangs are very robust tubes. But I think Nik would probably run the amps lower. I haven't e-mailed him about them, although I'm sure he's already measured them. He probably has the values off his head, but if you know how to check, it'll be great.

Please be careful and ensure all safety precautions are taken, there are highly dangerous voltages in the amp that can kill, even when switched off, as the caps still have high voltages unless drained.

Btw, seeker, thanks for the constant updates. Its a great learning process.

Thanks Grod915 for the explaination.

I'm actually planning to get a fender type amp, considering either the deluxe or the super. Both sound great for what they do. Ah! Decisions decisions... so many beautiful sounding amps Nik has, and yet so little other resources