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Author Topic: Stray Cat 30 - finally finished (1 year later)  (Read 14763 times)
OldRushFan
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« on: November 27, 2011, 11:59:53 PM »
Hi my fellow CF members,

Talk about procrastination.  I think I ordered all the parts to build a Stray Cat 30 back in Nov of last year (2010).  I even ordered some custom TDS trannies for the build...and, for a bunch of different reasons, the "project" just sat in storage.  Well, over this Thanksgiving holiday I got inspired to dust everything off and wire it up finally.  Switched it on today and everything works great....what a fantastic circuit! 

Now I have to get a cabinet for it...I'm thinking of a combo cab this time (as I have both my C30 and Lightning builds in head cabinets).

Anyways, if anyone needs help with their Stray Cat, C30, or Lightning builds, although I'm no expert by any means, drop me an email and I'll try to help if I can!

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plasticvonaband
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« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2011, 07:49:59 AM »
Very cool! Glad to hear you got 'er goin!

Gregg
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Overdrive is like peanut butter. Some like it crunchy, some like it creamy.
Bluesmaster 50 2x12 combo and some guitars.
OldRushFan
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« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2011, 01:41:46 AM »
Thanks Gregg!!!

I had an extra day off today and I couldn't stop playing her.  What a monster amp....definitely one of those moments where I asked myself why did I wait so long.

I put her in the head shell of my C30 (same chassis in case anyone was wondering - at least the Nov 2010 version was/is).  I think I'll put the C30 in a combo cab and keep the Stray Cat in the head shell after all.

Great amp Nik!  And great transformers Bob (TDS) - thanks (a year later)!!!


ORF
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OldRushFan
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« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM »
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?

Also, I'm curious....for those of you who built your own: I'm at about 24Watts when running with the tube rectifier (with respect to bias).....I'm comfortable with that as I just purchased a new set of Winged Cs to use.  But I know (from my previous tube set) that when I kick on the SS rectifier the bias will exceed 100% max dissipation (so I never run her with the SS rectifier).   I'm just curious if anyone has increased their cathode resistors accordingly to cool it down a bit when running the SS rectifier and were you happy with the results.  There has to be a good compromise somewhere so I'm not so cold in rectifier mode and not so hot in SS mode......
« Last Edit: December 10, 2011, 08:30:01 PM by OldRushFan » Logged
plasticvonaband
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« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2011, 03:03:42 AM »
Isn't the rectifier board setup to provide the proper B+ voltage to keep the bias within range just like the Bad Cat version? Have you checked the B+ Voltage and Plate Voltages to see if that's the case?
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Overdrive is like peanut butter. Some like it crunchy, some like it creamy.
Bluesmaster 50 2x12 combo and some guitars.
Nairbr
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« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2011, 09:41:09 AM »
Quote from: OldRushFan on December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?


Mine doesn't like them either, I tried a new Boss PS-6 Harmonist and there was some weird aftertones going on.

I did a gig last night using my LP R9  Grin

My minor quip is I still find there is a tone inbalance between the clean and gain channels, so you end up with a trade off with the Briilliance control between the 2.

I will find a way of taming the brightness of the clean channel
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Ceriatone 50 watt HRM + C-Lator
Ceriatone Stray Cat 30
Marshall 4 x 12 cab WGS ET-65's
Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Strat
Fender Custom Shop "Kosmic Music 40th Anniversary" Ash Strat
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R9 VOS
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus with WCR Darkbursts
OldRushFan
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« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2011, 12:22:35 AM »
Quote from: plasticvonaband on December 11, 2011, 03:03:42 AM
Isn't the rectifier board setup to provide the proper B+ voltage to keep the bias within range just like the Bad Cat version? Have you checked the B+ Voltage and Plate Voltages to see if that's the case?

My guess is the design is set up to be a compromise between the two different rectifiers.  However, with my particular tranny set, when in Tube Recto mode, I'm running 337.7 B+ (standard JJ GZ34S).  When I'm in SS Recto mode I'm running 362.6 B+.  My plate voltage jumps accordingly and that is when I'm pushing beyond what I want to in terms of dissipation (I'm fine in tube recto mode).  By any chance did you record your readings before buttoning her up?  I'd be real interested.

I'm going to cool it down a bit so I can use SS mode with peace of mind - I'll report back...have her opened up and the soldering iron warming up....
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plasticvonaband
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« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2011, 04:51:09 AM »
don't forget that with cathode bias the resisitor will limit the amount of current going through the tube, just on the basis of its design. the resistor and cap will only allow the current to rise so high, and then it will stop. You probably aren't running them too hot.
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Overdrive is like peanut butter. Some like it crunchy, some like it creamy.
Bluesmaster 50 2x12 combo and some guitars.
telemad
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« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2011, 04:53:11 AM »
Quote from: Nairbr on December 11, 2011, 09:41:09 AM
Quote from: OldRushFan on December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?


Mine doesn't like them either, I tried a new Boss PS-6 Harmonist and there was some weird aftertones going on.

I did a gig last night using my LP R9  Grin

My minor quip is I still find there is a tone inbalance between the clean and gain channels, so you end up with a trade off with the Briilliance control between the 2.

I will find a way of taming the brightness of the clean channel


Try lowering the value on the bright cap on the volume pot to a 100pf or even a 47pf...  if you don't like it switch it back to the way it was... I lowered both bright caps and raised the value of the cap on the cut circuit on my Dizzy 30 and made a big difference... I have since added the Lar-Mar PPIMV which tamed and smoothed out the harshness of the gain channel Master volume..
[/color][/font][/font][/b][/size]
« Last Edit: December 21, 2011, 03:45:33 PM by telemad » Logged
Nairbr
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« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2011, 11:21:09 AM »
Quote from: telemad on December 21, 2011, 04:53:11 AM
Quote from: Nairbr on December 11, 2011, 09:41:09 AM
Quote from: OldRushFan on December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?


Mine doesn't like them either, I tried a new Boss PS-6 Harmonist and there was some weird aftertones going on.

I did a gig last night using my LP R9  Grin

My minor quip is I still find there is a tone inbalance between the clean and gain channels, so you end up with a trade off with the Briilliance control between the 2.

I will find a way of taming the brightness of the clean channel


Try lowering the value on the bright cap on the volume pot to a 100pf or even a 47pf... also try lowering the value of the cap on the brilliance circuit from the .0047 to a .0022 if you don't like it switch it back to the way it was... I lowered both bright caps and the value of the cap on the cut circuit on my Dizzy 30 and made a big difference... I have since added the Lar-Mar PPIMV which tamed and smoothed out the harshness of the gain channel Master volume..
[/color][/font][/font][/b][/size]

Thanks Telemad
I will give those ideas a try
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Ceriatone 50 watt HRM + C-Lator
Ceriatone Stray Cat 30
Marshall 4 x 12 cab WGS ET-65's
Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Strat
Fender Custom Shop "Kosmic Music 40th Anniversary" Ash Strat
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R9 VOS
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus with WCR Darkbursts
telemad
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« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2011, 03:41:32 PM »
Quote from: Nairbr on December 21, 2011, 11:21:09 AM
Quote from: telemad on December 21, 2011, 04:53:11 AM
Quote from: Nairbr on December 11, 2011, 09:41:09 AM
Quote from: OldRushFan on December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?


Mine doesn't like them either, I tried a new Boss PS-6 Harmonist and there was some weird aftertones going on.

I did a gig last night using my LP R9  Grin

My minor quip is I still find there is a tone inbalance between the clean and gain channels, so you end up with a trade off with the Briilliance control between the 2.

I will find a way of taming the brightness of the clean channel


Try lowering the value on the bright cap on the volume pot to a 100pf or even a 47pf... also try lowering the value of the cap on the brilliance circuit from the .0047 to a .0022 if you don't like it switch it back to the way it was... I lowered both bright caps and the value of the cap on the cut circuit on my Dizzy 30 and made a big difference... I have since added the Lar-Mar PPIMV which tamed and smoothed out the harshness of the gain channel Master volume..
[/color][/font][/font][/b][/size]

Thanks Telemad
I will give those ideas a try

I gave bad info on the change from the .0047 to the .0022 cap on the brilliance circuit and have removed it ( it was late when I wrote it Embarrassed)  On my Dizzy 30 I went from a .0022 to  A .0047 not the other way as stated.. that said --- go up in value say to a .0068 or even try a .01.. and like I said it's easy to go back to the way it was if you don't like it... Sorry for the mis-info
« Last Edit: December 21, 2011, 03:43:17 PM by telemad » Logged
Nairbr
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« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2011, 12:31:51 AM »
Quote from: telemad on December 21, 2011, 03:41:32 PM
Quote from: Nairbr on December 21, 2011, 11:21:09 AM
Quote from: telemad on December 21, 2011, 04:53:11 AM
Quote from: Nairbr on December 11, 2011, 09:41:09 AM
Quote from: OldRushFan on December 10, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
Insane amp...one minor quip, it doesn't seem to like my time- or modulation-based pedals, but I can live with that....anyone else notice that?


Mine doesn't like them either, I tried a new Boss PS-6 Harmonist and there was some weird aftertones going on.

I did a gig last night using my LP R9  Grin

My minor quip is I still find there is a tone inbalance between the clean and gain channels, so you end up with a trade off with the Briilliance control between the 2.

I will find a way of taming the brightness of the clean channel


Try lowering the value on the bright cap on the volume pot to a 100pf or even a 47pf... also try lowering the value of the cap on the brilliance circuit from the .0047 to a .0022 if you don't like it switch it back to the way it was... I lowered both bright caps and the value of the cap on the cut circuit on my Dizzy 30 and made a big difference... I have since added the Lar-Mar PPIMV which tamed and smoothed out the harshness of the gain channel Master volume..
[/color][/font][/font][/b][/size]

Thanks Telemad
I will give those ideas a try

I gave bad info on the change from the .0047 to the .0022 cap on the brilliance circuit and have removed it ( it was late when I wrote it Embarrassed)  On my Dizzy 30 I went from a .0022 to  A .0047 not the other way as stated.. that said --- go up in value say to a .0068 or even try a .01.. and like I said it's easy to go back to the way it was if you don't like it... Sorry for the mis-info

No Problens
I will do the clean channel volume cap 1st once i'm happy with that then I will experiment with the Brillance cap
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Ceriatone 50 watt HRM + C-Lator
Ceriatone Stray Cat 30
Marshall 4 x 12 cab WGS ET-65's
Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Strat
Fender Custom Shop "Kosmic Music 40th Anniversary" Ash Strat
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R9 VOS
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus with WCR Darkbursts
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